JP4575541B2 - Endoscope tube connection method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope tube connection structure and a connection method used for an endoscope, an endoscope treatment tool, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a connection structure of an endoscope tube used for an endoscope, an endoscope treatment tool, etc., a structure in which a connected member having irregularities formed on an outer peripheral surface is press-fitted into an end portion of a flexible tube is generally used. However, there are many cases where sufficient connection strength cannot be obtained.
[0003]
There is also a type in which a male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connected member and it is screwed into the flexible tube like a die to connect the connected member and the flexible tube, but the screw loosens during use. Therefore, the connected member may fall off from the flexible tube.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, after the member to be connected is press-fitted into the end of the flexible tube, the flexible tube is heated and deformed so as to be in close contact with the member to be connected (JPB 3). -29407, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 51-158191, etc.).
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, in order to heat deform a flexible tube made of a synthetic resin such as tetrafluoroethylene resin, it is necessary to heat it to the softening point of the tube.
[0006]
However, the flexible tube heated to the softening point becomes soft and cannot keep its shape, and it softens even when the temperature rises several degrees from the softening point, so the vicinity of the connection part is deformed to a state that does not have a predetermined shape There are many cases where this happens.
[0007]
Then, an object of this invention is to provide the connection structure and connection method of the tube for endoscopes which can connect a flexible tube and a to-be-connected member firmly, without heating.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the connecting structure for an endoscope tube of the present invention is such that a rigid connected member in which a peripheral protrusion having a sharp tip is formed on the outer peripheral surface is inserted into the end of the flexible tube. The member to be connected and the flexible tube are connected so that the circumferential protrusion bites into the fleshy part from the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube and the fleshy part is in close contact with almost the entire surface of the circumferential protrusion. It is.
[0009]
Note that a plurality of circumferential protrusions may protrude from the connected member at intervals in the axial direction, and the outer diameter dimension of the flexible tube in the portion connected to the connected member is constant. Good.
[0010]
In addition, according to the method for connecting an endoscope tube of the present invention, a rigid connected member having a circumferential protrusion with a sharp tip formed on the outer peripheral surface is inserted into the end portion of the flexible tube, and the connected member is inserted. By pressing the flexible tube in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface with a press die without heating the flexible tube to the softening point, the circumferential protrusions bite into the fleshy portion from the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube, and The member to be connected and the flexible tube are coupled so that the fleshy portion is in close contact with almost the entire surface of the projection.
[0011]
The flexible tube may be rotated around the axis relative to the surface of the press die while being pressed by the press die, and the flexible tube at the portion connected to the connected member may be rotated. The outer diameter should be constant.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, 1 is a flexible tube made of a synthetic resin material such as tetrafluoroethylene resin or polyethylene resin, and is used for passing a fluid in an endoscope, or for an endoscope. It is used as a sheath for treatment instruments.
[0013]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a member to be connected such as a cap pipe or a mechanical component connected to the end of the flexible tube 1 and is formed of a hard material such as a metal such as stainless steel or a hard plastic.
[0014]
In this embodiment, the connected member 2 is cylindrical, the inner diameter of the flexible tube 1 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the connected member 2, and the outer diameter of the flexible tube 1 is connected. It is smaller than the outer diameter of the member 2.
[0015]
The connected member 2 is formed with a smaller outer diameter at the connection portion A with the flexible tube 1 than other portions. On the outer peripheral surface of the portion, for example, three protrusions 3 having a pointed tip are formed to protrude in the axial direction at intervals.
[0016]
Each circumferential protrusion 3 is formed in an umbrella shape in which the side facing the end of the connected member 2 is a slope and the back side surface is perpendicular to the axis, and each pointed tip is formed from the outer diameter of the connected member 2. The position is inward.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows a state in which a flexible tube 1 and a connected member 2 are connected, and a small diameter portion of the connected member 2 is inserted into an end portion of the flexible tube 1, and each circumferential projection 3 bites into the fleshy part from the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube 1, and the fleshy part of the flexible tube 1 is in close contact with almost the entire surface of the circumferential protrusion 3.
[0018]
And in the connection part A, the outer surface of the flexible tube 1 does not have an unevenness | corrugation, and the outer diameter dimension of the flexible tube 1 is constant. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the connecting portion A is the same as the outer diameter of the connected member 2.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows a connection method for connecting the flexible tube 1 and the connected member 2 to the state shown in FIG. 1, and the small-diameter portion of the connected member 2 is located in the end of the flexible tube 1. In a state where the tube is simply inserted (press-fitted), the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube 1 comes into contact with the tip of the circumferential protrusion 3 and the diameter of the flexible tube 1 is inflated at that portion. .
[0020]
Therefore, the flexible tube 1 is rotated around the axis with respect to the surfaces of the press dies 101 and 102 while pressing the flexible tube 1 radially from the outer peripheral surface with the press dies 101 and 102 without heating. Thus, the circumferential protrusion 3 bites into the fleshy part of the flexible tube 1.
[0021]
When the fleshy portion of the flexible tube 1 comes into close contact with almost the entire surface of the circumferential protrusion 3, the connection operation is completed. By doing in this way, the flexible tube 1 and the to-be-connected member 2 can be connected to a very strong state with respect to a tensile force etc., without heating the flexible tube 1, and in use Even if the flexible tube 1 and the member 2 to be connected are relatively rotated around the axis, the connected state is not loosened.
[0022]
3 to 5 exemplify a specific connection operation for executing the connection method shown in FIG. 2, and in the example shown in FIG. 3, the connected member 2 is allowed to be inserted into the end portion. The flexible tube 1 is sandwiched between two press dies 101 and 102 having a flat surface, and the flexible tube 1 is pushed and rolled in a state where the surface of the flexible tube 1 is pressed by one press die 101. .
[0023]
In the example shown in FIG. 4, a groove 103 having a semicircular cross-sectional shape having a size corresponding to the outer diameter of the flexible tube 1 after connection in the connection portion A is formed in both press dies 101 and 102. Then, the flexible tube 1 is rotated around the axis together with the connected member 2 in a state where the flexible tube 1 is pressed from both sides by the groove 103 portion.
[0024]
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the same press molds 101 and 102 as used in FIG. 4 are used, and the flexible tube 1 is sandwiched and pressed at the groove 103, and the press molds 101 and 102 are pressed. Is rotated around the axis of the flexible tube 1.
[0025]
FIG. 6 shows a connection structure for an endoscope tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential projection 3 is a substantially equilateral triangle. Thus, what is necessary is just to select suitably the cross-sectional shape, number, etc. of the circumferential protrusion 3 as needed.
[0026]
Further, in this embodiment, the outer diameter dimensions of the flexible tube 1 and the connected member 2 are substantially equal, and the inner diameter dimension of the flexible tube 1 is larger than the inner diameter dimension of the connected member 2.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the flexible tube and the member to be connected can be connected to a very strong state against a tensile force or the like without heating, and the flexible tube and the member to be connected can be connected. Even if it is relatively rotated around the axis, the connection is not loosened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an endoscope tube connection structure according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an endoscope tube connecting method according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a first specific example of a method for connecting an endoscope tube according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second specific example of the connecting method of the endoscope tube of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a third specific example of the connecting method of the endoscope tube of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the connecting structure for an endoscope tube of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible tube 2 To-be-connected member 3 Circumferential protrusion A Connection part

Claims (2)

Insert a rigid connected member having a peripheral protrusion with a sharp tip formed on the outer peripheral surface into the end of the flexible tube,
In the portion where the member to be connected is inserted, the flexible tube is pressed against the surface of the press die in a state where the pressing surface is pressed from the outer peripheral surface in a radial direction without being heated to the softening point . the Rukoto is rotated about relative axis, the circumferential projections bite into the fleshy part of the inner circumferential surface of the flexible tube,
In the region where the member to be connected is inserted, there is no member for mechanically tightening the flexible tube from the outer peripheral side, and the meat portion is brought into close contact with almost the entire surface of the circumferential protrusion. A connection member and the flexible tube are connected to each other. A method for connecting an endoscope tube, wherein: Connection of an outer diameter is constant is claim 1 Symbol placement endoscope tube of the flexible tube in the connection portion with the connected member.

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