JPH11178891A - Tube connecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tube connecting device in which the strength of a tube connecting part is prevented from decreasing and into which a tube can be inserted appropriately. SOLUTION: In a tube connecting device, a flexible tube is held at two parts, and after the tube is melted and cut by a heated cutting plate moving between the two parts, the cut section of the tube is fused and connected to the cut section of the other tube cut at the same time. First and second tube holders which hold the tube have a pair of holding members which clamp and hold the tube by abutting to and leaving each other, and the clamping parts 66, 46 of the holding members which clamp the tube clamp the side of the tube close to the cutting position between the first and second tube holders with a relatively weak force, and clamp the farther side of the tube with a relatively strong force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tube connecting device for melting and cutting a flexible tube, and welding and connecting the cut surface to a cut surface of a different tube.
In particular, the present invention relates to a tube connecting device that takes into account the distortion of a tube caused by being pinched during cutting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A tube connecting device is disclosed in, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 329182, two tubes to be connected are held in parallel, a cutting plate (hereinafter, referred to as a “wafer”) formed of a plate-like heating element is heated, and then the heated wafer is heated. Is moved perpendicular to the tube to melt and cut the tube, then the tube is moved so that the cut surface slides on the wafer surface, and then the wafer is retracted to cut both tubes. What welds and connects surfaces is known.

[0003] Therefore, a clamp section of a conventional example of a tube connecting device for performing such an operation will be briefly described. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a main part of a conventional tube connection device. The tube connection device of this conventional example has a pair of first tube holding means 20 having substantially the same configuration.
First and second tube holding means 202 are provided.
Therefore, for example, the first tube holding means 201 is provided on the base 203 with a pair of openable and closable holding members 204 and 205.
The holding member 205 is fixed to the cylinder 206 so as to move toward the holding member 204 on the rail. Clamping claws 204a, 205a are formed on both of the holding members 204, 205, and the holding members 20
5 is configured to clamp the tube by moving to the holding member 204 side.

[0004] On these bases 203 and 210, two tubes 216 and 217 are sandwiched.
A pair of positioning means 221 and 222 are provided for positioning at a position to be clamped by 205 and the like. Positioning means 221 and 222 are frames 223 and 224 capable of holding two tubes 216 and 217 in an overlapping manner in the clamping direction.
Are fixed, and the tubes 2 are attached to the frames 223 and 224.
A lid that can be opened and closed is provided so as not to displace 16 and 217.

[0005]

However, the conventional tube connecting device having such a structure has the following problems. In the conventional tube connection device, two tubes 216 and 217 heat the wafer 2 as shown in the figure.
After being cut at 30, the tube on the first tube holding means 201 side slides, and the wafer
When 0 slides back, the cut surfaces of the different tubes that overlap each other by sliding are welded and connected to form one tube. When the two tubes 216 and 217 are cut by the wafer 230 in this way, the cylindrical tube becomes flat to prevent the liquid remaining in the tube from leaking while fixing the tube. The inside of the tube is tightly clamped, and the tube is clamped in a crushed shape so that the tube thickness is further reduced.

However, at this time, the cylindrical tube 2
When the shapes of the tubes 16 and 217 are gradually flattened and clamped in a closed state as shown in FIG. 19, a large distortion is generated at two folded portions P formed in each tube. If that part is the tube end face,
As shown in FIG. 20, the folded portion P has a bulge in the axial direction. Therefore, in the tube connecting device, the tubes 216 and 217 are connected to the clamp claws 204a and 205 of the first tube holding means and the second tube holding means.
When two clamps are performed by a or the like, if the two clamp positions are close to each other, the planned cutting position to be cut at the wafer 230 includes:
The distortion from both sides will overlap.

For this reason, the wafer 230 is
6, 217 is cut in the orthogonal direction, a large amount of meat is cut off. If the cut surface is welded again and connected, as shown in FIG. It was thinner and easier to tear. On the other hand, if the two clamp positions were separated to eliminate the overlap of distortion at the planned cutting position, the cut edge would open due to the elasticity of the tubes, and the shape of the cut surface of the connected tubes would be uneven, The tube does not align. . Therefore, when such tubes are connected to each other, a connection failure naturally occurs, and the strength of the connection portion is significantly reduced.

The present apparatus is used for connecting a transfer tube connected to the peritoneal cavity and a tube connected to the dialysis bag, for example, to supply a dialysate into the peritoneal cavity of a peritoneal dialysis patient. In this case, the tube needs to be sterilized by heat treatment or the like, but such heat treatment or the like has resulted in delicate deformation of the tube. Therefore, the positioning means 221 and 22
Even if the tubes 2 are loaded into the frames 223 and 224 provided as 2, both tubes 2
It is difficult to make the axes 16 and 217 overlap in the clamp direction, and there is a problem that tube connection failure is likely to occur.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and to provide a tube connecting device which prevents a decrease in strength of a tube connecting portion, and a tube connecting device capable of appropriately loading tubes. With the goal.

[0010]

According to the tube connecting device of the present invention, a flexible tube is connected to a first tube holder and a second tube holder.
The tube is held by a tube holder, the tube is melted and cut by a heated cutting plate that moves between the first tube holder and the second tube holder, and the tube cut surfaces are welded and connected. In addition, the first tube holder and the second tube holder have a pair of holding members that clamp and hold the tube by coming into contact with and separating from each other, and a holding portion of the holding member that clamps the tube. However, it is characterized in that the first tube holder and the second tube holder are relatively weakly clamped on the side closer to the planned cutting position, and relatively farther than that.

[0011] Therefore, in the portion of the holding portion which is relatively strongly held, the tube deformed into a flat shape is clamped so as to be further pressed, so that the tube is prevented from coming off, but the tube is distorted. On the other hand, at the portion of the first and second tube holders that is relatively weakly clamped on the side near the planned cutting position, the flat shape of the tube is maintained and the tube is hardly distorted. The tube distortion caused by the clamp is dispersed. Therefore, the influence of distortion at the planned cutting position is reduced, and the cross section of the tube is kept flat, so that the strength of the tube connecting portion is prevented from lowering.

Further, in the tube connecting device of the present invention, the holding portion of the holding member may include a first clamp portion having a thickness equal to or less than a thickness of the tube in which the clamp groove overlaps in the clamp direction, and a tube in which the clamp groove overlaps in the clamp direction. And a second clamp portion having substantially the same thickness as the second clamp portion. Therefore, the tube clamped by such a holding portion is prevented from coming off in the first clamp portion, and the distortion of the tube is dispersed in the second clamp portion, so that the flat shape of the cross section is maintained. Therefore, the influence of the distortion at the planned cutting position is reduced, and the tube cross section is kept flat to prevent a decrease in the strength of the tube connection portion.

Further, in the tube connecting device of the present invention, the first clamp portion has a difference of 10 to 20% from a tube thickness in which a clamp groove formed by a pair of first clamp portions overlaps in a clamp direction. It is characterized in that the groove depth is a distance. Therefore, in the first clamp portion, the tube is deformed by about 10 to 20% in the clamp direction to prevent the tube from coming off, and in the second clamp, the distortion of the tube is dispersed and the cross-sectional flat shape is maintained. .
Therefore, the influence of distortion at the planned cutting position is suppressed, and by matching the shape of the cut end, a decrease in the strength of the tube connection portion is prevented.

Further, in the tube connecting device of the present invention, the flexible tube is held by the first tube holder and the second tube holder, and is moved between the first tube holder and the second tube holder. After the tube is melted and cut by the heated cutting plate, the cut surfaces of the tubes are welded and connected to each other, and the predetermined operation is performed by the first tube holder and the second tube holder. It is characterized by providing a time difference. Therefore, when the tube is clamped, the distortion in the axial direction generated on one side is released, thereby suppressing the influence of the distortion at the scheduled cutting position, thereby preventing a decrease in the strength of the tube connection portion.

Further, in the tube connecting device of the present invention, a plurality of flexible tubes are held at two places by a first tube holder and a second tube holder, and the first tube holder and the second tube holder are held. Melting and cutting a tube by a heated cutting plate moving between tools, and then welding and connecting a cut surface of the tube to a cut surface of another tube cut at the same time, wherein the first tube An openable / closable cover member pivotally mounted on the apparatus main body so as to cover the holder and the second tube holder, a tube support member for supporting tubes on both sides of the first tube holder and the second tube holder, A lower guide member provided between the tube holding members and at a lower position of the tube when the tubes are connected, and a lower guide member provided between the tube support members and standing inside the cover member. , And having a guide member on the tip to the tube upper position during tube connection when closing the cover member is located. Therefore, since the height of the tube supported by the support member is further adjusted by the lower guide member and the upper guide member on the inner side, appropriate loading of the tube at the clamp portions of the first tube holder and the second tube holder is achieved. It becomes possible.

Further, in the tube connecting device of the present invention, a plurality of flexible tubes are held at two places by a first tube holder and a second tube holder, and the first tube holder and the second tube holder are held. Melting and cutting a tube by a heated cutting plate moving between tools, and then welding and connecting a cut surface of the tube to a cut surface of another tube cut at the same time, wherein the first tube A swingable tube support member that supports the tube on both sides of the holder and the second tube holder, a tube detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of a tube guided to a predetermined holding position by the tube support member, and a tube. A detection signal from the tube detection unit that has been detected to be guided by the holding unit and a detection signal that detects that the cover member has been closed are detected in advance. Characterized in that it has a control unit for controlling the tube clamp operation by the first tube holder and the second tube holder. Therefore, the tube detecting means detects the tube installed by the swinging supporting means, and the control means uses the detection signal and the detection signal for detecting that the cover member is closed to control the first tube holder and the second tube holding means. Since the tube clamp operation by the tube holder is controlled, the clamp is performed after the tube is properly arranged.

[0017]

Next, an embodiment of a tube connecting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a tube holding unit and a drive mechanism that moves the tube holding unit.
Therefore, the tube holding section of the present tube connection device and a driving mechanism for moving the tube holding section will be briefly described with reference to FIG. Tube holding part is tube 4,
The first tube includes a fixed clamp 21 and a movable clamp 31. The first tube includes a fixed clamp 21 and a movable clamp 31. The first tube includes a fixed clamp 21 and a movable clamp 31. It comprises a holder 1 and a second tube holder 2 comprising a fixed clamp 41 and a movable clamp 51. First tube holder 1
Each of the fixed clamps 21 and 41 and the movable clamps 31 and 51 constituting the second tube holder 2 are penetrated and supported by two guide shafts 71 as shown in the figure, and the fixed clamps 21 and 41 are fixed. The movable clamps 31 and 51 are configured to be slidable.

A drive mechanism for moving the movable clamps 31 and 51 has the same structure as each of the clamps, and therefore only the movable clamp 31 will be described. Fixed clamp 21
A clamp spring 72 serving as a drive source for moving the movable clamp 31 is provided in parallel with the guide shaft 71. That is, an engaging pin 73 is provided upright on the lower end side surface of the fixed clamp 21, and one end of the clamp spring 72 is fitted to the engaging pin 73. A transmission rod 74 having a stopper 74a with which the other end abuts is fitted into the clamp spring 72. The end of the transmission rod 74 is supported by the crank 75.

The crank 75 is rotatably supported on a support shaft 76 and has a cylindrical fulcrum member 77.
, A lever 78 connected to the transmission rod 74 side, and a plate cam 79 connected to the movable clamp 31 are integrally formed around a fulcrum member 77 as shown in the figure. A driven roller 80 is rotatably supported in the middle of the plate cam 79, and a cam 81 abutting on the driven roller 80 is fixed to an output shaft of a motor 96 (see FIG. 11). Furthermore,
The plate cam 79 is formed with a lead cam groove 83 for guiding a cam pin 82 erected on the movable clamp 31.

Next, FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 are views schematically showing the configuration of a tube holding section comprising a first tube holder 1 and a second tube holder 2. The tube holding portion of the present tube connection device has a difference that the first tube holder 1 is provided with a rotation mechanism (63), and the second tube holder 2 is not provided with such a rotation mechanism. The fixed clamp 21 and the movable clamp 31 of the first tube holder 1 are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of cover members 22, 23 and cover members 32, 33 are joined together to form one block. Cover members 22, 23 and cover members 32, 33
Have mutually symmetric shapes. Therefore, this specific configuration will be described based on the cover members 22 and 32 on one side shown in FIG.

Each of the cover members 22 and 32 has a clamp rotor 6 composed of a pair of semicircular rotor pieces 61 and 62.
3 (see FIG. 2) are formed with rotor loading portions 25 and 35 in which semi-circular concave portions are dug. Semicircular notches 26 and 36 are formed at the center portions of the rotor loading portions 25 and 35, respectively, so that the center portions of the clamp rotor 63 are fitted (see FIG. 2). The rotor loading sections 25 and 35 have semicircular circumferential rails 27 and
37 are formed. These circumferential rails 27, 37
It has a U-shaped groove. In addition, concave portions that are gear loading portions 28, 29, 38, and 39 are formed at upper and lower positions of the cover members 22 and 32 so as to be continuous with the outer periphery of the rotor loading portions 25 and 35.

Next, FIG. 4 is a view showing a state where the clamp rotor 63 is loaded in the cover member having such a configuration. Cover members 22, 23 and cover member 3
Clamp rotor 6 loaded while joining 2, 33
Reference numeral 3 (see FIG. 1) comprises a pair of semicircular rotor pieces 61 and 62 as described above, and a tooth shape is formed on the circumference thereof, and both rotor pieces 61 and 62 are joined. In this case, one gear is formed. U-shaped grooves 64 and 65 are formed at the center of the clamp rotor 63 where the rotor pieces 61 and 62 abut each other, that is, at the center of the contact surface of the rotor pieces 61 and 62. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, on the extension of the U-shaped groove 64, the second
A clamp groove is formed in the holding portion 66 protruding from the tube holder 2 side. Although not shown, a similar holding portion 66 is formed for the rotor piece 62.

A pair of clamping portions 6 for clamping the tube
6, 66, when the two tubes 4 and 5 are clamped on top of each other, a clamp groove having a predetermined depth is formed so that the two tubes 4 and 5 are both deformed into a flat shape and the inside of the tubes is closed. Have been. The tubes 4 and 5 are flattened because the tubes 4 and 5 do not flow out when cutting.
In order to close the cut. Further, the rotor pieces 61,
The cover member 2 shown in FIG.
2,23,32,33 circumferential rails 27,27,37,
Circumferential convex portions 67, 67 formed in a circular shape to fit into 37
... are formed.

Fixed clamp 21 of first tube holder 1
As shown in FIG. 4, gears 68, 68, 68, 6 meshing with the rotor pieces 61, 62 are provided in the movable clamp 31.
9 is rotatably supported and loaded. These gears 6
Among the gears 68, 68, the gear 69 mounted below the cover members 22, 23 constituting the fixed clamp 21 is configured as a drive gear connected to the rotating shaft of a motor 97 (see FIG. 11). The first tube holder 1 composed of the above-described constituent members is obtained by loading the cover members 22, 23, 32, 33 of the fixed clamp 21 and the movable clamp 31 with the rotor pieces 61, 62 and the gears 68, 68,. Be composed. The movable clamp 31 is connected to the guide shaft 71 with respect to the fixed clamp 21.
Are slidably supported (see FIG. 1).

Next, the second tube holder 2 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The fixed clamp 41 and the movable clamp 51 constituting the second tube holder 2 are constituted by blocks formed by joining clamp members 42 and 43 and clamp members 52 and 53 (see FIG. 2).
The second tube holder 2 includes a first tube holder 1
Such a rotation mechanism is not provided. Fixed clamp 4
The U-shaped groove 45 is formed at the center of the contact surface between the 1 and the movable clamp 51 as shown in FIG. Although not shown,
A similar U-shaped groove 45 is also formed in the movable clamp 51. Further, in the fixed clamp 41 and the movable clamp 51, a clamp groove is formed in a holding portion 46 protruding from the first tube holder 1 on the extension of the U-shaped groove 45.
When the two tubes 4 and 5 are overlapped and clamped, the clamping portion 46 forms a clamp groove having a predetermined depth so that the two tubes 4 and 5 are both deformed into a flat shape and the inside of the tubes is closed. Have been.

Next, the shapes of the holding portions 66 and 46 will be described in more detail. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an AA cross section of FIG. The holding portions 66 and 46 have the same shape and are formed symmetrically. Nipping parts 66, 4
6 is formed on the extension of the similar U-shaped grooves 64 and 45. The U-shaped grooves 64 and 45 are formed with an inclined surface so that the groove depth that is equal to or larger than the diameter of the tubes 4 and 5 is gradually reduced from the outside to the center. And, as shown in FIG.
The holding surface is formed wider than the character grooves 64 and 45.
Further, the U-shaped grooves 64 and 45 have a curved surface shape.
6, 46 are formed with a planar clamp groove having a predetermined step.

That is, the holding portions 66, 46 are mainly provided with the first clamp portions 66a,
46a, and the second clamp portions 66b, 4 for weak clamping.
6b, and a step is formed. The first clamp portions 66a and 46a are formed as shallow as possible to minimize the thickness of the tubes 4 and 5, and
5 is to fulfill the function of preventing retaining. And
The second clamp portions 66b, 46b are
The first and second clamp portions 66a and 46a are formed at depths slightly larger than the first clamp portions 66a and 46a.

More specifically, the groove depth between the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion is as follows, provided that the contact surfaces between the fixed clamps 21 and 41 and the movable clamps 31 and 51 have a depth of zero. Is determined. As described above, the first clamp portions 66a and 46a need to be clamped in a strong state to prevent the tubes 4 and 5 from coming off. Therefore, when the tubes 4 and 5 are clamped and closed as shown in FIG. 19, it is necessary to reduce the thickness of one of the tubes 4 and 5 to less than the overlapped thickness. However, if the groove depth is made too shallow, the clamping force applied to the tubes 4 and 5 will increase, and the distortion generated in the tubes 4 and 5 will increase as described above.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the depth m of the first clamp portions 66a, 46a is determined by the clamp width 2 at the time of clamping.
m is the total thickness 7 of the flat tubes 4 and 5
Approximately 90%. That is, when the tubes 4 and 5 are simultaneously clamped, the first clamp portions 66a and 46a
After the tubes 4 and 5 are overlapped to form a flat shape and the tube thickness is about four times the wall thickness, about 10 to 20% of the total wall thickness is further crushed therefrom. On the other hand, the depth n of the second clamp portions 66b and 46b is such that the clamp width 2n at the time of clamping is substantially the same as the total thickness of the tubes 4 and 5 stacked flat. This is different from the first clamp portions 66a, 46a in which the second clamp portions 66b, 46b serve to prevent the first clamp portions from falling out.
The strain generated in the clamp portions 66a and 46a is dispersed, and the cut surfaces are made to match so that the two cut tubes can be connected alternately while keeping the shape of the tubes at the cutting position flat. This is because it was made to fulfill its role.

The first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 having such a configuration are incorporated in an unshown apparatus main body together with the driving means shown in FIG. There, as shown in FIG. 5, between the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2, the tubes 4 held at two places by the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2, 5, a cutting plate 3 is provided which moves so as to be orthogonal to the space between them.

Next, the tubes 4 and 5 are fixed to the fixed clamps 2.
The guide means for disposing between the movable clamps 1 and 41 and the movable clamps 31 and 51 will be described. 7 and 8 are side views showing the configuration of the guide unit including the tube holding unit. FIG. 9 is a front view of the tube holding unit including the guide unit as viewed from the fixed clamps 21 and 41 side. The guide means includes support levers 101 and 111 that directly support the tubes 4 and 5.
Are provided along the outside of the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the support lever 101 has a loading section 102 formed in the movable clamp 51 side and opened in a U-shape, and the opposite end is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 103. Supported. And the support lever 1
Numeral 01 is supported by a support spring 104 and a stopper 107 abutting on its bottom, and is arranged at the position shown in the figure.
The support roller 101 has a driven roller 105 rotatably supported by a triangular portion formed above. Further, the lower guide pins 1 are arranged so that the tubes 4 and 5 are disposed at a predetermined height.
06 is provided. This lower guide pin 106 is
The fixed clamp 4 is positioned so as to be close to the clamp portion 46a and coincide with the moving direction (clamp direction) of the movable clamp 51.
1 and an insertion hole 1 formed in the movable clamp 51.
06a.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the support lever 111 provided on the first tube holder 1 has a loading portion 112 opened on the movable clamp 31 side, and the opposite end thereof is rotatable. It is supported by a rotating shaft 103.
Therefore, the support lever 111 is configured to rotate integrally with the support lever 101 by the rotation shaft 103. The loading unit 11 formed on the support lever 111
2 is cut out so that the two tubes 4 and 5 can be loaded side by side similarly to the support lever 101, and is further cut out in an arc shape so that the tubes 4 and 5 can rotate. Therefore, the support lever 111 is provided with a support spring 113 for aligning the axes of the tubes 4 and 5 loaded in the loading section 112.

As described above, the tubes 4 and 5 are supported by the support levers 101 and 111, and are arranged at predetermined positions. However, since the distance between the support levers 101 and 111 is wide, the safety cover 120 is provided as shown in FIG. An upper guide plate 120a protruding from the bottom is located on the lower guide pin 106,
The tubes 4 and 5 are configured to be brought into contact with each other from above by contacting them. That is, the fixed clamp 41 and the movable clamp 51
An insertion hole 121 into which the upper guide plate 120a can be inserted is formed in the holding portion 46 of the upper guide plate 12a.
0a is configured to align the positions of the tubes 4 and 5 shifted vertically. In addition, this tube connection device
As shown at 0, a tube detection limit switch 131 for confirming that the tubes 4 and 5 are disposed between the fixed clamps 21 and 41 and the movable clamps 31 and 51 is fixed at a predetermined position. In addition, the movable clamps 31, 51
Near the bottom of the safety cover 120, a cover closing detection limit switch 132 for detecting that the safety cover 120 is closed is fixed at a predetermined position.

Next, a control section for controlling the tube connection device of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a part of the control device. The control unit 91 includes a controller 92, a CPU 93, a ROM 94, and a RAM 95.
The signal processing is performed in accordance with the driving program stored in the OM 94. The control unit 91 includes, for example, the motor 9
6, 97, and cylinder 98, drive circuits 96A, 97
The controller 92 is connected via A and 98A, and the tube detection limit switch 131 is connected. Then, a drive circuit 96 is sent from the controller 96.
A, 97A and 98A output drive signals to control the operation as described later.

The tube connecting apparatus according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is composed of two tubes 4 and 5 made of a soft resin such as vinyl chloride and having flexibility.
Are clamped and fixed at two places, cut at the center thereof, and then the position of the tube cut surface is inverted to connect the cut surfaces alternately. Therefore, first, the tube guiding operation of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. When the tubes 4 and 5 are loaded, the safety cover 120 is opened as shown in FIG.
The supporting lever 101 supported by the supporting member 4 has a loading portion 102
Is facing upward. Therefore, the support lever 111 integrally formed via the rotation shaft 103 also has the loading portion 1.
12 is directed upward.

Then, the user of the apparatus arranges the two tubes 4 and 5 and inserts them into the loading sections 102 and 112 while sliding the upper surfaces of the movable clamps 31 and 51.
When the setting of the tubes 4 and 5 is completed, the user closes the safety cover 120. At this time, the driven roller 1
05 comes into contact with the back surface of the safety cover 120, and the support lever 101 is pushed down via the driven roller 105 rotating thereat. Therefore, the support lever 101 swings downward around the rotation shaft 103 against the force of the support spring 104. On the other hand, the support lever 111 integrally formed by the rotation shaft 103 swings downward at the same timing as the support lever 101.

Accordingly, the positions of the loading portions 102 and 112 of the support levers 101 and 111 are lowered, and their inclinations become horizontal, so that the two loaded tubes 4 and 5 move in the moving direction of the movable clamps 31 and 51. It will be lined up. Further, at this time, while the lower portions of the tubes 4 and 5 are in contact with the lower guide pins 106, the upper guide plates 120a are attached to the tubes 4 and 5 from above. , 41 and movable clamp 3
The upper and lower positions are aligned with the first and the first 51.

The cover closing detection limit switch 132 detects that the safety cover 120 has been closed, and the tube detection limit switch 131 detects that the guided tubes 4 and 5 have been set. The received CPU 97 controls the clamp operation which is the next operation. That is, the motor 96 to which the cam 81 is fixed is driven. Thus, a clamp operation performed by driving the controlled motor 96 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the first tube holder 1
Only the side is shown, and the operation on the second tube holder 2 side is omitted. As described above, at the stage where the two tubes 4 and 5 are arranged, the cam 81 is at the rotation position shown in FIG. 12 and the plate cam 79 is in a state of being lifted via the driven roller 80. Therefore, the position of the lead cam groove 83 of the plate cam 79 is in a raised state, and the movable clamp 3
The cam pin 82 fixed to 1 is located at the lower end side of the lead cam groove 83. The lever 78 integrally formed as the crank 75 is in a state of swinging clockwise,
The clamp spring 72 is elastically compressed by the transmission rod 74 supported by the lever 78.

When the setting of the two tubes 4 and 5 is completed, the motor 96 of the cam 81 is driven to execute the clamping operation of the tubes 4 and 5 shown in FIG.
The cam 81 rotated by the output from the motor 96 rotates counterclockwise until the clamp is completed.
In the meantime, the plate cam 79 provided with the driven roller 80 which rotates following the cam 81 gradually swings counterclockwise, and the position of the lead cam groove 83 is lowered. When the cam 81 rotates and the plate cam 79 swings downward, the entire crank 75 rotates counterclockwise. This is because the crank 75 that is not regulated by the cam 81 is urged counterclockwise by the elastic expansion force of the clamp spring 72. Therefore, this crank 75
The force of the clamp spring 72 urging the lead cam groove 83
The movable clamp 31 is horizontally moved toward the fixed clamp 21 by applying a horizontal component force to the cam pin 82 provided therein.

Such a clamping operation is similarly performed between the fixed clamp 41 and the movable clamp 51 of the second tube holder 2. However, the first tube holder 1
And the second tube holder 2 are not performed simultaneously, but a time difference is provided between the two. That is, the drive mechanism on the side of the second tube holder 2 not shown operates first, drives the movable clamp 51 to move to the fixed clamp 41, and after a predetermined time from the start of the driving, the first tube holder 2 1 is operated. Therefore,
After the tubes 4 and 5 are clamped by the holding section 46, they are clamped by the holding section 66. This is when the tubes 4 and 5 are clamped at two places,
The tubes 4 and 5 are distorted in the axial direction at each of the clamp locations. By delaying the clamp on the first tube holder 1 side, the distortion caused by the clamp of the second tube holder 2 is released. That's why.

At this time, the tubes 4 and 5 are connected to the rotor pieces 61 and 62 and the fixed clamp 41 and the movable clamp 5.
It is sandwiched between the U-shaped grooves 64 and 45 and clamped at the center by the holding portions 46 and 66. Nipping parts 46, 6
6, the tubes 4 and 5 flattened by the first clamp portions 66a and 46a having a depth m are further crushed and clamped by about 10 to 20% of the wall thickness thereof, and the second clamp portions 66 having a depth n are clamped.
In b and 46b, the flat tubes 4 and 5 are clamped so that no distortion occurs. Therefore, the clamping portions 46, 66 for clamping the tubes 4, 5 are firmly clamped by the first clamp portions 66a, 46a, and the distortion of the tubes 4, 5 caused by the first clamp portions 66a, 46a is reduced. The light is dispersed by the two clamps 66b and 46b. In addition, the two tubes 4 and 5 are also clamped by the second clamp portions 66b and 46b so that the flat shapes of the two tubes 4 and 5 at the scheduled cutting positions are substantially the same.

Next, the operation of cutting and connecting the tubes 4 and 5 clamped by the driving mechanism as described above will be described. The two tubes 4 and 5 are clamped by fixed clamps 21 and 41 and movable clamps 31 and 51 as shown in FIG. At this time, the tubes 4 and 5 between the holding portions 66 and 66 and the holding portions 46 and 46 are clamped to have a flat shape. Especially,
At the locations clamped by the first clamps 66a, 66a, 46a, 46a, the inside of the tube is closed and the leakage of the liquid in the tubes 4, 5 is stopped.

Then, the cutting plate 3 provided between the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 rises, and cuts the tubes 4 and 5 at right angles. That is, the cutting plate 3
A voltage is applied and the temperature rises to 300 to 350 ° C.,
The cutting plate 3 cuts the tubes 4 and 5 while melting them. Next, the cutting plate 3 is stopped in a state perpendicular to the tubes 4 and 5, and the drive gear 69 of the movable clamp 31 is rotated as it is. The rotation of the drive gear 69 is transmitted to the clamp rotor 63 in which the teeth are meshed, and the clamp rotor 63 is given a 180 ° rotation.

When the clamp rotor 63 rotates by 180 °, the rotor pieces 61 and 62 are replaced by the fixed clamp 21 and the movable clamp 31, and the cut tube 4a held by the first tube holder 1 as shown in FIG. , 5
The cut surface of a turns 180 degrees by rotating the side surface of the cutting plate 3, and the cut surfaces of the tubes 4 a and 5 b and the cut surfaces of the tubes 5 a and 4 b face each other across the cutting plate 3. . By the way, since the cut surfaces of the tubes 4 and 5 are in a high temperature state where the resin is melted or softened,
The cut surface is in airtight contact with the cutting plate 3. Therefore, even when rotating, the cut surfaces of the tubes 4 and 5 are
The side is turned while keeping the airtight contact. Therefore, the inside of the tubes 4 and 5 is maintained in a sterile state without contacting the atmosphere.

Then, at the same time as the cutting plate 3 is retracted downward, the second tube holder 2 is moved a small distance to the first tube holder 1 by a driving means (not shown) (for example, the cylinder 98 in FIG. 11). This is because the tubes are moved by the cutting allowance (by the thickness of the cutting plate 3) to bring the tubes into contact with each other. Therefore, the tubes 4b, 5b and the tube 5
The cut surfaces a and 4a are welded and connected to each other to form two tubes 6 and 7 which are alternately replaced as shown in FIG. When the tube connection is completed, the cam 81
Is again applied to the state shown in FIGS. 13 to 12, and the plate cam 79 is lifted via the driven roller 80. Therefore, the crank 75 rotates clockwise around the support shaft 76 against the elastic expansion force of the clamp spring 72, and the position of the cam pin 82 moves relatively downward in the lead cam groove 83. Then, the movable clamp 31 is separated from the fixed clamp 21, and the connected tubes 6, 7 are removed.

Therefore, in the tube connecting device of the present embodiment, a time difference is provided between the clamps of the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2, so that the axial distortion generated in the tubes 4 and 5 is released. Further, the holding portions 46, 66 are connected to the first clamp portions 66a, 46a and the second clamp portions 66a.
b and 46b, the tubes 4 and 5 are firmly pinched and prevented from coming off, and the distortion generated in the tubes 4 and 5 is suppressed. lost. Therefore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 17, the tube connected by the present tube connecting device has a significantly thicker connection portion than the conventional tube, and has increased strength.

Further, in the conventional device, since the clamp is performed so as to distort the tube near the cut portion, the connection surface is liable to be affected by distortion, and the connection surface spreads outward and large burrs are formed on the connection portion. However, in this apparatus, since the deformation of the cut surface due to the distortion was suppressed, the generated burrs were reduced.

Further, in the tube connecting device of the present embodiment, since the guide means including the support levers 101 and 111 is provided, the loading of tubes that require accurate positioning is simplified. In particular, in the present apparatus, the support levers 101 and 111 that directly support the tubes 4 and 5 are provided along the outer sides of the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2, and the distance is widened. Since the lower guide pin 106 and the upper guide plate 120a are provided between them, even if the tube is slightly deformed by sterilization or the like, the axis can be accurately aligned at the cutting position.
Therefore, it was possible to prevent the poor connection of the tube caused by the displacement of the shaft center and the breakage of the tube due to the biased clamping force.

Further, since the rotor pieces 61 and 62 constituting the clamp rotor 63 have the same shape, the position between the fixed clamp 21 and the movable clamp 31 is not limited. The clamp can be released by moving the movable clamp 31 apart, which facilitates control. In particular, in the present apparatus, the support levers 101 and 111 are linked to the safety cover 120, and the tube detection limit switch 131 and the cover close detection limit switch 132 are provided to control the clamping operation. After inserting the tubes into the support levers 101 and 111, it is only necessary to close the safety cover 120, and the handling becomes very easy without any further operation until the tubes are connected. this is,
Considering that the present apparatus is used by a person with a physical disability, such as a peritoneal patient with weak vision and weak power, this is a very great effect.

Further, in the conventional example, the cut tubes are moved in parallel to connect the required cut surfaces of the tubes, and the cut surfaces of the tubes that are not connected may be opened. If liquid remains, it has spilled, adversely affecting the apparatus and causing dirt. However, in the present tube connection device, such a problem has been eliminated because the cut surfaces can be connected alternately by employing the clamp rotor 63 having the rotor pieces 61 and 62.

The embodiment of the tube connecting device according to the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the holding portions 46, 66 are formed of the first clamp portions 66a, 46a and the second clamp portions 66b, 46b having steps, but the second clamp portions may be inclined surfaces.

[0053]

According to the present invention, a first tube holder and a second tube holder for holding a plurality of flexible tubes are provided.
It has a pair of holding members that clamp and hold the tube by contacting and separating, and the holding portion of the holding member that clamps the tube is configured to cut the first tube holder and the second tube holder. A first clamp portion having a thickness less than or equal to the thickness of the tube in which the clamp groove overlaps in the clamp direction, for example, so that the side closer to the predetermined position is relatively weakly clamped and the farther side is relatively strongly clamped; Is provided with a second clamp portion that is substantially the same as the thickness of the tube that overlaps in the clamp direction, so that the effect of distortion at the planned cutting position is reduced, and the cross section of the tube is kept flat. As a result, it is possible to provide a tube connecting device that prevents a decrease in strength at a tube connecting portion.

Also, the present invention is configured such that a predetermined time difference is provided between the tube clamping operation of the first tube holder and the second tube holder, so that an axial distortion generated in one side when the tube is clamped. , And by suppressing the influence of distortion at the planned cutting position, it is possible to provide a tube connecting device that prevents a decrease in the strength of the tube connecting portion.

Further, the present invention provides an openable and closable cover member pivotally mounted on an apparatus main body to cover a first tube holder and a second tube holder for holding a plurality of flexible tubes. A tube support member for supporting the tubes on both sides of the tube holder and the second tube holder, a lower guide member provided between the tube holder members and at a lower position of the tube when the tubes are connected, and a cover member provided between the tube support members And an upper guide member whose tip is located at an upper position of the tube when the tube is connected when the cover member is closed, so that the tube supporting the tube with the support member is further By adjusting the position of the tube with the lower guide member and the upper guide member in the above, the clamp portions of the first tube holder and the second tube holder can be properly connected. It has become possible to provide a tube connecting apparatus capable of loading a chromatography drive.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a drive mechanism of a tube holding unit.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a first tube holder 1 and a second tube holder 2;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section of a fixed clamp 21 and a movable clamp 31 of the first tube holder 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where a clamp rotor is loaded in a cover member.

FIG. 5 is a view showing contact surfaces of fixed clamps 21 and 41.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the configuration of the guide means on the second tube holder 2 side.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the configuration of the guide means on the first tube holder 1 side.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the tube holding unit including the guide means as viewed from the fixed clamps 21 and 41.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a tube detection limit switch 131.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a part of the control device.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a driving unit at the time of unclamping.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the driving means at the time of clamping.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a clamp state of the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state at the time of cutting the tube.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a tube after connection.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a cross section of a tube after connection.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a main part of a conventional tube connection device.

FIG. 19 is a view showing a tube at the time of clamping.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a tube at the time of clamping.

FIG. 21 is a view showing a cross section of a tube after connection by a conventional tube connection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st tube holder 2 2nd tube holder 4,5 tube 21,41 Fixed clamp 31,51 Movable clamp 61,62 Rotor piece 63 Clamp rotor 46,66 Clamping part 46a, 66a First clamp part 46b, 66b 2 clamp unit 91 control unit 92 controller 93 CPU 94 ROM 95 RAM 101, 111 Support lever 106 Lower guide pin 120 Safety cover 120a Upper guide plate 131 Tube detection limit switch

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Sano 1727, Tsukiji Arai, Showa-machi, Nakakoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture Inside Terumo Corporation (72) Inventor Masahiro Shimizu 1, Terumo 1727, Tsukiji-Arai, Showa-machi, Nakakoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture Inside the corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] A flexible tube is held by a first tube holder and a second tube holder, and the tube is moved by a heated cutting plate moving between the first tube holder and the second tube holder. In a tube connecting device for melting and cutting, and then welding and connecting the tube cut surfaces, the first tube holder and the second tube holder are clamped and held by coming into contact with and separating from the tube. It has a pair of holding members, the holding portion of the holding member for clamping the tube,
A tube connecting device, wherein a side closer to a cutting scheduled position between the first tube holder and the second tube holder is relatively weakly clamped, and a farther side is relatively strongly clamped. . 2. The tube connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion of the holding member has a first clamp portion having a thickness equal to or less than a thickness of the tube whose clamp groove overlaps in the clamp direction, and a clamp groove in the clamp direction. A tube connecting device comprising a second clamp portion having substantially the same thickness as an overlapped tube. 3. The tube connection device according to claim 2, wherein the first clamp portion has a difference of 10 to 20% from a tube thickness in which a clamp groove formed by a pair of first clamp portions overlaps in a clamp direction. A tube connection device characterized in that the groove depth is the distance taken. 4. A flexible tube is held by a first tube holder and a second tube holder, and the tube is moved by a heated cutting plate moving between the first tube holder and the second tube holder. In a tube connecting device for welding and connecting tube cut surfaces after melting and cutting, a predetermined time difference is provided in a tube clamping operation by the first tube holder and the second tube holder. Tube connecting device. 5. A plurality of flexible tubes are held at two places by a first tube holder and a second tube holder, and heated to move between the first tube holder and the second tube holder. A tube connecting device for melting and cutting a tube by a cutting plate, and then welding and connecting a cut surface of the tube to a cut surface of another tube cut at the same time, wherein the first tube holder and the second tube holder An openable / closable cover member axially attached to the apparatus main body so as to cover, a tube support member for supporting tubes on both sides of the first tube holder and the second tube holder, and a tube connection between the tube holders A lower guide member provided at a lower position of the tube at the time, and provided between the tube support member and erected inside the cover member, and the cover member Tube connecting apparatus characterized by having a guide member on which is positioned the tip to the tube upper position at the tube connection when the Flip. 6. A plurality of flexible tubes are held at two places by a first tube holder and a second tube holder, and heated so as to move between the first tube holder and the second tube holder. A tube connecting device for melting and cutting a tube by a cutting plate, and then welding and connecting a cut surface of the tube to a cut surface of another tube cut at the same time, wherein the first tube holder and the second tube holder A swingable tube support member that supports a tube on both sides of the tube, a tube detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a tube guided to a predetermined holding position by the tube support member, and a tube guided by the holding unit. The first tube holder is provided by a detection signal from the tube detecting means that has detected the first tube holder and a detection signal that has detected that the cover member has been closed. And a control means for controlling a tube clamping operation by the second tube holder.