JP6904033B2 - Connector assembly - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector assembly in which a flexible tube is connected to a connector made of a hard material.

In the medical field, flexible tubes are used to form channels (sometimes called circuits) for the flow of liquids (eg, blood, chemicals, etc.). A connector consisting of a male connector and a female connector is used to connect the two tubes. As such a connector, a slip connection type connector in which a male taper surface and a female taper surface are fitted (tapered) in order to prevent liquid leakage from between the male connector and the female connector is known. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). The male tapered surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular male member, and its outer diameter becomes smaller as it approaches the tip. The female tapered surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular female member, and its inner diameter increases as it approaches the tip. The diameter and taper angle of the male taper surface and the female taper surface are the same. Therefore, when the male member is inserted into the female member, the male tapered surface and the female tapered surface are in liquid-tight surface contact. Both the male connector and the female connector are made of a hard material that does not substantially deform. The male connector includes a tubular base portion that communicates with the male member, and a tube is connected to the base portion via an adhesive. The female connector also includes a tubular base portion that communicates with the female member, and another tube is connected to the base portion via an adhesive. Thus, the two tubes can be communicated via a connector consisting of a male connector and a female connector.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-075495

In the conventional slip connection type connector described above, the stronger the male member is inserted into the female member, the better the liquidtightness between the male tapered surface and the female tapered surface. However, if the male member is inserted too strongly into the female member, the female member receives a force to increase the diameter from the male member, and the male member receives a force to reduce the diameter from the male member. Therefore, damage such as cracks may occur in one or both of the male member and the female member (collectively referred to as "connecting cylinder"). In order to prevent damage to the connector, the entire connector including the connector (ie, female and male connectors) may be made of a highly tough (ie, tenacious) material (eg polypropylene or polyethylene). It is valid.

However, such a high toughness resin generally has low adhesiveness to an adhesive. Therefore, when the connector is made of a high toughness resin, the connectivity between the base portion and the tube is lowered. This increases the possibility that the base portion and the tube are separated from each other when a tensile force is applied to the tube, or that the liquid material leaks to the outside from the connection portion between the base portion and the tube.

An object of the present invention is to ensure connectivity between a connector and a tube regardless of the material of the connecting cylinder.

The connector assembly of the present invention comprises a connector and a flexible hollow tube connected to the connector. The connector has a tubular connecting cylinder at one end, a tubular base portion at the other end, and a connector main body made of a hard material in which the connecting cylinder communicates with the tube, and a joint. Be prepared. The outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint are adhered to each other in a state where the tube penetrates the joint and the tip end portion of the tube protrudes from the joint. The base portion includes a tube accommodating portion in which the tip end portion of the tube protruding from the joint is housed, and a joint accommodating portion in which the joint is housed. A liquid-tight first seal portion is formed between the tip portion of the tube and the connector body. A liquid-tight second seal portion is formed between the joint and the joint accommodating portion.

In the connector of the present invention, the connector main body having a connecting cylinder and the joint to which the tube is adhered are made of separate members. Therefore, for example, the material of the joint body can be selected in consideration of the adhesiveness while selecting the material of the connector body so as not to cause damage such as cracks in the connection cylinder. Therefore, the connectivity between the connector and the tube can be ensured regardless of the material of the connecting cylinder.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the female connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a female connector main body constituting the female connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a side view of the female connector main body. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a side view of the joint. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the joint. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing one manufacturing process of the female connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an example of a male connector that can be connected to the female connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view thereof. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the female connector assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the joint according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a side view of the joint. FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the joint. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of another female connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of another female connector assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the connector assembly of the present invention, the first seal portion may be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the tube accommodating portion. Thereby, the first seal portion can be formed with a simple structure.

In the first seal portion, the inner peripheral surface of the tube accommodating portion may be compressed in the radial direction so that the tip portion of the tube is reduced in diameter. As a result, even if the material of the connector body is not excellent in adhesiveness, a liquid-tight first seal portion can be formed between the tube and the connector body.

In the first seal portion, the tip end portion of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the tube accommodating portion may be adhered to each other. This is advantageous for further improving the sealing property of the first sealing portion.

An inner diameter transition region in which the inner diameter changes so that the inner diameter decreases from the joint accommodating portion toward the tube accommodating portion may be provided between the joint accommodating portion and the tube accommodating portion. This facilitates the insertion of the tube into the tube compartment in the manufacture of the connector assembly.

The second seal portion includes an annular protrusion provided on one of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion, which is continuous in the circumferential direction, and the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the joint accommodating portion. It may be formed between the inner peripheral surface and the other. This is advantageous in improving the sealing property of the second sealing portion with a simple configuration.

The other of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion may be a cylindrical surface having a constant diameter in the central axis direction. As a result, even if the joint is displaced in the central axis direction in the joint accommodating portion, the sealing property of the second sealing portion can be ensured.

The second seal portion approaches the male tapered surface provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint and whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip, and the connecting cylinder provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion. Therefore, it may be formed between the female taper surface having a smaller inner diameter. This is advantageous in improving the sealing property of the second sealing portion by bringing the male tapered surface and the female tapered surface into surface contact with each other.

A liquid-tight third seal portion may be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint bonded to each other. This is advantageous in preventing the liquid matter from flowing out to the outside world for a long period of time.

The joint may be firmly coupled to the connector body so that the joint does not come out of the base portion. This is advantageous for further improving the connectivity between the connector and the tube.

The joint accommodating portion and the joint may be provided with an engaging structure that engages with each other. As a result, the connector body and the joint can be firmly connected with a simple configuration.

The engaging structure may include a recess and a protrusion that fits into the recess. This is advantageous for simplifying the configuration of the engagement structure.

The recess may be an annular groove continuous in the circumferential direction. As a result, the concave portion and the convex portion can be engaged with each other regardless of the position in the rotational direction around the central axis of the joint.

The engaging structure provided in the joint accommodating portion and the engaging structure provided in the joint may be irreversibly engaged with each other. This makes it possible to prevent the tube from coming out of the connector body together with the joint even when tension is applied to the tube.

The connector body may further include an inner cylinder in the tube accommodating portion. In this case, the inner cylinder may be inserted into the tip of the tube. The outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder may be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tube, and a liquid-tight seal portion (first seal portion) may be formed between the inner cylinder and the tube. Alternatively, the inner cylinder prevents the tube from being excessively deformed so that a liquid-tight seal portion (first seal portion) is surely formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion. It may be prevented.

The connecting cylinder may be a female member provided with a tapered surface whose inner peripheral surface increases as the inner diameter approaches the tip. The female member is more likely to crack than the male member. When the connector of the present invention is a female connector provided with a female member, it is advantageous to improve the durability of the female member while ensuring the connectivity between the female connector and the tube.

The material of the connector body may be different from the material of the joint. This is advantageous in preventing damage such as cracks in the connecting cylinder while ensuring connectivity between the connector and the tube.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to suitable embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For convenience of explanation, each figure referred to in the following description is a simplified representation of the main members constituting the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, within the scope of the present invention, any member not shown in the drawings may be added, or any member shown in the drawings may be changed or omitted. In the drawings cited in the description of each embodiment, the members corresponding to the members shown in the drawings cited in the preceding embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals as those assigned in the drawings of the preceding embodiments. is there. Overlapping description of such members has been omitted, and description of the preceding embodiments should be taken into account as appropriate.

(Embodiment 1)
An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a female connector assembly is shown. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the female connector assembly 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly 1 along a plane including the central axis 1a. As shown in FIG. 1B, the female connector assembly 1 includes a female connector 100 and a tube 180. The female connector 100 includes a female connector main body 101 and a joint 130. The central shaft 1a of the female connector assembly 1 is common to the central shafts of the female connector main body 101, the joint 130, and the tube 180 that constitute the female connector assembly 1. For the convenience of the following description, the direction parallel to the central axis 1a is referred to as "vertical direction". "Top" and "bottom" are defined based on FIGS. 1A-1B. However, "upper" and "lower" do not mean the orientation of the female connector assembly 1 in actual use. The direction parallel to the plane perpendicular to the central axis 1a is called the "horizontal direction". The direction orthogonal to the central axis 1a is referred to as "radial direction" or "diametrical direction", and the direction rotating around the central axis 1a is referred to as "circumferential direction".

2A is a perspective view of the female connector main body 101, FIG. 2B is a side view of the female connector main body 101, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body 101. The female connector main body 101 is provided with a female member (connecting cylinder) 110 at one end and a base portion 120 at the other end. The female member 110 and the base portion 120 are arranged coaxially.

As shown in FIG. 3, the female member 110 has a hollow substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The inner peripheral surface of the female member 110 includes a tapered surface (so-called female tapered surface) 112 whose inner diameter increases as it approaches the tip. A small diameter portion 117 having an inner diameter smaller than that of the tapered surface 112 is provided behind the tapered surface 112. Preferably, the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 117 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the tube 180 (see FIG. 1B). The outer peripheral surface of the female member 110 includes a cylindrical surface 113 whose outer diameter is constant in the central axis direction. The cylindrical surface 113 is provided with a spiral protrusion (male screw) 115 (see FIG. 2A). The spiral protrusion 115 extends along a spiral (that is, a string winding). In the present invention, the spiral protrusion 115 may be omitted.

The base portion 120 also has a hollow substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The base portion 120 communicates with the female member 110 via the small diameter portion 117. The base portion 120 includes a tube storage portion 121 in which the tip end portion of the tube 180 is stored and a joint storage portion 122 in which the joint 130 is stored (see FIG. 1B). The tube storage portion 121 is located on the small diameter portion 117 side with respect to the joint storage portion 122.

The inner peripheral surface of the tube accommodating portion 121 includes the first inner peripheral surface 121a. The first inner peripheral surface 121a is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the central axis direction. The inner diameter of the first inner peripheral surface 121a is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 117 and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 180 (see FIG. 1B).

At the boundary between the small diameter portion 117 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a, a stepped surface 126 is provided due to the difference in inner diameter between the two. The step surface 126 is an annular plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

The inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion 122 includes the second inner peripheral surface 122a. The second inner peripheral surface 122a is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the central axis direction. The inner diameter of the second inner peripheral surface 122a is larger than the inner diameter of the first inner peripheral surface 121a.

An inner diameter transition region 127 is provided between the tube accommodating portion 121 and the joint accommodating portion 122 due to the difference in inner diameter between the first inner peripheral surface 121a and the second inner peripheral surface 122a. In the inner diameter transition region 127, the inner diameter is changed so that the inner diameter decreases from the joint accommodating portion 122 (second inner peripheral surface 122a) toward the tube accommodating portion 121 (first inner peripheral surface 121a). The inner diameter transition region 127 of the present embodiment is composed of a convex curved surface having a substantially arcuate cross section protruding toward the lumen of the base portion 120. However, the inner diameter transition region 127 of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the inner diameter becomes smaller from the joint accommodating portion 122 (second inner peripheral surface 122a) toward the tube accommodating portion 121 (first inner peripheral surface 121a). It may be a tapered surface that is inclined so as to be. A stepped surface, which is an annular plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis, may be provided between the tube accommodating portion 121 and the joint accommodating portion 122, similar to the stepped surface 126. The inner edge of the stepped surface (that is, the edge of the opening of the tube accommodating portion 121 on the joint accommodating portion 122 side) may be provided with a convex curved surface or a tapered surface similar to the inner diameter transition region 127 described above.

The inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion 122 is adjacent to the opening side (that is, the side opposite to the tube accommodating portion 121) facing downward of the base portion 120 with respect to the second inner peripheral surface 122a in the circumferential direction. A continuous annular groove 123 is provided. The groove 123 is configured by combining two tapered surfaces having opposite taper directions so as to have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. The taper angle of the tapered surface 123a below the deepest portion of the groove 123 (the portion where the inner diameter of the groove 123 is the maximum) is significantly larger than the taper angle of the tapered surface above the deepest portion (the second inner peripheral surface 122a side). large. The tapered surface 123a may be along a horizontal plane perpendicular to the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 120 is a substantially cylindrical surface. A pair of grip portions 128 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 120 so as to project in the radial direction. The pair of grip portions 128 makes it easy for the operator to grip the female connector main body 101 (furthermore, the female connector 100) and apply a rotational force. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each grip portion 128 along the horizontal direction is a hollow substantially “U” shape. However, the shape of the grip portion 128 is not limited to this and is arbitrary. For example, it may be a thin plate-like object in which the grip portion extends along the radial direction. The grip portion may be separated from the base portion 120 in the radial direction. For example, similarly to the grip portion 928 provided on the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) described later, the grip portion may have a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-sectional shape and surround the base portion 120. Alternatively, the grip portion 128 may be omitted. The outer peripheral surface of the base portion 120 may be formed on, for example, a polygonal prism surface (square prism surface, hexagonal prism surface, etc.) to improve the gripability of the female connector main body 101 (furthermore, the female connector 100).

The material of the female connector main body 101 is not limited, but is preferably a hard material having mechanical strength (rigidity) that is not substantially deformed by an external force. For example, resin materials such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyacetal (POM), polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, hard polyvinyl chloride, and acrylic-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) can be used. The direction in which the female member 110 receives when the male member (for example, the male member 910 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) is inserted into the female member 110 to increase the diameter of the female member 110 (that is, outward in the radial direction). Depending on the material of the female connector main body 101, the female member 110 may be damaged by the force such as cracks. In order to reduce this possibility, the material of the female connector main body 101 preferably has high toughness (that is, tenacity), and from this viewpoint, polypropylene and polyethylene are preferable, and polypropylene is particularly preferable. The female connector main body 101 can be integrally manufactured as a single component by an injection molding method or the like using the above resin material.

4A is a perspective view of the joint 130, FIG. 4B is a side view of the joint 130, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the joint 130. The joint 130 has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape as a whole, provided with a through hole 138 along the central axis. The inner peripheral surface of the through hole 138 is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the central axis direction. Such a cylindrical surface may be provided only in a part of the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 138 in the central axial direction. The inner diameter of the cylindrical surface of the through hole 138 is preferably substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube 138, and particularly preferably the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 138.

The outer peripheral surface of the joint 130 is provided with a cylindrical surface 131 and a protrusion (first protrusion) 133 adjacent to the cylindrical surface 131 on the lower side.

The outer diameter of the cylindrical surface 131 is constant in the central axis direction, and is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second inner peripheral surface 122a (see FIG. 3) of the female connector main body 101. The cylindrical surface 131 is provided with a protrusion (second protrusion) 132 that protrudes outward in the radial direction. The protrusion 132 is an annular rib that is continuous in the circumferential direction. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 132 is not limited, but is substantially triangular in the present embodiment. The outer diameter of the protrusion 132 at the top of the protrusion 132 (the portion of the protrusion 132 having the largest outer diameter) is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the female connector main body 101.

The protrusion 133 is also an annular rib continuous in the circumferential direction. The protrusion 133 is formed by combining two tapered surfaces having opposite taper directions so as to have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. The taper angle of the tapered surface 133a below the top of the protrusion 133 (the portion of the protrusion 133 having the maximum outer diameter) is significantly larger than the taper angle of the tapered surface above the top (cylindrical surface 131 side). The tapered surface 133a may be along a horizontal plane perpendicular to the central axis. The taper angle of the tapered surface 133a is substantially the same as the taper angle of the tapered surface 123a (see FIG. 3) forming the groove 123 of the female connector main body 101.

The material of the joint 130 is not limited, but a resin material is preferable. For example, machines such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyacetal (POM), polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, rigid polyvinyl chloride, acrylic-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), etc., which are not substantially deformed by an external force. A hard resin material having a target strength (rigidity) and a soft resin material such as urethane, soft polyvinyl chloride, and polybutadiene that can be deformed relatively easily can be used. In order to obtain a high bonding strength between the joint 130 and the base portion 120, the joint 130 is preferably made of a hard material. Further, as will be described later, the joint 130 is adhered to the tube 180 inserted into the through hole 138. In order to increase the adhesive strength, the material of the joint 130 preferably has good adhesiveness, and from this viewpoint, hard polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, and ABS are preferable, and hard polyvinyl chloride is particularly preferable. The joint 130 can be integrally manufactured as a single part by an injection molding method or the like using the above resin material.

Next, a method of manufacturing the female connector assembly 1 will be described.

First, the joint 130 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) is inserted into the downward-facing opening (see FIG. 3) of the base portion 120 of the female connector main body 101. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the joint 130 is inserted into the joint accommodating portion 122 of the base portion 120.

The protrusion 133 of the joint 130 is fitted into the groove 123 of the base portion 120. Since the groove 123 is an annular groove continuous in the circumferential direction, the protrusion 133 can be fitted into the groove 123 regardless of the position in the rotational direction around the central axis of the joint 130 with respect to the base portion 120. The tapered surface 133a of the protrusion 133 faces (preferably abuts) the tapered surface 123a of the groove 123 in the central axial direction. As described above, since the tapered surfaces 123a and 133a have a very large taper angle, once the protrusion 133 is fitted into the groove 123, the joint 130 is then pulled downward from the female connector main body 101. However, it is difficult to disengage the protrusion 133 and the groove 123. That is, the protrusion 133 and the groove 123 are irreversibly engaged with each other.

The protrusion 132 of the joint 130 is in contact with the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the base portion 120. As described above, the outer diameter at the top of the protrusion 132 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the second inner peripheral surface 122a. Therefore, the second inner peripheral surface 122a is slightly compressed and deformed in the radial direction so as to reduce the diameter of the protrusion 132. And / or, the protrusion 132 is slightly compressed and deformed in the radial direction so as to expand the diameter of the second inner peripheral surface 122a. Due to the elastic restoring force of the protrusion 132 and / or the second inner peripheral surface 122a generated by these, the protrusion 132 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second inner peripheral surface 122a, and is between the protrusion 132 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a. A liquid-tight seal portion S2 is formed on the surface.

The tip of the joint 130 faces (preferably abuts) the inner diameter transition region 127 between the tube accommodating portion 121 and the joint accommodating portion 122 in the central axial direction.

Next, the tube 180 is inserted into the through hole 138 of the joint 130. The outer peripheral surface of at least the portion of the tube 180 to be inserted into the female connector 100 is a cylindrical surface having a constant outer diameter in the longitudinal direction. The tube 180 is flexible enough to be easily bent and deformed in the radial direction. The material of the tube 180 is not limited, but a soft material is preferable, and for example, a resin material such as soft polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, or polybutadiene can be used, and soft polyvinyl chloride is particularly preferable.

Prior to inserting the tube 180 into the through hole 138 of the joint 130, the adhesive 185 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the tube 180 and its vicinity. The adhesive 185 can be appropriately selected depending on the materials of the tube 180 and the joint 130. For example, a solvent-based adhesive can be used.

The tube 180 coated with the adhesive 185 is inserted into the through hole 138 of the joint 130. The tube 180 penetrates the joint 130 and further enters the tube accommodating portion 121 of the base portion 120. The tube 180 is inserted into the female connector 100 until the tip of the tube 180 collides with the stepped surface 126 at the boundary between the small diameter portion 117 and the tube accommodating portion 121. The inner diameter transition region 127 guides the tube 180 to the tube accommodating portion 121.

After a while, the adhesive 185 adheres the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 138 of the joint 130, and a liquid-tight sealing portion S3 (see FIG. 1B) is formed between the two. Further, the adhesive 185 may adhere the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the tube 180 protruding from the joint 130 to the first inner peripheral surface 121a of the tube accommodating portion 121. However, depending on the material of the female connector main body 101, the adhesive strength between the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a may be relatively low.

As described above, the inner diameter of the first inner peripheral surface 121a is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 180. Therefore, the first inner peripheral surface 121a is slightly compressed and deformed in the radial direction so as to reduce the diameter of the tip portion of the tube 180. Due to the elastic restoring force of the tube 180, the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 is brought into close contact with the first inner peripheral surface 121a, and a liquid-tight sealing portion S1 (see FIG. 1B) is formed between the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a. To.

Thus, the female connector assembly 1 of the first embodiment is obtained (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).

As shown in FIG. 1B, in the female connector assembly 1, the tube 180 is bonded to the joint 130, and the joint 130 is engaged to the female connector body 101 by an engaging structure (groove 123 and protrusion 133). .. The materials of the female connector main body 101 and the joint 130 can be freely selected in consideration of their respective functions. For example, in order to prevent damage such as cracks from occurring in the female member 110, a material having high toughness (for example, polypropylene) can be selected as the material of the female connector main body 101 including the female member 110. Further, in order to secure high adhesive strength between the tube 180 and the joint 130, a material having good adhesiveness (for example, hard polyvinyl chloride) can be selected as the material of the joint 130. As a result, it is possible to reduce damage to the female member 110 and secure the connectivity between the female connector 100 and the tube 180 at the same time.

A two-color molding method is known as a method of integrating two parts made of different materials. However, the two-color molding method has problems such as a limitation on the combination of materials that can be used and a high cost due to the complicated mold structure. In the female connector assembly 1 of the first embodiment, the female connector main body 101 and the joint 130 are integrated by engaging the engaging structure (groove 123 and protrusion 133) without using the two-color molding method. The female connector assembly 1 of the first embodiment can be manufactured at low cost by solving the above-mentioned problems of the two-color molding method and selecting the optimum materials for the female connector main body 101 and the joint 130, respectively.

The female member 110 of the female connector assembly 1 is connected to a male connector having a male member having a male tapered surface that fits the tapered surface 112. An example of the male connector is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the male connector 900, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view thereof. As shown in FIG. 6B, the male connector 900 includes a male member (connecting cylinder) 910 at one end and a base portion 920 at the other end. The male member 910 has a hollow substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The flow path 911 penetrates the male member 910 along its longitudinal direction. The outer peripheral surface of the male member 910 includes a tapered surface (so-called male tapered surface) 912 whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip. A cylindrical outer cylinder 913 surrounds the male member 910. A female screw 915 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 913 facing the male member 910. The base portion 920 also has a hollow substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The base portion 920 is arranged coaxially with the male member 910 and communicates with the flow path 911. A flexible tube 980 is inserted in the base portion 920. The outer peripheral surface of the tube 980 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the substrate portion 920 via an adhesive. The grip portion 928 surrounds the base portion 920. The cross-sectional shape of the grip portion 928 along the plane parallel to the horizontal direction is rectangular. The grip portion 928, like the pair of grip portions 128 of the female connector main body 101, facilitates the operator to grip the male connector 900 and apply a rotational force. The shape of the grip portion 928 is not limited to this, and is arbitrary. The grip portion 928 may be omitted. The female connector assembly 1 and the male connector 900 are connected by inserting the male member 910 into the female member 110 and screwing the spiral protrusion 115 and the female screw 915. Since the female tapered surface 112 of the female member 110 and the male tapered surface 912 of the male member 910 have the same diameter and taper angle, they are in liquid-tight surface contact with each other. The liquid material flows through the tube 980, the male member 910, the female member 110, the small diameter portion 117, and the tube 180 in this order or vice versa.

Returning to FIG. 1B, a part of the liquid material may infiltrate between the stepped surface 126 and the tip of the tube 180. It is necessary to prevent this liquid material from flowing out to the outside world of the female connector assembly 1.

As described above, in the female connector assembly 1, a liquid-tight seal portion (first seal portion) S1 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a of the tube storage portion 121, and a joint is formed. A liquid-tight seal portion (second seal portion) S2 is formed between the protrusion 132 of the 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the joint accommodating portion 122, and further, the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the through hole 138 of the joint 130. A liquid-tight seal portion (third seal portion) S3 is formed between the inner peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the seal portion.

The first seal portion S1 between the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a is formed mainly by the first inner peripheral surface 121a compressing the tube 180 in the radial direction. Therefore, the sealing property of the first sealing portion S1 may be deteriorated by the long-term use of the female connector assembly 1. Even if the liquid material passes through the first seal portion S1, the second and third seal portions S2 and S3 prevent the liquid material from leaking out of the female connector assembly 1. As described above, since the female connector assembly 1 includes the multi-stage sealing portions S1, S2, and S3, it is possible to prevent the liquid material from flowing out to the outside world for a long period of time.

As described with reference to FIG. 5, the second seal portion S2 is formed between the protrusion 132 of the joint 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the joint accommodating portion 122. The second inner peripheral surface 122a is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the central axis direction. This is advantageous for ensuring the sealing property of the second sealing portion S2 regardless of the position of the joint 130 in the central axial direction with respect to the base portion 120. Therefore, for example, even if the joint 130 is displaced in the joint accommodating portion 122 in the central axial direction due to a play between the engaging structure (projection 133 and the groove 123) of the joint 130 and the female connector main body 101, the first 2 The sealing property of the sealing portion S2 does not change. This makes it possible to relax the dimensional accuracy of the engaging structures (grooves 123 and protrusions 133).

Further, the second seal portion S2 is formed by the top portion of the annular protrusion 132 pressing the second inner peripheral surface 122a. This configuration is advantageous for improving the sealing property of the second sealing portion S2 because the pressing force is concentrated in an extremely narrow region where the top of the protrusion 132 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a come into contact with each other.

Unlike the above embodiment, the cylindrical surface 131 of the joint 130 is not provided with the protrusion 132, and instead, the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the joint accommodating portion 122 is provided with an annular protrusion protruding inward in the radial direction. May be provided. In this case, the second seal portion S2 is formed between the annular protrusion and the cylindrical surface 131.

The annular protrusion constituting the second seal portion S2 may be composed of a seal member such as an O-ring. The seal member can be mounted in an annular groove provided on one of the cylindrical surface 131 of the joint 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the joint accommodating portion 122. In this case, the second seal portion S2 is formed between the seal member and the other of the cylindrical surface 131 of the joint 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the joint accommodating portion 122. Using a sealing member that is a separate component from the female connector main body 101 and the joint 130 increases the number of components constituting the female connector assembly 1, but is advantageous in improving the sealing property of the second sealing portion S2. There is.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the female connector assembly 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly 2 along a plane including the central axis 1a. Similar to the first embodiment, the female connector assembly 2 includes a female connector 200 and a tube 180. The female connector 200 includes a female connector main body 201 and a joint 230. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body 201. 9A is a perspective view of the joint 230, FIG. 9B is a side view of the joint 230, and FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the joint 230. The female connector assembly 2 of the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the female connector main body 101 of the first embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion 122 includes the second inner peripheral surface 122a, and the second inner peripheral surface 122a is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the central axis direction. (See FIG. 3). On the other hand, in the female connector main body 201 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion 122 includes the second inner peripheral surface 222a, and the second inner peripheral surface 222a is , A female tapered surface whose inner diameter decreases as it approaches the tube accommodating portion 121 (or female member 110). The second inner peripheral surface 222a is adjacent to the first inner peripheral surface 121a via the inner diameter transition region 127. An annular groove 123 continuous in the circumferential direction is adjacent to the second inner peripheral surface 222a on the lower side (that is, the side opposite to the tube accommodating portion 121).

Further, in the joint 130 of the first embodiment, the cylindrical surface 131 is provided adjacent to the tip side with respect to the protrusion (first protrusion) 133, and the cylindrical surface 131 is provided with the annular protrusion (second protrusion) 132. (See FIGS. 4A-4C). On the other hand, in the joint 230 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, a male tapered surface 231 is provided adjacent to the tip side of the protrusion (first protrusion) 133. There is. The male tapered surface 231 is a tapered surface whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip of the joint 230 (upper side in FIG. 9C). The male tapered surface 231 is not provided with the protrusion (second protrusion) 132 of the first embodiment.

The female connector assembly 2 is manufactured in the same manner as the male connector assembly 1 of the first embodiment.

The diameter and taper angle of the second inner peripheral surface (female tapered surface) 222a of the joint accommodating portion 122 and the male tapered surface 231 of the joint 230 are the same. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the joint 230 is housed in the joint storage portion 122 so that the protrusion 133 fits into the groove 123, the male taper surface 231 and the second inner peripheral surface 222a come into surface contact with each other. , A liquid-tight seal portion (second seal portion) S2 is formed between the two. The second seal portion S2 between the male tapered surface 231 and the second inner peripheral surface 222a is the same as the second seal portion S2 (see FIG. 1B) between the protrusion 132 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the first embodiment. The first seal portion S1 between the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a is complemented. Therefore, since the female connector assembly 2 also includes the multi-stage sealing portions S1, S2, and S3, it is possible to prevent the liquid material from flowing out to the outside world for a long period of time.

The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the above. The description of the first embodiment also applies to the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, the female connector assembly 3 includes a female connector 300 and a tube 180. The female connector 300 includes a female connector main body 301 and a joint 130. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body 301. The female connector assembly 3 of the third embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the inner pipe 321 projects from the stepped surface 126 into the tube accommodating portion 121. The inner tube 321 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is coaxial with the first inner peripheral surface 121a. The inner pipe 321 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a are separated from each other in the radial direction. The outer diameter of the inner tube 321 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the tube 180. The inner diameter of the small diameter portion 317 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the inner pipe 321 and is smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 117 (see FIG. 3) of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the tip end portion of the tube 180 is inserted between the inner tube 321 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a. The inner tube 321 is inserted into the tube 180.

In the third embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 321 may be in close contact with each other, and a liquid-tight seal portion S1'may be formed between the two. The seal portion S1'consists of the first seal portion. In this case, the liquid-tight sealing portion S1 may or may not be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a. When liquid-tight sealing portions S1 and S1'are formed between the tip of the tube 180 and the female connector main body 301, the sealing portions S1 and S1'form the first sealing portion, and the first sealing portion of the first sealing portion is formed. Sealability is improved.

Alternatively, the liquid-tight sealing portion S1'may not be formed between the inner peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 321. In this case, the first seal portion is composed of a seal portion S1 between the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a. In order to form the liquid-tight seal portion S1, as described in the first embodiment, the first inner peripheral surface 121a is slightly compressed and deformed in the radial direction so as to reduce the diameter of the tip portion of the tube 180. Is preferable. However, if the tube 180 is deformed so much that the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 is recessed, the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a may be separated from each other, and the liquid-tight sealing portion S1 may not be formed. The inner tube 321 can prevent such excessive deformation of the tube 180, and can surely form a liquid-tight sealing portion S1 between the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a.

In the third embodiment, the inner diameter of the first inner peripheral surface 121a and the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 321 are set so that one or both of the seal portion S1 and the seal portion S1'are appropriately formed.

The third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the above. The description of the first embodiment also applies to the third embodiment. The inner cylinder 321 of the third embodiment can be applied to the female connector assembly 2 of the second embodiment.

The above embodiments 1 to 3 are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments, and can be appropriately modified.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the first sealing portion S1 is formed by the first inner peripheral surface 121a, which is a cylindrical surface, coming into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first inner peripheral surface 121a may be provided with an annular protrusion (rib) continuous in the circumferential direction, and a liquid-tight first seal portion S1 may be formed between the protrusion and the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180. .. The inner diameter of the protrusion at the top of the protrusion is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 180. This configuration is advantageous for improving the sealing property of the first sealing portion S1 because the protrusion locally presses the tube 180. In this configuration, the inner diameter of the first inner peripheral surface 121a is preferably slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tube 180. The first inner peripheral surface 121a does not have to be a cylindrical surface having a constant inner diameter in the central axis direction.

Alternatively, the tip of the tube 180 is pressed against the lower surfaces of the small diameter portions 117 and 317 (that is, the stepped surface 126) in the central axial direction to form the first seal portion S1 between the stepped surface 126 and the tube 180. May be good.

The female member of the present invention is not limited to the above-described first to third embodiments. The female member 110 may have a tapered surface (female tapered surface) 112 whose inner diameter increases as it approaches the tip on its inner peripheral surface. The dimensions of the female tapered surface (inner diameter, taper angle, length in the central axis direction, etc.) are arbitrary. The outer peripheral surface 113 of the female member 110 does not have to be a cylindrical surface, and the cylindrical surface 113 may not be provided with the spiral protrusion 115. If the female member 110 has the female tapered surface 112, the female member 110 receives an outward force in the radial direction from the inserted male member, and the female member 110 may be damaged such as a crack. The present invention is advantageous in preventing such damage to the female member 110. Therefore, the female connector assembly of the present invention is connected to the male connector by simply fitting the male tapered surface of the male connector to the female tapered surface 112 without screwing using the spiral protrusion 115 (this). Such connections may be configured to be referred to as "slip connections").

The engagement structure for irreversibly engaging the joint with the female connector body is not limited to the groove 123 and the protrusion 133, and is a convex portion and a concave portion that engage with each other, or a convex portion and a convex portion that engage with each other. It may be a part or the like. The convex portion may be an annular convex portion continuous in the circumferential direction such as the protrusion 133, or may be one or two or more convex portions discontinuous in the circumferential direction. Similarly, the recess may be an annular recess that is continuous in the circumferential direction, such as the groove 123, or may be one or more recesses that are discontinuous in the circumferential direction. The cross-sectional shape along the surface including the central axis of the convex portion and the concave portion does not have to be substantially triangular, and is arbitrary such as a semicircle or a quadrangle. When the engaging structure is composed of a convex portion and a concave portion, the convex portion may be provided in the joint accommodating portion 122 and the concave portion may be provided in the joint.

In the above embodiment, the second seal portion S2 is formed at a position different from the engaging structure provided on the female connector main body and the joint so as to engage with each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the second seal portion S2 may be formed between the engaging structure provided on the female connector main body and the engaging structure provided on the joint. In this case, since it is not necessary to provide the female connector main body and the joint with a structure for forming the second seal portion S2 separately from the engaging structure, the configuration of the female connector main body and the joint can be simplified.

In the above embodiment, the female connector body and the joint are provided with an engaging structure that engages with each other. However, in the present invention, the structure for firmly connecting the joint to the female connector body is not limited to the engaging structure so that the joint does not come out of the female connector body. For example, the joint and the female connector main body may be provided with a fitting structure capable of integrating the joint into the female connector main body by press-fitting the joint into the joint storage portion of the female connector main body. Specifically, a male tapered surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint, a female tapered surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion of the female connector body, and the male tapered surface and the female tapered surface are firmly brought into surface contact with each other to bring the joint into female. It can be firmly connected to the connector body. Alternatively, a first cylindrical surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint, a second cylindrical surface having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the first cylindrical surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion of the female connector main body, and the first cylindrical surface is provided. By press-fitting into the second cylindrical surface to fit the two, the joint can be firmly connected to the female connector body. In these cases, since the second seal portion S2 is formed in a fitting structure, it is not necessary to provide a structure for forming the second seal portion S2 in the joint and the female connector main body separately from the fitting structure.

The materials of the female connector body, joint, and tube are not limited to those described above. There are various material combinations that can prevent damage to the female member and improve the connectivity of the tube, and the present invention includes all combinations thereof. However, the material of the female connector body is preferably different from the material of the joint. The adhesive for adhering the joint and the tube may be appropriately changed depending on the material of the joint and the tube.

The method for manufacturing the female connector assembly is not limited to the above-described first to third embodiments. For example, the tube may be inserted into the joint so that its tip protrudes from the joint, the tube and the joint may be adhered to each other, and then the joint may be inserted into the base portion of the female connector body.

In the first and second embodiments described above, a small diameter portion 117 having an inner diameter smaller than that of the first inner peripheral surface 121a is provided adjacent to the first inner peripheral surface 121a. However, in the present invention, the small diameter portion 117 can be omitted. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the small diameter portion 117 (see FIG. 1B) may be omitted in the female connector assembly 1 of the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 12B, the female connector assembly 2 of the second embodiment The small diameter portion 117 (see FIG. 7B) may be omitted. In either case, the stepped surface 126 (see FIGS. 1B and 7B) is also omitted as the small diameter portion 117 is omitted.

In the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the female connector assembly has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to the male connector assembly. The male connector assembly comprises a male connector and a tube. Preferably, the male connector includes, as a connecting cylinder, a male member having a tapered surface (so-called male tapered surface) whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip. The male connector is, for example, in the male connector 900 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the base portion 920 to which the tube 980 is connected is connected to the base end portion and the joint provided with the tube storage portion and the joint storage portion of the present invention. It may be replaced with. However, the male connector does not have to include the outer cylinder 913 and the female screw 915. The above description of the female connector assembly will be applied to the male connector assembly of the present invention as it is or with modifications apparent to those skilled in the art.

The field of use of the present invention is not particularly limited, but it can be preferably used in the medical field, especially as a connector assembly used for forming a flow path for flowing a liquid substance. The type of the liquid substance is not limited, and may be, for example, blood, a drug solution, a physiological saline solution, or may have a viscosity. Further, the present invention is not limited to the medical field, and can be widely used in any field (for example, food, chemistry, etc.) in which it is necessary to form a flow path through which a liquid material flows.

1,2,3 Female connector assembly (connector assembly)
100, 200, 300 female connector (connector)
101, 201, 301 Female connector body (connector body)
110 Female member (connecting cylinder)
112 Tapered surface (inner peripheral surface of female member)
115 Spiral protrusion 120 Base part 121 Tube storage part 121a First inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface of tube storage part)
122 Joint storage part 122a Second inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface of joint storage part, cylindrical surface)
222a 2nd inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface of joint housing, female tapered surface)
123 Groove (engagement structure, recess)
127 Inner diameter transition area 130, 230 Joint 131 Cylindrical surface (outer peripheral surface of joint)
231 Male tapered surface of joint 132 Annular protrusion 133 Protrusion (engagement structure, convex part)
180 Tube 321 Inner cylinder S1, S1'First seal part S2 Second seal part S3 Third seal part

Claims (17)

A connector assembly comprising a connector and a flexible hollow tube connected to the connector.
The connector is
A connector body made of a hard material, which has a tubular connecting cylinder at one end and a tubular base portion at the other end, and the connecting cylinder communicates with the tube.
Equipped with joints,
The outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint are adhered to each other in a state where the tube penetrates the joint and the tip end portion of the tube protrudes from the joint.
The base portion includes a tube storage portion in which the tip end portion of the tube protruding from the joint is housed, and a joint storage portion in which the joint is housed.
A liquid-tight first seal portion is formed between the tip portion of the tube and the connector body.
A connector assembly characterized in that a liquid-tight second seal portion is formed between the joint and the joint accommodating portion. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first seal portion is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the tube and an inner peripheral surface of the tube accommodating portion. The second aspect of claim 2, wherein in the first seal portion, the inner peripheral surface of the tube accommodating portion compresses the tip portion of the tube in the radial direction so that the tip portion of the tube is reduced in diameter. Connector assembly. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tip end portion of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the tube accommodating portion are adhered to each other in the first seal portion. The first to fourth aspects of claim 1 to 4, wherein an inner diameter transition region in which the inner diameter changes so that the inner diameter decreases from the joint storage portion toward the tube storage portion is provided between the joint storage portion and the tube storage portion. The connector assembly according to any one item. The second seal portion includes an annular protrusion provided on one of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion, which is continuous in the circumferential direction, and the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the joint accommodating portion. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is formed between the inner peripheral surface and the other. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the other of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion is a cylindrical surface having a constant diameter in the central axis direction. The second seal portion approaches the male tapered surface provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint and whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip, and the connecting cylinder provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint accommodating portion. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is formed between the female tapered surface having a smaller inner diameter. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a liquid-tight third sealing portion is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint bonded to each other. .. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the joint is firmly coupled to the connector body so that the joint does not come out of the base portion. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the joint accommodating portion and the joint are provided with an engaging structure that engages with each other. The connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the engaging structure includes a concave portion and a convex portion that fits into the concave portion. The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the recess is an annular groove continuous in the circumferential direction. The connector set according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the engaging structure provided in the joint accommodating portion and the engaging structure provided in the joint are irreversibly engaged with each other. Three-dimensional. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the connector main body further includes an inner cylinder in the tube accommodating portion, and the inner cylinder is inserted into the tip end portion of the tube. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the connecting cylinder is a female member provided with a tapered surface whose inner peripheral surface is provided with a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases as it approaches the tip. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the material of the connector body is different from the material of the joint.

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