# US 2014/0198159 A1 · Compact pinch valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0198159 A1 - Document ID: US20140198159A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/097,499 - Filed: 2013-12-05 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-15 - Assignees: Zamtec Ltd - Applicants: Zamtec Limited - Inventors: Geoffrey Philip Dyer; Rommel Balala; Paul Charles Knight; Kianoush Mir Sanaei; Saminda Jayatileke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140198159A1 ## CPC - B41J 2/17596: {Ink pumps, ink valves} - B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor} - B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection} - F16K 7/06: by means of a screw-spindle, cam, or other mechanical means {(F16K7/045 takes precedence)} - F16K 7/065: {Cam clamps} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract An improved pinch valve includes a camshaft and associated cam(s) controlling the position of a pivotally-mounted first pinch arm and an opposed, pivotally-mounted second pinch arm. The respective pinch arms are provided symmetrically about a central plane which contains an axis of the camshaft. A spring extends across the central plane and interconnects the respective pinch arms so as to urge both pinch arms towards the central plane. A mechanical advantage lever is provided such that the pinching force is greater than the spring force. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pinch valve comprising: a body; a cam rotatably mounted on the body about a cam axis; a first pinch arm pivotally mounted on the body about a first pivot axis parallel with the cam axis, the first pinch arm comprising a first cam follower for engagement with the cam and a first pinch element for pinching a first conduit; a second pinch arm pivotally mounted on the body about a second pivot axis parallel with the cam axis, the second pinch arm comprising a second cam follower for engagement with the cam and a second pinch element for pinching a second conduit; and a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second pinch arms towards a plane containing the cam axis so as to urge the first and second cam followers against the cam, wherein the first and second pinch arms oppose each other on either side of the plane. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pinch valve of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism is a mutual biasing mechanism engaged with the first and second pinch arms. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pinch valve of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a resilient element interconnecting the first and second pinch arms, the resilient element extending across the plane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pinch valve of claim 3, wherein the resilient element comprises a tension spring mounted between a first spring mount location of the first pinch arm and a second spring mount location of the second pinch arm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The pinch valve of claim 4, wherein a radial distance between the first pivot axis and the first spring mount location is greater than a radial distance between the first pivot axis and the first cam follower, and wherein a radial distance between the first pivot axis and the second spring mount location is greater than a radial distance between the second pivot axis and the second cam follower. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The print valve of claim 4, wherein a radial distance between the first pivot axis and the first spring mount location is greater than a radial distance between the first pivot axis and the first pinch element, and wherein a radial distance between the second pivot axis and the second spring mount location is greater than a radial distance between the second pivot axis and the second pinch element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pinch valve of claim 1, wherein the plane containing the cam axis is a central plane, the first pivot axis being located at a first side of the central plane, and the second pivot axis being located at an opposite second side of the central plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The pinch valve of claim 7, wherein the first and second pinch arms are symmetrical disposed about the central plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pinch valve of claim 1, wherein the first pinch element is elongate and configured for pinching a plurality of first conduits, and the second pinch element is elongate and configured for pinching a plurality of second conduits. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pinch valve of claim 1, wherein the cam is mounted on a rotatable camshaft and the pinch valve further comprises a sensor for sensing a rotational position of the camshaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The pinch valve of claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism for rotating the cam, wherein rotation of the cam causes selective unpinching of the first or second conduits by urging the first or second pinch arms away from the plane containing the cam axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The pinch valve of claim 1, wherein the first and second conduits extend transversely with respect to the cam axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The pinch valve of claim 1 comprising a first inlet corresponding to the first conduit, a second inlet corresponding to the second conduit and a common outlet, wherein the second conduit joins the first conduit downstream of the first pinch element and upstream of the common outlet. ### Claim 14 An inkjet printer comprising: an ink container; a printhead; an ink line interconnecting the ink container and the printhead; an air line branched from the ink line; and a pinch valve for selectively pinching the air and/or ink lines, said pinch valve comprising: a body; a cam rotatably mounted on the body about a cam axis; a first pinch arm pivotally mounted on the body about a first pivot axis parallel with the cam axis, the first pinch arm comprising a first cam follower for engagement with the cam and a first pinch element for pinching the ink line; a second pinch arm pivotally mounted on the body about a second pivot axis parallel with the cam axis, the second pinch arm comprising a second cam follower for engagement with the cam and a second pinch element for pinching the air line; and a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second pinch arms towards a plane containing the cam axis so as to urge the first and second cam followers against the cam, wherein the first and second pinch arms oppose each other on either side of the plane.