JP2015073664A - Male connector, female connector, and connector set - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability of a lock release motion while a male connector is stably retained, and to prevent unintentional cancellation of a locked state when tensile force exerts on the male connector.SOLUTION: A male connector 1 includes: a hood 20 enclosing a periphery of a male luer 10; and a single lock lever 30 of a cantilever supporting structure. The lock lever is arranged to be in parallel with the male luer by placing a free end 30a on the distal end side of the male luer 10 and a fixed end 30b on the proximal end side of the male luer. The lock lever has a claw 34 engaging to a female connector. On an engaging surface 34b of the claw, a fitting structure 34p for the female connector is formed. An operational arm 35 protrudes from a surface on the side opposite to the male luer, of the lock lever, and extends to the fixed end side. When pressing force in a direction to the male luer is applied on a tip end of the operational arm, the lock lever is elastically displaced so that the claw is separated from the male luer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a male connector and a female connector used in forming a path for transporting liquid. Moreover, this invention relates to the connector set which consists of these male connectors and female connectors.

  When a patient is transfused or transfused, or when extracorporeal blood circulation is performed during surgery, it is necessary to form a route (transport line) for transporting a liquid such as a drug solution or blood. The transportation line is generally formed by connecting containers, various instruments, a liquid feeding tube, and the like. Moreover, when injecting a chemical solution to be administered to a patient into a chemical solution bag (container), it is necessary to connect the chemical solution bag to a syringe or the like. Thus, male and female connectors are used to removably interconnect different members.

  The chemical solution may contain a drug designated as a powerful drug, for example, some anticancer drugs. In addition, blood may contain pathogens. It is necessary to avoid such a situation that such dangerous chemical liquid or blood or the like leaks and adheres to the finger of the worker or the worker sucks the vapor.

  Therefore, it is desirable that the opening of the female connector be sealed so that liquids such as chemicals and blood do not leak from the female connector when not connected to the male connector. On the other hand, in the state where the male connector is connected to the female connector, the male connector and the female connector being connected are separated unintentionally and liquids such as chemicals and blood do not leak out. It is desirable that an engagement structure (lock mechanism) for maintaining a connection state with the connector is provided.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a female connector and a male connector with a lock mechanism that meet such demands. This will be described below.

  19A is a sectional view of a conventional female connector 900, FIG. 19B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 19C is a perspective view thereof. The female connector 900 includes a disk-shaped partition member (hereinafter referred to as “septum”) 910 made of an elastic material such as rubber and having a linear slit (cut) 911 formed in the center. The septum 910 is placed on the cylindrical base 920, and then the cap 930 is put on the septum 910. The cap 930 includes a top plate 931 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 935 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate 931. A pair of locking projections 922 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 920 is fitted into a pair of locking holes 936 formed in the peripheral wall 935 of the cap 930. The lower portion (locking portion) 935 a of the locking hole 936 engages with the locking projection 922, and the cap 930 is fixed to the base 920. The septum 910 is sandwiched between the upper end of the base 920 and the top plate 931 of the cap 930. A circular opening 932 is formed in the center of the top plate 931. A slit 911 of the septum 910 is exposed in the opening 932.

  20A is a side view of a conventional male connector 950 with a lock mechanism, and FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view of the male connector 950. The male connector 950 includes a cylindrical male luer 960 that is inserted into the female connector 900. The lock mechanism includes a pair of lock levers 970 arranged in parallel with the male luer 960 with the male luer 960 interposed therebetween. Each lock lever 970 is connected to the base end portion 969 of the male luer 960 via a support piece 971 provided at a substantially central position in the longitudinal direction. A claw 974 that engages with the female connector 900 is formed on the surface of one end of the lock lever 970 facing the male luer 960. The end of the lock lever 970 where the claw 974 is not formed is an operation portion 975 for operating the lock lever 970. When the operation portions 975 of the pair of lock levers 970 are gripped in the direction approaching each other, the support piece 971 is elastically bent and deformed, and the lock lever 970 is displaced in a direction in which the claws 974 are separated from the male luer 960. A substantially cylindrical hood 952 surrounds the male luer 960 and is fixed to the proximal end portion 969. A part of the pair of lock levers 970 is disposed in a notch provided in the hood 952. Reference numeral 965 denotes a cylindrical portion communicating with the male luer 960, and a flexible tube (not shown) is connected thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the male luer 960 is inserted into the septum 910 of the female connector 900, and the claw 974 provided at the tip of the pair of lock levers 970 is engaged with the lower end 935 b of the peripheral wall 935 of the cap 930. Since the male luer 960 passes through the slit 911 of the septum 910, the female connector 900 and the male luer 960 communicate with each other. Since the claw 974 of the lock lever 970 is engaged with the cap 930, the connection state between the female connector 900 and the male luer 960 is maintained (locked). Even if the female connector 900 and the male connector 950 are pulled away from each other, the female connector 900 and the male connector 950 cannot be separated because the claw 974 of the lock lever 970 is engaged with the female connector 900. .

  The female connector 900 and the male connector 950 are separated by applying a force F5 in a direction approaching each other to the operation portion 975 of the pair of lock levers 970 to displace the lock lever 970, and the claw 974 of the lock lever 970 and the surrounding wall. This is possible by disengaging the lower end 935b of 935. When the male luer 960 is removed from the slit 911 of the septum 910, the slit 911 of the septum 910 is immediately closed. Therefore, no liquid leaks from the slit 911.

  In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 21, there are a pair of locking projections 922, a pair of locking holes 936, and a pair of claws 974 in the same plane, but this is merely for ease of understanding. It is. Since the male connector 950 can be connected to the female connector 900 at an arbitrary position in the rotation direction around the male luer 960, actually, the pair of locking projections 922, the pair of locking holes 936, and the pair of claws 974 are connected. Are not necessarily in the same plane.

JP 2010-194105 A JP 2004-483 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-197254 International Publication No. 2010/061742 Pamphlet International Publication No. 2010/061743 Pamphlet

  The above-described conventional male connector 950 and female connector 900 have the following problems, respectively.

  In the conventional locking mechanism of the male connector 950, the claws 974 of the pair of lock levers 970 engage with the female connector 900. Therefore, in order to release the locked state by the lock lever 970, the two claws 974 must be released from the female connector 900. However, even when the pressing force F5 is applied to the two operation units 975 to increase the distance between the two claws 974, the engagement of the two claws 974 with the female connector 900 may not be released at the same time. In this case, it is necessary to first disengage one of the two claws 974 and then disengage the other while increasing the distance between the two claws 974. Therefore, there is a problem that the unlocking operation of the locked state is complicated.

  Further, in order to release the locked state, it is necessary to apply a pressing force F5 in a direction in which the operation units 975 approach each other to the operation units 975 of the pair of lock levers 970. That is, it is necessary to sandwich the two operation units 975 with, for example, the thumb and index finger of one hand. At this time, since the male connector 900 is held by only two fingers attached to the two operation units 975, there is a problem that holding of the male connector 900 becomes unstable.

  On the other hand, in the conventional female connector 900, the claw 974 of the lock lever 970 of the male connector 950 engages with the lower end 935 a of the peripheral wall 935 of the cap 930. Therefore, when a large pulling force in a direction away from the female connector 900 (upward in FIG. 21) is applied to the male connector 950 connected to the female connector 900 as shown in FIG. Acting on the lower end 935b of the peripheral wall 935. As can be easily understood from FIG. 19C, the locking portion 935a with which the locking protrusion 922 is engaged and the portion of the lower end 935b of the peripheral wall 935 with which the claw 974 is engaged are separated in the circumferential direction. Then, the above-described pulling force that separates the female connector 900 and the male connector 950 may cause the engaging portion 935a of the peripheral wall 935 of the cap 930 and the vicinity thereof to be plastically deformed or damaged. There is. As a result, the sealing performance between the tip of the base 920 and the septum 910 is lowered, and there is a risk of liquid leakage.

  FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing deformation of the claw 974 and its peripheral portion when a pulling force in a direction away from the female connector 900 is applied to the male connector 950. A two-dot chain line indicates the lock lever 970 before the pulling force is applied. The claw 974 projects laterally from the lock lever 970 and engages with the lower end 935 b of the peripheral wall 935. When an upward pulling force F6 is applied to the lock lever 970, a bending moment is applied to the claw 974 in such a direction that the tip 974t is separated from the lower end 935b. For this reason, the engaging surface 974b facing the peripheral wall 935 of the claw 974 is inclined counterclockwise in FIG. In parallel with this, the portion in the vicinity of the claw 974 of the lock lever 970 is displaced in a direction away from the peripheral wall 935 (rightward in FIG. 22). When the pulling force F6 is continuously applied or the male connector 950 is rotated with respect to the female connector 900 with the pulling force F6 being applied, the inclination of the engaging surface 974b of the claw 974 increases, The displacement of the lever 970 is also increased. Finally, the claw 974 is detached from the lower end 935b of the peripheral wall 935. As described above, the conventional locking mechanism between the male connector 950 and the female connector 900 is unintentionally locked when a pulling force acting to separate the male connector 950 and the female connector 900 is applied. There is a problem that the male connector 950 and the female connector 900 are separated from each other.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional male connector and female connector described above. A first object of the present invention is to provide a male connector with a lock mechanism that can be easily unlocked while stably holding the male connector and has improved operability. The second object of the present invention is to prevent the cap that holds the partition wall member (septum) from being deformed or damaged even when an unintended external force is applied in a locked connection with the male connector with a locking mechanism. Is to provide an improved female connector. The third object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of a situation where the locked state is unintentionally released even if a pulling force in the direction of separating both acts on the male connector and the female connector that are locked. There is to do.

  The male connector of this invention is equipped with the rod-shaped male luer inserted in a female connector, and the lock mechanism for maintaining the state in which the said male luer was inserted in the said female connector. The lock mechanism includes a hood that is disposed so as to surround the male luer and into which the female connector is inserted, and a single lock lever having an elastically displaceable cantilever support structure. The lock lever is arranged so that its free end is the distal end side of the male luer and the fixed end is the proximal end side of the male luer, and the longitudinal direction thereof is substantially parallel to the male luer. The lock lever includes a claw that engages with the female connector. A fitting structure for fitting with the female connector is formed on an engaging surface of the claw that engages with the female connector. An operation arm protrudes from a surface of the lock lever opposite to the male luer and extends to the fixed end side. When a pressing force directed toward the male luer is applied to the tip of the operation arm, the lock lever is elastically displaced so that the claw is separated from the male luer.

  The female connector of this invention is a female connector which can connect the male connector provided with the rod-shaped male luer and the lock mechanism for maintaining the state in which the said male luer was inserted. The locking mechanism of the male connector includes a claw that engages with the female connector. The female connector is made of an elastic material, and a partition member in which a through hole into which the male luer is inserted is formed at a central portion, a base that holds a peripheral portion of the partition member, and the through hole of the partition member. And a cap formed with an opening to be exposed. The cap is fixed to the base so that the partition member is sandwiched between the base and the cap in the thickness direction of the partition member. A locking surface that engages the claw of the male connector is formed on the base. A fitting structure for fitting with the male connector is formed on the locking surface.

  The connector set of the present invention includes the male connector of the present invention and the female connector of the present invention.

  According to the male connector of the present invention, the claw provided on the lock lever can be engaged with the female connector inserted into the hood, so that the state in which the male luer is connected to the female connector can be maintained. Moreover, since the part which engages with a female connector among male connectors is only the nail | claw provided in the single lock lever, a locked state can be easily cancelled | released only by displacing the said lock lever. Furthermore, since there is only one lock lever, the locked state can be released with one finger while holding the hood or the like. Therefore, the unlocking operation can be easily performed while stably holding the male connector.

  A fitting structure that fits with the female connector is formed on the engaging surface that engages the female connector of the claw. Thereby, even if a tensile force acts on the male connector in a state where the male connector is connected to the female connector, the possibility that the locked state is unintentionally released is low.

  According to the female connector of the present invention, the claw of the male connector engages with the locking surface of the base, not the cap. Therefore, when an unintended force is applied to the male connector in a state where the male connector is connected to the female connector, the force acts on the locking surface of the base, not the cap. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cap from being deformed or damaged due to an unintended force acting on the fixing portion between the cap and the base, thereby improving safety.

  A fitting structure that fits with the male connector is formed on the locking surface. Thereby, even if a tensile force acts on the male connector in a state where the male connector is connected to the female connector, the possibility that the locked state is unintentionally released is low.

  Since the connector set of the present invention includes the male connector and the female connector described above, when an external force is applied in a state of being connected to each other, the female connector cap may be deformed or damaged, or may be locked unintentionally. When the state is not released and is separated, the unlocking operation can be easily performed while stably holding the male connector.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view of a male connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a side view thereof. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the claw at the distal end of the lock lever of the male connector according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the engagement surface side. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the elastically deformed lock lever in the male connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a side view of the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a sectional view thereof. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the annular protrusion of the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the locking surface side with which the claw of the male connector engages. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a male connector and a female connector according to an embodiment of the present invention immediately before connection. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a male connector and a female connector according to an embodiment of the present invention immediately before connection. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a male connector and a female connector according to an embodiment of the present invention whose connection state is locked by a lock mechanism. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a male connector and a female connector according to an embodiment of the present invention whose connection state is locked by a lock mechanism. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the engaging portion between the claw constituting the locking mechanism of the male connector and the annular protrusion of the female connector. FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the deformation of the claw and the annular protrusion when a pulling force in a direction away from the female connector is applied to the male connector in FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a male connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the male connector and the female connector shown in FIG. 16 immediately before connection. 18 is a perspective view of the male connector and the female connector shown in FIG. 16 in which the connection state is locked by the lock mechanism. 19A is a sectional view of a conventional female connector, FIG. 19B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 19C is a perspective view thereof. 20A is a side view of a conventional male connector with a locking mechanism, and FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view of a conventional male connector with a locking mechanism. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a lock connection state in which a conventional male connector with a lock mechanism is connected to a conventional female connector. FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the principle that the lock is released due to the pulling force in the direction of separating the male connector and the female connector in the lock connection state shown in FIG.

  The male connector of this invention is equipped with the rod-shaped male luer inserted in a female connector, and the lock mechanism for maintaining the state in which the said male luer was inserted in the said female connector. The lock mechanism includes a hood that is disposed so as to surround the male luer and into which the female connector is inserted, and a single lock lever having an elastically displaceable cantilever support structure. The lock lever is arranged so that its free end is the distal end side of the male luer and the fixed end is the proximal end side of the male luer, and the longitudinal direction thereof is substantially parallel to the male luer. The lock lever includes a claw that engages with the female connector. A fitting structure for fitting with the female connector is formed on an engaging surface of the claw that engages with the female connector. An operation arm protrudes from a surface of the lock lever opposite to the male luer and extends to the fixed end side. When a pressing force directed toward the male luer is applied to the tip of the operation arm, the lock lever is elastically displaced so that the claw is separated from the male luer.

  In the above male connector of the present invention, it is preferable that the fitting structure is a convex portion that fits into a concave portion formed in the female connector. Thereby, the fitting structure can be formed with a simple configuration.

  In the above, it is preferable that the edge of the convex part opposite to the male luer has an arc shape coaxial with the male luer. Thereby, when the recessed part formed in the female connector has a cyclic | annular groove shape, the fitting area | region of the circumferential direction of the convex part with respect to the said recessed part can be enlarged.

  It is preferable that the convex portion has a cylindrical surface coaxial with the male luer at an edge opposite to the male luer. Thereby, when a tensile force is applied between the male connector and the female connector, the end edge of the convex portion comes into contact with and is locked so as to bite into the locking surface of the female connector. Therefore, the possibility that the locked state is released unintentionally is further reduced.

  It is preferable that the claw is provided at the free end of the lock lever. Thereby, the amount of displacement of the claw when the lock lever is displaced can be increased. Therefore, the locked state can be released even if the pressing force applied to the tip (operation part) of the operation arm is small, which is advantageous in improving the operability.

  Except for the base end of the operating arm, the operating arm is preferably spaced from the lock lever. This is advantageous for displacing the lock lever so that the claw is separated from the male luer when a pressing force is applied to the tip (operation part) of the operation arm.

  The operation arm preferably extends beyond the fixed end of the lock lever in the longitudinal direction of the male luer. This is advantageous for displacing the lock lever so that the claw is separated from the male luer when a pressing force is applied to the tip (operation part) of the operation arm.

  It is preferable that the base end of the operation arm is provided at a position closer to the free end than the fixed end of the lock lever. Thereby, the elastic part which can be elastically bent can be ensured between the base end of the operation arm and the fixed end of the lock lever. This is advantageous for elastically displacing the lock lever.

  It is preferable that a slit having a substantially “U” shape is formed in the hood, and the lock lever is surrounded by the slit. Thereby, since it becomes unnecessary to arrange | position a lock lever outside a hood, the protrusion amount of the lock lever from the outer peripheral surface of a hood can be suppressed. Therefore, a male connector having a small outer diameter can be realized.

  In the above, it is preferable that the hood includes a bridging portion that connects portions of the hood sandwiching the lock lever in the circumferential direction on a side where the female connector is inserted rather than the lock lever. Thereby, even if an external force acts on the female connector connected and locked to the male connector, the inclination and movement of the female connector can be suppressed. As a result, the possibility that the locked state is unintentionally released or the hood is destroyed can be reduced.

  It is preferable that a pair of notches extending along a direction parallel to the male luer is formed at an edge of the hood on the side where the female connector is inserted. In this case, it is preferable that the pair of notches face each other with the male luer interposed therebetween. Thereby, the male connector which can be connected to the mixed injection port provided in the middle of the tube is realizable.

  It is preferable that a flow path is formed in the male luer, and a lateral hole communicating with the flow path opens on the outer peripheral surface of the male luer. As a result, when the male luer inserted into the female connector is pulled out from the female connector, the female connector strips off the liquid adhering around the opening in the horizontal hole. The amount of liquid to be reduced can be reduced.

  The female connector of this invention is a female connector which can connect the male connector provided with the rod-shaped male luer and the lock mechanism for maintaining the state in which the said male luer was inserted. The locking mechanism of the male connector includes a claw that engages with the female connector. The female connector is made of an elastic material, and a partition member in which a through hole into which the male luer is inserted is formed at a central portion, a base that holds a peripheral portion of the partition member, and the through hole of the partition member. And a cap formed with an opening to be exposed. The cap is fixed to the base so that the partition member is sandwiched between the base and the cap in the thickness direction of the partition member. A locking surface that engages the claw of the male connector is formed on the base. A fitting structure for fitting with the male connector is formed on the locking surface.

  Said female connector of this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said fitting structure is a recessed part in which the convex part formed in the said nail | claw of the said male connector fits. Thereby, the fitting structure can be formed with a simple configuration. In addition, forming the recesses on the locking surface of the female connector is often easier to mold the resin than forming the protrusions.

  The recess is preferably a groove extending along an arc concentric with the central axis of the female connector. Thereby, the convex part of a male connector can be inserted in a recessed part irrespective of the position of the rotation direction around the male luer of the male connector with respect to a female connector.

  In the locking surface, it is preferable that the recess and the region outside the recess are connected by an inclined surface. Thereby, when isolate | separating a male connector from a female connector, it is easy to make the convex part of the nail | claw of a male connector escape from a recessed part. Therefore, the operability for releasing the locked state is improved.

  It is preferable that the locking surface provided with the fitting structure is formed continuously around the entire periphery of the base. Thereby, the nail | claw of a male connector can be engaged and fitted to a locking surface irrespective of the position of the rotation direction around the male luer of the male connector with respect to a female connector. Therefore, when the male connector is connected to the female connector, it is not necessary to align the male connector with respect to the female connector in the rotational direction. Further, since the male connector can be freely rotated with respect to the female connector while the male connector is connected to the female connector, for example, twisting of the tube connected to the female connector and / or the male connector can be easily eliminated. be able to.

  It is preferable that the locking surface is provided on a protrusion protruding along the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the base. Thereby, a latching surface can be provided on the base with a simple configuration.

  In the above, it is preferable that the top part of the protrusion forms substantially the same surface as the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall of the cap. Accordingly, when the male connector is connected to and separated from the female connector, the claws of the male connector can slide without being caught by the boundary between the peripheral wall of the female connector cap and the protrusion. Therefore, workability of connection and separation is improved.

  It is preferable that an engagement structure for engaging and fixing the cap to the base is formed on the base and the cap. Thereby, in the assembly of the female connector, the process of fixing the cap to the base can be performed easily and quickly.

  It is preferable that the engagement structure is a structure in which an engagement claw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base and an engagement claw formed on the cap mesh with each other in the circumferential direction. As a result, it is easy to reduce the diameter of the female connector, and it is also possible to reduce the diameter of the male connector.

  Below, this invention is demonstrated in detail, showing suitable embodiment. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For convenience of explanation, the drawings referred to in the following description show only the main members necessary for explaining the present invention in a simplified manner among the constituent members of the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can include arbitrary components not shown in the following drawings. In addition, the dimensions of the members in the following drawings do not faithfully represent the actual dimensions of the constituent members and the dimensional ratios of the members.

(Male connector)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a male connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a plan view of the male connector 1, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the male connector 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the male connector 1. In FIG. 3, the alternate long and short dash line 1 a is the central axis of the male connector 1. For convenience of the following description, a direction parallel to the central axis 1a is referred to as “vertical direction”, and a direction parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis 1a is referred to as “horizontal direction”. Further, in the vertical direction, the side close to the cylindrical portion 15 is referred to as the “lower side” of the male connector 1, and the far side (the upper side of the paper surface of FIG. 3) is referred to as the “upper side” or “tip side” of the male connector 1. However, the “vertical direction” and “horizontal direction” do not mean the orientation of the male connector 1 in actual use. Furthermore, the direction of a straight line orthogonal to the central axis 1a is referred to as “radial direction”, and the direction of rotation around the central axis 1a is referred to as “circumferential direction”.

  The male connector 1 of the present embodiment includes a rod-shaped male luer 10 that is coaxial with the central axis 1a. As shown in FIG. 3, the male luer 10 is a rod-like member protruding from the base 19. The outer peripheral surface (that is, the side surface) is a tapered surface whose outer diameter slightly decreases as the distance from the base 19 increases in the first embodiment. However, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 10 is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily selected. For example, it may be a cylindrical surface having a constant outer diameter in the vertical direction.

  A flow path 11 is formed in the male luer 10 along the longitudinal direction thereof. The flow path 11 is not open to the tip surface 10 t of the male luer 10. Instead, a lateral hole 12 communicating with the flow path 11 is formed in the vicinity of the tip of the male luer 10. The lateral holes 12 penetrate the male luer 10 in the radial direction and open at two locations on the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 10. The lateral hole 12 may open at only one place on the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 10 without penetrating the male luer 10.

  On the opposite side of the base 19 from the male luer 10, a cylindrical portion 15 having a flow path communicating with the flow path 11 is formed. The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 15 is a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases as the distance from the base 19 increases. A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 15. The cylindrical part 15 can be comprised based on ISO594-2, for example. For example, a syringe or the like can be connected to the cylindrical portion 15. However, the configuration of the base 19 on the side opposite to the male luer 10 is not limited to this and may be arbitrary, and may include a configuration other than the cylindrical portion 15.

  A hood 20 is erected from the base 19 on the same side as the male luer 10 so as to surround the male luer 10. The hood 20 has a hollow cylindrical shape coaxial with the male luer 10, and its height (vertical dimension) is higher than the height of the male luer 10. The inner peripheral surface of the hood 20 (the surface facing the male luer 10) has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cap 130 (see FIG. 6 described later) of the female connector 100 to which the male connector 1 is connected. It is a cylindrical surface having.

  A lock lever 30 having a cantilever support structure faces the male luer 10. The lock lever 30 has a thin plate shape (strip shape) whose longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the central axis 1a. One end portion in the longitudinal direction of the lock lever 30 is a free end 30 a and is disposed on the distal end side of the male luer 10. The other end in the longitudinal direction of the lock lever 30 is a fixed end 30b, which is disposed on the base end side (that is, the base 19 side) of the male luer 10. The lock lever 30 can be elastically bent and deformed in a plane including the central axis 1a.

  The lock lever 30 having a cantilever support structure is formed by forming a substantially “U” -shaped slit 21 penetrating the hood 20 in the hood 20. In other words, the lock lever 30 is surrounded by the slit 21. As a result, the bridging portion 22 that connects the portion of the hood 20 that sandwiches the lock lever 30 in the circumferential direction exists above the free end 30a of the lock lever 30 (the side far from the base end 19). The upper edge 20a of the hood 20 has a circular plan view shape, and is continuous in the circumferential direction at the same height.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a claw 34 that protrudes toward the male luer 10 is formed on the surface of the free end 30 a of the lock lever 30 that faces the male luer 10. The claw 34 includes an inclined surface 34a and an engaging surface 34b. The inclined surface 34 a is inclined so as to move away from the male luer 10 as the distance from the base 19 increases. The engagement surface 34b is disposed on the base 19 side with respect to the inclined surface 34a, and is a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal direction. The top part (the part closest to the male luer 10) 34t of the claw 34 protrudes to the male luer 10 side from the inner peripheral surface of the hood 20 (see FIG. 2A).

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the claw 34 viewed from the engagement surface 34b side. A protruding portion 34p protrudes from the engaging surface 34b. The convex portion 34p is formed in a region near the top portion 34t of the engaging surface 34b of the claw 34. An end edge 34e of the convex portion 34p opposite to the male luer 10 (see FIG. 3) has an arc shape coaxial with the male luer 10. More preferably, the end edge 34 e is a cylindrical surface coaxial with the male luer 10.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the operation arm 35 protrudes outward (on the opposite side to the male luer 10) from the surface of the lock lever 30 opposite to the male luer 10. A portion of the operation arm 35 connected to the lock lever 30 is referred to as a base end 35b. The operation arm 35 extends from the base end 35b in a curved manner toward the fixed end 30b (that is, the lower side) while being separated from the lock lever 30. In the vertical direction, the operation arm 35 extends to a lower side than the fixed end 30b of the lock lever 30 (up to substantially the same position as the base 19 in the first embodiment). An operation portion 35 a is provided at the tip of the operation arm 35. The operation arm 35 has a mechanical strength that can be regarded as a substantially rigid body.

  When a finger F is pressed against the operation unit 35a and a force F directed toward the male luer 10 (that is, the hood 20) is applied to the operation unit 35a, the fixed end 30b of the lock lever 30 and the operation arm 35 as shown in FIG. The portion between the base end 35b (elastic portion 31) is elastically bent and deformed, and the claw 34 is displaced in a direction away from the male luer 10 along the substantially radial direction.

  In order for the claw 34 to be displaced as described above, the operation arm 35 is preferably separated from the fixed end 30 b of the lock lever 30. Further, the operation arm 35 extends to the lower side (tubular portion 15 side) beyond the fixed end 30b of the lock lever 30, and the operation portion 35a is positioned lower (the cylindrical portion 15 side) than the fixed end 30b. Preferably it is. Furthermore, it is preferable that the base end 35b of the operation arm 35 is located closer to the free end 30a than the fixed end 30b of the lock lever 30 (not including the case where the base end 35b is at the fixed end 30b).

  The hood 20 and the lock lever 30 with the operation arm 35 described above constitute the lock mechanism of the male connector 1 of the present embodiment.

  The male luer 10, the base 19, the hood 20, the lock lever 30, and the operation arm 35 are preferably made of a hard material. Specifically, the male luer 10, the base 19, the hood 20, the lock lever 30, and the operation arm 35 are integrally formed using a resin material such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamide, polypropylene, and hard polyvinyl chloride. It can be created by the method.

(Female connector)
A female connector connected to the male connector 1 will be described.

  6 is a perspective view of the female connector 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7A is a side view of the female connector 100, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 100. Further, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector 100. In FIG. 7B, the alternate long and short dash line 100 a is the central axis of the female connector 100. For convenience of the following description, a direction parallel to the central axis 100 a is referred to as “vertical direction” of the female connector 100. Further, the side to which the male connector 1 is connected (the upper side of the paper surface of FIGS. 7A and 7B) is referred to as “upper side” of the female connector 100, and the opposite side is referred to as “lower side” of the female connector 100. The direction of a straight line orthogonal to the central axis 100a is referred to as “radial direction”, and the direction of rotation around the central axis 100a is referred to as “circumferential direction” or “rotational direction”.

  The female connector 100 includes a disk-shaped partition member (hereinafter referred to as “septum”) 110, a base 120 and a cap 130 that sandwich and fix the septum 100 in the vertical direction.

  Similar to the septum 910 of the conventional female connector 900, the septum 110 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and has a linear slit (cut) 111 that is a through-hole penetrating the septum 110 in the vertical direction at the center thereof. Is formed.

  The base 120 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The outer peripheral surface of the base 120 has a cylindrical surface shape, and a pair of engaging protrusions 121 and an annular protrusion 123 continuous in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface so as to protrude outward along the radial direction. Has been. Each engagement protrusion 121 includes a pair of engagement claws 122 protruding in the circumferential direction, and has a substantially “T” shape as a whole. The pair of engaging protrusions 121 are disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis 100a. The annular protrusion 123 is provided on the lower side (opposite the septum 110) with respect to the engagement protrusion 121. The top portions (portions farthest from the central axis 100a) of the engaging protrusions 121 and the annular protrusions 123 constitute a common cylindrical surface coaxial with the central axis 100a.

  A male luer 128 communicating with the inner cavity 125 of the base 120 and a female screw 129 coaxial with the male luer 128 are formed below the base 120. The outer peripheral surface of the male luer 128 has a tapered surface (conical surface) whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip (that is, as it moves away from the base 20). The male luer 128 and the internal thread 129 can be formed in accordance with, for example, ISO594-2. However, the configuration below the base 120 is not limited to this, and may be arbitrary, and may include configurations other than the male luer 128 and the female screw 129.

  The cap 130 includes a top plate 131 having a disk shape and a peripheral wall 135 having a cylindrical shape extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate 131. A circular opening (through hole) 132 is formed at the center of the top plate 131. The peripheral wall 135 is formed with a pair of notches 136 that are notched upward from the lower end thereof. The circumferential dimension of each notch 136 is locally narrow by the pair of engaging claws 137. The pair of notches 36 are disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis 100a.

  The septum 110 is placed on the upper end of the base 120, and the cap 130 is put on the septum 110 from above. The engagement protrusion 121 formed on the base 120 is fitted into the notch 136 formed on the cap 130, and the engagement claw 122 and the engagement claw 137 are engaged. Thus, the cap 130 is fixed to the base 120 (see FIG. 6). The septum 110 is sandwiched between the upper end of the base 120 and the top plate 131 of the cap 130 in the thickness direction (that is, the vertical direction). The slit 111 of the septum 110 is exposed in an opening 132 formed in the top plate 131. The annular protrusion 123 formed on the base 120 is located below the peripheral wall 135 of the cap 130. The tops of the engagement protrusions 121 and the annular protrusions 123 constitute a cylindrical surface that is substantially the same as the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 135.

  The material of the septum 110 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a soft material (so-called elastomer) having rubber elasticity, and for example, isoprene rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like can be used.

  The material of the base 120 and the cap 130 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a hard material. For example, a resin material such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyacetal, polyamide, hard polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene is used. Can do.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the annular protrusion 123 as viewed from below. A recess 126 a is formed on the lower surface (locking surface) 126 of the annular protrusion 123 at a position slightly away from the outer peripheral surface 123 s of the annular protrusion 123. The recess 126a is an annular groove that is continuous in the circumferential direction along a circle concentric with the central axis 100a. A region 126b of the lower surface 126 of the annular protrusion 123 outside the recess 126a protrudes downward as compared to the recess 126a. The recess 126a and the outer region 123a are connected by an inclined surface 126c.

(Connection and disconnection of male connector and female connector)
A method for connecting and separating the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 immediately before connection. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 immediately before connection.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 are opposed to each other. Then, the cap 130 of the female connector 100 is inserted into the hood 20 of the male connector 1, and the female connector 100 is further pushed toward the male connector 1. The tip of the male luer 10 contacts the septum 110 exposed in the opening 132 of the cap 130 and enters the slit 111. In parallel with this, the inclined surface 34 a of the claw 34 of the lock lever 30 comes into contact with the outer edge 130 a of the cap 130. The end edge 130a of the cap 130 elastically bends and deforms the elastic portion 31 while sliding on the inclined surface 34a, thereby displacing the lock lever 30 in a direction in which the claw 34 is separated from the male luer 10. As the female connector 100 enters the hood 20, the claw 34 sequentially slides on the peripheral wall 135 and the annular protrusion 123 of the cap 130. And when the nail | claw 34 finishes passing the annular protrusion 123, the elastic part 31 will be elastically recovered and the nail | claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 will engage (lock state).

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 that are connected and locked. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 that are connected and locked.

  The lock lever 30 is in substantially the same position as in the initial state (see FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3), and the pawl 34 is engaged with the annular protrusion 123 of the female connector 100. The male luer 10 passes through the slit 111 of the septum 110, and the septum 110 is greatly elastically deformed. The opening of the lateral hole 12 of the male luer 10 is exposed in the inner cavity 125 of the base 120. In this state, liquid can be circulated between the male luer 10 and the female connector 100 via the flow path 11 and the lateral hole 12.

  The male connector 1 and the female connector 100 can be separated by placing the finger on the operation portion 35a of the lock lever 30 and displacing the lock lever 30 so that the claw 34 is separated from the male luer 10 (see FIG. 5). . Thereby, the engagement between the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 is released. In parallel with this, the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 can be separated by pulling the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 away from each other. The septum 110 is elastically restored as soon as the male luer 10 is removed, and the slit 111 is closed.

(Function)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the claw 34 of the male connector 1 engages with the annular protrusion 123 of the female connector 100 with the male luer 10 penetrating the septum 110. Therefore, the male luer 10 is prevented from unintentionally coming off the septum 101.

  The male connector 1 is engaged with the annular protrusion 123 of the female connector 100 with only one claw 34. When the pressing force F is applied to the operation portion 35a to displace the claw 34, the female connector 100 is held by the hood 20 and therefore hardly moves. Therefore, the engagement between the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 can be reliably released simply by applying the pressing force F to the operation portion 35a and displacing the claw 34.

  As described above, in the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 20A and 20B) having the conventional pair of lock levers 930, the two claws 974 engage with the female connector 900. In some cases, the engagement of the two claws 974 had to be sequentially released one by one. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the number of the claws 34 engaged with the female connector 100 is only one, the pressing force F (see FIG. 5) is simply applied to the operation portion 35a, and the lock lever 30 is moved. The lock state can be released simply by displacing. Therefore, the unlocking operation of the locked state is simple and the operability is improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, in order to release the engagement (locked state) between the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123, a pressing force F may be applied so that the operation portion 35a approaches the hood 20. This operation can be performed with only one finger of one hand. Therefore, it is possible to stably hold the hood 20 or the member connected to the cylindrical portion 15 with the remaining fingers and palm of the one hand. For example, when the distal end (so-called mouth portion) of the outer cylinder of the syringe is connected to the cylindrical portion 15, hold the outer cylinder of the syringe with one hand and press the operation section 35a with the thumb or index finger of the hand. That's fine.

  In the conventional male connector 900 having a pair of lock levers 930 (see FIGS. 20A and 20B), in order to release the locked state, for example, it is necessary to sandwich the two operation portions 975 with the thumb and index finger of one hand. It was. At this time, the male connector 900 is held by only two fingers attached to the two operation units 975. Therefore, there is a problem that the unlocking operation of the lock state becomes unstable. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the lock state can be released with only one finger while holding the hood 20 or a member (for example, a syringe) integrally connected to the male connector 1. Therefore, the locked state can be released with only one finger while stably holding the male connector 1.

  By disposing the claw 34 at a position farther from the fixed end 30b of the lock lever 30, preferably at the free end 30a, the amount of displacement of the claw 34 can be increased. Therefore, the locked state can be released even if the pressing force F applied to the operation unit 35a is small, which is advantageous in improving the operability.

  FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an engaging portion between the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123. The engaging surface 34b of the claw 34 and the locking surface 126 of the annular protrusion 123 are opposed to each other. The engaging surface 34b and the locking surface 126 are formed with fitting structures that fit each other. That is, the engaging surface 34b has a convex portion 34p as a fitting structure, and the locking surface 126 has a concave portion 126a as a fitting structure. And the convex part 34p is inserted in the recessed part 126a.

  15 shows the deformation of the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 when a pulling force in a direction away from the female connector 100 is applied to the male connector 1 in a state where the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 are engaged (see FIG. 14). It is the expanded sectional view shown. The claw 34 protrudes from the lock lever 30 along the horizontal direction and engages with the annular protrusion 123. When the upward pulling force F1 in FIG. 15 is applied to the lock lever 30, a bending moment is applied to the claw 34 as in the case of the claw 974 of the conventional male connector 950 shown in FIG. 15 is elastically deformed so as to be inclined counterclockwise in FIG. Furthermore, the annular protrusion 123 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the base 120 of the female connector 100 is also elastically deformed so that the locking surface 126 is inclined counterclockwise in FIG. In parallel with the inclination of the engaging surface 34 b of the claw 34 and the inclination of the locking surface 126 of the annular protrusion 123, the portion in the vicinity of the claw 34 of the lock lever 30 is displaced away from the base 120.

  However, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 34 p protruding from the engaging surface 34 b of the claw 34 is fitted into the concave portion 126 a of the locking surface 126 of the annular protrusion 123. Therefore, even if the engaging surface 34b and the locking surface 126 are inclined as shown in FIG. 15 by the pulling force F1, it is difficult for the convex portion 34p to escape from the concave portion 126a. Thereby, the further displacement to the direction which leaves | separates from the base 120 of the part near the nail | claw 34 of the lock lever 30 is restrict | limited. As a result, the possibility that the engagement state (locked state) between the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 is unintentionally released is reduced.

  The male connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes only one lock lever 30. In contrast, the conventional male connector 950 includes two lock levers 970. When the same pulling force acts on the male connector in the direction away from the female connector, the pulling force F1 acting on the lock lever 30 of the male connector 1 of the present embodiment acts on one lock lever 970 of the conventional male connector 950. This is approximately twice the pulling force F6 (see FIG. 22). Therefore, the engagement surface 34b of the claw 34 in this embodiment is inclined more greatly than the engagement surface 934b of the conventional claw 974. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the annular protrusion 123 with which the claw 34 engages protrudes from the base 120 of the female connector 100 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the pulling force F1 is applied, the locking surface 126 of the annular protrusion 123 is also inclined. As a result, in this embodiment, if there is no convex part 34p and concave part 126a, compared with the conventional male connector 950 and female connector 900, there is a high possibility that the locked state is unintentionally released due to the pulling force. . Although the present embodiment is provided with a configuration that is disadvantageous to the unintentional release of the locked state due to the pulling force as described above, this is solved by providing the convex portion 34p and the concave portion 126a. Thus, compared with the conventional male connector 950 and the female connector 900, the present embodiment may cause the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 to be separated because the locked state is unintentionally released by the pulling force. The safety is reduced and the safety is improved.

  The recess 126a of the annular protrusion 123 is an annular groove extending along a circle concentric with the central axis 100a. Thus, regardless of the position of the male connector 1 around the central axis 1a, 100a in the rotational direction relative to the female connector 100, when the claw 34 is engaged with the locking surface 126 of the annular protrusion 123, the convex portion 34p is always recessed. 126a can be fitted. As a result, it is possible to stably exhibit the effect of the present invention that prevents the locked state from being unintentionally released due to the pulling force.

  An end edge 34 e of the convex portion 34 p of the claw 34 opposite to the male luer 10 has an arc shape coaxial with the male luer 10. Thereby, the engagement area | region of the circumferential direction of the convex part 34p with respect to the recessed part 126a which has a cyclic | annular groove shape can be enlarged. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the locked state is unintentionally released due to the pulling force.

  Further, when the end 34e of the projection 34p of the claw 34 on the opposite side to the male luer 10 is a cylindrical surface coaxial with the male luer 10, when the engagement surface 34b of the claw 34 is inclined as shown in FIG. The edge 34e of 34p is brought into contact and locked so as to bite into the locking surface 126 (especially the inclined surface 126c) of the annular protrusion 123. Therefore, the possibility that the locked state is released unintentionally is further reduced.

  Since the inclined surface 126c is provided outside the concave portion 126a of the annular protrusion 123, when the operation portion 35a of the male connector 1 is pressed to release the lock (see FIG. 5), the convex portion 34p of the claw 34 is the concave portion. It is easy to escape from 126a. Therefore, the operability for releasing the locked state is improved.

  Since the inclined surface 34a is formed on the side of the claw 34 opposite to the base 19, the operator does not need to touch the lock lever 30 in the process of connecting the male connector 1 and the female connector 100. The claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 can be engaged simply by pushing the female connector 100 into the hood 20. Therefore, the connection operability is good.

  Since the hood 20 surrounds the male luer 10, the possibility that an operator accidentally touches the male luer 10 is reduced. This is advantageous for isolating the worker from dangerous chemicals and blood.

  Further, the hood 20 contributes to positioning the female connector 100 in a horizontal plane. That is, the hood 20 positions the female connector 100 with respect to the male luer 10 so that the male luer 10 is accurately inserted into the slit 111 of the septum 110 exposed in the opening 131 of the cap 130. Further, the hood 20 has a female connector with respect to the lock lever 30 so that the claw 34 can be reliably engaged with the annular protrusion 123 and the engagement between the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 can be reliably released. Position 100.

  A substantially “U” -shaped slit 21 is formed in the hood 20, and the lock lever 30 is surrounded by the slit 21. Thereby, since the lock lever 30 can be formed substantially along the cylindrical surface of the hood 20, the lock lever 30 is locked as compared with the case where the lock lever is arranged outside the outer peripheral surface of the hood 20 (opposite the male luer 10). The protrusion amount of the lever 30 from the outer peripheral surface of the hood 20 can be suppressed. Therefore, the small male connector 1 having a small outer diameter can be realized.

  The slit 21 formed in the hood 20 does not reach the upper end of the hood 20. The hood 20 includes a bridging portion 22 above the slit 21. As a result, the upper edge 20a of the hood 20 is continuous in the circumferential direction at the same height. This improves the strength of the upper edge 20 a of the hood 20. Accordingly, when a horizontal external force is applied to the female connector 100 in the locked state (FIGS. 12 and 13), the hood 20 suppresses the inclination and movement of the female connector 100. Accordingly, since the engagement between the claw 34 and the annular protrusion 123 is prevented from being disengaged due to the inclination or movement of the female connector 100, the possibility that the locked state is unintentionally released is reduced, and the safety is improved. . In addition, the hood 20 can be prevented from being destroyed by the inclination or movement of the female connector 100.

  The flow channel 11 of the male luer 10 is not opened on the tip surface 10 t of the male luer 10, and the lateral hole 12 communicating with the flow channel 11 is opened on the outer peripheral surface of the male luer 10. This is because when the male luer 10 penetrating the septum 110 is subsequently pulled out of the septum 110, the liquid adhering to the periphery of the opening of the lateral hole 12 can be easily peeled off at the edge of the slit 111 of the septum 110. This is advantageous in reducing the amount of liquid remaining around the opening of the lateral hole 12 after being pulled out from the hole.

  The claw 34 of the male connector 1 engages with the annular protrusion 123 formed on the base 120, not the cap 130 of the female connector 100. Therefore, even when the male connector 1 and the female connector 1 are connected (see FIGS. 12 and 13), even if a pulling force in the direction away from the female connector 100 is applied to the male connector 1 unintentionally, the pulling force Acts on the annular projection 123 with which the claw 34 engages, but does not act on the cap 130. Therefore, the problem of the conventional female connector 900 (see FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C) that the cap 930 is plastically deformed or damaged by an unintended external force does not occur in this embodiment.

  In the conventional female connector 900, in order to prevent plastic deformation and breakage of the cap 930 by the pulling force acting on the male connector 950, the thickness (dimension in the radial direction) T of the peripheral wall 135 of the cap 930 (see FIG. 19A). ) Should be increased. However, when the thickness T is increased, the outer diameter of the cap 930 is increased, and it is difficult to downsize the female connector 900 and the male connector 950. On the other hand, in this embodiment, in order to counter the tensile force acting on the male connector 1, for example, the width (dimension in the direction of the central axis 100a) W (see FIG. 7B) of the annular protrusion 123 may be increased. . In this case, it is not necessary to enlarge the outer diameters of the cap 130 and the annular protrusion 123. When the width W of the annular protrusion 123 is increased, the dimension of the peripheral wall 135 of the cap 130 in the direction of the central axis 100a can be reduced accordingly. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize the female connector 100 having a strength for resisting the tensile force acting on the male connector 1 without increasing the size of the female connector 100 and the male connector 1.

  In the conventional female connector 900, the cap 930 is fitted to the base 920 by fitting the locking protrusion 922 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 920 into the locking hole 936 formed in the peripheral wall 935 of the cap 930. Fixed (see FIG. 19A). In such an engagement structure that engages in the radial direction, in order to firmly fix the cap 930 to the base 920, the protruding height in the radial direction of the locking projection 922 is increased, and the peripheral wall 135 of the cap 930 is increased. It is necessary to increase the thickness T. This made it difficult to downsize the female connector 900 and the male connector 950. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the cap 130 is attached to the base 120 by engaging the engaging claw 122 of the base 120 with the engaging claw 137 of the notch 136 formed in the peripheral wall 135 thereof. It is fixed (see FIGS. 6 and 8). In such an engagement structure in which the engagement claw 137 and the engagement claw 122 mesh in the substantially circumferential direction, the fixing strength of the cap 130 with respect to the base 120 is such that the engagement claw 137 and the engagement claw 122 engage in the circumferential direction. Depends on depth. That is, unlike the conventional engagement structure that engages in the radial direction, the cap 130 can be firmly fixed to the base 120 without changing the outer diameter of the cap 130. Therefore, the engagement structure of the engagement claw 137 and the engagement claw 122 of this embodiment is advantageous for reducing the diameter of the female connector 100 and the male connector 1.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in a state where the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 are connected (see FIGS. 12 and 13), the possibility that an unintended large external force is applied to the cap 130 is low. Therefore, the fixing strength of the cap 130 with respect to the base 120 can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. Thereby, the meshing depth of the engagement claw 137 and the engagement claw 122 in the circumferential direction can be reduced. This facilitates the work of attaching the cap 130 to the base 120 by engaging the engaging claws 137 and the engaging claws 122, which is advantageous in improving the assemblability of the female connector 100.

  However, the engagement structure similar to the conventional engagement structure engaged in the radial direction in which the locking projection 922 of the base 920 fits into the locking hole 936 of the peripheral wall 935 of the cap 930 is based on the cap 130 of this embodiment. You may use as an engagement structure for fixing to the stand 120. FIG. Even in this case, in this embodiment, the possibility that an unintended large external force is applied to the cap 130 is low, and thus the cap 130 can be made smaller in diameter than the conventional cap 930.

  Since the annular protrusion 123 is continuous over the entire circumference of the base 120, when the male connector 1 is connected to the female connector 100, the male connector 1 rotates in the direction of rotation around the central axes 1 a and 100 a with respect to the female connector 100. Even in any position, the claw 34 can be engaged with the locking surface 126 of the annular protrusion 123. This is advantageous in improving the operability of connection between the male connector 1 and the female connector 100. Moreover, the male connector 1 can be freely rotated around the central axes 1a and 100a with respect to the female connector 100 while the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 are connected. This is advantageous for easily eliminating twisting of a tube connected to the male connector 1 and / or the female connector 100 in a state where the male connector 1 and the female connector 100 are connected.

  The top of the annular protrusion 123 (the part farthest from the central axis 100a) forms substantially the same surface as the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 135. Thereby, the operation of connecting the male connector 1 to the female connector 100 and the operation of separating the connected male connector 1 from the female connector 100 are performed on the peripheral wall 135 of the cap 130 and the annular protrusion 123 on the tip 34t of the claw 34. Can be performed while sliding. This is advantageous for improving the workability of connection and disconnection. Similarly, the fact that the top portion of the engagement protrusion 121 (the portion farthest from the central axis 100a) forms substantially the same surface as the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 135 is also advantageous in improving the workability of connection and separation. .

(Various modified embodiments)
The above embodiments are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate.

  In the above embodiment, the engaging surface 34b is provided with the convex portion 34p as a fitting structure that is provided on the engaging surface 34b of the claw 34 and the engaging surface 126 of the annular protrusion 123, and is engaged. The surface 126 was provided with a recess 126a. The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a concave portion may be provided on the engaging surface 34 b and a convex portion may be provided on the locking surface 126. In this case, the recess provided in the engagement surface 34b is preferably a groove extending along a circular arc coaxial with the male luer 10, and an inclined surface is provided adjacent to the male luer 10 side in the recess. preferable. Moreover, it is preferable that the convex part provided in the latching surface 126 is a cyclic | annular convex part extended along the circle concentric with the central axis 100a, and the edge by the side of the central axis 100a of the said convex part is the central axis 100a. And a coaxial cylindrical surface.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a pair of notches 23 extending from the upper edge 20 a of the male connector 2 toward the base 19 in parallel with the male luer 10 may be formed in the hood 20 of the male connector 2. The pair of notches 23 are opposed to each other with the male luer 10 interposed therebetween, and the direction in which the pair of notches 23 is opposed is substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the lock lever 30 and the male luer 10 are opposed. This male connector 2 can be connected to a female connector 200 shown in FIG. The female connector 200 is provided in the middle of the flexible tube 230 and functions as a so-called mixed injection port (see, for example, Patent Document 3). The configuration of the female connector 200 is substantially the same as that of the female connector 100 described above. The female connector 100 has an annular protrusion 123 that is continuous in the circumferential direction. However, the female connector 200 in FIG. 17 has an arc-shaped protrusion 223 that is formed only in a part in the circumferential direction. A claw 34 formed on the lock lever 30 engages with a locking surface facing the lower side of the protrusion 223. The locking surface is formed with a groove and an inclined surface similar to the groove (concave portion) 126a and the inclined surface 126c provided on the locking surface 126 described above. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the male connector 2 is connected to the female connector 200. A tube 230 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the needleless port 200 is fitted into a notch 23 formed in the hood 20. Thus, the male connector 2 in which the notch 23 is formed in the hood 20 can be connected to the mixed injection port 200 without the hood 20 interfering with the tube 230.

  If the lock lever 30 includes a claw that engages with the female connector and has a cantilever support structure that can be elastically displaced, the shape of the lock lever 30 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the lock lever 30 of the above embodiment is formed by forming a substantially “U” -shaped slit 21 in the hood 20. For example, the lock lever 30 is outside the hood 20 (the side far from the male luer 10). Further, it may be provided separately from the hood 20. At this time, the fixed end of the lock lever can be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hood 20 or on the base 19 protruding from the hood 20. The claw of the lock lever can be engaged with the female connector through an opening formed in the hood or above the upper edge 20a of the hood.

  The shape of the operation arm 35 can also be arbitrarily changed. The operation portion 35a of the operation arm 35 reduces the force F necessary for displacing the lock lever 30 as it moves away from the fixed end 30b below the fixed end 30b of the lock lever 30 in the vertical direction. Can do. The base end 35 b of the operation arm 35 is preferably provided at a position away from the fixed end 30 b so that the region of the lock lever 30 between the base end 35 b and the fixed end 30 b can be secured as the elastic portion 31. However, when the base end 35b is brought close to the free end 30a, it is necessary to lengthen the operation arm 35, and the mechanical strength of the operation arm 35 is reduced. In general, it is preferable to provide the base end 35b of the operation arm 35 at a substantially intermediate position between the fixed end 30b and the free end 30a as in the above embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the lateral hole 12 of the male luer 10 extends along a straight line (that is, in the radial direction) orthogonal to the central axis 1a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is perpendicular to the central axis 1a. It may extend along a straight line that intersects at an angle other than. The number of the lateral holes 12 is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed. Further, the flow path 11 may be opened in the tip surface 10 t of the male luer 10 without forming the lateral hole 12.

  A cover may be attached to the male luer 10 so that the opening on the distal end side of the flow path of the ORER 10 is not exposed when not connected to the female connector. This cover is made of a flexible material having rubber elasticity. When the male luer 10 is connected to the female connector, the cover is penetrated by the male luer 10 and is elastically compressed and deformed (see Patent Documents 4 and 5).

  In the above embodiment, the locking surface 126 with which the claw 34 engages is provided on the lower surface of the annular protrusion 123 protruding outward along the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the base 120 of the female connector. The locking surface may be provided at other locations. For example, similarly to the conventional female connector 900, a locking surface with which the claw 34 engages may be provided on the lower end surface of the peripheral wall 135 of the cap 130. Alternatively, the inner wall surface of the groove extending in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the base 120 may be a locking surface with which the claw 34 is engaged.

  In the above embodiment, the tops of the protrusions 123 and 223 with which the claw 34 engages form substantially the same surface as the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 135 of the cap 130, but the tops of the protrusions 123 and 223 are the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 135. It may protrude from the surface or may be recessed.

  The base 120 only needs to have a passage (inner cavity 125) for circulating the liquid, and does not need to have a cylindrical shape as in the above embodiment. For example, it may have a hollow polygonal column shape (regular square column shape, regular hexagonal column shape, etc.). The shape of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 135 of the cap 130 can be set so as to fit into the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the base 120.

  In the above embodiment, the cap 130 is fixed to the base 120 by engaging the engaging claw 122 and the engaging claw 137. The method of fixing the cap 130 to the base 120 by engaging the engagement structures formed respectively on the cap 130 and the base 120 is advantageous for easy and quick assembly of the female connector. However, in the present invention, the method of fixing the cap 130 to the base 120 is not limited to the engagement, and any fixing method such as adhesion or welding can be used. Examples of the bonding method include a method using an adhesive such as cyanoacrylate, urethane, and epoxy, and a method using a solvent that dissolves the material of the cap 130 and / or the base 120. As the welding method, known methods such as ultrasonic welding, high frequency welding, and thermal welding can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the through hole into which the male luer of the septum 110 is inserted is the linear slit 111, but the shape of the through hole is not limited to this. For example, the shape of the through hole in plan view (the shape viewed from above) may be an arbitrary shape such as a curved shape, two or more straight lines or a shape in which curved lines intersect (for example, a cross shape), or a dot shape. Regardless of the shape of the through-hole, the through-hole is elastically deformed according to the shape of the outer surface of the male luer when it is inserted, allowing the male luer to be inserted. It is preferable to close the return liquid tightly.

  The field of application of the present invention is not particularly limited, but can be widely used as a male connector and a female connector that need to maintain the connection state reliably. In particular, it can be preferably used in the medical field handling dangerous drugs (for example, anticancer drugs) and blood. Furthermore, it can also be used in various fields that handle liquids such as foods other than those for medical use.

1, 2 Male connector 10 Male luer 11 Flow path 12 Horizontal hole 20 Hood 20a Hood edge 21 Slit 22 Bridge part 23 Notch 30 Lock lever 30a Free end 30b Fixed end 34 Claw 34b Claw engagement surface 34p Projection (Fitting Combined structure)
34e Edge 35 of the convex part 35 Operation arm 35a Tip of the operation arm (operation part)
35b Base end 100, 200 of female arm 110 Female connector 110 Bulkhead member (septum)
111 slit (through hole)
120 base 121 engagement protrusion 122 engagement claw (engagement structure)
123 annular projection 126 locking surface 126a recess (fitting structure)
126c inclined surface 130 cap 132 opening 135 peripheral wall 137 engagement claw (engagement structure)

Claims (13)

A rod-shaped male luer inserted into the female connector;
A male connector comprising a lock mechanism for maintaining the male luer inserted into the female connector,
The locking mechanism is
A hood disposed so as to surround the male luer and into which the female connector is inserted;
A single lock lever with an elastically displaceable cantilever support structure,
The lock lever is arranged so that its free end is the distal end side of the male luer and the fixed end is the proximal end side of the male luer, and the longitudinal direction thereof is substantially parallel to the male luer,
The lock lever includes a claw that engages with the female connector;
The engaging surface that engages the female connector of the claw is formed with a fitting structure that fits with the female connector,
An operation arm protrudes from a surface of the lock lever opposite to the male luer and extends to the fixed end side;
The male connector is characterized in that when a pressing force directed toward the male luer is applied to the tip of the operation arm, the lock lever is elastically displaced so that the claw is separated from the male luer.   The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the fitting structure is a convex portion that fits into a concave portion formed in the female connector.   The male connector according to claim 2, wherein an end edge of the convex portion opposite to the male luer has an arc shape coaxial with the male luer.   4. The male connector according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion has a cylindrical surface coaxial with the male luer at an end edge opposite to the male luer.   The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the claw is provided at the free end of the lock lever. A female connector capable of connecting a male connector having a rod-shaped male luer and a lock mechanism for maintaining the inserted state of the male luer,
The locking mechanism of the male connector includes a claw that engages with the female connector;
The female connector is
A partition member made of an elastic material and having a through-hole into which the male luer is inserted at the center,
A base for holding the peripheral edge of the partition member;
A cap formed with an opening that exposes the through hole of the partition member;
The cap is fixed to the base so that the partition member is sandwiched between the base and the cap in the thickness direction of the partition member,
A locking surface is formed on the base to engage with the claw of the male connector.
A female connector in which a fitting structure for fitting with the male connector is formed on the locking surface.   The female connector according to claim 6, wherein the fitting structure is a concave portion into which a convex portion formed on the claw of the male connector is fitted.   The female connector according to claim 7, wherein the recess is a groove extending along an arc concentric with a central axis of the female connector.   The female connector according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, in the locking surface, the recess and the region outside the recess are connected by an inclined surface.   The female connector according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the locking surface having the fitting structure is formed continuously around the entire periphery of the base.   The female connector according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the locking surface is provided on a protrusion protruding along a radial direction from an outer peripheral surface of the base.   The female connector according to claim 11, wherein a top portion of the protrusion forms substantially the same surface as an outer peripheral surface of a peripheral wall of the cap.   The connector set which consists of the male connector in any one of Claims 1-5, and the female connector in any one of Claims 6-12.

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