JP2012148035A - Tube joining device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To always avoid the failure of first and second tube ends in joining together without the need for any complicated operations, when they are fused together.SOLUTION: A tube joining device 1 includes a controller 15 for the control of clamp driving motors 13, 14. The controller 15 has a mechanism that changes the positions, with clamp driving motors 13, 14, between a separation position in which the clamp mechanisms 10, 11 are moved to directions away from each other and a position where they join together at their joining ends; subtracts the separate distance of the clamp mechanisms 10, 11 when being joined together from a separation distance of the clamp mechanisms 10, 11 at a separation position to obtain a projection degree for each joint end of tubes 100, 102; makes a comparison of these two measured projection degrees in light of the predetermined appropriate range of projection degree necessary for making sure of avoiding the failure of their correct joint; and further notifies any obtained projection degree deviated from an appropriate range to the controller.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tube joining apparatus used when joining resin tubes, for example.

  For example, when CAPD (continuous portable peritoneal dialysis) is performed in a patient with renal failure, it is common to change the bag containing the dialysate yourself. In CAPD, it is necessary to connect the abdomen side tube (catheter) embedded in the abdomen and the bag side tube extending from the bag containing the dialysate. When exchanging dialysate, it is necessary to cut the already joined tube and replace the bag with a new one, and then join the new bag side tube and the abdomen side tube.

  When joining or cutting the tube, for example, an apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used to prevent germs and the like from entering the tube. The apparatus of Patent Literature 1 includes first and second clamp portions that clamp the abdomen-side tube and the bag-side tube, respectively, and a wafer that is heated to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the tube.

  When joining a tube using the apparatus of patent document 1, it is as follows. That is, the abdomen-side tube and the bag-side tube are clamped by the first and second clamp portions, respectively, so that the joining end portions of both tubes face each other. Then, after inserting the heated wafer between the joining ends of both tubes, both the tubes are moved in the axial direction while being clamped, and the joining ends of the tubes are brought into contact with the wafer and melted. Thereafter, the wafer is extracted from between the joint ends of both tubes, and this time, the joint ends are pressed and welded together. The above operation is automatically performed by the above apparatus.

Japanese Patent No. 3179966

  By the way, in patent document 1, it is necessary to clamp an abdomen side tube and a bag side tube with the 1st and 2nd clamp part. Since the tube is flexible, depending on the person, the tube may be deformed due to excessive force applied during positioning when the tube is positioned with respect to the clamp portion, and the tube may deviate from a predetermined position in the axial direction. Moreover, when clamping a tube, it is also considered that a tube will shift | deviate from the predetermined position of a clamp part about an axial direction by incorrect operation.

  If the tube is clamped in a state of being deviated from the predetermined position, even when the tube is melted, even if it is brought close to the wafer, the contact with the wafer is not sufficient, and the joining end of the tube is insufficiently melted. There is a case of excessive contact due to strong contact. When the joining end of the tube is insufficiently melted or excessively melted, joining failure may occur.

  In order to avoid this, after clamping the tube, it may be possible to measure whether or not the tube is in a certain position by some method. Depending on the person who performs the measurement, the measurement results may differ, and it is not always possible to reliably avoid poor bonding.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and the object of the present invention is due to the difference in handling between users when the joining ends of the first and second tubes are melted and joined. Therefore, it is possible to surely avoid joint failure.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first invention is a tube joining apparatus configured to join the end portions of the first and second tubes made of a resin material that is melted by heating, in the above-mentioned manner. In a state where the first tube is clamped in a state where the joining end portion of the first tube protrudes, and the second tube is projected so as to face the joining end portion of the first tube. A second clamp portion to be clamped, a clamp drive portion for driving the first and second clamp portions in a direction in which the joining end portions of the first and second tubes come in contact with and away from each other, and the first and second tubes A heating member that is heated to a temperature at which the joining end of the joint is melted to melt the joining end, and a control unit that controls the clamp driving unit. The control unit is controlled by the clamp driving unit. Switching between the separated position where the first and second clamp parts are moved away from each other and the abutting position where the joining ends abut against each other, and the abutting position is determined based on the separating distance between the two clamp parts when in the separated position. Is obtained by subtracting the separation distance between the clamp portions when the first and second tubes are in contact with each other to obtain the degree of protrusion of the joint ends of the first and second tubes. It compares with the appropriate range of a degree, and when the obtained protrusion degree is outside an appropriate range, it is comprised so that it may alert | report.

  According to this structure, the 1st and 2nd clamp part is switched to a separation position and a contact position, and the protrusion degree of the junction end part of a 1st and 2nd tube is obtained based on the separation distance of both clamp parts. And since it alert | reports when the obtained protrusion degree is outside an appropriate range, it will be avoided that a tube will be joined, having shifted | deviated from the predetermined position.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, when the control unit moves the first and second clamp portions from the separation position to the contact position, the control unit moves to the intermediate position between the separation position and the contact position. It is configured to move at a speed of 1, and to move from an intermediate position to a contact position at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.

  According to this configuration, when the first and second clamp portions are moved from the separated position to the contact position, the joining ends of the first and second tubes are set in a state where the moving speed of the first and second clamp portions is slowed down. The parts can be brought into contact with each other. Thereby, when the joining ends of the first and second tubes abut against each other, the joining end is hardly deformed, so that an error in the separation distance between the clamp portions caused by the deformation of the joining end is reduced.

  Further, since the first and second clamp portions move quickly from the separated position to the intermediate position, the time required for switching from the separated position to the contact position does not increase.

  According to a third invention, in the first invention, the clamp drive unit includes a motor for driving the first and second clamp units, and the control unit performs trapezoid control of the motor. The deceleration start position is set to a position closer to the separation position than the predicted contact position.

  According to this configuration, when the deceleration start position of the motor is closer to the separation position than the contact position, the moving speed of the first and second clamp portions until the joining ends of the first and second tubes contact each other. Can be reduced. Thereby, when the joining ends of the first and second tubes abut against each other, the joining end is hardly deformed, so that an error in the separation distance between the clamp portions caused by the deformation of the joining end is reduced.

  In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the clamp drive unit includes a motor for driving the first and second clamp units, and the control unit controls the motor in a trapezoidal manner. The motor is configured to repeat the start and stop of the motor a plurality of times until the contact position.

  According to this configuration, since the start and stop of the motor for driving the first and second clamp portions are repeated a plurality of times, the maximum speed during movement of the first and second clamp portions can be reduced. It becomes possible. Thereby, when the joining ends of the first and second tubes abut against each other, the joining end is hardly deformed, so that an error in the separation distance between the clamp portions caused by the deformation of the joining end is reduced.

  In a fifth aspect based on the first aspect, the clamp drive unit includes a motor for driving the first and second clamp units, and the control unit brings the first and second clamp units into contact positions. After the first contact control is performed, the driving force by the clamp drive unit is removed, and then the first and second clamp units are moved to the contact position at a slower speed than the first contact control. The contact control is performed.

  According to this configuration, after the first and second clamp portions are brought into the contact position by the first contact control, the driving force of the clamp drive portion is removed, so that the joining end portions of the first and second tubes are connected to each other. Is prevented from being pressed with excessive force. Then, the first and second clamp portions are pushed back in the direction away from each other by the elastic force of the joining end portions of the first and second tubes. After that, when the first and second clamp portions are brought into the contact position again by the second contact control, the moving speed becomes slow, so that the joint ends of the first and second tubes are joined together. The amount of deformation of the end portion is reduced, and the error in the distance between the clamp portions caused by the deformation of the joining end portion is reduced.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit includes a separation distance between the clamp portions when the control portion is in the separation position, and a separation distance between the clamp portions when the control portion is in the contact position. Is measured a plurality of times, and the degree of protrusion of the joined end portions of the first and second tubes is obtained using the average value of the measurement results.

  According to this configuration, the error is further reduced.

  7th invention is a tube joining apparatus comprised so that it may join by welding the edge parts of the 1st and 2nd tube which consist of a resin material which fuse | melts by heating, The said 1st tube is said 1st A first clamp portion that clamps in a state in which the joint end portion of the tube protrudes; a second clamp portion that clamps in a state in which the second tube protrudes so as to face the joint end portion of the first tube; A clamp driving unit that drives the first and second clamp units in a direction in which the joining end portions of the first and second tubes contact and separate from each other, and a temperature at which the joining end portions of the first and second tubes are melted. A heating member that is heated up to melt the end portion and a control unit that controls the clamp driving unit, wherein the control unit has the joining end portions of the first and second tubes connected to the heating member. contact First melting control for moving the first and second clamp parts until the first time, and after the first melting control, removal control for removing the melted portion of the joining end of the first and second tubes, and removal control After the second melting control, the first and second clamp portions are moved until the joining end portions of the first and second tubes come into contact with the heating member. After the second melting control, the first And the tube contact control for moving and joining the first and second clamps until the joining ends of the second tube come into contact with each other, and the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control. In the at least one control, the separation distance between the first and second clamp portions is obtained, the obtained separation distance is compared with a preset appropriate range in the control, and the obtained separation distance is within the proper range. When outside And it is characterized in that it is configured to knowledge.

  According to this configuration, when the separation distance between the first clamp part and the second clamp part is out of the proper range in the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control, a notification is given. Thereby, before joining the first and second tubes, it can be seen that the separation distance between the first clamp part and the second clamp part is outside the proper range, so that the tube is joined while being displaced from the predetermined position. Is avoided.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tube joining apparatus configured to weld the end portions of the first and second tubes made of a resin material that is melted by heating, and the first tube is connected to the first tube. A first clamp portion that clamps in a state in which the joint end portion of the tube protrudes; a second clamp portion that clamps in a state in which the second tube protrudes so as to face the joint end portion of the first tube; A clamp driving unit that drives the first and second clamp units in a direction in which the joining end portions of the first and second tubes contact and separate from each other, and a temperature at which the joining end portions of the first and second tubes are melted. A heating member that is heated to melt the end,
A control unit that controls the clamp driving unit, and the control unit moves the first and second clamp units until the joining end portions of the first and second tubes contact the heating member. After the melting control and the first melting control, the removal control for removing the melted portion of the joining end portions of the first and second tubes, and after the removal control, the joining end portions of the first and second tubes are After the second melting control for moving the first and second clamp parts until they come into contact with the heating member, and after the second melting control, the first and second tubes are joined until the joining end portions abut against each other. Tube contact control for joining by moving the first and second clamp portions, and at least one control of the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control of the first and second clamp portions. Get a separation distance The obtained separation distance is compared with a preset appropriate range in the control, and when the obtained separation distance is out of the appropriate range, the difference between the obtained separation distance and the appropriate range is obtained. In the control performed after the control, the distance between the first and second clamp portions is corrected based on the difference.

  According to this configuration, when the separation distance between the first and second clamp portions is outside the proper range in the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control, the difference is obtained. And since the separation distance of the 1st and 2nd clamp part is corrected by subsequent control based on the difference, it is avoided that a tube will join without shifting from a predetermined position.

  According to 1st invention, when it exists in the contact position where the separation distance of both the clamp parts when a 1st and 2nd clamp part exists in a separation position, and the joining end parts of a 1st and 2nd tube contact | abut Since the protrusion degree of the joint end part of the first and second tubes is obtained on the basis of the distance between both the clamp parts, and when the obtained protrusion degree is outside the proper range, it is used. It is possible to reliably avoid poor bonding regardless of the difference in handling among the persons.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, when the first and second clamp portions are moved from the separated position to the contact position, the first speed is moved from the intermediate position to the contact position at the first speed. Since the movement is performed at a slower second speed, the error can be reduced and accurate notification can be performed while preventing the time required for switching to the contact position from being prolonged.

  According to the third invention, the motor for driving the first and second clamp parts is trapezoidally controlled, and the deceleration start position is set closer to the separation position than the predicted contact position. An error can be reduced and accurate notification can be performed.

  According to the fourth invention, since the motor for driving the first and second clamp portions is trapezoidally controlled and the start and stop of the motor are repeated a plurality of times, the contact ends are brought into contact with each other. In addition, the deformation of the joining end can be suppressed, and the error can be reduced and accurate notification can be performed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, after the first contact control is performed to bring the first and second clamp portions into contact positions, the driving force of the clamp drive portion is removed, and then the first and second clamp portions are moved. Since the drive to the contact position is slower than the first contact control, the error can be reduced and accurate notification can be performed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the distance between the clamp portions when in the separated position and the distance between the clamp portions when in the contact position are measured a plurality of times and the first and Since the protrusion degree of the joining end portion of the second tube is obtained, the error can be reduced and accurate notification can be performed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when at least one of the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control, the separation distance between the first and second clamp portions is out of the proper range, a notification is made. As a result, it is possible to reliably avoid poor bonding without requiring complicated work.

  According to the eighth invention, in the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control, when the separation distance between the first and second clamp portions is outside the proper range, the difference is obtained, Since the separation distance between the first and second clamp portions is corrected by the control performed after the control, it is possible to reliably avoid poor bonding without requiring a complicated operation.

It is a figure explaining the use condition of the tube joining apparatus concerning an embodiment. It is a top view of the tube joining apparatus of the state which closed the cover. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 with a cover opened. It is a top view which shows a clamp mechanism. It is an enlarged view of an operation panel part. It is a top view which expands and shows the vicinity of the clamp mechanism of a tube joining apparatus. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where a tube is set. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where the tube is clamped. It is a side view of a wafer. It is a top view of a wafer. It is a perspective view of a wafer. It is a side view of the wafer with which the holder was mounted | worn. It is a block diagram of a tube joining apparatus. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where the clamp mechanism is in a contact position. It is a time chart of a wafer and a clamp mechanism in bonding control. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where the wing portion of the wafer is opposed to the joining end portion of the tube. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where the joining end portion of the tube is melted at the wing portion. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where a part of the joining end portion of the tube is removed. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 in a state where the joining end portion of the tube is melted at the melting portion. It is a time chart of a wafer and a clamp mechanism in cutting control. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the tube and wafer before joining. FIG. 22 is a view corresponding to FIG. 21 in a state where a part of the joining end portion of the tube is removed. FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 when performing cutting control. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 when performing cutting control. FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 8 when performing cutting control. FIG. 22 is a view corresponding to FIG. 21 when performing cutting control.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a use state of a tube joining apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tube joining apparatus 1 joins an abdominal side tube (first tube) 100 embedded in the abdomen of a CAPD patient and a bag side tube (second tube) 102 extending from the bags 101a and 101b containing dialysate. It is used for.

  The abdomen side tube 100 is provided with a stopper 103 and a roller clamp 104. The proximal end side of the bag side tube 102 is branched into two tubes 102a and 102b, the tube 102a is connected to the drainage bag 101a, and the tube 102b is connected to the dialysate bag 101b. A drainage side clamp 106 is provided on the tube 102a. The tube 102 b is provided with a stopper 107 and a liquid injection side clamp 108. The abdomen side tube 100 and the bag side tube 102 are made of a known resin material that melts by heating.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tube joining apparatus 1 includes a left clamp mechanism (first clamp part) 10, a right clamp mechanism (second clamp part) 11, a clamp mechanism drive motor (clamp drive part) 13, and a tube. Wafer (heating member) 16 (shown in FIGS. 9 to 12) for heating 100 and 102, a carriage 14 that holds and conveys wafer 16, a carriage drive mechanism 17 that drives carriage 14, and wafer 16 And a control unit 15 for controlling the clamping mechanism driving motor 13, the carriage driving mechanism 17, and the wafer heating heater 40, and a case 19 for housing them.

  The case 19 includes a box-shaped member 19a and a cover 19b (also shown in FIG. 2) that covers the box-shaped member 19a.

  In addition, as shown in each figure, the right side of the tube bonding apparatus 1 refers to the right side when viewed from the user when setting the tubes 100 and 102 during use. Means the left side when viewed from the user when setting the tubes 100 and 102 during use. Moreover, the near side of the tube joining apparatus 1 refers to the side that is in front of the user when setting the tubes 100 and 102 during use, and the back side of the tube joining apparatus 1 refers to the tube during use. It is assumed that the side which is the back when viewed from the user when setting 100, 102 is used.

  The left clamp mechanism 10 is disposed on the left side of the box-shaped member 19a, and the right clamp mechanism 11 is disposed on the right side.

  The left side clamp mechanism 10 clamps one of the abdomen side tube 100 and the bag side tube 102, and the right side clamp mechanism 11 clamps the other. In the description of this embodiment, a case is described in which the abdomen-side tube 100 is clamped by the left-side clamp mechanism 10 and the bag-side tube 102 is clamped by the right-side clamp mechanism 11, but the opposite is also possible.

  The left clamp mechanism 10 includes a base portion 20, a pressing cover 21, and a stopper 22. The base portion 20 is attached to the box-shaped member 19a via a slide rail or the like so as to be movable only in the left-right direction. On the upper surface of the base portion 20, a groove portion 20a into which the abdomen side tube 100 or the bag side tube 102 is fitted is formed. The groove portion 20 a extends straight in the left-right direction of the base portion 20 and is open to the left and right side surfaces of the base portion 20.

  The width of the right end portion of the groove portion 20a is wider than other portions. This is because when the abdomen side tube 100 and the bag side tube 102 are joined, the closed portions of the tubes 100 and 102 are fitted to the right end portion of the groove 20a. That is, since the ends of the tubes 100 and 102 before joining are welded and closed while being crushed in the radial direction, only the ends have a wide shape, and this corresponds to the shape of the ends. Thus, the groove 20a is formed.

  The presser cover 21 has a shape that covers the entire upper surface of the base portion 20. A back side portion of the pressing cover 21 is attached to a back side portion of the base portion 20 via a support shaft 21a extending in the left-right direction so as to be rotatable. The holding cover 21 rotates around the support shaft 21a to open the upper surface of the base portion 20 (open state shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7) and covers the upper surface (closed as shown in FIG. 8). State). The presser cover 21 is locked by a lock mechanism (not shown) in a state of covering the upper surface of the base portion 20 so as not to rotate in the opening direction. This locking mechanism can be easily released by the user.

  On the right side of the pressing cover 21, a pressing member 21b for pressing the tubes 100 and 102 from above is provided. The pressing member 21b is for crushing the tubes 100 and 102 together with the bottom surface of the groove portion 20a when the pressing cover 21 is in a closed state so as to be in a closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the stopper 22 is for positioning the tubes 100 and 102 in the axial direction. The stopper 22 is formed in a substantially U shape that opens to the left side, and is attached so as to protrude from the right side surface of the base portion 20 to the right side. On the inner surface of the stopper 22, a flat contact surface 22 a with which the joined end portion of the abdominal tube 100 contacts is formed. The tube 100 is positioned in the axial direction when the joining end portion contacts the contact surface 22a, and in this state, the joining end portion protrudes from the right side surface of the base portion 20 to the right side.

  The left end portion of the stopper 22 is rotatably supported by the base portion 20 via a support shaft (not shown) extending in the depth direction of the box-shaped member 19a. Then, the stopper 22 rotates around its support shaft, thereby positioning the tubes 100 and 102 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) and a retracted position retracted downward from the stopper position (shown in FIG. 8). ) And can be switched to. As shown in FIG. 8, when in the retracted position, the joining end portion of the tube 100 protrudes to the right side of the stopper 22.

  The right clamp mechanism 11 has a symmetrical structure with the left clamp mechanism 10, and includes a base portion 23, a pressing cover 24, and a stopper 25, and a groove portion 23 a is formed in the base portion 23. Is provided with a supporting shaft 24a and a pressing member 24b, and a contact surface 25a is formed on the stopper 25. The extension line of the groove portion 23a of the right clamp mechanism 11 and the extension line of the groove portion 20a of the left clamp mechanism 10 are substantially matched in both the height direction and the depth direction.

  The clamp mechanism drive motor 13 is for moving the left clamp mechanism 10 in the left-right direction, and is composed of a known servo motor. As shown in FIG. 13, the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 is connected to the control unit 15 and operates based on a control signal output from the control unit 15.

  The rotation of the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 is converted into a linear motion by a known power conversion mechanism (for example, a rack and pinion mechanism) and transmitted to the left clamp mechanism 10 and the right clamp mechanism 11. When the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 rotates, the left clamp mechanism 10 and the right clamp mechanism 11 simultaneously move in the left-right direction by the same amount. At this time, if the left clamp mechanism 10 moves to the left side, the right clamp mechanism 11 moves to the right side. On the other hand, if the left clamp mechanism 10 moves to the right side, the right clamp mechanism 11 moves to the left side. Yes. That is, the left side clamp mechanism 10 and the right side clamp mechanism 11 are driven by a common clamp mechanism drive motor 13 and move in a direction in which they are separated from each other. Thereby, it becomes possible to move the joined end portions of the abdomen-side tube 100 and the bag-side tube 102 in the direction of contacting and separating from each other.

  The moving distance of the left clamp mechanism 10 and the right clamp mechanism 11 is obtained indirectly based on the encoder pulse output from the clamp mechanism drive motor 13.

  The wafer 16 is made of an oxygen-free copper plate, and has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in a side view shown in FIG. The thickness of the wafer 16 is set to about 0.5 mm.

  The wafer 16 is detachably attached to the apparatus 1 via a holder 200 (shown in FIG. 12) in a posture extending substantially vertically. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, wing portions 30, 30 extending to both sides in the plate thickness direction are formed in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the upper portion of the wafer 16. The extension length B (shown in FIG. 10) of the wing portions 30, 30 is set to about 1 mm from the surface of the main body portion of the wafer 16. Further, the width W (shown in FIG. 10) of the wing portions 30 and 30 is set slightly narrower than the width C (shown in FIG. 8) of the end portion of the tubes 100 and 102 in the closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a portion surrounded by an imaginary line 31 on the one side in the longitudinal direction of the upper portion of the wafer 16 with respect to the wing portions 30, 30 is a cutting portion for cutting the tubes 100, 102. The cutting part 31 extends substantially flat in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, bulging portions 32 and 32 that bulge to both sides in the plate thickness direction are formed at portions on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the upper portion of the wafer 16 from the wing portions 30 and 30, respectively. Yes. The bulging portions 32, 32 and the wing portions 30, 30 are arranged at an interval in the longitudinal direction of the wafer 16.

  The bulging dimension D (shown in FIG. 10) of the bulging portions 32 and 32 is set to about 1 mm to 2 mm from the surface of the main body portion of the wafer 16. One side of the bulging portions 32, 32 in the longitudinal direction of the wafer 16 is open. Although the details will be described later, the bulging portions 32 and 32 are for scooping and removing a part of the melted portions at the ends of the tubes 100 and 102 before joining.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a portion surrounded by an imaginary line 33 on the other side in the longitudinal direction from the bulging portions 32, 32 in the upper portion of the wafer 16 is a melting portion for melting the tubes 100, 102. The melting portions 33 are respectively provided on both surfaces of the wafer 16 and extend substantially flat in the vertical direction.

  The wing parts 30, 30, the cutting part 31, the bulging parts 32, 32, and the melting parts 33, 33 are arranged at the same height.

  A through hole 34 is formed below the cutting portion 31 in the wafer 16. An engaging portion (not shown) included in the carriage 14 is engaged with the through hole 34. The engaging portion of the carriage 14 is detachable from the wafer 16, and the engaging portion of the carriage 14 is engaged with the wafer 16 so that the wafer 16 can be caught by the carriage 14.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a resin holder 200 is attached to the wafer 16. The wafer 16 is attached to the apparatus 1 together with the holder 200. The wafer 16 can be easily detached from the holder 200 by sliding the wafer 16 with respect to the holder 200.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage drive mechanism 17 is configured to hold the carriage 14 inside the box-shaped member 19a and move it in the depth direction. That is, by catching the wafer 16 with the carriage 14, the wafer 16 can be moved in the depth direction inside the box-shaped member 19 a by the carriage driving mechanism 17.

  The carriage drive motor 41 is constituted by a known servo motor. The rotation of the carriage drive motor 41 is converted into a linear motion by a known power conversion mechanism (for example, a screw feed mechanism) and transmitted to the carriage 14. The carriage drive motor 41 is connected to the control unit 15 and operates based on a control signal output from the control unit 15.

  The wafer heater 40 is located on the near side inside the box-shaped member 19a. An insertion hole 40 a into which the wafer 16 can be inserted is formed on the front side of the heat generating portion of the wafer heater 40. The wafer 16 is set in the apparatus 1 by inserting the wafer 16 into the insertion hole 40a. When the wafer 16 is set, the holder 200 is also included.

  The wafer heater 40 is composed of a heating element that generates heat when a current flows, such as a heating wire. The wafer heater 40 has the capability of heating the temperature of the wafer 16 to be equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the tubes 100 and 102 (for example, about 300 ° C.). As shown in FIG. 13, the wafer heater 40 is connected to the control unit 15 and operates based on a control signal output from the control unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a wafer insertion groove 43 into which the wafer 16 is inserted and guided is formed in the box-shaped member 19 a of the case 19. The wafer insertion groove 43 extends in the depth direction of the box-shaped member 19a. The wafer 16 is guided in the depth direction while being inserted into the wafer insertion groove 43.

  A battery 45 (shown in FIG. 13) is accommodated inside the box-shaped member 19a. A current is supplied from the battery 45 to each of the motors 13 and 41 and the heater 40. The power source is not limited to the battery 45, and may be configured to be supplied from a household AC power source, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an operation panel portion 19 c is provided on the upper surface of the case 19. The operation panel unit 19c is provided with an operation button 46 and a lamp 47 as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the operation button 46 and the lamp 47 are connected to the control unit 15. The operation button 46 is used when the operation of the tube joining apparatus 1 is started. The lamp 47 is lit when heated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the case 19 is provided with a buzzer 48 for informing the surrounding people when the set of the tubes 100 and 102 is abnormal. As shown in FIG. 13, the buzzer 48 is connected to the control unit 15.

  The control unit 15 is configured to control the clamp mechanism drive motor 13, the wafer heater 40, the carriage drive motor 41, and the buzzer 48. The control unit 15 can be configured by a known microcomputer. Further, when operating the clamp mechanism drive motor 13, the control unit 15 gradually increases the rotation speed at the start of operation to a target rotation speed, and when stopping the operation, gradually decreases the rotation speed and stops the operation. It is configured to perform trapezoidal control.

  The control unit 15 is configured to perform both joining control for joining the abdomen side tube 100 and the bag side tube 102 and cutting control for cutting the abdomen side tube 100 or the bag side tube 102. The joining control and the cutting control can be arbitrarily switched and selected by the user by operating the operation button 46.

  In the joining control, preparation control, first melting control, removal control, second melting control, and tube contact control are performed. The preparation control is control for inspecting whether or not the tubes 100 and 102 are clamped at predetermined positions of the clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 and heating the wafer 16 at a predetermined position. In the preparation control, the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 is operated to move the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10, 11 are moved to a limit position (separation position) in a direction in which they are separated from each other. Thereafter, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10, 11 are moved in the direction in which they approach each other. As shown in FIG. 14, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are stopped at a position (contact position) where the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 are in contact. The timing at which the joined ends of the tubes 100 and 102 are in contact is determined by the control unit 15 detecting that a load is applied to the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 and the current value has increased. The movement of the left and right clamping mechanisms 10, 11 is shown on the right side of FIG.

  Then, the controller 15 separates the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 from the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 from the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 from the separated distance X1 (shown in FIG. 8). Subtract X2 (shown in FIG. 14). The obtained value is a value representing the amount of protrusion of the tubes 100 and 102, and based on this, the degree of protrusion from the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 of the joined end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 can be obtained.

  The control unit 15 stores an appropriate range of the degree of protrusion of the joined end portions of the tubes 100 and 102. The appropriate range is a range in which the degree of protrusion of the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 can appropriately perform the first melting control, the removal control, the second melting control, and the tube contact control. The appropriate range is set in advance based on whether or not it is possible to normally join normally when various control is performed by changing the degree of protrusion of the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102.

  The control unit 15 also stores a target value that is a value for setting the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 as target positions. The target value is a value for setting the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 as target positions in each control of the first melting control, the removal control, the second melting control, and the tube contact control. , 11 are driven based on this target value.

  When the control unit 15 determines that the protruding degree of the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 is not within the appropriate range, it is highly possible that the joining cannot be reliably performed. Notify people around you. When it is within the appropriate range, the following first melting control is performed.

  By notifying that there is an abnormality, the operator can confirm the positions of the tubes 100 and 102 and re-clamp them to the correct positions.

  In the preparation step, first, the carriage 14 is located on the back side (standby position) of the box-shaped member 19a. The carriage 14 in the standby position is moved to the near side, and the wafer 16 set in the insertion hole 40a of the wafer heater 40 is caught.

  Thereafter, the wafer 16 is moved toward the back side in the box-shaped member 19a and placed in a portion corresponding to the heater inside the wafer heater 40. Note that the holder 200 remains in the insertion hole 40a. Then, the carriage 14 is stopped. The wafer heater 40 is operated at the timing shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in the figure, the control unit 15 positions the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 so that the joint ends of the tubes 100 and 102 are separated from each other.

  The first melting control is control for melting the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102. In the first melting control, the carriage drive motor 41 is operated to move the wafer 16 to the back side of the box-shaped member 19a (region indicated by a in FIG. 15), and the wing portions 30 and 30 are moved as shown in FIG. It is made to oppose the joining edge part of the tubes 100 and 102. FIG.

  Thereafter, the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 is operated to move the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 toward each other (region indicated by b in FIG. 15), and the tubes 100 and 102 are joined as shown in FIG. The end is pressed against the wings 30, 30. Since the wing portions 30 and 30 are heated, the wing portions 30 and 30 melt the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 and enter the tubes 100 and 102.

  The removal control is performed after the first melting control. In the removal control, the wafer 16 is moved to the back side of the box-shaped member 19a without moving the left and right clamping mechanisms 10, 11 from the position at the time of the first melting control (region indicated by c in FIG. 15). When the wafer 16 is moved to the back side, the open portions of the bulging portions 32 and 32 come into contact with the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102. Since the joint end is melted, a part of the melted portion is scraped and removed by the open portions of the bulging portions 32 and 32.

  The second melting control is performed after the removal control. In the second melting control, the wafer 16 is moved to the back side of the box-shaped member 19a, and the melting portions 33, 33 of the wafer 16 are opposed to the joining end portions of the tubes 100, 102. Then, as shown in FIG. 19, the left and right clamping mechanisms 10 and 11 are moved in a direction approaching each other, the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 are brought into contact with the melting portions 33 and 33 of the wafer 16, and left as they are for a predetermined time. Hold. This predetermined time is a time enough to melt the joint ends of the tubes 100 and 102 sufficiently.

  Tube contact control is performed after the second melting control. In the tube contact control, the wafer 16 is moved to the back side of the box-shaped member 19a, and the wafer 16 is pulled out from between the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102. Then, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are moved in a direction approaching each other, the joined ends of the tubes 100 and 102 are brought into contact with each other, and are held as they are for a predetermined time. This predetermined time is the time required for the joint ends of the tubes 100 and 102 to cool and solidify. The above is the bonding control.

  On the other hand, in the cutting control, preparation control, fusing control, melting control, and removal control are performed. In the preparation control, first, as shown in FIG. 20, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10, 11 are controlled to move to the limit position (separation position) in the direction in which they are separated from each other. However, since the tube 100 or 102 is clamped at this time, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 move only by the elongation due to the elasticity of the tube (shown by broken lines). Thereafter, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10, 11 are controlled to return to their original positions.

  Further, similarly to the case of the above-described bonding control, the wafer 16 is caught by the carriage 14, the wafer 16 is moved to the back side in the box-shaped member 19 a and is accommodated in the wafer heater 40, and the wafer heater 40 Is activated to heat the wafer 16.

  Fusing control is performed after preparation control. In the fusing control, while moving the left and right clamping mechanisms 10 and 11 away from each other, the wafer 16 is moved to the inner side of the box-shaped member 19a and the cutting portion 31 is pressed against the tube 100. Since the cutting part 31 is heated, the tube 100 is melted.

  Melting control is performed after fusing control. In the melting control, the carriage drive motor 41 is operated to move the wafer 16 to the back side of the box-shaped member 19a so that the wing portions 30 and 30 are opposed to the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102.

  Thereafter, the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 is operated to move the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 in directions approaching each other, and the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 are pressed against the wing portions 30 and 30. Since the wing portions 30 and 30 are heated, the wing portions 30 and 30 melt the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 and enter the tubes 100 and 102.

  Removal control is performed after melting control. In the removal control, the wafer 16 is moved to the back side of the box-shaped member 19a. When the wafer 16 is moved to the labor side, the open portions of the bulging portions 32 and 32 come into contact with the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102. Since the joining end portion is melted, a part of the joining end portion is scraped and removed by the open portions of the bulging portions 32 and 32. The remaining molten portion is cooled and solidified, whereby the tube 100 is sealed in a closed state.

  Next, the case where the abdomen side tube 100 and the bag side tube 102 are joined using the tube joining apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. As the control mode of the tube joining apparatus 1, joining control is selected by operating the operation button 46.

  First, the abdomen side tube 100 and the bag side tube 102 are clamped to the left side clamp mechanism 10 and the right side clamp mechanism 11. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the pressing cover 21 of the left clamp mechanism 10 is opened, and the pressing cover 24 of the right clamp mechanism 11 is opened. The stoppers 22 and 25 are stopper positions.

  As shown in FIG. 7, after positioning the joint end of the abdominal tube 100 against the contact surface 22 a of the stopper 22, the tube 100 is pushed into the groove 20 a of the base 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing cover 21 is closed. When the pressing cover 21 is closed, the tube 100 is crushed in the radial direction by the pressing member 21b and the bottom surface of the groove 20a. As a result, the abdomen-side tube 100 is clamped by the left-side clamp mechanism 10, and the joint end of the abdomen-side tube 100 protrudes from the left-side clamp mechanism 10 to the right.

  Similarly, the bag side tube 102 is clamped to the right side clamp mechanism 11. The joining end portion of the bag side tube 102 protrudes from the right clamp mechanism 11 to the left side. The positional relationship among the abdomen side tube 100, the bag side tube 102, and the wafer 16 is as shown in FIG.

  After clamping the tubes 100 and 102, the cover 19b is set and the operation button 46 is operated.

  The control unit 15 performs preparation control in joining control. That is, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10, 11 are moved to the separated positions shown in FIG. 8, and then moved to the contact positions shown in FIG. Then, by subtracting the separation distance X2 of the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 when in the contact position from the separation distance X1 of the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 when in the separation position, the tubes 100 and 102 protrude. Get a degree.

  When the control unit 15 determines that the protruding degree of the joined end portion of the tubes 100 and 102 is not within the appropriate range, the control unit 15 sounds the buzzer 48 to notify the surrounding people that the abnormality is present. The reason for not being in the proper range is that when the tube 100 is clamped, the joining end of the tube 100 is strongly applied to the stopper 22 and the joining end of the tube 100 is clamped while being deformed. There is a case where the joint end portion is clamped in a state where it does not hit the stopper 22.

  That is, when the tubes 100 and 102 are clamped in a state where they are displaced in the axial direction, the user can grasp and re-clamp them, so that the tubes 100 and 102 are displaced and the subsequent control is performed. Is not performed, and poor bonding can be avoided.

  Thereafter, the first melting control is performed, and the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 are melted by the wing portions 30 and 30 as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, removal control is performed, and as shown in FIG. 18, a part of the joining end portion of the tubes 100 and 102 is scraped off and removed. The positional relationship among the abdomen side tube 100, the bag side tube 102, and the wafer 16 is as shown in FIG.

  Next, the second melting control is performed, and the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 are brought into contact with the melting portions 33 and 33 of the wafer 16 and melted as shown in FIG.

  And tube contact control is performed and the joining edge parts of the tubes 100 and 102 are contacted and solidified. The abdomen side tube 100 and the bag side tube 102 are joined by the above.

  The wafer 16 and the holder 200 are removed from the apparatus 1 and discarded after one use.

  Next, the case where the abdomen side tube 100 is cut | disconnected using the said tube joining apparatus 1 is demonstrated. The control mode of the tube joining apparatus 1 is set to cutting control. At this time, as shown in FIG. 23, the left clamp mechanism 10 and the right clamp mechanism 11 are close to each other, and the stoppers 22 and 25 are in the retracted positions.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the abdomen side tube 100 is pushed into the groove 20 a of the left clamp mechanism 10 and the groove 23 a of the right clamp mechanism 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the pressing covers 21 and 24 are closed. When the pressing covers 21 and 24 are closed, the tube 100 is crushed in the radial direction by the pressing members 21b and 24b and the bottom surfaces of the grooves 20a and 23a. As a result, the abdomen-side tube 100 is clamped by the left clamp mechanism 10 and the right clamp mechanism 11. The positional relationship among the abdomen side tube 100, the bag side tube 102, and the wafer 16 is as shown in FIG.

  After clamping the tube 100, the cover 19b is set and the operation button 46 is operated.

  Then, after preparation control, fusing control is performed and the tube 100 is fused.

  Thereafter, melting control is performed, and the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 are melted by the wing portions 30 and 30.

  Next, removal control is performed, and a part of the joining end portion of the tubes 100 and 102 is scraped off and removed. Thereafter, the remaining melted portion is cooled and solidified, whereby the tube 100 is sealed in a closed state.

  As described above, according to the tube joining apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the distance X1 between the clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 when the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are in the separated positions, and the tube 100.102. Based on the distance X2 between the clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 when the joint ends are in contact with each other, the degree of protrusion of the joint ends of the tubes 100 and 102 is obtained, and the amount of protrusion obtained is Since the notification is made when the value is outside the proper range, the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 are not joined while being displaced from the predetermined position in the axial direction, and joint failure can be reliably avoided.

  The controller 15 moves the left and right clamping mechanisms 10, 11 from the separated position to the contact position at the first speed to the intermediate position between the separated position and the contact position during the joining control. It may be configured to move and move from the intermediate position to the contact position at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.

  This reduces the speed when the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 move from the separated position to the intermediate position without reducing the speed when the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 move from the intermediate position to the contact position. When the joining end portions are brought into contact with each other, they can be brought into contact with each other slowly. As a result, when the joining ends of the tubes 100 and 102 come into contact with each other, deformation of the joining ends is almost eliminated, so that an error in the separation distance between the clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 caused by deformation of the joining ends can be reduced. Accurate notification can be performed.

  Further, at the time of joining control, the positions of the clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 that are predicted to be brought into contact with the joined ends of the tubes 100 and 102 are set in advance, and are closer to the separated position than the previously predicted contact position May be a deceleration start position in trapezoidal control. Thereby, since the deceleration start position of the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 is close to the separation position, the moving speed of the clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 can be lowered until the joined ends of the tubes 100 and 102 actually come into contact with each other. become. Therefore, when the joining ends of the tubes 100 and 102 come into contact with each other, deformation of the joining ends is almost eliminated. Therefore, an error in the separation distance between the clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 caused by the deformation of the joining ends can be reduced and accurately performed. Notification can be performed.

  Further, the control unit 15 may be configured to repeatedly start and stop the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 a plurality of times when the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are moved from the separated position to the contact position. As a result, the maximum speeds of the left and right clamping mechanisms 10, 11 can be reduced. Therefore, when the joining ends of the tubes 100 and 102 come into contact with each other, deformation of the joining ends is almost eliminated. Therefore, an error in the separation distance between the clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 caused by the deformation of the joining ends can be reduced and accurately performed. Notification can be performed.

  Further, the control unit 15 removes the driving force of the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 after performing the first contact control for bringing the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 into contact positions, and then the left and right clamp mechanisms 10. , 11 may be configured to perform second contact control for driving to the contact position at a slower speed than the first contact control.

  In this case, after the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are brought into contact positions by the first contact control, the driving force of the clamp mechanism drive motor 13 is removed, so that the joint ends of the tubes 100 and 102 cannot be connected to each other. It is avoided to remain pressed with a strong force. Then, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are pushed back in directions away from each other by the elastic force of the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102. After that, when the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are brought into the contact position again by the second contact control, the moving speed is slowed down, so that the joining when the joining ends of the tubes 100 and 102 are brought into contact with each other is performed. The deformation amount of the end portion is reduced, and the error in the separation distance between the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 caused by the deformation of the joining end portion is reduced.

  Further, the control unit 15 sets the separation distance X1 of the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 when in the separated position and the separation distance X2 of the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 when in the contact position a plurality of times. You may comprise so that it may measure and the protrusion degree of the junction edge part of the tubes 100 and 102 may be obtained using the average value of a measurement result. Thereby, the error of the protrusion degree of the junction edge part of the tubes 100 and 102 can be made still smaller.

  In the above embodiment, the separation distances X1 and X2 of the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are obtained only in the preparation control, and the obtained separation distances X1 and X2 and the preset appropriate range in the preparation control are obtained. Based on the above, when the degree of protrusion of the tubes 100 and 102 is outside the proper range, notification is made, but not limited to this, the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control in the joining control The distance between the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 is obtained in at least one control with the tube contact control, and the obtained separation distance is compared with the preset appropriate range in the control. You may comprise so that it may alert | report when distance is outside an appropriate range.

  That is, the control unit 15 stores an appropriate range of the degree of protrusion of the joined end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 when performing the first melting control. The appropriate range is a range in which the degree of protrusion of the joined end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 can be melted as intended by the first melting control. This appropriate range is set based on the result of performing the first melting control by changing the degree of protrusion of the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 in various ways.

  In addition, the control unit 15 stores an appropriate range of the degree of protrusion of the joined end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 when performing removal control. The appropriate range is a range in which the degree of protrusion of the joined end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 can remove the melted portion as intended by the removal control. This appropriate range is set based on the result of performing removal control by changing the degree of protrusion of the joint ends of the tubes 100 and 102 in various ways.

  In addition, the control unit 15 stores an appropriate range of the degree of protrusion of the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 when performing the second melting control. This appropriate range is a range in which the degree of protrusion of the joined end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 can be melted as intended by the second melting control. This appropriate range is set based on the result of performing the second melting control by changing the degree of protrusion of the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 in various ways.

  In this case, if the distance between the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 is outside the proper range in the first melting control, removal control, and second melting control, a notification is given. Thus, before joining the tubes 100, 102, it can be seen that the separation distance between the left and right clamp mechanisms 10, 11 is outside the proper range, so the tubes 100, clamped by the left and right clamp mechanisms 10, 11 The joining end portion of 102 is not joined while being displaced from the predetermined position in the axial direction, and a joining failure can be reliably avoided without requiring a complicated operation.

  Further, the control unit 15 obtains the separation distances of the left and right clamping mechanisms 10 and 11 in at least one of the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control, and the obtained separation distances, Compared with the appropriate range set in advance in the control, and when the obtained separation distance is outside the appropriate range, the difference between the obtained separation distance and the appropriate range is obtained, and in the control performed after the control, The distance between the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 may be corrected based on the difference. For example, when the distance between the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 in the first melting control is 1 mm longer than the appropriate range, the distance between the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 is reduced by 1 mm in the next removal control. To control. As a result, the joining end portions of the tubes 100 and 102 clamped by the left and right clamping mechanisms 10 and 11 are not joined while being displaced from the predetermined position in the axial direction, and the joining is poor without requiring complicated work. Can be avoided reliably.

  In this embodiment, the positions of the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 of the tube joining apparatus 1 are obtained based on the encoder pulse, but this may cause an error. Therefore, the error may be periodically corrected. That is, the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are moved to a limit position (outer limit) in a direction away from each other, and then moved to a limit position (inner limit) in an approaching direction. Then, the correction distance is calculated by comparing the movement distance calculated from the encoder pulse generated while the left and right clamp mechanisms 10, 11 are moved from the outer limit to the inner limit and the distance between the actual outer limit and the inner limit. Is calculated. When the left and right clamp mechanisms 10 and 11 are controlled, correction is performed using a correction coefficient.

  Moreover, this invention can be used when joining the various tubes melted by heating besides joining the abdomen side tube 100 and the bag side tube 102 of a CAPD patient.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it is made to alert | report using the buzzer 48, you may make it alert | report using notifying means, such as a warning light etc. and a warning display panel, for example.

  Further, in each control, the distance between the left and right clamping mechanisms 10 and 11 is compared with the target value stored in the control unit 15, and if there is a difference between the two, the control is performed in the next control. The appropriate range may be changed according to the difference. As a result, the subsequent control is accurately performed.

  As described above, the tube joining apparatus according to the present invention can be used, for example, when joining a bag side tube and an abdominal side tube of a CAPD patient.

1 Tube Joining Device 10 Left Clamp Mechanism (First Clamp Unit)
11 Right side clamp mechanism (second clamp part)
13 Clamp mechanism drive motor (Clamp drive)
14 Carriage 15 Control unit 16 Wafer (heating member)
100 Abdominal tube (first tube)
102 Bag side tube (second tube)

Claims (8)

In the tube joining apparatus configured to join by welding the ends of the first and second tubes made of a resin material that melts by heating,
A first clamp portion for clamping the first tube in a state in which a joining end portion of the first tube protrudes;
A second clamp for clamping the second tube in a state of protruding so as to face the joining end of the first tube;
A clamp drive unit for driving the first and second clamp units in a direction in which the joining end portions of the first and second tubes are in contact with and away from each other;
A heating member that is heated to a temperature that melts the joining ends of the first and second tubes, and that melts the joining ends;
A control unit for controlling the clamp driving unit,
The control unit switches between a separation position in which the first and second clamp portions are moved away from each other by the clamp driving unit and a contact position in which the joining end portions are in contact with each other, and is in the separation position. By subtracting the distance between the clamp portions when they are in the contact position from the distance between the clamp portions, the degree of protrusion of the joining end portions of the first and second tubes is obtained. The tube joining apparatus is configured to compare with a preset appropriate range of the degree of protrusion that can be avoided and to notify when the obtained degree of protrusion is outside the appropriate range. The tube joining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
When the control unit moves the first and second clamp units from the separation position to the contact position, the control unit moves the first clamp unit to the intermediate position between the separation position and the contact position at the first speed, and contacts from the intermediate position. A tube joining apparatus configured to move to a position at a second speed slower than the first speed. The tube joining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The clamp drive unit includes a motor for driving the first and second clamp units,
The control unit is configured to trapezoidally control the motor, and sets a deceleration start position in the trapezoidal control to a position closer to a separation position than a predicted contact position. The tube joining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The clamp drive unit includes a motor for driving the first and second clamp units,
The controller is configured to trapezoidally control the motor, and is configured to repeat starting and stopping of the motor a plurality of times from the separated position to the contact position. The tube joining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The clamp drive unit includes a motor for driving the first and second clamp units,
The control unit removes the driving force by the clamp driving unit after performing the first abutting control in which the first and second clamping units are brought into the abutting position, and then moves the first and second clamping units to the first clamping unit. A tube joining apparatus that performs second contact control for moving to a contact position at a speed slower than the one contact control. In the tube joining device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit measures the separation distance between the clamp portions when in the separation position and the separation distance between the clamp portions when in the contact position a plurality of times, and uses the average value of the measurement results to measure the first and first values. 2. A tube joining apparatus characterized by obtaining a protruding degree of a joining end portion of two tubes. In the tube joining apparatus configured to join by welding the ends of the first and second tubes made of a resin material that melts by heating,
A first clamp portion for clamping the first tube in a state in which a joining end portion of the first tube protrudes;
A second clamp for clamping the second tube in a state of protruding so as to face the joining end of the first tube;
A clamp drive unit for driving the first and second clamp units in a direction in which the joining end portions of the first and second tubes are in contact with and away from each other;
A heating member that is heated to a temperature at which the joining ends of the first and second tubes are melted to melt the ends;
A control unit for controlling the clamp driving unit,
The controller is configured to move the first and second clamps until the joint ends of the first and second tubes contact the heating member, and after the first melting control, After the removal control for removing the melted portion of the joining ends of the first and second tubes, and after the removal control, the first and second until the joining ends of the first and second tubes contact the heating member. After the second melting control for moving the clamp portion and the second melting control, the first and second clamp portions are moved and joined until the joining end portions of the first and second tubes come into contact with each other. And performing contact control, obtaining a separation distance between the first and second clamp portions in at least one of the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control, and the obtained separation distance; Pre-set in the control Has been compared with the appropriate range, the distance obtained is configured to notify when outside the appropriate range tube connecting apparatus according to claim. In the tube joining apparatus configured to join by welding the ends of the first and second tubes made of a resin material that melts by heating,
A first clamp portion for clamping the first tube in a state in which a joining end portion of the first tube protrudes;
A second clamp for clamping the second tube in a state of protruding so as to face the joining end of the first tube;
A clamp drive unit for driving the first and second clamp units in a direction in which the joining end portions of the first and second tubes are in contact with and away from each other;
A heating member that is heated to a temperature at which the joining ends of the first and second tubes are melted to melt the ends;
A control unit for controlling the clamp driving unit,
The controller is configured to move the first and second clamps until the joint ends of the first and second tubes contact the heating member, and after the first melting control, After the removal control for removing the melted portion of the joining ends of the first and second tubes, and after the removal control, the first and second until the joining ends of the first and second tubes contact the heating member. After the second melting control for moving the clamp portion and the second melting control, the first and second clamp portions are moved and joined until the joining end portions of the first and second tubes come into contact with each other. And performing contact control, obtaining a separation distance between the first and second clamp portions in at least one of the first melting control, the removal control, and the second melting control, and the obtained separation distance; Pre-set in the control When the obtained separation distance is outside the proper range, the difference between the obtained separation distance and the proper range is obtained, and the control is performed after the control based on the difference. A tube joining apparatus configured to correct a distance between the first and second clamp portions.

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