Tube pump and printer provided with the same

A tube pump comprising:

• a tube through which fluid is flowed;
• a housing member comprising a cylindrical chamber in which the tube is accommodated, the cylindrical chamber including an inner peripheral surface along which the tube is arranged;
• a rotator comprising a first shaft and a first portion provided on the first shaft, the first portion including a guide having first and second ends, the first end positioned a first distance from the first shaft, the second end positioned a second distance from the first shaft, the second distance being greater than the first distance ;
• a roller having a first shank received by the guide, the roller configured to selectively press the tube to deform the tube;
• and
• a contact member having a contact portion in the cylindrical chamber extending outwardly towards the inner peripheral surface at least the first distance and less than the second distance, the contact portion formed by the housing member, the contact portion being configured to selectively contact the roller.

A tube pump comprising:

• a tube through which fluid is flowed;
• a housing member comprising a cylindrical chamber in which the tube is accommodated, the cylindrical chamber including an inner peripheral surface along which the tube is arranged;
• a rotator comprising a rotation shaft and a first portion provided on the rotation shaft, the first portion including a guide, the rotator being rotatable in the cylindrical chamber;
• a roller received by the guide to be moved between a pressing position and a release position when the rotator is rotated in first and second rotation directions, respectively;
• and
• a contact portion formed by the housing member, wherein the roller contacts the contact portion when the rotator rotates in the first rotation direction to move the roller from the release position to the pressing position, and the roller does not contact the contact portion when the rotator rotates in the second rotation direction.