CN217618854U - Fitting system for fitting a frangible break into a port tube - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to an assembly system for assembling a frangible break into a port tube. The fitting system includes: a platform; a pipe conveying device for conveying the port pipe to the platform; a tube positioning device for moving the port tube to a predetermined position on the platform; and a fitting device for moving the port tube towards the frangible folds proximate the deck to fit the frangible folds into the port tube.

Description

Fitting system for fitting a frangible break into a port tube

Technical Field

The present application relates to an assembly system for assembling a frangible break into a port tube.

Background

The renal system of a human may fail due to disease or other causes. In renal failure of any cause, there are many physiological disorders. The balance of water, minerals and excreta of the daily metabolic load is no longer possible in renal failure. During kidney failure, toxic end products of nitrogen metabolism (urea, creatinine, uric acid, etc.) may accumulate in blood and tissues.

Renal failure and reduced kidney function are treated by dialysis. Dialysis removes waste, toxins, and excess water from the body that should be removed by a properly functioning kidney. Because dialysis treatment to replace kidney function is life-saving, the treatment is vital to many people. A person with a failing kidney is unlikely to survive without at least the filtering function that replaces the kidney.

Peritoneal dialysis is a dialysis therapy commonly used to treat loss of renal function. Peritoneal dialysis uses a dialysis solution that is infused into the peritoneal cavity of a patient through a catheter implanted in the patient's peritoneal cavity. The dialysate contacts the patient's peritoneum, which is located in the peritoneal cavity. Waste, toxins and excess water pass from the patient's bloodstream through the peritoneum and into the dialysate. The transport of waste, toxins and water from the blood stream to the dialysis fluid is due to diffusion and osmosis, i.e. an osmotic gradient is created across the peritoneum. The used permeate is drained from the peritoneal cavity of the patient to remove waste, toxins and excess water from the patient. The cycle described above is then repeated.

There are a variety of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) therapies including Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD), automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD), and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CFPD). CAPD is a manual dialysis treatment in which the patient connects the implanted catheter to a drain and allows the used dialysate to drain from the peritoneal cavity. The patient then manually allows fresh dialysate to flow from the solution bag through the patient's indwelling catheter and into the patient's peritoneal cavity. The patient may then disconnect the connection between the catheter and the solution bag to allow the dialysate to reside within the peritoneal cavity, thereby transferring waste, toxins and excess water from the patient's bloodstream into the dialysis solution. After the dwell period, the patient repeats the manual process described above. In CAPD, the patient performs multiple drainage, filling and dwell cycles within a day, for example, about four times per day.

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) is similar to CAPD in that its dialysis treatment also includes drain, fill and dwell cycles. However, APD instruments automatically perform three to four cycles of peritoneal dialysis treatment, typically overnight while the patient sleeps. APD instruments are typically fluidly connected to an implanted catheter, one or more solution and drain bags.

APD instruments pump fresh dialysate from a dialysate source through a catheter into the peritoneal cavity of a patient and allow the dialysate to reside in the cavity so that transport of waste, toxins, and excess water from the patient's blood stream to the dialysate can occur. The APD instrument then pumps the spent dialysate from the peritoneal cavity through the catheter to a drain. APD instruments are typically computer controlled so that dialysis treatment occurs automatically when a patient is connected to a dialysis instrument (e.g., when the patient sleeps). That is, the APD system automatically and sequentially pumps fluid into the peritoneal cavity, allows it to reside, pumps fluid out of the peritoneal cavity, and repeats the process.

As with manual handling, multiple cycles of liquid discharge, filling and dwell will occur during APD. "Final fill" is typically used at the end of APD, which remains in the peritoneal cavity of the patient when the patient is disconnected from the dialysis machine during the day. APD eliminates the need for the patient to manually perform the drain, dwell and fill steps.

As described above, both CAPD and APD involve the use of solution and drain bags. The preparation of such bags requires a great deal of caution and skill. The bag must not leak and must be within a certain specification. The solution bag must also be sterilized to a level such that the solution can be safely delivered to the patient. The bag must also be correctly labeled so that the user or caregiver can determine that the patient is receiving the correct PD solution.

A frangible fold can be used to seal the PD solution in the solution bag. When the solution bag is needed to be used, the breakable folding head is broken to realize the fluid communication between the solution bag and the patient pipeline, thereby allowing the solution in the solution bag to be delivered to the patient. When preparing such a solution bag with a breakable folding head, the breakable folding head needs to be first matched with a section of port tube (e.g., a section of rubber sleeve), and then the matched assembly is arranged on the solution bag. The engagement of the frangible flap with the port tube has stringent specification requirements, and generally, the depth of insertion of the frangible flap into the port tube is such that the flap of the frangible flap is spaced from the end of the sleeve by a distance, for example, about 2mm. Deviation from the standard will result in the assembled frangible fold and sleeve being unsatisfactory.

In the prior art, this assembly process is highly dependent on the experience of the operator, the precision of the machine and the production tolerances of the raw materials, and therefore the rejection rate is high. This results in, on the one hand, a significantly less efficient assembly and, on the other hand, also in considerable waste.

In order to improve the efficiency and reliability of the assembly process, it is necessary to provide an improved mechanism for assembling the frangible fold into the port tube.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present application provides a fitting system for fitting a frangible break into a port tube, the fitting system comprising: a platform; a pipe conveying device for conveying the port pipe onto the platform; a tube positioning device for moving the port tube to a predetermined position on the platform; and a fitting device for moving the port tube towards the frangible folds proximate the deck to fit the frangible folds into the port tube.

In some embodiments, optionally, the platform has a guide slot for receiving and guiding the port tube to the predetermined position.

In some embodiments, optionally, the tube positioning device comprises: a stop member having a base surface, wherein the stop member is movable between a waiting position and an operating position, wherein the base surface does not intersect the path defined by the guide slot when the stop member is in the waiting position, and the base surface is adjacent the distal end of the guide slot and intersects the path defined by the guide slot when the stop member is in the operating position; a press block disposed above the guide slot, configured to define, in cooperation with the guide slot, a tube movement path along the guide slot of the platform; a pushrod movable relative to the platform, wherein the pushrod has an end piece aligned with the guide slot and for engagement to a first end of the port tube; and a rod actuator for driving the push rod with a first stroke towards the base surface of the stop in the working position, moving the port tube to the predetermined position where the second end of the port tube abuts the base surface.

In some embodiments, optionally, the pressure block has a guide groove on a surface facing the platform to define the tube movement path together with the guide groove on the platform.

In some embodiments, optionally, the push rod is coupled to the stem actuator via a dampening mechanism configured to dampen actuation of the stem actuator after the port tube begins to abut the base surface.

In some embodiments, optionally, the push rod comprises a flange protruding from a surface of the push rod, and the damping mechanism comprises a spring coupled between the flange and the rod actuator.

In some embodiments, optionally, the tube feeding device comprises: a first guide member having a channel extending in a direction at an angle of 45-135 degrees relative to horizontal, and a second guide member comprising a rotatable sleeve for receiving the port tube exiting the channel, the rotatable sleeve configured for relative rotation between a receiving position in which a first end of the rotatable sleeve is aligned with an outlet end of the channel of the first guide member and a guiding position in which the first end of the rotatable sleeve is aligned with the guide slot on the platform.

In some embodiments, optionally, the channel of the first guide is oriented in a vertical direction.

In some embodiments, optionally, the pressure block has a sloped or curved surface configured to prevent the port tube from moving out of the rotatable sleeve during rotation of the rotatable sleeve from the receiving position to the guiding position.

In some embodiments, optionally, the fitting device comprises: a locking device for releasably locking the push rod to the platform, and a primary actuator configured to push the platform toward the frangible folder at a second stroke to fit the frangible folder into a corresponding port tube on the platform.

In some embodiments, optionally, the locking device comprises: an inner sleeve secured to the platform; an outer sleeve movable relative to the platform, wherein the push rod is movably received within the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve; and a drive element for driving the outer sleeve towards or away from the inner sleeve along the push rod; wherein the inner sleeve has a grip and the outer sleeve has a locking portion configured to engage the grip and lock the inner and outer sleeves on the push rod.

In some embodiments, optionally, the grip portion is formed as a tapered sleeve portion comprising a plurality of deformable tabs distributed along a circumference of the tapered sleeve portion, and the locking portion is shaped as an internal tapered surface matching an external shape of the tapered sleeve portion.

In some embodiments, optionally, the locking device further comprises a resilient member configured to dampen movement of the drive element after the inner and outer sleeves are locked on the push rod.

In some embodiments, optionally, the platform has a plurality of guide slots, the first guide member of the tube feeding device comprises a plurality of channels, the second guide member of the tube feeding device comprises a plurality of rotatable sleeves, and the press block comprises a plurality of guide grooves.

In some embodiments, optionally, the tube positioning device comprises a plurality of push rods connected to the rod actuator by drive rods, and the buffer mechanism is disposed between each push rod and the drive rod.

Another aspect of the present application provides a method for fitting a frangible break into a port tube, the method comprising: conveying the port pipe to a platform through a pipe conveying device; moving the port tube to a predetermined position on the platform by a tube positioning device; and moving the port tube toward the frangible folder disposed adjacent to the platform by a fitting device to fit the frangible folder into the port tube.

In some embodiments, optionally, the tube feeding device comprises: a first guide member having a channel extending in a direction at an angle of 45-135 degrees relative to horizontal, and a second guide member comprising a rotatable sleeve for receiving the port tube exiting the channel; wherein moving the port tube onto the platform further comprises: rotating the rotatable sleeve to a receiving position, wherein in the receiving position a first end of the rotatable sleeve is aligned with an outlet end of a corresponding channel of the first guide member to receive a port tube exiting the channel; and rotating the rotatable sleeve to a guide position, wherein a first end of the rotatable sleeve is aligned with a guide slot on the platform.

In some embodiments, optionally, the tube positioning device comprises: a stop having a base surface, wherein the stop is movable between a waiting position, in which the base surface is outside of a path defined by the guide slot, and an operating position, in which the base surface is adjacent a distal end of the guide slot and intersects the path defined by the guide slot; a press block disposed above the guide slot, configured to define, in cooperation with the guide slot, a tube movement path of the port tube along the guide slot of the platform; a pusher bar movable relative to the platform; and a rod actuator for driving the push rod. Wherein the step of moving the port tube to a predetermined position on the platform comprises: moving the stop to the operating position; and

the push rod is driven by the rod actuator in a first stroke towards the base surface to move the port tube to a predetermined position where an end of the port tube abuts the base surface.

In some embodiments, optionally, the fitting device comprises: a locking device for releasably locking a push rod to the platform, and a primary actuator configured to push the platform toward the frangible break with a second stroke. Wherein the step of driving the port tube further comprises: moving the stop from the working position to the waiting position; locking the push rod to the platform by a locking device; and driving the platform by a primary actuator toward the frangible break with a second stroke to fit the frangible break into the port tube on the platform.

The advantages discussed herein may be found in one or some (and possibly not all) of the embodiments disclosed herein. Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following detailed description and the figures.

Drawings

Fig. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of the top of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) solution container and a non-PVC container, respectively, showing different frangible flap embodiments.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view exemplarily showing an overall structure of a mounting system according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the construction of a lower part of the mounting system shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4-8 are side views of the substructure of the assembly system of FIG. 3, respectively illustrating the configuration of the assembly system during various assembly processes;

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate cross-sectional views of a locking device of a mounting system according to an embodiment of the present application;

figures 11a and 11b are perspective and longitudinal sectional views, respectively, showing an inner sleeve according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a partial structure of a stem actuator of the mounting system according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 13-14 are perspective views each illustrating a partial structure of a pipe positioning device of the fitting system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15-18 illustrate a flow chart of a method for fitting a frangible break into a port tube according to an embodiment of the present application.

List of reference numerals

10-Assembly System 60-inner Sleeve

12-platform 62-outer sleeve

14-tube delivery device 64-grip

16-tube positioning device 66-fins

18-fitting means 68-locking part

20-guide groove 70-tapered surface

22-stop 72-drive element

24-base 74-elastic component

26-briquetting 80-fragile folding head

28-guide groove 82-port tube

30-push rod 84-first end (proximal end) of port tube

32-tip section 86-second end (distal end) of port tube

34-rod actuator 88-predetermined position

36-buffer mechanism 90-waiting position

38-Flange 92-working position

40-spring 110 a-solution container or bag

42-first guide member 110 b-solution container or bag

44-second guide member 112-filling spout

46-channel 114-port tube

48-rotatable sleeve 116 a-frangible fold

50-outlet end of channel 116 b-frangible flap

52-rotatable sleeve end 118 a-rigid plastic part

54-guide surface 118b of the compact-rigid plastic part

56-locking means 120-lower tube

58-main actuator 122-port tube

Detailed Description

The system and method for fitting a frangible break into a port tube according to the present application will be described below by way of example of a frangible break and port tube for a peritoneal dialysis solution bag, but it will be apparent that the system and method can also be used to fit frangible breaks and port tubes of other medical containers.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to fig. 1A and 1B, various embodiments of frangible folds of a peritoneal dialysis solution bag are shown. Fig. 1A shows a portion of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) solution container or bag 110a, while fig. 1B shows a portion of a non-PVC solution container or bag 110B. Each container or solution bag 110a and 110b contains a fill port tube 112 and an injection site port tube 114.

The fill spout tube 112 of the PVC solution container or bag 110a receives a PVC frangible fold 116a comprising a rigid rupturable plastic piece 118a of PVC. A rigid rupturable plastic member 118a of PVC is sealed within a lower tube 120 of a frangible fold 116a of PVC. The lower tube 120 may also be made of PVC and sealed inside the filler neck 112. The PVC frangible flap 116a may be inserted into a port tube 122, and the port tube 122 may be made of PVC and connected to a filling line (not shown) that extends to a Y-nipple.

The fill spout tube 112 of the non-PVC solution container or bag 110b receives a non-PVC frangible fold 116b containing a non-PVC breakable rigid plastic member 118b. The non-PVC breakable rigid plastic member 118b as shown is not sealed within the down tube, but rather is sealed directly within the fill port tube 112. The non-PVC frangible flap 116b may be inserted into a port tube 122, which port tube 122 may be made of a non-PVC material and connected to a filling line (not shown) that continues to a Y-nipple.

The assembly systems and methods discussed herein are equally applicable to PVC frangible folds 116a, non-PVC frangible folds 116b, and other frangible fold configurations, which are collectively and generally referred to herein as frangible folds. Likewise, the assembly systems and methods discussed herein are equally applicable to port tubes 122 made of PVC or non-PVC, with the port tubes 122 being referred to collectively and generally herein as port tubes. In the present application, the length of the port tube may be set according to the needs of the application scenario, for example 50mm, but the length of the port tube is not intended to be limited herein.

Embodiments of the present application will now be described with reference to fig. 2-18, which may be used to better illustrate certain portions of the mounting system 10, from which the reader may understand the components of the mounting system 10. To prevent interference, some of the reference numerals in the drawings are omitted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the mounting system 10 includes a platform 12, a tube feeding device 14, a tube positioning device 16, and a mounting device 18.

The tube feeding device 14 is configured to feed the port tube 82 onto the work platform 12 to effect positioning of the port tube 82 and insertion of the frangible folds 80 into the port tube 82 on the work platform 12. The tube feeding device 14 may have various specific configurations. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the tube delivery device 14 may include a first guide member 42 and a second guide member 44. The first guide member 42 may have a channel 46 extending in a direction at an angle of 45-135 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. The port tube 82 may be gravity fed along the channel 46 of the first guide member 42 to the second guide member 44 below the channel 46.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the passage 46 may be oriented in a vertical direction (i.e., 90 degrees relative to horizontal) so that the port tube 82 can be automatically fed to the bottom end of the passage 46 under the influence of gravity, thereby simplifying the construction of the tube feeding device 14.

In certain embodiments, the length of the channel 46 may be several times the length of the port tube 82, such that several port tubes 82 may be accommodated in a single channel 46. Each time the preceding port tube 82 is delivered to the platform 12, the following port tube 82 automatically drops to the position of the preceding port tube 82, thereby achieving a continuous replenishment of the port tube 82.

As shown in fig. 2-8, the second guide member 44 includes a rotatable sleeve 48, and the rotatable sleeve 48 may receive and transfer a port tube 82 exiting the outlet end 50 at the lower end of the channel 46 of the first guide member 44 onto the platform 12. The rotatable sleeve 48 is configured to be rotatable relative to the platform 12 to a receiving position shown in fig. 4 (with the rotatable sleeve 48 in a vertical orientation) and a guiding position shown in fig. 6 (with the rotatable sleeve 48 in a horizontal orientation).

As shown in fig. 4, when the rotatable sleeve 48 is in the receiving position, its first end 52 remote from the center of rotation is aligned with the outlet end 50 of the channel 46 of the first guide member 42, thereby enabling receiving of a port tube 82 fed out through the outlet end 50. The rotatable sleeve 48 is then rotated from the receiving position shown in FIG. 4, through the intermediate position shown in FIG. 5, to the guiding position shown in FIG. 6 for subsequent positioning of the port tube 82 to a predetermined position on the platform 12. During the process of rotating sleeve 48 from the receiving position shown in FIG. 4 to the guiding position shown in FIG. 6, the remaining components of mounting system 10 may remain in their original condition except for the continuous process of changing the condition of rotatable sleeve 48.

In some embodiments, a sensor, such as a photoelectric sensor, may be disposed within or near the rotatable sleeve 48 for detecting whether the port tube 82 is desirably dropped from the channel 46 into the rotatable sleeve 48. If the sensor detects that the port tube 82 is not desirably dropped into the rotatable sleeve 48, operation of the make-up system 10 is suspended and a trouble-shooting signal is sent to the operator of the make-up system 10 informing the operator to perform equipment checks and troubleshooting. After the operator has cleared the fault, the operation of the mounting system 10 may be manually resumed by the operator, or the operation of the mounting system 10 may be automatically resumed by a control device of the mounting system 10 in accordance with a preset restart signal.

As shown in fig. 3, the platform 12 of the mounting system 10 has a guide slot 20 for receiving and guiding the port tube 82 to a predetermined position 88 shown in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 6, when the rotatable sleeve 48 is in the guide position, the first end 52 of the rotatable sleeve 48 is aligned with the guide slot 20 on the platform 12. The tube positioning device 16 may move the port tube 82 within the rotatable sleeve 48 to a predetermined position 88 on the platform 12. In some embodiments, a plurality of guide grooves 20 may be provided on the platform, and the same ends (i.e., the left-side ends in the drawing) of the plurality of port tubes 82 are aligned with each other when the plurality of port tubes 82 in the guide grooves 20 are moved to the predetermined positions 88.

The tube positioning device 16 of the present application may have a variety of specific configurations so long as it is capable of positioning the port tube 82 at a predetermined location 88 on the platform 12. As shown in fig. 3, in some embodiments, the tube positioning device 16 may include a stop 22, a pressure block 26, a push rod 30, and a rod actuator 34.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the stop 22 is configured as a longitudinal member of generally L-shaped cross-section having a substantially vertically oriented base surface 24. The base surface 24 of the stop 22 is used for positioning one or more port tubes 82 on the platform 12. The stop 22 can be driven to move in the vertical direction between a waiting position 90 and a working position 92.

As shown in fig. 6, when the stopper 22 is at the waiting position 90, the base surface 24 does not intersect with the axial direction of the guide groove 20, so that the base surface 24 is located outside the path (extending in the substantially horizontal direction) defined by the guide groove 20. And as shown in fig. 7, when the stop 22 is in the operating position 92, the base surface 24 is adjacent the distal end of the guide slot 20 (i.e., to the left of the guide slot 20 in fig. 6) and intersects the path defined by the guide slot 20. In some embodiments, the stop 22 is disposed relative to the platform 12 such that the base surface 24 of the stop 22 in the operating position 92 abuts the distal edge of the guide slot 20.

In some embodiments, the stop 22 is arranged relative to the platform 12 such that the base surface 24 of the stop 22 in the operating position 92 is spaced from the distal edge of the guide slot 20 by a distance, for example 0.5mm, so as to avoid rubbing of the base surface 24 against the distal edge of the guide slot 20 during up and down movement of the stop 22, preventing wear of the base surface 24. It is apparent that the distance between the base surface 24 and the distal edge of the guide groove 20 should not be too great to avoid the port tube 82 protruding too far from the distal edge of the guide groove 20, which may lead to the distal end of the port tube 82 being deformed and thus increasing the difficulty of assembly when subsequently assembling the frangible fold.

The pressing piece 26 is disposed above the guide groove 20. The bottom surface of the weight 26 is spaced from the top of the guide slot 20 such that the weight 26 and the guide slot 20 together define a tube travel path along which the port tube 82 may be actuated to move to a predetermined position 88. The distance between the bottom surface of the weight 26 and the top of the guide groove 20 may be set according to the diameter of the port tube 82 and the size of the guide groove 20. In certain embodiments, the distance between the bottom surface of the weight 26 and the top of the guide groove 20 is set such that the size of the tube movement path defined by the weight 26 in cooperation with the guide groove 20 is slightly larger than the diameter of the port tube 82, thereby enabling to limit the deformation of the port tube 82 during the movement of the port tube 82 along the tube movement path.

In some embodiments, the pressing block 26 may be provided with a guide groove 28 on a surface thereof facing the platform 12, the guide groove 28 defining a tube moving path together with the corresponding guide groove 20 on the platform 12. In some embodiments, the press block 26 is positioned such that there is a gap between its distal side and the base surface 24 of the stop 22, the gap being sized to prevent the base surface 24 from rubbing against the distal side of the press block 26 during up and down movement of the stop 22, on the one hand, and to limit deformation of the distal end of the port tube 82 during assembly of the frangible break 80 into the port tube 82, for example, the gap may be set to 0.1-1mm or other suitable dimension, the size of which is not intended to be limiting by the present invention.

In some embodiments, the proximal end of the press block 26 may also have a stop surface 54 formed as an inclined surface (fig. 4) or a curved surface (not shown), the stop surface 54 extending or being recessed obliquely distally from the top surface of the press block 26, thereby being capable of limiting the port tube 82 from disengaging the rotatable sleeve 48 due to centrifugal force during rotation of the rotatable sleeve 48 from the receiving position shown in fig. 4 toward the guiding position shown in fig. 6.

A push rod 30 is disposed proximate the proximal end of the guide slot 20 and is movable relative to the platform 12. The push rod 30 may have a distal end 32 aligned with the guide slot 20. In some embodiments, the tip portion 32 may be configured as a truncated cone as shown in fig. 10, wherein the diameter of the tip portion 32 tapers in a direction away from the pushrod 30, thereby facilitating the extension into the proximal end 84 of the port tube 82 and self-centering. It will be apparent that the tip portion 32 may also be configured in other shapes, such as a cylinder having a diameter less than the inner diameter of the port tube 82, or a combination of several cylinders and/or frustums having a diameter that decreases in a direction away from the pushrod 30, so long as the tip portion 32 is sized and shaped to engage within the proximal end 84 of the port tube 82.

The rod actuator 34 is mechanically coupled to the push rod 30 so that the push rod 30 can be driven to travel in a target direction. For example, the rod actuator 34 may drive the push rod 30 toward the base surface 24 of the stopper 22 in the operating position 92 at a first stroke, thereby urging the port tube 82 via the push rod 30 to move to a predetermined position 88 that causes the distal end 86 of the port tube 82 to abut the base surface 24.

The lengths of the port tubes 82 may not be identical due to manufacturing tolerances. In order to allow each port tube 82 of different lengths to reach a predetermined position 88 with its distal end 86 abutting the base surface 24, the length of the first stroke should be set at least such that the port tube 82 with the largest negative tolerance length is pushed to a position with its distal end 86 abutting the base surface 24. In this case, for a portion of the port tube 82 (e.g., a port tube 82 having a smaller negative or positive tolerance length), after the distal end 86 has abutted against the base surface 24, the push rod 30 will continue to be driven by the rod actuator 34 to continue to push the port tube 82 distally until the rod actuator 34 completes driving the first stroke.

To avoid deformation of the port tube 82 as the push rod 30 continues to push, in some embodiments, the push rod 30 may be coupled to the rod actuator 34 via the damping mechanism 36. The damping mechanism 36 is configured to absorb/dampen actuation of the stem actuator 34 after the distal end 86 of the port tube 82 abuts the base surface 24 such that actuation force of the stem actuator 34 is absorbed by the damping mechanism 36 such that the push rod 30 is no longer driven to continue pushing the port tube 82 without causing deformation of the port tube 82.

In some embodiments, the damping mechanism 36 is configured as a coil spring 40 that is sleeved onto the push rod 30, as shown in FIG. 12. Correspondingly, the push rod 30 includes a flange 38 radially protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the push rod 30, and a coil spring 40 is disposed between the flange 38 and the rod actuator 34. The spring constant of the coil spring 40 is set to be sufficiently small that the coil spring 40 is easily deformed after the distal end of the port tube 82 abuts against the base surface 24, and the pushing force continued to be applied by the rod actuator 34 causes the coil spring 40 to compressively deform, thereby absorbing the driving of the rod actuator 34, and the push rod 30 is no longer pushed distally until the rod actuator 34 completes the driving of the first stroke. By providing the damping mechanism 36 between the push rod 30 and the rod actuator 34, it is ensured that the port tubes 82 of inconsistent lengths will both abut the base surface 24 under the push of the push rod 30, but will not deform the port tubes 82 due to over-pushing by the push rod 30.

The assembly device 18 is used to move the port tube 82 toward the frangible folds 80 to assemble the frangible folds 80 into the port tube 82. Before the assembly device 18 starts to operate, the stop member 22 will be moved upwards in the direction of the arrow from the operating position 92 shown in fig. 7 to the waiting position 90 shown in fig. 8. The frangible folds 80 are carried to a position adjacent the platform 12 and aligned with the corresponding port tubes 82.

The assembly device 18 may be moved in a second stroke in a direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 8 to push the port tube 82 distally, with at least a portion of the frangible fold 80 (e.g., a breakable piece of rigid plastic) being inserted into the port tube 82 to achieve a precise fit therebetween. The length of the second stroke is set such that the lower tube/rigid plastic piece breakable flange of the frangible fold 80 is a predetermined distance, e.g., 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, from the end of the port tube 82 after assembly is complete.

Some aspects of the present application do not limit the specific configuration and form of the mounting device 18, but in some embodiments, the mounting device 18 may include a locking device 56 and a primary actuator 58. The locking device 56 is used to releasably lock the push rod 30 to the platform 12, and the primary actuator 58 is configured to push the platform 12 along with the push rod 30 toward the frangible break 80 at a second stroke, thereby fitting the frangible break 80 into the port tube 82 on the platform 12. The locking of the push rod 30 by the locking device 56 is releasable, whereby the released push rod 30 can advance the next port tube 82 relative to the platform 12 in the next beat.

In some embodiments, the locking device 56 includes an inner sleeve 60, an outer sleeve 62, and a drive element 72, wherein the push rod 30 is movably received within the inner and outer sleeves 60, 62. The inner sleeve 60 is secured to the platform 12. The drive element 72 may drive the outer sleeve 62 along the push rod 30 toward or away from the inner sleeve 60. When the drive element 72 drives the outer sleeve 62 to move towards the inner sleeve 60, the gripping portion 64 of the inner sleeve 60 will fit into the locking portion 68 of the outer sleeve 62, and as the outer sleeve 62 continues to move towards the inner sleeve 60, the outer sleeve 64 will compress the gripping portion 64, locking it with the outer circumferential surface of the push rod 30 and the outer sleeve 64, thereby locking the inner sleeve 60 and the outer sleeve 62 on the push rod 30. Thereby, the push rod 30 will be simultaneously locked to the platform 12, so that the push rod 30 can move with the platform 12.

In some embodiments, grip 64 is formed as a tapered sleeve comprising a plurality of deformable tabs 66 distributed along the circumference of the tapered sleeve, while locking portion 68 is shaped as an internal tapered surface 70 matching the external shape and size of the tapered sleeve. When the drive element 72 drives the outer sleeve 62 towards the inner sleeve 60, the tapered surface 70 of the outer sleeve 62 will press the deformable tabs 66 of the inner sleeve 60, deforming the deformable tabs 66 radially inwardly, thereby locking with the outer circumferential surface of the push rod 30 and the outer sleeve 62. Thereby, the push rods 30 will be simultaneously locked to the platform 12.

In some embodiments, the locking device 56 may further include a resilient member 74, the resilient member 74 configured to dampen movement of the drive element 72 after the inner and outer sleeves 60, 62 are locked on the push rod 30. The resilient member 74 is shown as a coil spring that is sleeved over the outer sleeve 62. After the inner sleeve 60 and the outer sleeve 62 are locked, the elastic member 74 can buffer the driving of the driving element 72, so as to prevent the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve from being locked too tightly, which makes the separation of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve difficult in the subsequent process.

In some embodiments, the assembly system 10 may simultaneously effect the transfer, alignment, and mating of, for example, 12 port tubes 82 during an assembly cycle. Correspondingly, the platform 12 has a corresponding number of guide slots 20, the first guide member 42 of the tube feeding device 14 comprises a corresponding number of channels 46, the second guide member 44 of the tube feeding device 14 comprises a corresponding number of rotatable sleeves 48, and the press piece 26 comprises a corresponding number of guide grooves 28. The tube positioning device 16 includes a corresponding number (12) of push rods 30, a plurality of push rods 30 coupled to a rod actuator 34 by a drive rod, and a buffer mechanism 36 disposed between each push rod 30 and the drive rod.

Obviously, the number of the above components is not limited to 12, but may be any suitable number, such as 1,2, 3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, etc., and the size of the number can be adjusted by those skilled in the art according to the actual requirement, and the application is not intended to limit the number specifically.

It should be noted that the form change of each part of the above assembling system 10 is reversible, so that each part can be restored to the state of the form change. The various drive systems described above may be powered by cylinder/hydraulic cylinder drives, for example.

Another aspect of the present application provides a method 100 of fitting a frangible fold 80 into a port tube 82 by a fitting system 10 such as described above. As shown in fig. 15, the method 100 specifically includes the following steps: delivering the port tube 82 onto the platform 12 via the tube conveying device 14 in step S102; moving the port tube 82 to a predetermined position 88 on the platform 12 by the tube positioning device 16 in step S104; and moving the port tube 82 toward the frangible fold 80 disposed adjacent the platform 12 by the fitting device 18 to fit the frangible fold 80 into the port tube 82 in step S106.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 16, the step S102 of moving the port tube 82 onto the platform 12 specifically includes: rotating the rotatable sleeve 48 to a receiving position in step S122, wherein the first end 52 of the rotatable sleeve 48 is aligned with the outlet end 50 of the corresponding channel 46 of the first guide member 42 to receive the port tube 82 exiting the channel 46; and rotating the rotatable sleeve 48 to a guiding position in step S124, wherein the first end 52 of the rotatable sleeve 48 is aligned with the guide slot 20 on the platform 12.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 17, the step S104 of moving the port tube 82 to the predetermined position 88 on the platform 12 specifically includes: moving the stopper 22 to the working position 92 in step S142, the base surface 24 being adjacent the distal end of the guide slot 20 at the working position 92 and intersecting the path defined by the guide slot 20; and driving the push rod 30 by the rod actuator 34 toward the base surface 24 in a first stroke in step S144 to move the port tube 82 to a predetermined position 88 where an end of the port tube 82 abuts the base surface 24.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 18, the step S106 of driving the port tube 82 specifically includes: in step S162, the stopper 22 is moved from the operating position 92 to the waiting position 90. In the waiting position 90, the base surface 24 is located outside the path defined by the guide groove 20. The push rod 30 is locked to the platform 12 by the locking device 56 in step S164. The platform 12 is driven by the primary actuator 58 toward the frangible fold 80 at a second stroke in step S166, thereby fitting the frangible fold 80 into the port tube 82 on the platform 12.

It should be appreciated that the above-described systems and methods may enable efficient, accurate assembly of a port tube with a frangible fold. In addition, various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. For example, while the present system and method have been described primarily in connection with a system for fitting a frangible break into a port tube, it should be understood that the present system and method are applicable to other types of fitting systems and the like.

Claims (20)

1. A fitting system for fitting a frangible break into a port tube, the fitting system comprising:

a platform;

a pipe conveying device for conveying port pipes onto the platform;

a tube positioning device for moving the port tube to a predetermined position on the platform; and

a fitting device for moving the port tube at the predetermined position toward a frangible break disposed proximate to the platform to fit the frangible break into the port tube.

2. The fitting system of claim 1 wherein the platform has a guide slot configured to receive and guide the port tube to the predetermined position.

3. The fitting system of claim 2 wherein said tube positioning device comprises:

a stop member having a base surface, wherein the stop member is movable between a waiting position, wherein the base surface does not intersect the path defined by the guide slot, and an operating position, wherein the base surface is adjacent the distal end of the guide slot and intersects the path defined by the guide slot;

a pressing block disposed above the guide groove and configured to restrict a tube moving path of the port tube toward the predetermined position in cooperation with the guide groove;

a push rod movable relative to the platform, wherein the push rod has a terminal end aligned with the guide slot and adapted to engage a first end of the port tube; and

a rod actuator for driving the push rod with a first stroke towards a base surface of the stop in the working position, moving the port tube to the predetermined position where the second end of the port tube abuts the base surface.

4. The fitting system of claim 3 wherein the press block has guide grooves on a surface facing the platform to define the tube travel path in cooperation with guide grooves on the platform.

5. The fitting system of claim 3, wherein the push rod is coupled to the stem actuator via a dampening mechanism configured to dampen actuation of the stem actuator after the port tube begins to abut the base surface.

6. The fitting system of claim 4, wherein the push rod is coupled to the stem actuator via a dampening mechanism configured to dampen actuation of the stem actuator after the port tube begins to abut the base surface.

7. The fitting system of claim 5 wherein the push rod includes a flange protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the push rod, and the dampening mechanism includes a spring coupled between the flange and the rod actuator.

8. The fitting system of claim 6 wherein the push rod includes a flange projecting from an outer peripheral surface thereof, and the dampening mechanism includes a spring coupled between the flange and the stem actuator.

9. The fitting system according to any of claims 3-8, wherein the tube feeding device comprises:

a first guide member having a channel extending in a direction at an angle of 45-135 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction, an

A second guide member including a rotatable sleeve for receiving the port tube exiting the channel, the rotatable sleeve configured to rotate between a receiving position in which a first end of the rotatable sleeve is aligned with the outlet end of the channel of the first guide member and a guiding position in which the first end of the rotatable sleeve is aligned with the guide slot on the platform.

10. The fitting system according to claim 9, wherein the channel of the first guide member is oriented in a vertical direction.

11. The fitting system of claim 9, wherein the press block has an inclined or curved surface configured to prevent the port tube from moving out of the rotatable sleeve during rotation of the rotatable sleeve from the receiving position to the guiding position.

12. The fitting system of claim 10, wherein the press block has an inclined or curved surface configured to prevent the port tube from moving out of the rotatable sleeve during rotation of the rotatable sleeve from the receiving position to the guiding position.

13. The fitting system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the fitting means comprises:

a locking device for releasably locking the push rod to the platform, an

A primary actuator configured to push the platform toward the frangible folder with a second stroke to fit the frangible folder into a corresponding port tube on the platform.

14. The fitting system of claim 13, wherein the locking device comprises:

an inner sleeve secured to the platform;

an outer sleeve movable relative to the platform, wherein the push rod is movably received within the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve; and

a drive element for driving the outer sleeve toward or away from the inner sleeve along the push rod;

wherein the inner sleeve has a grip and the outer sleeve has a locking portion configured to engage the grip and lock the inner and outer sleeves on the push rod.

15. The fitting system of claim 14, wherein the gripping portion is formed as a tapered sleeve portion comprising a plurality of deformable tabs distributed along a circumference of the tapered sleeve portion, and the locking portion is shaped as an internal tapered surface matching an external shape of the tapered sleeve portion.

16. The fitting system of claim 14, wherein the locking device further comprises a resilient member configured to dampen movement of the drive element after the inner and outer sleeves are locked on the push rod.

17. The fitting system of claim 15, wherein the locking device further comprises a resilient member configured to dampen movement of the drive element after the inner and outer sleeves are locked on the push rod.

18. The fitting system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the platform has a plurality of guide grooves, the first guide member of the tube feeding device comprises a plurality of channels, the second guide member of the tube feeding device comprises a plurality of rotatable sleeves, and the press block comprises a plurality of guide grooves.

19. The fitting system of any of claims 5-8, wherein the platform has a plurality of guide slots, the first guide member of the tube feeding device comprises a plurality of channels, the second guide member of the tube feeding device comprises a plurality of rotatable sleeves, and the press block comprises a plurality of guide grooves.

20. The fitting system according to claim 19, wherein the tube positioning device comprises a plurality of push rods connected to the rod actuator by drive rods, and the buffer mechanism is disposed between each push rod and the drive rod.

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