JP2010137143A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector wherein a highly liquid-tight connection between a liquid supply tube and a substrate is attained and the liquid supply tube and the substrate are easily attached and detached. <P>SOLUTION: The connector (1) is provided with: ferrules (10A, 10B) each having at least one slit (104) to be opened from the end thereof at the end (103) of the connector; a sleeve (12) which has a through-hole, into which the liquid supply tube (20) is inserted, in the center thereof in the longitudinal direction and a cone-shaped concave part (121), in which the second end of the ferrule is fit, formed on the substrate-side end face thereof; and a cap body (16) in the hollow part (161) of which the ferrules and the sleeve are housed and which is locked in a substrate (40)-fixed substrate holder (30) while being pressed to the direction of the substrate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a substrate provided with a fine flow path such as a microfluidic chip used in the biotechnology field and the like, and a liquid feeding tube for feeding liquid to the flow path.

  In recent years, the so-called microfluidics technology has been applied, in which semiconductor microfabrication technology is applied to form microscopic grooves and tubes on the surface of glass substrates, etc., and nanoliter-level sample solutions are supplied to perform analysis and reactions. It is attracting attention in various fields. According to microfluidics, systems such as biochemical analysis, chemical synthesis reaction, extraction, and separation can be integrated on a substrate of several centimeters square.

  In the microfluidics technology, a liquid feeding tube is connected to a groove or a tube on a substrate and used for supplying liquid to the groove or the like and discharging liquid from the groove or the like. Since the connector is used for precise biochemical analysis or the like, the connector disposed at the connection portion between the liquid feeding tube and the substrate must be capable of realizing a liquid-tight connection with no liquid leakage. In particular, depending on the viscosity and supply speed of the liquid supplied from the liquid supply tube to the groove, the liquid supplied from the liquid supply tube is rebounded at the bottom of the groove and the like. Pressure may be applied. In this case, since the liquid is likely to leak from the connection portion between the liquid feeding tube and the groove, the connector must be able to be firmly fixed by pressing the liquid feeding tube toward the substrate even in such a case.

  In biochemical analysis and the like, since it is necessary to prevent contamination, the substrate is often disposable and used after being replaced one after another. Therefore, the connector needs to be able to easily attach and detach the liquid feeding tube to and from the substrate.

  Up to now, the housing arranged on the microchemical chip and the housing between the housing and the microchemical chip are deformed by the pressure from the housing and press the surface of the microchemical chip and the outer peripheral surface of the liquid feeding tube at the same time. There has been proposed a microconnector including a ferrule (see Patent Document 1).

However, there is a need for a connector with excellent pressure resistance in which the liquid feeding tube is more firmly fixed to the substrate, and liquid flows from the liquid feeding tube to the groove of the substrate, so that no liquid leaks from the connection even if pressure is applied. ing.
JP 2007-21366 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that achieves a high liquid-tight connection between a liquid feeding tube and a substrate and that can be easily attached to and detached from the liquid feeding tube and the substrate.

As a result of repeated studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have
(I) A substantially cylindrical ferrule in which a through-hole through which the liquid feeding tube is inserted is formed along the longitudinal direction, and the first end portion is formed with an end surface perpendicular to the extending direction of the through-hole. The outer diameter of the second end portion gradually decreases in a tapered manner toward the tip, and the ferrule on which the second end is provided with at least one slit extending along the outer peripheral surface from the tip,
(Ii) A substantially cylindrical sleeve in which a through-hole through which the liquid feeding tube is inserted is formed along the longitudinal direction, and a tapered recess into which the second end of the ferrule is fitted to the end surface on the substrate side. A formed sleeve;
(Iii) A cap body having a hollow portion capable of storing a ferrule and a sleeve, and having a through-hole through which a liquid feeding tube is inserted at one end, and storing the ferrule and the sleeve in the hollow portion and pressing them toward the substrate While the cap body is locked to the substrate holder fixed to the substrate,
With the connector, the connector can be easily fixed to the substrate by locking the cap body to the substrate holder, and the connection portion with the flow path of the substrate by strongly pressing the liquid feeding tube toward the substrate It has been found that a highly liquid-tight connection can be achieved.

  According to such a configuration, by pressing the cap body in the substrate direction, the second end portion of the ferrule provided with the slit is pressed in the substrate direction so as to be caulked in the tapered concave portion of the sleeve. As a result, the ferrule firmly fixes the liquid feeding tube while pressing it toward the substrate, and as a result, the connection between the tip of the liquid feeding tube and the flow path on the substrate becomes more reliable. On the other hand, the connector and the liquid feeding tube can be easily detached from the substrate by removing the cap body from the substrate.

  The connector according to the present invention preferably has a spring between the sleeve and the cap body. According to such a configuration, when the cap body is pressed in the direction of the substrate, the force for pressing the ferrule and the sleeve in the direction of the substrate can be increased, and thereby the liquid tightness of the connection portion between the liquid feeding tube and the substrate. Can be further increased. In addition, when the ferrule or the like is formed of a resin or the like, the ferrule or the like may be plastically deformed due to continuous use and may cause a decrease in the pressing force. Can be absorbed by the spring.

  In the connector according to the present invention, the sleeve may be previously stored and fixed in the hollow portion of the cap body, or the sleeve may be integrally formed in a state of being stored and fixed in the hollow portion of the cap body. . Even in such a configuration, the above-described function as the connector according to the present invention can be suitably exhibited.

  In the connector according to the present invention, it is preferable that the taper angle of the second end portion of the ferrule is formed at an acute angle than the taper angle of the concave portion of the sleeve. According to such a configuration, the force with which the concave portion of the sleeve caulks the second end of the ferrule becomes stronger, and the strength of pressing the liquid feeding tube in the direction of the substrate can be increased, so that the connection with higher liquid tightness is achieved. Can be realized.

  In the connector according to the present invention, the sleeve is preferably formed of a material harder than the ferrule. Even with such a configuration, the force with which the concave portion of the sleeve caulks the second end of the ferrule becomes stronger, and a more liquid-tight connection can be realized.

  In the connector according to the present invention, it is preferable that three slits are provided at intervals of 120 degrees in a plan view when the second end of the ferrule is viewed from the tip. As a result of investigations by the present inventors, it was confirmed that the liquid tightness was the best when there were three slits.

  Further, in the connector according to the present invention, the ferrule is constituted by two of the board side ferrule and the cap body side ferrule, and the outer diameter of the cap body side end of the board side ferrule gradually decreases in a tapered shape toward the tip, It is preferable that a tapered recess into which the substrate-side ferrule is fitted is formed on the substrate-side end surface of the cap body-side ferrule. According to such a configuration, when the connector is fixed to the board, the cap body-side ferrule presses the board-side ferrule toward the board while caulking the end of the board-side ferrule. As a result, the strength with which the liquid feeding tube is pressed in the direction of the substrate becomes higher, and a connection with excellent liquid tightness can be realized between the liquid feeding tube and the substrate.

  Here, it is preferable that the taper angle of the cap body side end of the substrate side ferrule is formed at an acute angle with respect to the taper angle of the recess of the cap body side ferrule. According to such a configuration, the force of the concave portion of the cap body side ferrule caulking the substrate side ferrule becomes stronger, and as a result, the strength of pressing the liquid supply tube in the direction of the substrate is increased, and the liquid supply tube and the substrate are separated from each other. A connection with excellent liquid tightness can be realized.

  Furthermore, the cap body side ferrule is made of a material harder than the substrate side ferrule, so that the cap body side ferrule firmly presses the substrate side ferrule, so that the liquid tightness of the connection part between the liquid feeding tube and the substrate is further improved. Is possible.

  In the connector according to the present invention, the end surface of the ferrule on the substrate side has a convex portion that is concentric with the through hole and protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction, and the convex portion is in contact with the substrate. It is preferable. By providing such a convex portion, it is possible to further improve the liquid tightness of the connection portion between the liquid feeding tube and the substrate.

  Further, in the connector according to the present invention, the cap body has a pin on the outer periphery, and the pin is engaged with the notch provided in the substrate holder so that the cap body is locked in a state of being prevented from being detached from the substrate holder. It is preferable. According to such a configuration, the connector can be fixed to the board by a simple operation of fitting the pin into the notch.

  In the connector according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the outer periphery of the cap body is formed in a screw shape, and the cap body is locked to the substrate holder by screwing the cap body into a screw hole provided in the substrate holder. According to such a configuration, the connector can be fixed to the substrate by a simple operation of screwing the cap body into the screw hole.

  According to the connector of the present invention, the liquid feeding tube can be connected to the flow path of the substrate with a simple operation, and a connection with high liquid tightness can be obtained. The connection realized by the connector according to the present invention can withstand the case where the liquid feeding tube receives pressure from the substrate due to the reverse flow of the liquid when the liquid is supplied from the liquid feeding tube to the flow path of the substrate. It is a strong connection.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing a configuration of a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 includes ferrules 10A and 10B, a sleeve 12, a spring 14, and a cap body 16, and as shown in FIG. Used for connection with the tube 20.

  The connector 1 includes a board side ferrule 10 </ b> A and a cap body side ferrule 10 </ b> B, both of which have a through-hole through which the liquid feeding tube 20 is inserted. These through holes are respectively formed in the radial center portions of the substrate side ferrule 10A and the cap body side ferrule 10B, and extend along the longitudinal direction of the substrate side ferrule 10A and the cap body side ferrule 10B. The substrate-side ferrule 10 </ b> A has a convex portion 101 concentric with the through-hole and protruding outward in the longitudinal direction at the substrate-side end portion (tip surface), and the convex portion 101 contacts the substrate 40. It becomes. Here, the convex portion 101 may be formed integrally with the substrate-side ferrule 10A. After the substrate-side ferrule 10A is formed, the separately formed convex portion 101 is attached to the end portion of the substrate-side ferrule 10A. It may be fixed. In addition, you may form the convex part 101 from PTFE, PE, etc., for example. The substrate-side ferrule 10A has a shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases in a tapered shape toward the end 106 on the cap body side.

  Similarly, the cap body side ferrule 10B has a shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases in a tapered shape toward the end portion 103 on the cap body side. The cap body side ferrule 10B has at least one, preferably three slits 104 extending from the end portion 103 on the cap body side along the outer peripheral surface. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cap body side ferrule 10B, and FIG. 4 shows a side view and a plan view of the cap body side ferrule 10B having three slits 104. As shown in FIG. 4, the three slits 104 extend from the end portion 103 on the cap body side in a normal direction that is 120 degrees apart from each other in plan view. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the cap body side ferrule 10 </ b> B has a hollow portion 105 in which a predetermined gap is formed around the liquid feeding tube 20 when the liquid feeding tube 20 is inserted into the through hole. It is good. With such a configuration, when the cap body side ferrule 10B is pressed against a sleeve 12 described later, the force for caulking the liquid feeding tube 20 by the end portion 103 on the cap body side can be further increased.

  Further, as shown in the drawing, a mortar-shaped recess 102 whose inner diameter gradually decreases in a taper shape from the end surface side toward the end portion 103 on the cap body side is formed at the end portion on the substrate side of the cap body side ferrule 10B. Yes. As a result, the end portion 106 of the ferrule 10A can also be tightened, so that the liquid feeding tube 20 can be fixed while being strongly pressed toward the substrate 40. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that the taper angle α of the substrate-side ferrule 10A is more acute than the pressing angle (taper angle) β of the cap-body-side ferrule 10B. According to such a configuration, by pressing the cap body side ferrule 10B toward the substrate 40, the substrate side ferrule 10A is pressed in the direction of the substrate 40 so as to crimp the end portion 106, thereby the liquid feeding tube 20 is pressed. The liquid feeding tube 20 and the flow path 42 of the substrate 40 can be connected with high liquid tightness by being firmly fixed.

  The angle α can be, for example, 47 ° to 57 °, preferably 50 ° to 55 °, and more preferably 52 °. On the other hand, the angle β can be, for example, 55 ° to 65 ° (where α <β), preferably 58 ° to 63 °, and more preferably 60 °.

  The cap body side ferrule 10B is preferably formed of a material harder than the substrate side ferrule 10A. Also by this, the force pressed so that the cap body side ferrule 10B may caulk the board side ferrule 10A can be increased. Further, if the substrate-side ferrule 10A is formed of a flexible material, liquid leakage can be suitably prevented when the convex portion 101 contacts the substrate 40. The cap body side ferrule 10B is preferably formed of, for example, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and can also be formed of polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE). The substrate-side ferrule 10A is preferably formed of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and can also be formed of polyethylene (PE). Further, the combination of materials constituting the cap body side ferrule 10B and the substrate side ferrule 10A may be PE and PEEK, PTFE and PCTFE, or PE and PCTFE.

  Next, the sleeve 12 of the connector 1 is a substantially cylindrical member having a through-hole through which the liquid feeding tube 20 is inserted in the longitudinal direction, and the cap body 16 from the end face side is provided at an end portion close to the cap body side ferrule 10B. A mortar-shaped recess 121 is provided in which the inner diameter gradually decreases in a tapered shape toward the end on the side. As described above, the end 103 where the outer diameter of the cap-body-side ferrule 10B gradually decreases in a taper shape is fitted into the recess 121. As a result of the slit 104 being provided, the end 103 of the cap-body-side ferrule 10B can be easily reduced in diameter and increased in diameter, and is more flexible. When pressed in the 40 direction, the end 103 is caulked and pressed in the direction of the substrate while firmly fixing the liquid feeding tube 20. With such a configuration, even when pressure is generated from the substrate 40 toward the connector by flowing a fluid through the liquid feeding tube 20, the liquid feeding tube 20 is firmly fixed to the flow path 42 to realize a highly liquid-tight connection. it can.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the taper angle γ of the cap body side ferrule 10 </ b> B is preferably more acute than the pressing angle (taper angle) δ of the mortar-shaped (tapered) recess 121 of the sleeve 12. It is also preferable that the sleeve 12 be made of a material harder than the cap body side ferrule 10B. According to these configurations, the effect of firmly fixing the liquid feeding tube 20 and pressing it against the substrate side can be further enhanced. As the material of the sleeve 12, a metal such as SUS316 is preferably used.

  The angle γ can be, for example, 47 ° to 57 °, preferably 50 ° to 55 °, and more preferably 52 °. On the other hand, the angle δ can be set to, for example, 80 ° to 100 °, preferably 85 ° to 95 °, and more preferably 90 °.

  The spring 14 of the connector 1 not only increases the force of pressing the sleeve 12 in the board direction when the cap body 16 is pressed in the board direction, but as a result of continuous use, the sleeve 12, the board-side ferrule 10 </ b> A and the cap Even when the body-side ferrule 10B is plastically deformed, the spring 12 is stretched to absorb the dimensional change accompanying the plastic deformation, thereby continuously reducing the force for pressing the cap body 16 toward the substrate. It also plays a role to maintain. The spring 14 is preferably made of spring steel such as SUS or SWP-B.

  The cap body 16 of the connector 1 stores the board side ferrule 10A, the cap body side ferrule 10B, the sleeve 12, and the spring 14 all in the hollow portion 161 and presses these members toward the board 40. Therefore, the outer diameters of the substrate-side ferrule 10 </ b> A, the cap body-side ferrule 10 </ b> B, the sleeve 12, and the spring 14 are smaller than the inner diameter of the cap body 16. Further, the length of the hollow portion 161 of the cap body 16 in the longitudinal direction is such that the board-side ferrule 10A, the cap-body-side ferrule 10B, and the sleeve 12 are fitted and the spring 14 is contracted, and the protrusion of the board-side ferrule 10A is contracted. It is substantially equal to the length from 101 to the cap body side tip of the spring 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pin 162 is formed on the outer periphery of the cap body 16, and this pin fits into a notch 32 provided in the substrate holder 30, so that the cap body 16 touches the substrate holder 30 one-touch. It is fixed with. As schematically shown in FIG. 6, by inserting the pin 162 into the notch 32 and rotating it in the direction of the arrow, the pin 162 fits into the notch 32, and the connector 1 is prevented from coming off by the board holder 30. Fixed in state. The pin 162 is preferably welded to the outer surface of the cap body 16 with a laser.

  Here, the substrate holder 30 can be configured as shown in FIG. 7, for example. As illustrated, the substrate holder 30 includes a cover 30A and a base 30B. The substrate 40 is mounted on the substrate mounting portion 72 of the base 30B, the cover 30A is overlaid from above, and the fixing tool 74 attached to the base 30B is fitted into the recess 76 of the cover 30A. It is fixed to the holder 30.

  Next, the liquid feeding tube 20 can be easily and reliably connected to the flow path 42 of the substrate 40 by fitting and locking the pin 162 of the connector 1 to the notch 32 of the cover 30A.

  The cap body 16 may be cut with a screw 163 on the outer periphery thereof. If the board holder 30 is provided with a screw hole, the connector 1 can be easily fixed to the board holder 30 not by the pin 162 but also by the screw 163. This is shown in FIG.

  Another embodiment of the connector according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The connector shown in FIG. 9 has a cap body 16 'formed by integrally forming portions corresponding to the sleeve and the cap body in the above-described embodiment. Then, a mortar-shaped (tapered) concave portion 121 ′ is formed in the hollow portion 161 ′ of the cap body 16 ′, and the end portion 103 of the cap-body-side ferrule 10B provided with the slit is caulked to the concave portion 121 ′. Pressed down.

  In this case, it is preferable to form the cap body 16 ′ with a material harder than the cap body side ferrule 10 </ b> B. Further, it is preferable that the pressing angle (taper angle) ε of the concave portion 121 ′ of the cap body 16 ′ is formed more obtuse than the taper angle γ of the end portion 103 of the cap body side ferrule 10 </ b> B. With these configurations, the force that the cap body 16 ′ caulks the cap body side ferrule 10 </ b> B increases, and the tube 20 can be firmly pressed and fixed toward the substrate.

  In FIG. 9, the outer periphery of the cap body 16 ′ has a screw shape as indicated by reference numeral 163 in FIG. 8, but a configuration having a pin 162 ′ as shown in FIG. 2 may be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the ferrule of the connector 1 is composed of the board side ferrule 10A and the cap body side ferrule 10B, but there may be one ferrule. In this case, the cap body side end portion of the ferrule has a shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases in a tapered shape, and at least one slit is provided on the outer periphery thereof, and the substrate side end portion has a concentric shape with a through hole through which the liquid feeding tube is inserted. Therefore, it is preferable to form a convex portion protruding outward in the longitudinal direction.

It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the connector 1 which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the usage condition of the connector 1 which concerns on this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of a cap body side ferrule. It is the side view and top view of a cap body side ferrule. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the taper angle and pressing angle of a board | substrate side ferrule, a cap body side ferrule, and a sleeve. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the connector which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a board | substrate and a board | substrate holder. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the usage condition of the connector which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the connector which concerns on this invention in which the cap body and the sleeve were integrally formed.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector, 10A ... Board side ferrule, 10B ... Cap body side ferrule, 102, 121 ... Recessed part, 103, 106 ... End part which outer diameter reduces gradually, 104 ... Slit, 12 ... Sleeve, 14 ... Spring, 16 ... Cap body 162 ... Pin, 20 ... Liquid feeding tube, 30 ... Substrate holder, 32 ... Notch, 40 ... Substrate, 42 ... Flow path

Claims (13)

A connector for connecting a substrate provided with a flow path and a liquid feeding tube for feeding liquid to the flow path,
The through-hole through which the liquid feeding tube is inserted is a substantially cylindrical ferrule formed along the longitudinal direction, and the end surface of the first end portion is formed at right angles to the extending direction of the through-hole. The ferrule in which the second end portion gradually decreases in a tapered shape toward the tip, and the second end is provided with at least one slit extending from the tip along the outer peripheral surface;
A substantially cylindrical sleeve in which a through-hole through which the liquid feeding tube is inserted is formed along the longitudinal direction, and a tapered recess into which the second end of the ferrule is fitted is formed on the end surface on the substrate side. Sleeves,
A cap body having a hollow portion capable of storing the ferrule and the sleeve, and having a through-hole through which the liquid feeding tube is inserted at one end, and storing the ferrule and the sleeve in the hollow portion toward the substrate A cap body that is locked to a substrate holder fixed to the substrate while pressing,
Connector with.   The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a spring between the sleeve and the cap body.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is fixed in advance to a hollow portion of the cap body.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve and the cap body are integrally formed in a state where the sleeve is fixed to a hollow portion of the cap body.   5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a taper angle of the second end portion of the ferrule is formed at an acute angle with respect to a taper angle of the concave portion of the sleeve.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed of a material harder than the ferrule.   The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein three slits are provided at intervals of 120 degrees in a plan view of the second end portion of the ferrule as viewed from the tip thereof.   The ferrule consists of a substrate-side ferrule and a cap-body-side ferrule. The cap-side end of the substrate-side ferrule gradually decreases in a taper shape toward the tip, and is formed on the substrate-side end surface of the cap-side ferrule. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a tapered recess into which the board-side ferrule is fitted is formed.   The connector according to claim 8, wherein a taper angle of a cap body side end portion of the board side ferrule is formed at an acute angle with respect to a taper angle of a concave portion of the cap body side ferrule.   The connector according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cap body side ferrule is made of a material harder than the board side ferrule.   11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an end surface of the first end portion of the ferrule has a convex portion that is concentric with the through hole and protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction.   The cap body has a pin on an outer periphery, and is locked in a state in which the cap body is secured to the substrate holder by fitting the pin into a notch provided in the substrate holder. The connector according to any one of the above.   The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cap body has an outer periphery formed in a screw shape and is locked to the substrate holder by being screwed into a screw hole provided in the substrate holder.

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