JP2010101500A - Tube with connector and method for forming the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tube with a connector comprising an elastic tube 14 and connector(s) 15 formed at the end of the tube 14 and made of a material having a higher modulus of elasticity than the tube 14. <P>SOLUTION: The tube with a connector includes the elastic tube 14 formed from a material having elasticity, a metal cylinder 300 formed from a material having a higher modulus of elasticity than the tube 14 and whose two ends are in communication, and the connector 15 formed integrally at the end of the tube 14, wherein the metal cylinder 300 is located inside the tube 14 at least at the end face of the tube 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tube with a connector and a method for forming the tube. More specifically, the present invention relates to a connector-equipped tube having a resin connector at the end of a tube formed of a flexible resin, and a forming method for forming the tube.

  An elastic tube formed of an elastic material such as resin, rubber, or elastomer can be easily bent and is not damaged by deformation caused by vibration, bending, etc. Widely used in many fields handled. This kind of elastic tube connection is initially fitted to a member formed of another hard material using its own elasticity, as described in Patent Document 1 below. However, such a connection method requires a lot of time for connection work and is not preferable for industrial use.

  Therefore, as described in Patent Document 2 below, it has been proposed that a connector as a connecting means is formed integrally with an end portion of an elastic tube and easily connected to another member. This can be formed, for example, by outsert the end of the elastic tube by injection molding a hard material suitable for the connector. Thereby, while being able to attach or detach an elastic tube easily with respect to another member, reliable connection is anticipated.

  As for a single elastic tube, as described in Patent Document 3 below, it is proposed that a plurality of independent tubes are arranged in parallel to form a multi-tube. The multi-tube can be easily bent in a direction intersecting with the plane on which the tubes are arranged, and a plurality of different types of fluids can be circulated individually. Therefore, for example, in a color printer, different color inks, coating agents, and the like can be distributed in a batch.

JP 2000-168099 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-157092 JP 2003-320680 A

  However, when materials having different physical properties are injected into one mold and molded, a problem may arise when the fluidity of the material is lost after molding. That is, since pressure is applied during molding, a relatively flexible material may be deformed when a mold or the like is opened after molding, resulting in a molded product that differs from the intended specification. For example, when the flexible tube and the hard connector are integrally formed, a connecting pin or the like is inserted into the tube. Since the connecting pin is made of a material with little deformation such as metal, the pressure received during molding is absorbed by the deformation of the tube. However, when the connecting pin is pulled out after molding, the tube is deformed toward the inside of the tube serving as an open surface. As a result, the inner diameter of the tube is reduced, and the amount of liquid flow is also reduced.

  In addition, when molding is performed with a part of the mold penetrating into the resin that becomes the molded product, the molten resin injected into the mold may be fixed to the mold in the molding process. Such a molded product has a problem that when the mold is opened or when a part of the penetrated mold is pulled out, a part of the molded product may be pulled out together with the mold to cause burrs. Such burrs are referred to as “melt burrs” and reduce the effective inner diameter in the molded connector as well as an obstacle to inserting other members here.

  Further, when a member having a plurality of liquid supply paths and a connector made of hard plastic as described in Patent Document 1 are integrally formed, the pressure applied to the injection material is absorbed by deformation of the flexible liquid supply tube. . For this reason, sufficient adhesive strength may not be obtained between a connector and a tube. Furthermore, there is a problem that separation may occur at the interface between the liquid supply tube and the connector due to temperature variation and pressure variation in the molding process, and liquid leakage may occur between the plurality of liquid supply paths.

  In order to solve the above problems, as a first embodiment of the present invention, a tube formed of a material having elasticity, a cylinder formed of a material having a higher elastic modulus than the tube, and a tubular body communicating with each other, and a tube And a connector having a communication hole for communicating with the outside, and a connector integrally formed at the end of the tube, and a tube with a connector in which the cylindrical body exists inside the tube at least at the end surface of the tube. Thereby, since the cylindrical body which is hard to deform at the end of the tube that is easily elastically deformed supports the tube from the inner surface, deformation of the tube inside the connector formed at the end of the tube is prevented. In addition, when other materials are injected around the end of the tube to form a connector, etc., the tube does not deform, so the inner diameter is reduced due to the deformation of the tube or the adhesive strength between the tube and the other material is reduced. This is a tube with a connector that is prevented and the design intention is well reflected. Furthermore, since the liquid can be circulated without removing the cylindrical body after molding, the product can be manufactured at low cost without increasing the number of manufacturing steps.

  According to one embodiment, in the tube with a connector, the tube is a multi-tube in which a plurality of tubes are arranged in parallel on a single plane. Thereby, even when a connector or the like is integrated with the multitube, leakage between liquid rows is prevented, so that a member that can handle a plurality of different types of liquids at a time can be manufactured at low cost.

  According to another embodiment, in the tube with connector, the cylindrical body inserted into the tube extends toward the inside of the tube in the longitudinal direction of the tube. Thereby, a tube and a cylinder are connected reliably, and a liquid can be circulated as it is, without removing a cylinder after molding.

  According to another embodiment, in the tube with connector, the cylinder inserted into the tube extends toward the outside of the tube in the longitudinal direction of the tube. As a result, the member formed at the end of the tube and the cylinder are reliably communicated with each other, and the liquid can be circulated. Moreover, it contributes to the improvement of the adhesive strength of the tube and the molded product.

  According to another embodiment, in the tube with connector, the cylinder has a length that does not reach the end of the communication hole formed in the connector on the side opposite to the tube. Thereby, since the cylinder is embedded in the connector, the molded connector can be handled in the same manner as the one not including the cylinder.

  According to another embodiment, in the above-mentioned tube with a connector, the cylinder extends to the end of the communication hole formed in the connector on the side opposite to the tube. Thereby, the end opening of the liquid flow path in the connector can be reinforced to increase the durability and the number of insertions / removals. Moreover, since the liquid flow path in the connector is formed of a cylindrical body, a connector having a complicated shaped liquid flow path can be easily manufactured by using a cylindrical body having a desired shape. In addition, since it is not necessary to mold the liquid flow path with a mold, the cost of the mold can be reduced.

  According to another embodiment, in the above-mentioned tube with a connector, the cylinder extends to the outside of the connector beyond the end of the communication hole formed in the connector on the side opposite to the tube. Thereby, the cylinder itself can be used as a part of the connector. In addition, a connector having a novel structure such as mounting an O-ring around the cylinder can be provided.

  According to another embodiment, in the tube with connector, the cylinder may be made of metal. Thereby, a cylindrical body with little deformation is provided even when pressure, heat, or the like is applied in a process such as molding, and deformation of the tube in the connector-equipped tube is prevented.

  According to another embodiment, in the connector-equipped tube, the cylinder is formed of a thermosetting resin. Thereby, it is cheaper than a metal and the cylinder which is familiar with a tube and a connector is obtained, and a cheap tube with a connector is provided.

  According to another embodiment, in the molding method, the cylindrical body is formed of a thermoplastic resin having a softening temperature higher than the molding temperature of the tube and the connector. Thereby, the cylinder of arbitrary shape or a dimension is provided cheaply.

  Further, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a connector having a communication hole for communicating between the tube and the outside at the end of the tube formed of an elastic material, the elastic modulus being higher than that of the tube. Inserting a cylinder formed of a high material with both ends communicating into the tube so that the cylinder exists at least at the end face of the tube, and a mold around the end of the tube into which the cylinder is inserted And forming a connector by injection molding. Thereby, since a cylinder prevents a deformation | transformation from the inner surface of a tube in the edge part of a tube, when a different material is inject | poured around a tube edge part and a connector etc. are shape | molded, a deformation | transformation of a tube does not arise. Therefore, a decrease in the inner diameter due to deformation of the tube or a lack of adhesive strength between the tube and another material is prevented. Further, since the cylindrical body does not melt when molding, it is possible to prevent melting burrs from being generated inside the molded body when the mold is opened. Furthermore, since the liquid can be circulated without removing the cylindrical body after molding, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the product can be manufactured at low cost.

  Furthermore, according to one embodiment, in the molding method described above, a procedure for arranging the cylinder inside the mold, a procedure for attaching a tube to the cylinder arranged inside the mold, a cylinder, and And injecting the connector material into the mold including the tube in this order. Thereby, the cylindrical carriage can be easily attached to the tube. In addition, since the tip of the tube can be positioned by the cylinder in the mold, a highly accurate connector can be formed.

  Moreover, according to one embodiment, in the said shaping | molding method, the internal diameter of a cylinder is equal to the internal diameter of the said tube, or is smaller than the internal diameter of a tube. Thereby, when the internal diameters are equal, the internal flow path has a substantially constant internal diameter in the connector-equipped tube except for the portion where the tubes overlap the connector, and the fluid can be circulated efficiently. In addition, when the inner diameter of the cylinder is smaller, the insertion length when the projection in the mold is inserted into the cylinder is defined, and workability is improved.

  According to another embodiment, the cylinder has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases as the distance from the end face of the fitted tube increases. Thereby, it becomes easy to fit a tube with respect to a cylinder, and productivity of a tube with a connector can be improved.

  According to another embodiment, the cylindrical body is formed with a step that contacts the end face of the tube at the position of the end of the fitted tube. Thereby, the depth which fits a tube to a cylinder becomes uniform, and the quality of the tube with a connector finally obtained is stabilized.

  According to another embodiment, the end surface of the tube that is fitted to the cylinder is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tube. Thereby, it becomes easy to fit the tube which has especially elasticity in a cylinder, and the productivity of the tube with a connector improves.

  The summary of the invention does not enumerate all necessary features of the present invention. Further, a sub-combination of these feature groups can be an invention.

1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus 1 provided with an elastic tube 14. FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of an elastic tube with a connector provided in the ink jet recording apparatus. It is a figure which shows a mode that the connector 15 shown in FIG. 2 was seen from another viewpoint. It is sectional drawing of the connector 15 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic tube 14. FIG. It is a figure which shows the metal mold | die 400 which shape | molds the connector 15. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the coupling 510 which concerns on other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the coupling 520 which concerns on other embodiment. In connector 530, it is a figure which shows the part of the metal cylinder 300 in which the elastic tube 14 was inserted. In connector 540, it is a figure which shows the part of the metal cylinder 300 in which the elastic tube 14 was inserted. In connector 550, it is a figure which shows the part of the metal cylinder 300 in which the elastic tube 14 was inserted. In the connector 560, it is a figure which shows the other form of the elastic tube 14 in which the metal cylinder 300 was inserted.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall structure of an ink jet recording apparatus 1 equipped with an elastic tube 14 having an integrated connector 15. As shown in the figure, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 has a paper feed tray 3 for taking recording paper at the rear upper part of the housing 2 and a paper discharge tray 4 for discharging recorded recording paper at the front of the housing 2. , Each with. The recording paper taken into the housing 2 from the paper feed tray 3 passes through the platen 5 provided inside the housing 2 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 4. Although not shown in the figure, in the housing 2, a feeding device that takes recording paper loaded in the paper feed tray 3 one by one into the housing 2, and the taken recording paper on the platen 5. A transport device for feeding in and a discharge device for feeding the recording paper that has passed through the platen 5 onto the paper discharge tray 4 are provided.

  In the housing 2, a guide member 6 is disposed above the platen 5 in parallel with the platen 5. In addition, a carriage 7 that is guided by the guide member 6 and reciprocates in parallel with the platen 5 is mounted on the guide member 6. A recording head 8 is formed on the lower surface of the carriage 7 and ejects ink onto the recording paper on the platen 5. Although not shown, driving means for reciprocating the carriage 7 is also provided in the housing 2.

  Further, a pair of ink cartridges 9 and 11 that contain ink discharged from the recording head 8 are accommodated in the housing 2. The ink stored in the ink cartridges 9 and 11 is supplied to the recording head 8 of the carriage 7 through the ink flow paths 10 and 12, the connector 13, the elastic tube 14, and the connector 15 in order. Here, the ink cartridges 9 and 11, the ink flow paths 10 and 12, and the connector 13 are not displaced with respect to the housing 2. On the other hand, the connector 15 is coupled to the carriage 7. Accordingly, the elastic tube 14 that couples the connector 13 and the connector 15 repeats bending or stretching as the carriage 7 reciprocates.

  The connector 13 and the connector 15 are integrally formed with the elastic tube 14 to form a connector-attached tube. Therefore, when assembling the ink jet recording apparatus 1, the connectors 13 and 15 formed at both ends of the elastic tube 14 are coupled to the individually assembled ink flow paths 10 and 12 and the carriage 7, respectively.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 1 having the above-described structure can speed up the operation because the carriage 7 that reciprocates can be lightened. Moreover, since the large-sized ink cartridges 9 and 11 can be equipped, it is suitable for an application that consumes large amounts of ink.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the connector 15 formed integrally with one end of the elastic tube 14 and connecting the elastic tube 14 and the carriage 7 is viewed from the carriage 7 side in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is. As shown in the figure, the connector 15 is formed by a molded body 220 in which one end of the elastic tube 14 is embedded. The molded body 220 has a plurality of communication ports 270 that individually communicate with each of the flow paths 141 of the elastic tube 14 and positioning holes 274 for positioning the connector 15 when the connector 15 is attached to the carriage 7. It is formed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the connector 15 illustrated in FIG. 2 is viewed from the side opposite to FIG. As shown in the figure, the communication port 270 visible in FIG. 2 penetrates the molded body 220 to the back surface to form a communication hole 280. Each communication hole 280 communicates with one end of the metal cylinder 300 through a communication groove 260 described later. The positioning hole 274 also penetrates to the back surface of the molded body 220. However, the positioning hole 274 is completed by itself, and does not communicate with other members.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section of the connector 15 along the dotted line B shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the communication hole 280 penetrating the molded body 220 from the communication port 270 communicates with the opening 254 at one end of the metal cylinder 300 through the communication groove 260. The other end of the metal cylinder 300 is bent inside the molded body 220 and then inserted into the elastic tube 14 penetrating from the side into the molded body 220 and extends to the same position as the side end surface of the molded body 220. Exists.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, the communication groove 260 is sealed with a film 240 that is airtightly bonded to the molded body 220 at the bonding portion 242. Therefore, the flow path 141 in the elastic tube 14 communicates with the communication port 270 via the communication groove 260 and the communication hole 280. In this embodiment, a stainless steel tube is used as the metal cylinder 300. However, a cylinder made of another material is used as long as it has a strength capable of maintaining the form against the pressure when the connector 15 is molded. be able to.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section of the elastic tube 14 along the dotted line AA shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the elastic tube 14 is a multi-tube having a plurality of flow paths 141. The plurality of channels 141 are arranged separately from each other on a single plane, and can individually circulate fluid. In the connector 15, the communication structure shown in FIG. 4 is formed for each of these flow paths 141. Accordingly, the plurality of communication ports 270 formed in the molded body 220 communicate with the flow channel 141 individually.

  Further, the elastic tube 14 has a two-layer structure having a hollow inner layer 144 that forms the flow path 141 and an outer layer 146 that surrounds the inner layer 144. In this case, the material of the outer layer 146 is preferably included in the material forming the inner layer 144 and the molded body 220 and has a melting point equal to or lower than the melting point of the inner layer 144. For example, when the molded body 220 includes PP (polypropylene), PP resin is also used for the outer layer 146. By forming the outer layer 146 with such a material, a polyolefin resin is used. Thereby, when the molded body 220 is outsert-molded, good adhesive strength is obtained between the molded body 220 and the outer layer 146. In addition, such an elastic tube 14 can be manufactured independently by extrusion molding.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the shape of a mold 400 used when manufacturing the connector 15 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and a method for forming a molded body 220 using the mold 400. In addition, this metal mold | die 400 is shown with sectional drawing in the same cross section as FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the mold 400 is formed by combining an upper mold 424 and a lower mold 422, and has a cavity having a shape complementary to the outer shape of the molded body 220 of the connector 15. In the mold 400, the large protrusion 430 corresponding to the shape of the communication hole 280 rises from the bottom surface of the lower mold 422 until it reaches the upper mold 424. Furthermore, it has a raised portion 440 corresponding to the communication groove 260 of the molded body 220 and a small protrusion 410 having the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the metal cylinder 300. Furthermore, a notch 450 having a shape complementary to the outer shape of the elastic tube 14 is formed on the side surface of the mold 400.

  When the molded body 220 is molded using the mold 400 as described above, the following procedure can be used. First, the elastic tube 14 produced by extrusion molding etc. and the metal cylinder 300 shape | molded by the desired dimension are prepared. Next, one end of the metal cylinder 300 is attached to the small protrusion 410 of the lower mold 422, and the other end of the metal cylinder 300 is inserted into one end of the elastic tube 14. At this time, the elastic tube 14 is positioned on the notch 450 of the lower mold 422.

  In the above work, the elastic tube 14 may be fitted to the metal cylinder 300 after the metal cylinder 300 is first attached to the small protrusion 410, or the metal cylinder 300 may be attached to the elastic tube 14 first. It may be attached to the small protrusion 410 after being inserted. This work order is appropriately selected in consideration of the shapes of the mold 400, the metal cylinder 300, and the like.

  As described above, the upper mold 424 is closed with the metal cylinder 300 and the elastic tube 14 attached to the lower mold 422, and the material of the molded body 220 is melted and injected from an injection port (not shown). When the mold 400 is removed after the cavity inside the mold 400 is filled with the molding material, the connector 15 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is formed at the end of the elastic tube 14. The

  According to the molding method as described above, since the connector 15 is molded in a state where the metal cylinder 300 with little deformation is inserted into the elastic tube 14, there is no deformation of the elastic tube 14 inside the molded body 220, and the elastic tube 14. The desired amount of distribution can be maintained. Further, since the metal cylinder 300 is left as it is inside the molded body 220, a step of removing a member such as a pin for forming a flow path can be omitted. Furthermore, by extending the metal cylinder 300 to the inside of the molded body 220, it is possible to reliably prevent fluid leakage between rows due to interface peeling between the elastic tube 14 and the molded body 220. Furthermore, since the fluid flow path inside the molded body 220 can be formed by the metal cylinder 300, it is not necessary to prepare a mold having a complicated shape for forming the flow path, and further, a complicated three-dimensional structure is required. A shaped flow path can be easily formed.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a joint 510 including a male connector 512 and a female connector 514 that can be manufactured by the molding method as described above. As shown in the figure, a male connector 512 shown on the right side in the figure and a female connector 514 shown on the left side in the figure form a pair to form a joint 510 of the elastic tube 14.

  The male connector 512 includes an elastic tube 14 having a tip penetrated into the molded body 290 from one side surface, and a metal cylinder 300 having one end inserted inside the elastic tube 14. The other end of the metal cylinder 300 further extends outward from the other end of the molded body 290. An O-ring 310 is attached to the metal cylinder 300 that protrudes outside the molded body 290.

  On the other hand, the female connector 514 is common to the male connector 512 in that the female connector 514 includes an elastic tube 14 having a distal end penetrated into the molded body 290 from one side surface and a metal cylinder 300 having one end inserted into the elastic tube 14. . However, the other end of the metal cylinder 300 is terminated inside the molded body 290.

  In the joint 510 combining the male connector 512 and the female connector 514 as described above, the right and left elastic tubes 14 are connected by inserting the tip of the metal cylinder 300 on the male connector 512 side into the female connector 514. Can be combined. Further, in a state where the male connector 512 and the female connector 514 are coupled, the O-ring 310 sandwiched between the molded bodies 290 is sealed between the two in a liquid-tight or air-tight manner. There is no leakage at the part.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the molded body 290 can be formed so as to maintain the coupled state by providing a latch or the like that fits when the male connector 512 and the female connector 514 are coupled. Further, in FIG. 7, both the male type and the female type are connectors, but one of them may be another member such as the ink cartridges 9 and 11 or the carriage 7 in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Good.

  FIG. 8 is also a cross-sectional view showing another shape of joint 520 that can be manufactured by the same molding method. As shown in the figure, this joint 520 also forms a joint 520 of the elastic tube 14 by pairing a male connector 522 shown on the right side in the figure with a female connector 524 shown on the left side in the figure.

  The male connector 512 includes an elastic tube 14 having a distal end penetrated into the molded body 290 from one side surface and a metal cylinder 300 having one end inserted inside the elastic tube 14. The other end of the metal cylinder 300 is flush with the other end surface of the molded body 290. In addition, a groove surrounding the metal cylinder 300 is formed on the other end surface, and the O-ring 310 is accommodated.

  The female connector 524 also includes an elastic tube 14 whose tip is inserted into the molded body 290 from one side surface, and a metal cylinder 300 having one end inserted into the elastic tube 14, and the other end of the metal cylinder 300. Is the same as the male connector 522 in that it is flush with the other end surface of the molded body 290. However, a step 292 having a shape complementary to the other end surface of the male connector 522 is formed on the other end surface of the molded body 290 of the female connector 524.

  In the joint 520 as described above, the right and left elastic tubes 14 can communicate with each other by causing the male connector 522 and the female connector 524 to abut each other. Further, in a state where the male connector 522 and the female connector 524 are coupled, the O-ring 310 sandwiched between the molded bodies 290 is sealed between the two in a liquid-tight or air-tight manner. There is no leakage at the connection.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the molded body 290 can be formed so as to maintain the coupled state by providing a latch or the like that fits when the male connector 512 and the female connector 514 are coupled. In FIG. 8, both the male type and the female type are “connectors”, but one of them is another member, for example, the ink cartridges 9 and 11 or the carriage 7 in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. May be.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a portion where the metal tube 300 is inserted into the elastic tube 14 inside one connector 530. As shown in the figure, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic tube 14, the inner diameter of the elastic tube 14 and the inner diameter of the metal cylinder 300 can be made substantially the same. Thereby, in the connector 530, the inner diameter of the internal flow path becomes substantially constant, the fluid can be circulated efficiently, and the effective distribution amount can be increased.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a portion where the metal tube 300 is inserted into the elastic tube 14 in a connector 540 according to another embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this connector 540, a tapered portion 320 is formed in the vicinity of at least the end of the metal cylinder 300, becoming thinner as it approaches the tip. Thereby, since it becomes easy to insert the front-end | tip of the metal cylinder 300 in the elastic tube 14, productivity is improved. Moreover, since the front-end | tip part of the elastic tube 14 is engage | inserted by the part with a large diameter of the metal cylinder 300, the elastic tube 14 and the metal cylinder 300 contact | adhere mutually.

  FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing a portion where the metal tube 300 is inserted into the elastic tube 14 in a connector 550 according to still another embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this connector 550, the metal cylinder 300 is formed with a step 330 that abuts against the end face of the elastic tube 14 at the position of the end of the fitted elastic tube 14. Thereby, the depth which fits the elastic tube 14 to the metal cylinder 300 becomes uniform, and the quality of the finally obtained connector 550 is stabilized.

  FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing a portion where the metal tube 300 is inserted into the elastic tube 14 in a connector 560 according to still another embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this connector 560, the end surface 142 of the elastic tube 14 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction at the end surface fitted to the metal cylinder 300. Thereby, workability | operativity in case the elastic tube 14 is fitted to the metal cylinder 300 is improved, and the productivity of the connector 560 is improved.

  For convenience of explanation, in the above series of embodiments, the molded bodies 220 and 290 that are outsert to the elastic tube 14 are described as “connectors”. However, the molded bodies 220 and 290 may further include screw holes for fixing, specific shapes for positioning, brackets for attaching other parts such as sensors, and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the ink supply tube in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 has been described as an example. However, the connector-equipped tube can be used in many other applications for handling fluid. Specifically, a color filter manufacturing apparatus that manufactures color filters for liquid crystal displays, an electrode forming apparatus that forms electrodes such as organic EL displays and FEDs (surface emitting displays), a biochip manufacturing apparatus that manufactures biochips, and the like However, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. In addition, it is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device, 2 housing | casing, 3 paper feed tray, 4 paper discharge tray, 5 platen, 6 guide member, 7 carriage, 8 recording head, 9, 11 ink cartridge, 10, 12 ink flow path, 13, 15 , 530, 540, 550, 560 connector, 14 elastic tube, 141 flow path, 142 end face, 144 inner layer, 146 outer layer, 220, 290 molded body, 240 film, 242 adhesive portion, 254 opening, 260 communication groove, 270 communication port 274 Positioning hole, 280 Communication hole, 292 Step, 300 Metal cylinder, 310 O-ring, 320 Tapered part, 330 Step, 400 Mold, 410 Small protrusion, 422 Lower mold, 424 Upper mold, 430 Large protrusion, 440 Ridge, 450 notch, 510,520 fitting, 512,522 male Connector, 514, 524 Female connector.

Claims (16)

A tube formed of an elastic material;
A cylindrical body in which both ends communicate with each other, formed of a material having a higher elastic modulus than the tube;
A tube with a connector having a communication hole for communicating the tube and the outside, and a connector integrally formed at an end of the tube, wherein the cylindrical body is present in the tube at least at the end surface of the tube .   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the tube is a multi-tube in which a plurality of single tubes are arranged in parallel on a single plane and integrated, and the cylindrical body is inserted into each of the single tubes. tube.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body inserted into the tube extends toward the inside of the tube in a longitudinal direction of the tube.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body inserted into the tube extends toward the outside of the tube in a longitudinal direction of the tube.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body has a length that does not reach an end portion of the communication hole formed in the connector on the side opposite to the tube.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body extends to an end portion of the communication hole formed in the connector on a side opposite to the tube.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body extends to an outside of the connector beyond an end portion of the communication hole formed in the connector on a side opposite to the tube.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is made of metal.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is formed of a thermosetting resin.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is formed of a thermoplastic resin having a softening temperature higher than a molding temperature of the tube and the connector. A method of forming a connector having a communication hole for communicating the tube and the outside at an end portion of a tube formed of an elastic material,
Inserting a cylinder formed of a material having a higher elastic modulus than the tube and having both ends communicated, so that the cylinder exists at least on the end surface of the tube; and
Forming the connector by surrounding a periphery of an end of the tube into which the cylindrical body is inserted with a mold.   A procedure for disposing the cylindrical body inside the mold, a procedure for attaching the tube to the cylindrical body disposed inside the mold, and an interior of the mold including the cylindrical body and the tube The molding method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of injecting the connector material into the connector in this order.   The tube with a connector according to claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the cylindrical body is equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the tube.   The molding method according to claim 11, wherein the cylindrical body has a tapered shape in which an outer diameter gradually decreases as the distance from the end face of the fitted tube increases.   The molding method according to claim 11, wherein the cylindrical body is formed with a step contacting the end face of the tube at a position of an end portion of the tube fitted.   The molding method according to claim 11, wherein an end surface of the tube that is fitted on the cylindrical body is inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the tube.

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