PERISTALTIC PUMP AND CARE INSTRUMENT

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of a driving device, and more particularly to a peristaltic pump and a care instrument. The peristaltic pump includes: a casing, a motor, and a first conduit with a first end and a second end. The casing extends inwards to form an abutment portion. A rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the casing. A groove is formed between the abutment portion and the eccentric wheel. Two ends of the first conduit extend through the conduit opening. The eccentric wheel is configured to press the first conduit into abutment against the abutment portion along with the rotation of the rotational shaft to enable the first conduit to deliver a liquid. The motor operates to enable the rotational shaft to rotate, the rotational shaft further drives the eccentric wheel to rotate and press the first conduit disposed at the outer side of the eccentric wheel, unbalancing the air pressure within the external storage container, and enabling the liquid within the storage container to be sucked into the first end of the first conduit and then pumped out from the second end of the first conduit, that is, the liquid in the external storage container is discharged out. When it is needed to recover the first conduit into the storage container, the motor is enabled to operate in the reverse direction, the first conduit is then pressed by the eccentric wheel towards a reverse direction, which further enables the liquid in the first conduit to flow back into the storage container.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/077820, filed on Mar. 12, 2019, a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/075067, filed on Feb. 14, 2019, and a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/075066, filed on Feb. 14, 2019. In addition, this application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201990000012.0, filed on Mar. 12, 2019, Chinese Patent Application No. 201920199320.2, filed on Feb. 14, 2019 and Chinese Patent Application No. 201920198165.2, filed on Feb. 14, 2019.The contents of the above-mentioned patent applications are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of a driving device in a consumer product, and more particularly to a peristaltic pump and a care instrument.

BACKGROUND

With the development of products in the field of personal care, people concerns more and more about the face and body care, from the outside appearance to internal health. In view of this, a variety of related massaging apparatuses have appeared on the market, but most of these massaging apparatuses have a massage function that is independent of skin care products. Therefore, in the field of personal care massage instruments, it is necessary to develop care instruments with improved technologies and healthier materials to enhance their market competitiveness and to help people achieve a truly healthy and scientific skin care method. Specifically, there is a need for an improved delivery pump to pump the care product out at a needed flow rate and to enable the recovery of unused care products. Because a portable care instrument generally has a small volume, it is necessary to consider how to design and install the delivery pump for a portable care instrument. However, the existing peristaltic pump is large in size, and the application of the peristaltic pump into the care instrument results in an oversized care instrument and inconvenience for the user.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a peristaltic pump, which aims at solving the technical problem of how to enable the care product within the care instrument to flow out at a flow rate according to need and how to realize the recovery of unused care product.

In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solutions:

  • a peristaltic pump comprises: a casing, a motor, and a first conduit. The casing defines therein a conduit opening, and the casing extends inwards to form an abutment portion. A rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the casing, an eccentric wheel is mounted on the rotational shaft, and a groove is formed between the abutment portion and the eccentric wheel. The first conduit is fitted into the groove, with two ends of the first conduit extending to the conduit opening. The first conduit is flexible. The eccentric wheel is configured to press the first conduit into abutment against the abutment portion along with the rotation of the rotational shaft to enable the first conduit to deliver a liquid.

In some embodiments, the eccentric wheel and the rotational shaft are connected in a manner of clamping slot connection.

In some embodiments, the groove is in communication with the conduit opening, and two ends of the first conduit extend out of the conduit opening at a same side of the casing.

In some embodiments, the casing defines therein an accommodation chamber, the casing defines therein an insertion hole in communication with the accommodation chamber, and one end of the rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the insertion hole and extends into the accommodation chamber.

In some embodiments, the casing comprises a first casing and a second casing interconnected with each other, the insertion hole is defined in the first casing, and the first casing and the second casing are enclosed to form the accommodation chamber.

The present disclosure further provides a care instrument, which comprises: a mounting housing, a control component, a storage container configured to store a care product, and a peristaltic pump. Both the peristaltic pump and the control component are arranged within the mounting housing. The peristaltic pump comprises: a casing, a motor, and a first conduit. The casing defines therein a conduit opening, and the casing extends inwards to form an abutment portion. A rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the casing, an eccentric wheel is mounted on the rotational shaft, and a groove is formed between the abutment portion and the eccentric wheel. The first conduit has a first end and a second end. The first conduit is fitted into the groove, with two ends of the first conduit extending to the conduit opening, with the first end of the first conduit communicating with the storage container and the second end of the first conduit extending out of the mounting housing, and the first conduit is flexible. The eccentric wheel is configured to press the first conduit into abutment against the abutment portion along with the rotation of the rotational shaft to enable the first conduit to deliver a liquid.

In some embodiments, the care instrument further comprises a massage component, the mounting housing defines therein a mounting chamber, and the mounting chamber comprises a massage head chamber, a massage component chamber, and a liquid delivery chamber in sequential communication. The control component, the storage container, and the peristaltic pump are all disposed within the liquid delivery chamber. The massage component is disposed within the massage component chamber.

In some embodiments, the massage component chamber defines therein an outlet, and the second end of the first conduit communicates with the outlet.

In some embodiments, the massage head chamber is further provided therein with a temperature control component, and the temperature control component is in electrical connection with the control component.

In some embodiments, one end of the storage container is provided with a check valve configured to balance air pressure within the storage container.

In some embodiments, care instrument comprises: a massage head, a first mounting body, a second mounting body, and a third mounting body; the first mounting body, the second mounting body, and the massage head enclose to form the mounting housing. The second mounting body defines therein a mounting slot corresponding to a position of the storage container, and the third mounting body is detachably disposed outside the second mounting body and configured to cover the mounting slot.

In some embodiments, the liquid delivery chamber is further provided with a power supply device configured to supply power to the control component, the temperature control component, the massage component, and the peristaltic pump. The power supply device comprises: a rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device. The wireless charging device is in electrical connection with the rechargeable battery.

Compared with the prior art, the peristaltic pump described in the present disclosure can have the following technical features: by arranging the motor, where the rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the casing, and the motor is in electrical connection with an external power supply device, the motor can drive the rotational shaft to rotate. Further, by fixing the eccentric wheel at the rotational shaft of the motor, the motor can drive the eccentric wheel to rotate through the rotational shaft. The casing extends inwards to form the abutment portion, which, together with the eccentric wheel form the groove for mounting the first conduit. By fitting the flexible first conduit around the outer side of the eccentric wheel, the eccentric wheel presses the first conduit when it rotates. In this way, when the first conduit is connected to an external storage container, the liquid in the external storage container can be discharged out or suctioned in via the peristaltic pump in a drop-by-drop manner, realizing accurate delivery of liquid. Besides, the peristaltic pump has a relatively small size, and the size of the care instrument can therefore be reduced with this peristaltic pump design. In addition, the suction or discharge of the liquid may be realized by controlling the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotational shaft connected to the motor. The first end of the first conduit extends into the external storage container, the motor operates to enable the rotational shaft to rotate, the rotational shaft further drives the eccentric wheel to rotate and press the first conduit disposed at the outer side of the eccentric wheel, causing the unbalanced air pressure within the external storage container, which enables the liquid within the storage container to be sucked into the first end of the first conduit and then pumped out from the second end of the first conduit, that is, the liquid in the external storage container is discharged out. When it is needed to recover the liquid back into the storage container, the motor can operate in the reverse direction, the first conduit is then pressed by the eccentric wheel towards a reverse direction, which further enables the liquid in the first conduit to flow back into the storage container.

The care instrument provided by embodiments of the present disclosure has the following beneficial effects: the care instrument comprises the mounting housing, the control component, the storage container, and the peristaltic pump. Both the peristaltic pump and the control component are disposed within the mounting housing, the peristaltic pump communicates with the storage container, and the storage container is stored with the care product. The peristaltic pump is capable of delivering the care product within the storage container to the surface of the mounting housing in a drop-by-drop manner, realizing accurate delivery of the care product. The peristaltic pump comprises the casing and the motor, the rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the casing, the rotational shaft is rotationally fixed with the eccentric wheel, and the first conduit partially surrounds the eccentric wheel with the first end of the first conduit communicating with the storage container, the first conduit is a flexible tube, and the eccentric wheel is configured to press the first conduit into abutment against the abutment portion along with the rotation of the rotational shaft, such that the care product can be discharged out or suctioned into the storage container via the first conduit in a drop-by-drop manner, realizing accurate delivery of the care product. When it is needed to recover the care product back into the storage container, the motor can operate in the reverse direction, the first conduit is then pressed by the eccentric wheel towards a reverse direction, which further enables the care product in the first conduit to flow back into the storage container. The suction or discharge of the care product may be realized by controlling the rotation speed and rotation direction of the motor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly described below. The following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of a peristaltic pump provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of a peristaltic pump provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a first exploded structural schematic view of a peristaltic pump provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a second exploded structural schematic view of a peristaltic pump provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a structural schematic view of a care instrument provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of a care instrument provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded structural schematic view of a care instrument provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the drawings, reference numerals are used as follows:

  • 10: Casing; 11: Accommodation chamber; 121: Insertion hole insertion hole;
  • 12: First casing; 13: Second casing; 122: Fixing bosses;
  • 131: Fixing slots; 123: Fixing through hole; 132: Fixing perforated hole;
  • 14: Fixing member;20: Motor; 21: Rotational shaft;
  • 22: Motor body; 23: Gearbox; 30: Eccentric wheel;
  • 40: First conduit; 56: Outlet; 57: Temperature control component;
  • 50: Care instrument; 51: Mounting housing; 52: Control component;
  • 53: Storage container; 54: Peristaltic pump; 55: Massage component;
  • 511: Mounting chamber; 512: Massage head chamber; 513: Massage component chamber;
  • 514: Liquid delivery chamber; 24: Abutment portion; 26: Conduit opening; 515: Massage head;
  • 516: First mounting body; 517: Second mounting body; 518: Third mounting body;
  • 59: Power supply device; 591: Rechargeable battery; 592: Wireless charging device;
  • 519: Mounting slot; 521: Thermal conducting bracket; 522: Mounting bracket;
  • 25: Groove; and 58: Check valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail herein, and the examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, in which, the same or similar reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described herein with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1-7 are exemplary, and are intended to illustrate the present disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting.

It should be understood that terms “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside” and the like indicating orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or the positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are merely for facilitating and simplifying the description of the present disclosure, rather than indicating or implying that a device or component must have a particular orientation, or be configured or operated in a particular orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting.

Moreover, the terms “first” and “second” are adopted for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features prefixed by “first” and “second” will explicitly or implicitly represent that one or more of the referred technical features are included. In the description of the present disclosure, the meaning of “a plurality of” or “multiple” is two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specifically stipulated and defined, terms like “install”, “connect”, “couple”, “fix” should be construed broadly, for example, they may indicate a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral as a whole; may be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; may be in direct connection, or indirect connection via an intermediate, and may also reflect internal communication of two elements or interactions between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to specific situations.

A peristaltic pump is generally composed of three parts, i. e., a driver, a pump head, and a hose. A fluid is isolated within the hose, the peristaltic pump is just like clamping a hose filled with a fluid by fingers, and as the fingers slides forwards, the fluid within the hose is driven to move forward.

In order to achieve the pumping of the care product (e.g., an essential oil) in a controlled flowing rate and to allow the recovery of unused care product, the peristaltic pump is a relatively good choice. Based on the needs of the users, the care instrument should be relatively small. However, the existing peristaltic pump is relatively large in size, and the use of the peristaltic pump in the care instrument causes the care instrument to be oversized, resulting in inconvenient use. Therefore, it is necessary to consider providing a smaller peristaltic pump capable of achieving miniaturization of the care instrument.

Based on the above needs, a peristaltic pump according to the below embodiments is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, in some embodiments, a peristaltic pump 54 comprises: a casing 10, a motor 20, and a first conduit 40. The casing 10 defines therein a conduit opening 26. The casing 10 extends inwards to form an annular abutment portion 24. A rotational shaft 21 of the motor 20 is inserted into the casing 10, an eccentric wheel 30 is mounted on the rotational shaft 21, and a groove 25 is formed between the abutment portion 24 and the eccentric wheel 30. The first conduit 40 is fitted into the groove 25, an inner sidewall of the abutment portion 24 contacts an outer wall of the first conduit 40, and two ends of the first conduit 40 extend to the conduit opening 26. The first conduit 40 is a flexible hose, the eccentric wheel 30 is configured to press the first conduit 40 to abut against the abutment portion 24 along with the rotation of the rotational shaft 21, such that the first conduit 40 is enabled to deliver a liquid when the eccentric wheel 30 rotates. In particular, an inner side of the first conduit 40 and a squeezing side of the eccentric wheel 30 form an interference fit.

In the peristaltic pump 54, by arranging the motor 20, where the rotational shaft 21 of the motor 20 is inserted into the casing 10, and the motor 20 is in electrical connection with an external power supply device 59, the motor 20 can drive the rotational shaft 21 to rotate. Further, by fixing the eccentric wheel 30 at the rotational shaft 21 of the motor 20, the motor can drive the eccentric wheel 30 to rotate through the rotational shaft 21. By partially surrounding the outer side of the eccentric wheel 30 with the flexible first conduit 40, the eccentric wheel 30 presses the first conduit 40 when it rotates. In this way, when the first conduit 40 is connected to an external storage container 53, the liquid in the external storage container 53 can be discharged out or suctioned in via the peristaltic pump 54. Further, the peristaltic pump 54 has relatively small size, when it is applied into the care instrument 50, the size of the care instrument can therefore be effectively reduced. In addition, the suction or discharge of the liquid be realized by controlling the rotation direction of the rotational shaft 21 of the motor 20. In some embodiments, the first end of the first conduit 40 extends into the external storage container 53, the motor 20 operates to enable the rotational shaft 21 to rotate, the rotational shaft 21 further drives the eccentric wheel 30 to rotate and press the first conduit 40 disposed at the outer side of the eccentric wheel 30. As a result, the air pressure within the external storage container 53 becomes unbalanced, causing the liquid within the storage container 53 to be sucked into the first end of the first conduit 40 and then pumped out from the second end of the first conduit 40, that is, the liquid in the external storage container 53 is discharged out. When it is needed to recover the first conduit 40 into the storage container 53, the motor 20 is enabled to operate in the reverse direction, the first conduit 40 is then pressed by the eccentric wheel 30 towards a reverse direction, which enables the liquid in the first conduit 40 to flow back into the storage container 53. Further, no matter the motor rotates or not, the eccentric wheel 30 always compresses a part of the first conduit 40 against the abutment portion 24, which makes the compressed part sealed, that is, the liquid will not pass through the compressed part, thereby ensuring the sealing of the storage container 53 and the first conduit 40, and preventing leakage from the first conduit 40.

In some embodiments, the motor 20 may be any driving device (e.g., DC motors or AC motors) connected with the rotational shaft 21 and capable of driving the rotational shaft 21 to rotate, and specific types of the motor 20 is not limited in this embodiment.

In some embodiments, the groove 25 is in communication with the conduit opening 26, and two ends of the first conduit 40 extend out of the conduit opening 26 at the same side of the casing 10. By extending the two ends of the first conduit 40 out of the conduit opening 26 at the same time, the first conduit 40 forms an approximately ring-shaped structure surrounding the eccentric wheel 30 within the groove 25, such that the eccentric wheel 30 is capable of compressing the first conduit 40 within its rotating range. This design further ensures the sealing of the storage container 53 and the first conduit 40, and further prevents the leakage from the first conduit 40.

In some embodiments, the number of the conduit opening 26 can be one, two, three, or more, and the first conduit 40 may extend out from different conduit openings 26 according to practical needs. In some embodiments, a joint can also be installed through a joint mount to connect the first conduit 40 to other tubes. For example, two ends of the first conduit 40 are connected to the joints near the conduit opening 26, and the respective joint is further connected to other tubes to extend the first conduit 40. The first conduit 40 may be arranged in a linear, U-shaped, and L-shaped configuration. As an example, the number of the first conduit 40 schematically shown in FIG. 1 is one, and the two ends of the first conduit 40 extend out from the same conduit opening 26 and the first conduit 40 can be construed as U-shaped.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the casing 10 defines therein an accommodation chamber 11, the casing 10 defines therein an insertion hole 121 in communication with the accommodation chamber 11, a large part of the motor 20 extends out of the casing 10, one end of the rotational shaft 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 121 and extends into the accommodation chamber 11. By defining the insertion hole 121, the rotational shaft 21 of the motor 20 extends into the casing 10, and the bulk part of the motor 20 away from the rotational shaft 21 is arranged outside the casing. In this way, on the one hand, it is convenient for the connection between the motor 20 and the external power supply 59, and on the other hand, the volume of the casing 10 can be effectively reduced, which further miniaturizes the peristaltic pump 54, and enables the peristaltic pump 54 to be incorporated into small apparatuses such as the care instrument 50.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the casing 10 comprises a first casing 12 and a second casing 13 interconnected with each other, the insertion hole 121 is defined in the first casing 12, and the first casing 12 and the second casing 13 are enclosed to form the accommodation chamber 11. The casing 10 is formed by connecting the first casing 12 and the second casing 13 together, allowing easy disassembling of the casing 10 and installation of the structures like the motor 20 and the first conduit 40, thereby being convenient for the production and processing.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the motor 20 comprises: a motor body 22 and a transmission or gearbox 23 arranged outside the motor body 22. Under the control of an external control component, the gearbox 23 is capable of regulating a rotational speed of the rotational shaft 21, such that the flow velocity of the liquid can be controlled by the gearbox 23. The gearbox 23 is arranged at one side of the motor body close to the rotational shaft 21, the size of the gearbox 23 is greater than the size of the insertion hole 121, and the gearbox 23 is locked in the accommodation chamber 11 while the motor body 22 extends out of the casing. By arranging the gearbox 23 at the motor 20, the gearbox 23 can be fitted and fixed into the first casing 12, and one end of the motor 20 away from the gearbox 23 can pass through the insertion hole 121, such that rotational shaft 21 of the motor 20 is stably fixed within the casing 10, the end of the motor 20 away from the gearbox 23 extends out of the insertion hole 121, thereby facilitating the firm fixation of the motor 20 within the casing 10.

In some embodiments, the eccentric wheel 30 and the rotational shaft 21 are connected in a manner of clamping slot connection. Because the fixation by clamping slot connection is relatively simple and the connection is stable, the clamping slot connection between the eccentric wheel 30 and the rotational shaft 21 can effectively ensure assembly efficiency, and ensure the stability of the peristaltic pump 54.

In some embodiments, the connection manner between the eccentric wheel 30 and the rotational shaft 21 may also be any one of the following: engagement connection, keyway connection, bite type fitting connection, chuck connection, clamping slot connection, pin connection, or threaded connection. The connection manner between the eccentric wheel 30 and the rotational shaft 21 is not limited herein. Taken the engagement connection as an example, an end of the rotational shaft 21 is provided with teeth, and the eccentric wheel 30 engages the rotational shaft 21 for connection. In particular, the eccentric wheel 30 defines therein an eccentric hole, and an inner wall of the eccentric wheel is provided with an engaging structure corresponding to the teeth, such that the eccentric wheel 30 and the rotational shaft 21 can be connected via the engaging structure and the teeth. On the one hand, stable connection between the eccentric wheel 30 and the rotational shaft 21 is ensured, on the other hand, the eccentric wheel 30 can also be detached from the rotational shaft 21. In this way, the size of the eccentric wheel 30 can be adjusted according to use needs, and the multiple needs of the user can be therefore satisfied.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, a periphery of the insertion hole 121 facing a direction of the second casing 13 is provided with a plurality of fixing bosses 122, the second casing 13 defines therein fixing slots corresponding to the plurality of fixing bosses 122, the fixing bosses 122 can be inserted into the fixing slots respectively. By enabling the plurality of fixing bosses 122 to be inserted into the fixing slots 131 respectively, the stability of the connection between the first casing 12 and the second casing 13 can be ensured when the fixing bosses 122 are respectively inserted into the fixing slots 131, and the service life of the peristaltic pump 54 can be effectively extended.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, the gearbox 23 has a square structure, and the plurality of fixing bosses 122 are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to corner positions of the gearbox 23. The gearbox 23 is enclosed and covered by the fixing bosses 122 when locked within the accommodation chamber 11. By placing the fixing bosses 122 at the corners of the gearbox 23, in particular, the side of the respective fixing bosses 122 facing the insertion hole 121 is designed to be a curved structure corresponding to the respective corner structure of the gearbox 23, and a spacing distance between adjacent fixing bosses 122 corresponds to the respective side length of the gearbox 23. In this way, on one hand, the fixing bosses 122 ensure the stability of the connection between the first casing 12 and the second casing 13, on the other hand, the gearbox 23 can be fixed within the plurality of fixing bosses 122, securing the fixation of the part of the motor arranged within the casing 10.

In some embodiments, an inner wall of the second casing 13 is provided with one or more fixing clips having a size smaller than that of the gearbox 23, so that when the first casing 12 is connected with the second casing 13, the gearbox 23 can be pressed by the fixing clips, which makes the part of the motor 20 arranged within the casing 10 fixed within a chamber enclosed by the following: the fixing clip, the fixing bosses 122, and the first casing 12. This design makes the part of the motor 20 within the casing 10 stably fixed within the casing 10.

In some embodiments, the gearbox 23 is a square structure with rounded corners, and the side of each of the plurality of fixing bosses 122 away from the insertion hole 121 has an outer surface in a curved structure, thereby being fitted around the rounded corners to enclose and cover the gearbox 23.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, an outer surface of one side of each of the multiple fixing bosses 122 away from the insertion hole 121 is a curved structure. because the motor 20 may be replaced with a motor 20 of a different power according to the needs of the user, by designing the outer surface of one side of each of the multiple fixing bosses 122 away from the insertion hole 121 into the curved structure, when the user replaces the motor 20 by holding the fixing bosses 122, the user's hands are protected from injury, thereby being effectively improving the user experience.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, the first casing 12 defines therein fixing through holes 123, and the second casing 13 defines therein fixing perforated holes 132 corresponding to positions of the fixing through hole 123. In such embodiments, the first casing 12 and the second casing 13 can be detachably connected by allowing a fixing member 14 to pass through the fixing through hole 123 and the fixing perforated hole 132. For example, the detachable connection can be a screw connection, the fixing through hole 123 and the fixing perforated hole 132 can be both threaded holes, and the fixing member 14 can be a screw. By connecting the first casing 12 and the second casing 13 through the fixing member 14, the first casing 12 and the second casing 13 can be easily taken apart, which enables the user to replace the first conduit 40, the eccentric wheel 30, or the motor 20.

Based on the above needs, in some embodiments, the peristaltic pump is used to achieve the discharging of the care product in a drop-by-drop manner and realize the recovery of unused care product. However, conventional peristaltic pumps generally have relatively large sizes. The inclusion of a conventional peristaltic pump into a portable care instrument would increase its size and cause inconvenience to the user. Therefore, it is needed to reconsider how to design and install the peristaltic pump to fit the needs of a portable care instrument.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, some embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a care instrument 50, which comprises: a mounting housing 51, a control component 52, a storage container 53, and a peristaltic pump 54. The peristaltic pump 54 and the control component 52 are both arranged within the mounting housing 51, the first end of a first conduit 40 is in fluid communication with the storage container 53, and the second end of the first conduit 40 extends out of the mounting housing 51, and the storage container 53 is configured to store a care product. The peristaltic pump 54 comprises: a casing 10, a motor 20, and a first conduit 40. The casing 10 defines therein a conduit opening 26. The casing 10 extends inwards to form an annular abutment portion 24. A rotational shaft 21 of the motor 20 is inserted into the casing 10, an eccentric wheel 30 is mounted on the rotational shaft 21, a groove 25 is formed between the abutment portion 24 and the eccentric wheel 30, the first conduit 40 is fitted into the groove 25, and two ends of the first conduit 40 extend through the conduit opening 26, the first conduit 40 is a flexible hose, the eccentric wheel 30 presses the first conduit 40 against the abutment portion 24 with the rotation of the rotational shaft 21, such that the first conduit 40 can deliver a liquid.

In some embodiments, the mounting housing 51 is further provided with catching groove corresponding to the position of a storage containers 53. The storage container 53 is configured to be attached to or removed from the mounting housing 51 through the catching groove.

In the care instrument 50 provided by the present disclosure, the storage container 53 can accommodate the care product (i.e., an essential oil, fragrance, or medication) with the function of adding fragrance or lubrication. The peristaltic pump 54 can be configured to draw the care product from the storage container 53 via the first conduit 40 and deliver the care product to the outside of the mounting housing 51.By controlling the rotational shaft 21 to operate in real time by the control component 52 and further enabling the care instrument to output the care product in a timed and quantitative manner, the user can adjust the output amount of the care liquid according to specific needs.

In some embodiments, the control component 52 is a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). In some embodiments, the control component 52 can adjust the pumping speed of the peristaltic pump 54 by methods known in the art (e.g., by controlling either the current or the voltage of the peristaltic pump 54).

In some embodiments, the user can operate control component 52 through a first button and a second button on the mounting housing 51. The first button changes the operation mode of the care instrument 50 and the second button instructs the care instrument 50 to dispense the care product. In some embodiments, the user can turn the care instrument on and off by pushing the first button and the second button at the same time.

In some embodiments, the care instrument 50 of the present disclosure can adopt the peristaltic pump 54 described herein , and all the technical features of the peristaltic pump 54 described herein can be incorporated into the care instrument 50.

In some embodiments, the casing 10 is further provided therein with a second conduit (not shown in the figures) with a first end and a second end, with the first end of the second conduit extending to a surface of the casing 10 and the second end thereof extending into the storage container 53. By connecting the second end of the second conduit with the external storage container 53, the second conduit can either feed air into the storage container 53 or discharge air out of the storage container 53 when the first conduit 40 is pressed by the eccentric wheel 30. In this way, the air pressure within the external storage container 53 is balanced.

In some embodiments, the second conduit is spaced from the eccentric wheel 30, that is, the second conduit does not contact the eccentric wheel, and the first conduit 40 and the second conduit do not interfere with each other. Further, the first end of the second conduit can be provided with a pressure balance device (e.g., a check valve, air pump, or another peristaltic pump).

Thus, on the one hand, when the care instrument 50 is in normal operation, the peristaltic pump 54 draws the care product from the storage container 53, the pressure balancing device on the second conduit supplies air into the storage container 53 to achieve the pressure balance within the storage container; on the other hand, after the care instrument 50 stops operation, in order to empty the remaining care product in the first conduit 40, the control component 52 is configured to control the peristaltic pump 54 to operate in the reverse direction, so that the care product within the first conduit 40 can flow backwards into the storage container 53. In order to maintain the pressure balance within the storage container 53, the air within the storage container 53 can be discharged via the second conduit, but because the standing angle of the care instrument 50 after use is random, the care product may also be discharged out of the second conduit , which leads to a waste of the care product. By including a pressure balancing device on the second conduit, the care product is prevented from being discharged out through the second conduit, which further prevents leakage of the liquid and the waste of the care product.

In some embodiments, a cap of the storage container 53 is provided thereon with a check valve 58. The air pressure within the storage container 53 can be balanced by the check valve 58, and the care product can be prevented from being discharged via the check valve 58, which prevents the leakage of the liquid and the waste of the care product.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the mounting housing 51 defines therein a mounting chamber 511, the mounting chamber comprises a massage head chamber 512, a massage component chamber 513, and a liquid delivery chamber 514 in sequential communication. The control component 52, the storage container 53, and the peristaltic pump 54 are all at least partially disposed within the liquid delivery chamber 514, and the peristaltic pump 54 can deliver the care product within the storage container 53 through the massage head chamber 512 to the outside of the mounting housing 51. In this way, in using the care instrument, the user can hold the part of the mounting housing 51 corresponding to the locations of the massage component chamber 513 and the liquid delivery chamber 514, and by discharging the liquid via the massage head chamber 512, the holding region and the liquid discharge region can be separated, which prevents the liquid from sticking to the user's hand when the user uses the care instrument.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the massage head chamber 512 is provided therein with a massage component 55, the control component 52 is in electrical connection with the massage component 52 and the peristaltic pump 54, respectively. The massage component 55 and the peristaltic pump 54 can operate independently from each other. When the massage component 52 operates independently, the care instrument 50 may function in massaging mode; when the peristaltic pump 40 operates independently, the care product accommodated in the storage container 53 can be delivered to the outside of the mounting housing 51, which enables the user to apply the care product onto his/her face or body. Moreover, when the massage component 55 and the peristaltic pump 54 synchronously operate as a combination, the care product can be delivered to the outside of the mounting housing and uniformly applied by the massage component 55 under the action of vibration or other manners, which facilitates the application of the care product onto the face or the body, and therefore effectively improves the user experience.

In some embodiments, the massage component 55 is a vibrator. It can provide vibration at specified frequencies, such as from 75-200 Hz. The massage component 55 can allow the entire care instrument to vibrate. When the vibrating care instrument is applied to a user, it can help the user relax, increase blood circulation, and facilitate the application of the care product.

In some embodiments, the massage component 55 can be a device configured to provide illumination, weak current stimulation, temperature adjustment, radio frequency, vibration, or other forms of care or massage on the user.

In some embodiments, the control component 52 is a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). In some embodiments, the control component 52 can adjust the vibration of the massage component 55 by controlling either the current or the voltage of the massage component 55.In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the mounting housing 51 defines therein an outlet 56 , and the second end of the first conduit 40 communicates with the outlet 56. The peristaltic pump 54 is capable of delivering the care product within the storage container 53 out of the mounting housing 51 via the outlet 56. The motor 20 in the peristaltic pump 54 operates to enable the rotational shaft 21 to rotate, the rotational shaft 21 drives the eccentric wheel 30 to rotate and press the first conduit 40 outside the eccentric wheel 30 against the abutment portion 24, unbalancing the air pressure within the storage container 53, which makes the liquid within the storage container 53 to be drawn in the first conduit 40 from the first end of the first conduit 40 and being discharged out from the second end of the first conduit 40, thereby discharging the liquid within the storage container 53 out via the outlet 56 of the mounting housing 51.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, a temperature control component 57 can be further provided in the care instrument 50. When the care product is delivered to the outside the mounting housing 51 and then uniformly applied by the massage component 55 under the action of vibration or other means, the massage head chamber 512 and the massage head 515 are synchronously heated or cooled, and the care product is indirectly heated or cooled.

In some embodiments, the mounting housing 51 is provided with the outlet 56, and the second end of the first conduit 40 extends out of the outlet 56, which enables the user to directly apply the care product to the body skin. For example, the first conduit 40 can be designed to have a relatively short section extend out of the outlet 56.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the massage head chamber 512 is further provided therein with a temperature control component 57 configured to heat or cool the massage head chamber 512 and a portion of the mounting housing 51 corresponding to the position of the massage head chamber 512, and further indirectly heat or cool the care product. The temperature control component 57 is in electrical connection with the control component 52. By arranging the temperature control component 57, on the one hand, when only the massage function of the care instrument 50 is used, the temperature of the housing of the care instrument 50 can be adjusted to a preset temperature, which more closely matches the user's needs and can effectively improve the user experience; and on the other hand, when the user simultaneously uses the massage component 55 and the peristaltic pump 54 to initiate the dual function of massage and skin care, because the position of the outlet 56 corresponds to the position of the temperature control component 57, before being discharged out of the outlet 56, the care product can be adjusted to a temperature appropriate for use by the temperature control component 57, and then the care product at an appropriate temperature is discharged out via the outlet 56, thereby achieving better use effect of the care product. In some embodiments, the temperature control component 57 is designed into a simple cooling/warming mode, such as physical cooling/physical heating after the fluid flows through the low-temperature object. In other embodiments, the temperature control component 57 can also include a temperature sensor that is positioned at a suitable location within the massage head 515, such that the temperature of the part of the mounting housing 51 corresponding to the position of the massage head chamber 512 can be adjusted by the temperature control component 57 according to a program preset by the control component 52, thereby forming a closed-loop control system.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, the care instrument comprises: a massage head 515, a first mounting body 516, a second mounting body 517, and a third mounting body 518. The first mounting body 516, the second mounting body 517, and the massage head 515 enclose to form the mounting housing 51. The second mounting body 517 defines therein a mounting slot 519 corresponding to a position of the storage container 53, the third mounting body 518 is detachably disposed outside the second mounting body 517 and configured to cover the mounting slot 519. By defining the mounting slot 519 at the bottom of the second mounting body 517, the storage container 53 can be mounted at or detached from the mounting slot 519, which enables the user to replace the storage container 53 in order to replace different care products, thereby satisfying different needs of the user. As shown in FIG. 7, by further disposing the third mounting body 518 outside the second mounting body 517, the second mounting body 517 can be covered by the third mounting body 518. In this way, in normal use, the user would not directly contact the storage container 53, the storage container 53 would be prevented from falling off due to impact, and therefore improving the stability of the care instrument 50.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, the liquid delivery chamber 514 is further provided with a power supply device 59 configured to supply power to the control component 52, the temperature control component 57, the massage component 55, and the peristaltic pump 54. By including the power supply device 59, the care instrument can operate properly.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, the power supply device 59 comprises: a rechargeable battery 591 and a wireless charging device 592. The wireless charging device 592 is in electrical connection with the rechargeable battery 591. The rechargeable battery 591 is in electrical connection with the control component 52, the temperature control component 53, the massage component 55, and the peristaltic pump 54, respectively. In this way, the rechargeable battery 591 can be charged by an external wireless docking station via the wireless charging device 592. In this way, it is not necessary to include an additional charging interface at the surface of the care instrument, which minimize water leakage in washing the care instrument and effectively ensures the service life of the care instrument.

In some embodiments, the wireless docking station can be installed at or configured to fit a base of the care instrument, which can be designed to be adapted to the shape of the mounting housing of the care instrument, thereby facilitating the placement of the care instrument.

In some embodiments, the temperature control component 57 includes a Peltier device or a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) semiconductor refrigerator (not shown) and a thermal conducting bracket 521.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the massage head chamber 512 is further provided therein with the thermal conducting bracket 521 which is configured to conduct the thermal energy transmitted from the temperature control component 57 to the surface of the mounting housing 51. By setting the thermal conducting bracket 521, the temperature of the surface of the mounting housing 51 can be adjusted to a required temperature, thereby satisfying the user's needs.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6-7, a mounting bracket 522 is further fixed in the liquid delivery chamber 514, and the storage container 53 and the peristaltic pump 54 are fixed to the mounting bracket 522. For example, the cap of the storage container 53 can be fixed at the mounting bracket 522. By providing the mounting bracket 522, the connection between storage container 53 and the peristaltic pump 54 are sufficiently firm to prevent the storage container 53 and the peristaltic pump 54 from rattling during use by the user.

In some embodiments, the control component 52 is mounted at the first mounting body 516.

The above is only the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure are included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A peristaltic pump, comprising: a casing, a motor, and a first conduit; wherein the casing defines therein a conduit opening, and the casing extends inwards to form an abutment portion;

a rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the casing, an eccentric wheel is mounted on the rotational shaft, and a groove is formed between the abutment portion and the eccentric wheel;
the first conduit is fitted into the groove, with two ends of the first conduit extending through the conduit opening;
the first conduit is flexible; and the eccentric wheel is configured to press the first conduit into abutment against the abutment portion along with the rotation of the rotational shaft to enable the first conduit to deliver a liquid.

2. The peristaltic pump according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric wheel and the rotational shaft are connected in a manner of clamping slot connection.

3. The peristaltic pump according to claim 1, wherein the groove is in communication with the conduit opening, and two ends of the first conduit extend out of the conduit opening at a same side of the casing.

4. The peristaltic pump according to claim 1, wherein the casing defines therein an accommodation chamber, the casing defines therein an insertion hole in communication with the accommodation chamber, and one end of the rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the insertion hole and extends into the accommodation chamber.

5. The peristaltic pump according to claim 4, wherein the casing comprises a first casing and a second casing interconnected with each other, the insertion hole is defined in the first casing, and the first casing and the second casing are enclosed to form the accommodation chamber.

6. A care instrument, comprising: a mounting housing, a control component, a storage container configured to store a care product, and a peristaltic pump; both the peristaltic pump and the control component being arranged within the mounting housing; the peristaltic pump comprising: a casing, a motor, and a first conduit;

wherein the casing defines therein a conduit opening, and the casing extends inwards to form an abutment portion; a rotational shaft of the motor is inserted into the casing, an eccentric wheel is mounted on the rotational shaft, and a groove is formed between the abutment portion and the eccentric wheel; the first conduit is fitted into the groove, with two ends of the first conduit extending to the conduit opening, with the first end of the first conduit communicating with the storage container and the second end of the first conduit extending out of the mounting housing, and the first conduit is a flexible; and the eccentric wheel is configured to press the first conduit into abutment against the abutment portion along with the rotation of the rotational shaft to enable the first conduit to deliver a liquid.

7. The care instrument according to claim 6, wherein

the care instrument further comprises a massage component, the mounting housing defines therein a mounting chamber, and the mounting chamber comprises a massage head chamber, a massage component chamber, and a liquid delivery chamber in sequential communication;
the control component, the storage container, and the peristaltic pump are all disposed within the liquid delivery chamber; and
the massage component is disposed within the massage component chamber.

8. The care instrument according to claim 7, wherein the massage component chamber defines therein an outlet, and the second end of the first conduit communicates with the outlet.

9. The care instrument according to claim 8, wherein the massage head chamber is further provided therein with a temperature control component, and the temperature control component is in electrical connection with the control component.

10. The care instrument according to claim 6, wherein one end of the storage container is provided with a check valve configured to balance air pressure within the storage container.

11. The care instrument according to claim 6, wherein the care instrument comprises: a massage head, a first mounting body, a second mounting body, and a third mounting body; the first mounting body, the second mounting body, and the massage head are enclosed to form the mounting housing; the second mounting body defines therein a mounting slot corresponding to the position of the storage container, and the third mounting body is detachably disposed outside the second mounting body and configured to cover the mounting slot.

12. The care instrument according to claim 9, wherein the liquid delivery chamber is further provided with a power supply device configured to supply power to the control component, the temperature control component, the massage component, and the peristaltic pump; the power supply device comprises: a rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device; and the wireless charging device is in electrical connection with the rechargeable battery.

Patent History
Publication number: 20200261309
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 7, 2019
Publication Date: Aug 20, 2020
Inventor: Andy Lee (New York, NY)
Application Number: 16/534,162
Classifications
International Classification: A61H 23/02 (20060101); F04B 43/12 (20060101);