WO2005000565A1

WO2005000565A1 - Tube joining method and tube joining device

Info

Publication number: WO2005000565A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/008449
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masahiro Shimizu; Masaru Nagashimada
Original assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2003-06-26
Filing date: 2004-06-16
Publication date: 2005-01-06
Also published as: JPWO2005000565A1; JP4262249B2

Abstract

A tube connection method, wherein the cut faces of tubes (7, 8) are pressed against both faces of a wafer (6) after the tubes (7, 8) held by a first tube holder (1) and a second tube holder (2) are cut off by the wafer (6). A clamp rotor (30) is rotated to rotate one of the cut tubes (7, 8). Then, the cut faces of the tubes (7, 8) are re-pressed against both faces of the wafer (6). Lastly, the wafer (6) is pulled out from the tubes (7, 8), and the joined faces of the tubes (7, 8) are pressed against each other to join the tubes (7, 8) to each other. Even if foreign matter (9) such as an adhesive material adheres to the joined portions of the tubes (7, 8), the foreign matter (9) can be forced out of the joined faces of the tubes (7, 8).

Description

Specification

Tube joining method and tube joining device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a tube joining apparatus and a tube joining method for joining tubes aseptically. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tube joining apparatus and a tube joining method capable of improving the joining stability of a tube.

Background art

Conventionally, a tube joining apparatus has been used for aseptically joining tubes, for example, when exchanging a dialysate bag and a waste solution bag in continuous peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). One of the tube joining techniques for aseptically joining such tubes is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-308731. In the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-308731, after cutting a tube with a wafer, one side of the cut tube is fixed, and the other side is rotated 180 degrees to attach the cut surfaces to each other. At the same time, the wafer is pulled out of the tube in this state and tube joining is performed.

[0003] Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-27936, instead of rotating the tube after cutting the tube as described above, there is a method in which the tube is slid and the tube is joined.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H4-1308731 (Page 24, Figure 1)

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2_27936 (Page 67, Fig. 3)

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, in a conventional tube bonding apparatus such as the apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-308731, the adhesive (foreign matter) such as tape or tape glue adheres to the tube joint. There is a problem that the bonding strength is reduced. This is because the adhesive substance attached to the outer surface of the tube spreads to the joint surface. First, as shown in Fig. 17 (a), when the wafer 506 is first lifted and the tube is cut, The foreign matter 509 adhered to the minute adheres to both sides of the wafer 506. Then, when the tube is rotated in this state, as shown in FIG. 17B, the foreign matter 509 expands (spreads) on the joint surface. Further, when the wafer 506 is lowered, the foreign matter 509 is drawn into the bonding surface. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17C, the foreign matter 509 is drawn into the bonding surface, and the bonding strength is reduced.

[0006] FIGS. 17 (a)-(c) show a case where the tube is rotated after being cut. However, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-27936, the tube is cut and then turned. Even when the tube is slid, the same problem occurs when the tube is slid or when the wafer is lowered, the foreign matter is spread on the joint surface.

[0007] For this reason, dialysis patients use plastic coils for bundling and fixing tubes in daily life and bathing, or make loose loops with rubber underwear and wear them around the waist. The fact is that no tape is used. For this reason, there is a demand for a tube joining apparatus capable of joining tubes without causing a decrease in joining strength even when a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joining portion of the tubes.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, the joint strength of the tube can be stably reduced without lowering the joint strength. An object of the present invention is to provide a tube joining method and a tube joining apparatus capable of joining tubes.

Means for solving the problem

[0009] A tube joining method according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problem, is a tube joining method for aseptically joining a plurality of flexible tubes, wherein the tube holding step of deforming the tubes into a flat state. A tube cutting step of cutting the tube with a cutting plate, a cutting plate removing step of removing the cutting plate outside the cutting surface of the tube, and a tube joining step of welding and joining the cut surfaces of different tubes. And a tube pressing step of pressing the cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate after the tube cutting step.

[0010] In this tube joining method, the tube is held in a flat state in the tube holding step, and the tube is cut by the cutting plate in the tube cutting step. And this tube cutting After the step, a tube pressing step of pressing the cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate is performed. For this reason, the cut surface of the tube is pressed against both surfaces of the cutting plate, so even if foreign matter such as adhesive is attached to the joint of the tube, the foreign matter is pushed out of the joint surface of the tube. Move away from the cutting board. In this state, the cutting plate is pulled out of the cut surface of the tube in the cutting plate extracting step, and the cut surfaces of different tubes are joined in the tube joining step. Therefore, when the cutting plate is pulled out of the cutting surface of the tube, the foreign material does not come into contact with the cutting plate because the foreign material does not contact the cutting plate. Therefore, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, a stable and good joint state can always be ensured.

[0011] In the tube joining method according to the present invention, after the tube cutting step, a first tube pressing step of pressing the cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate, and the cut surfaces of the tubes to be joined are opposed to each other. Preferably, the method further includes a tube moving step of moving the tube, and a second tube pressing step of pressing a cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate.

As described above, after the tube moving step, the cut surface of the tube is pressed against the cutting plate in the second tube pressing step, so that when the tube moving step is performed, foreign matter comes into contact with the cutting plate. Even if it does, the foreign matter can be pushed out of the joint surface of the tube and separated from the cutting plate. As a result, it is possible to ensure that foreign matter is not reliably drawn into the joint surface of the tube and spread out when the cutting plate extracting step to be performed next is performed. Therefore, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, a stable and good joint state can always be ensured.

[0013] In addition, the tube joining method according to the present invention preferably includes a third tube pressing step of pressing the cut surfaces of the tubes after the cutting plate removing step.

By doing so, even if foreign matter is drawn into the joint surface of the tube during the cutting plate removal step, the foreign matter is pushed out of the joint surface of the tube. Therefore, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, a stable and good joint state can always be ensured. [0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a tube joining apparatus according to the present invention is a tube joining apparatus that aseptically joins a plurality of flexible tubes, and includes a pair of tube holding means for holding the tubes. A cutting plate for cutting the tube between the pair of tube holding units, and a first moving unit for moving the pair of tube holding units toward and away from each other; The moving means moves at least one of the tube holding means in order to press the cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate after cutting the tube by the cutting plate.

[0015] In this tube joining apparatus, the tube held by the pair of tube holding means is cut by a cutting plate. Then, after cutting the tube, at least one of the pair of tube holding units is moved by the first moving unit to press the cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate. Thereby, the cut surface of the tube is pressed against both surfaces of the cutting plate. Therefore, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, the foreign substance is pushed out of the joint surface of the tube and separates from the cutting plate. Therefore, foreign matter is not drawn into or unfolded (spread out) from the joint surface of the tube due to the subsequent relative movement between the cutting plate and the joint surface of the tube. Therefore, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, a stable and good joint state can always be ensured.

As described above, according to the tube joining apparatus of the present invention, even if foreign matter such as an adhesive substance is attached to the joint portion of the tube, the foreign matter may be drawn into the joint surface of the tube during tube joining. It does not expand (spread). Therefore, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, a stable and favorable joint state can always be ensured.

[0017] In the tube joining apparatus according to the present invention, further, after cutting the tube, the second moving means for moving at least one of the tube holding means so that the cut surfaces of the tubes to be joined face each other. It is desirable to have

In this tube joining apparatus, the tube holding means is moved by the second moving means so that the cut surfaces of the tubes to be joined face each other. At this time, foreign matter Since the tube is pushed out of the joint surface, the foreign matter does not spread (spread) on the joint surface due to the movement of the tube. Therefore, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, a stable and favorable joint state can always be ensured.

[0018] Further, in the tube joining apparatus according to the present invention, the first moving means may be configured such that the cut surfaces of the tubes joined by the second moving means face each other. It is desirable to move at least one of the tube holding means in order to press the tube holding member against the cutting plate.

By doing so, even if foreign matter is in contact with the cutting plate in a state where the cut surfaces of the tubes to be joined are opposed to each other, the foreign matter is pushed out of the joint surface of the tube and is pushed out of the cutting plate. This is because they can be separated. As a result, it is possible to ensure that the foreign matter is not drawn into the joint surface of the tube and unfolded when the next cutting plate extracting step is performed. Therefore, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, a stable and favorable joint state can always be ensured.

[0019] Further, in the tube joining apparatus according to the present invention, the first moving means may cut the tube, and then pull the cutting plate out of the cut surface of the tube. It is desirable to move at least one of the tube holding means in order to press the cut surfaces of the tubes together.

By doing so, even if foreign matter is drawn into the joint surface of the tube when the cutting plate is extracted from the tube, the foreign matter is pushed out of the joint surface of the tube. Therefore, even if foreign matter such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, a stable and good joint state can always be ensured.

The invention's effect

[0020] According to the tube joining method and the tube joining apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, even if a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tube, the joining strength is not reduced and stably. Tubes can be joined.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an internal mechanism in one embodiment of a tube connection device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an internal mechanism in one embodiment of the tube connection device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a clamp rotor.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view in the A direction of a piece of the rotor in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fixed clamp body.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a fixed clamp body 13.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a movable clamp 12 of the first tube holder 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a first tube holder 1.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a fixing clamp 81 of the second tube holder 2.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a drive cam 92.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a fixed clamp 81 and a buckle 111.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a first tube holder 1 and a second tube holder 2 as viewed from a direction C in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the wafer holder viewed from the first tube holder 1 side.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a position of a wafer 6 at the time of cutting a tube.

FIG. 15 is a view conceptually showing a cutting and joining operation of a tube.

FIG. 16 is a view conceptually showing the movement of a foreign substance when a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to a joint portion of a tube.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining that, in a conventional tube joining technique, a joining defect occurs when a foreign substance adheres to a joining portion of a tube.

Explanation of symbols

1 Tube joining equipment

2 First clamp

3 Second clamp

6 Ueno

11, 81 Fixed clamp

12, 82 Movable clamp

24, 224 Press arm 25, 225 roller bearing

92 Drive cam

131, 231 spring

293, 294 Slide cam

293a— 293c, 294a— 294c Slide cam surface

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the most preferred embodiments that embody the tube joining method and the tube joining apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to tube joining in continuous peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) such as when exchanging a dialysate bag and a waste liquid bag.

[0024] First, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of the tube joining apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal mechanism of the tube joining apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof (excluding the movable clamps 12 and 82). This tube joining device consists of a tube holding mechanism that holds the tubes 7 and 8, a cutting mechanism that moves the wafer (cutting plate) 6 with respect to the tubes 7 and 8, and a new wafer 6 for each joining operation of the tubes 7 and 8. And a wafer feed mechanism to send the wafer. Therefore, the configuration of the tube holding mechanism will be described first.

[0025] The tube holding mechanism holds and sandwiches the two tubes 7 and 8 at two locations with a gap therebetween, and after cutting, rotates and replaces each tube, thereby pressing and joining the cut sections of different tubes. It is to let. The main components thereof are a first tube holder 1 and a second tube holder 2, which are respectively composed of fixed clamps 11, 81 and movable clamps 12, 82 connected to the fixed clamps by pin joints.

[0026] The first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and are provided so as to be slidable (approach and separation) from each other. More specifically, the first tube holder 1 is provided so as to be slidable so that the distance between the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 can be adjusted, and the second tube holder 2 is connected to the first tube holder 1. It is slidable so that the distance can be adjusted. A wafer holder serving as a cutting mechanism is arranged between the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2, and the first tube holder 1 The second tube holder 2 is configured to move the wafer 6 in a direction orthogonal to the tubes 7 and 8 held by the second tube holder 2.

Further, a clamp port for rotating the tube cut by the wafer 6 is provided in the first tube holder 1. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the clamp rotor, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the A direction of the rotor piece 31 (32) shown in FIG.

[0027] The clamp rotor 30 is composed of a pair of rotor pieces 31 and 32, and the rotor pieces 31 and 32 have a rotationally symmetric shape formed by splitting gears in half. Therefore, the rotor pieces ₃₁ and ₃₂ are of the same type, both having a semicircular shape, and are formed as a single clamp rotor 30 by overlapping the half surfaces.

Specifically, the clamp rotor 30 includes tube holding portions 33, 33 for holding tubes in the center, flange portions 34, 34 projecting radially from the tube holding portions 33, 33, and flange portions 34. The outer rim 35 has rotor gears 36, 36 and opening grooves 37a, 37b, 37a, 37b formed therein.

[0028] The tube holding portions 33, 33 are formed with holding grooves 33a and closed portions 33b, 33b in which the tip of the cylinder is inclined toward the center and narrowed. The holding grooves 33a, 33a are grooves having a substantially semicircular cross section with a depth corresponding to the diameter of the tubes 7, 8, and the closed portions 33b, 33b have the flat tubes 7, 8 crushed there. Both are formed symmetrically so as to form a gap enough to close the inside of the tube. Further, the lock grooves 37a, 37a and the lock grooves 37b, 37b formed in the rim portions 35, 35 are formed at the same position on both the rotor pieces 31, 32. This is because the locking grooves 37a, 37a correspond to the locking means of the fixed clamp 11, and the locking grooves 37b, 37b correspond to the locking means provided on the movable clamp 12.

Next, the fixed clamp 11 and the movable clamp 12 of the first tube holder 1 into which the rotor pieces 31 and 32 are loaded will be described. The fixed clamp 11 is formed by fixing a body cover 14 (see FIG. 1) to a fixed clamp body 13 shown in FIG. The fixed clamp body 13 has an outer frame 16 projecting from the side wall 15 as shown in the figure, and a body force bar 14 is applied to the outer frame 16 and screwed. Fixed clamp 1 1 is a hollow type with an open top The rotor piece 31 (32) described above is loaded therein. Further, the stepping motor 3 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the body cover 14, and a gear train for transmitting the rotation output to the rotor piece 31 (32) is provided in the fixed clamp 11.

[0030] The fixed clamp body 13 has a single support bracket 17 and a forked support bracket 18 formed at both upper corners. The single support bracket 17 is for a pin joint with the movable clamp 12, and the bifurcated support bracket 18 has a bearing 28 supported therebetween.

In addition, the upper side of the side wall 15 of the fixed clamp body 13 and the upper side (not shown) of the body cover 14 have a semicircular notch-shaped rotary support groove for supporting the tube holding portion 33 of the rotor piece 31 (32). 19 are formed. On the side wall 15, rollers 20, 20, 20 for rotatably supporting the rotor piece 31 (32) are supported on the circumference of the same center as the rotation support groove 19. The three rollers 20,... Are arranged such that the rollers 20, 20 on both sides are symmetrically arranged at an interval of 60 ° with respect to the center roller 20.

Further, a positioning protrusion 21 is formed on the fixed clamp body 13 so as to protrude from the upper side of the side wall 15.

[0031] The fixed clamp body 13 is formed so that the first tube holder 1 can move in parallel with the second tube holder 2 as described above. Here, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the fixed clamp body 13. FIG.

The fixed clamp body 13 has a slide tube 22 projecting vertically from the side wall 15, and a guide roller 23 rotatably supported in the axial direction of the slide tube 22. The slide tube 22 is fitted into a guide rod projecting from a cam support 290 described later, and the guide roller 23 is disposed in a guide groove 29a of a guide block 29 fixed to a base 210 shown in FIG. Therefore, the fixed clamp 11 of the first tube holder 1 is mounted in a state where the fixed clamp body 13 is supported by the slide tube 22 and the guide roller 23 and floats from the base 210.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed clamp body 13 has a pressing arm 24 protruding from the second tube holder 2 side, and a roller bearing 25 supported at the tip.

The movable fixed clamp 11 supported by the slide tube 22 and the guide roller 23 A spring 131 is provided between the support wall 181 fixed to the base 210 shown in FIG. 1, and the spring 131 constantly urges the second tube holder 2 side. Therefore, the roller bearing 25 at the tip of the pressing arm 24 is always in contact with a driving cam in a cam support base 290 described later, so that the cam surface can be rolled.

Next, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the movable clamp 12 of the first tube holder 1, as viewed from the second tube holder 2 side. The movable clamp 12 has a body cover 52 attached to a movable clamp body 51 shown in the drawing, and is hollow like the fixed clamp 11, and a rotor piece 31 (32) is loaded therein.

In the movable clamp body 51 and the body cover 52, rotation support grooves 53, 54 cut out in a semicircle are formed at corresponding positions. The body cover 52 is rotatably supported by rollers 55, 55, and 55 that rotatably support the rotor piece 31 (32) on the same circumference as the rotation support groove 54. Of the three rollers 55, the other two rollers 55 are arranged symmetrically at an interval of 60 ° with respect to the center roller 55. Further, the movable clamp body 51 is provided with bifurcated support brackets 56, 57 for pin joints at both ends thereof.

Next, FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the first tube holder 1. Specifically, the fixed clamp 11 is a simplified view of the fixed clamp body 13 with the body cover 14 removed, and the movable clamp 12 is a simplified view of the cross section of the movable clamp body 51.

In the first tube holder 1, the fixed clamp 11 and the movable clamp 12 are pin-coupled by the support brackets 17, 56, and the movable clamp 12 is swung to be overlapped as shown in the figure. It is configured to open. A buckle 125 (see FIG. 7) is pin-coupled to a support bracket 57 formed at the swinging end of the movable clamp 12, and its jaw 127 is hung on the bearing 28 of the fixed clamp 11, as shown in FIG. It is configured to be locked with

[0035] In the clamped state of the first tube holder 1 shown in Fig. 8, the arranged tubes 7, 8 (Fig.

2) are held by the holding grooves 33a, 33a of the rotor pieces 31, 32, respectively, and are clamped and closed by the closing portions 33b, 33b as shown in the figure. The clamp rotor 30 shown in the drawing represents a cross section of the rotor pieces 31 and 32 shown in FIG. It is a thing.

The rotor pieces 31 and 32 are loaded so that the rollers 20... 55 enter between the tube holding portion 33 and the rim 35. Accordingly, in the illustrated clamped state, one clamp rotor 30 (see FIG. 3) is constituted by the rotor pieces 31 and 32, and the rollers 20... 55 are arranged at equal intervals (60 °) on the same circumference. Interval). The clamp rotor 30 is arranged such that the closing portions 33b, 33b protrude toward the second tube holder 2. In the fixed clamp 11, the stepping motor 3 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the body cover 14, and the drive gear 61 is attached to the motor shaft 3a that has entered the inside through the through hole 32a (see FIG. 1). The drive gear 61 meshes with the drive gear 63, and the drive gear 63 meshes with the rotor gear 36 of the crank rotor 30.

[0036] The fixed rotor 11 and the movable clamp 12 receive the loaded rotor pieces 31, 32 when the tube is not held or when the clamp is not clamped. Locking means as a rotation preventing means is provided in 12 for positioning so as not to deviate from the position shown in FIG. Each of the locking means fits into the locks and grooves 37a, 37b formed on the rotor pieces 31, 32, and regulates the displacement of the rotor pieces 31, 32.

Next, the second tube holder 2 will be specifically described. Here, FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the fixing clamp 81 of the second tube holder 2, and is a view particularly seen from the first tube holder 1 side. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the drive cam 92. FIG.

The fixed clamp 81 is slidably disposed on a cam support base 290 that supports a driving cam 92 described later. The cam support 290 is fixed to the base 210. As shown in FIG. 2, a spring 231 is provided between the support 281 and the support wall 281 fixed to the base 210, and the spring 231 constantly urges the spring 231 toward the first tube holder 1. Therefore, the roller bearing 225 provided at the tip of the pressing arm 224 is always in contact with the slide cam 294 described later, and the fixed clamp 81 is configured to be able to roll the cam surface.

[0038] The fixed clamp body 83 has a single support bracket 87 and a forked support bracket 88 formed at both upper corners. The single support bracket 87 is And a bifurcated support bracket 88 supports a bearing 90 therebetween. Further, a positioning projection 89 is formed on the fixed clamp body 83 so as to protrude from the upper side of the side wall 85.

The fixed clamp body 83 has a slide tube 32 projecting vertically from a side wall 85, and a guide roller 33 rotatably supported in the axial direction of the slide tube 32. The slide tube 32 is fitted into a guide rod 91 projecting from a cam support 290 described later, and the guide roller 33 is disposed in a guide groove 39a of a guide block 39 fixed to a base 210 shown in FIG. . Therefore, the fixed clamp 81 of the second tube holder 2 is attached while the fixed clamp body 83 is supported by the slide tube 32 and the guide roller 33 and floats from the base 210.

As shown in FIG. 10, the drive cam 92 is formed integrally with the reduction gear 95, and is supported by a cam support 290 at a position shown in the figure. The driving cam 92 is formed by integrally forming a circular sliding cam 293 (294) and an eccentric cutting cam 94. That is, the driving cam 92 has a sliding cam 293 and a cutting cam 94 formed on the near side with respect to the reduction gear 95 in FIG. 10, and a sliding cam 294 formed on the back side. The slide cams 293 and 294 have the same configuration. The slide cam 293 is for sliding the first tube holder 1, and the slide cam 294 is for the second tube holder 2. It is for sliding.

The drive cam 92 is supported by a cam support 290 fixed to the base 210. The side wall of the support 290 is largely cut so that the driving cam 92 appears.

[0040] These slide cams 293, 294 are formed with slide cam surfaces 293a, 293b, 293c having a force S formed on an end face thereof to be inclined to change the height in the axial direction. The slide cam surfaces 293a, 293b, and 293c have an intermediate height with the slide cam surface 293b having the highest slide cam surface 293c and the slide cam surface 293b having the lowest slide cam surface 293c. Further, the cutting cam 94 has an eccentric cam surface 94a formed by an outer peripheral side surface thereof.

On the other hand, the stepping motor 4 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the body cover 84, and as shown in FIG. 10, a drive gear 96 is attached to the motor shaft 4a that has entered the inside through the through hole 84a. And reduction gear 95 are combined. Next, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the movable clamp 82 and the buckle 120. The movable clamp 82 is constituted by a hollow movable clamp body 110 which is integrally formed, and has bifurcated support brackets 111 and 112 at both ends. Further, the movable clamp body 110 is formed with U-shaped grooves 113, 113 through which tubes are inserted, and closed portions 114, 114 projecting sideways, between which are pressed pressing portions 115, 115 protruding so as to lightly hold the tubes. Is formed. Further, the movable clamp body 110 is provided with a locking wall 116 which is applied to the positioning projection 89 of the fixed clamp body 83 on the swing end side (the buckle 120 side).

Then, a buckle 120 is pin-coupled to the support bracket 112 of the movable clamp body 110. The buckle 120 is configured so that the buckle 125 on the first tube holder 1 side shown in FIG. That is, the gripping plate 121 of the buckle 120 protrudes largely on one side (the first tube holder 1 side), and an insertion groove 122 for inserting the insertion portion 126 of the buckle 125 and the pin 129 is formed therein. At the position of the support bracket 112, similarly to the buckle 125, a jaw 123 and a pressing projection 124 are formed.

Therefore, the second tube holder 2 is overlapped by the movable clamp 82 being pin-coupled to the fixed clamp body 83 by the support bracket 111 and the movable clamp 82 swinging. It is configured to open as shown in FIG.

The jaw 123 of the buckle 120, which is pin-coupled to the swinging end of the movable clamp 82, is hung on the bearing 90 and is locked in a clamped state.

When the first tube holder 2 is clamped, there is a gap between the holding groove 98 of the fixed clamp body 83 and the closing portion 114 of the movable clamp body 110 so that the tubes 7 and 8 are flattened and the inside of the tube tube is closed. It is configured to be.

The first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 as described above are arranged in parallel to the base 210, as shown in FIGS. Specifically, the slide tube 22 provided on the first tube holder 1 is fitted into a guide rod 91 (see FIG. 10) projecting from a cam support 290 directly fixed to the base 210. Then, since the fixed clamp 11 is also supported by the guide roller 23, the first tube holder 1 holds the first tube. The holder 1 itself can be moved parallel to the base 210 while adjusting the distance to the second tube holder 2.

The slide tube 32 provided on the fixed clamp body 83 of the second tube holder 2 is fitted into a guide rod 91 protruding from the cam support base 290. The second tube holder 2 is parallel to the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 itself because the other clamp 83 is also supported by the guide roller 33. The movement of adjusting the distance to the first tube holder 1 can be performed while maintaining parallelism with the base 210.

In the first tube holder 1 movably supported by the cam support base 290 as described above, the fixed clamp body 13 is constantly biased toward the second tube holder 2 by the spring 131. . Therefore, the roller bearing 25 (see FIG. 6) of the pressing arm 24 protruding from the first tube holder 1 comes into contact with the sliding force 293 of the driving cam 92 provided on the cam support base 290, and the cam It is configured to roll on a surface.

On the other hand, in the second tube holder 2, the fixed clamp body 81 is constantly biased toward the first tube holder 1 by the spring 231. Therefore, the roller bearing 225 of the pressing arm 224 provided on the second tube holder 2 (see FIG. 9) comes into contact with the sliding cam 294 of the driving cam 92 provided on the 1S cam support base 290, and the cam surface is always It is configured to roll.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 are connected to the closed portions of the tubes 7 and 8 in the holding grooves 33b and 33b of the rotor piece 31 (32). It is arranged so that a slight gap is provided between the end of the holding groove 98 of the fixed clamp 81 and the closed part of the tubes 7 and 8 by the closed part 114 of the movable clamp 82. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 from the direction C in FIG.

[0048] Between the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 holding the tubes 7 and 8 closed, a cutting for raising and lowering the wafer 6 for cutting the tubes 7 and 8 is performed. A mechanism is provided.

Therefore, the cutting mechanism will be described next. Between the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 as described above, a wafer holder for holding and raising and lowering the wafer 6 is provided. Are located. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a wafer holder for holding the wafer 6.

The wafer holder 140 is swingably supported by a guide rod 91 supported by a cam support base 290, and is mounted on a base plate 141 having a swing tube 142 fitted into the guide rod 91. The fixing plate 143 and the opening / closing plate 145 are provided on both sides. The fixing plate 143 is fixed to the first tube holder 1 side with respect to the base plate 141, and a groove (not shown) through which the wafer 6 passes is formed between the two plates. The fixing plate 143 is formed with shift stoppers 143a and 143b that protrude upward at two locations and have barbs that prevent the wafer 6 from shifting upward.

The opening / closing plate 145 is pivotally supported at a lower portion, and further urged by an urging member at a lower side of the shaft supporting portion, so that the upper portion is in contact with the fixed plate 143 * separated, ie, It is provided to open and close. The opening / closing plate 145 is provided with electrodes 146a and 146b corresponding to the position of the displacement prevention 143a of the fixing plate 143. The electrodes 146a and 146b are configured to contact the resistor terminals of the wafer 6 loaded in the wafer holder 140 and to conduct electricity. Have been. Further, a pressing piece 145b is formed on the opening / closing plate 145 so as to correspond to the other stopper 143b of the fixed plate 143. Further, on the outer surface of the opening / closing plate 145, one convex line 145s is formed in parallel along the direction in which the wafer 6 enters.

[0051] The base plate 141 is provided with positioning leaf springs 147a, 147b, 147c for pressing the wafer 6 against the fixing plate 143 to position the wafer 6, and overlaps the rearmost leaf spring 147a. As described above, receding prevention plate panel 148 is provided. The positioning plate panels 147a, 147b, and 147c are arranged so as to press the front and rear three places at the lower end of the height of the wafer 6 loaded in the wafer holder 140, and the receding prevention plate panel 148 is used for the passing wafer 148. A return 148a is formed to refuse the exit of step 6.

Then, such a wafer holder 140 is fitted into the guide rod 91 together with the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2, and a spring disposed between the wafer holder 140 and the first tube holder 1. 153 (see Fig. 2) biased toward the second tube holder 2

The wafer holder 140 has a roller bearing 1 on a shaft fixed to the base plate 141. 55 are supported. Although not shown, the wafer holder 140 is in a state where the roller bearing 1 55 enters the cam support base 290 and is mounted on the top of the eccentric cam surface 94 a of the cutting cam surface 94 formed on the driving cam 92. Installed with.

The roller bearing 155 of the wafer holder 140 is configured to always roll on the eccentric cam surface 94a by a spring (not shown).

Next, a wafer feeding mechanism for feeding the wafer 6 into the wafer holder 140 will be described. A plurality of wafers 6 are stored in a wafer cassette 160 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a stacked manner, and one wafer 6 extruded on a feed line is moved by a feed frame 161 moving along the feed line. It is configured to be pushed in the direction of arrow X (see Fig. 2).

The feed piece 161 has a claw portion 161 a formed at the tip thereof by a step corresponding to the thickness of the wafer 6, and is formed integrally with the slider 162. The slider 162 is slidably supported by a guide rod 171 fixed between the support walls 181 and 182 fixed on the base 210.

Further, a male screw 172 hung in parallel with the guide rod 171 is rotatably supported by the support walls 181, 182. A female screw holding a ball is formed in a female screw block 163 formed integrally with the slider 162, and a ball screw is formed by screwing with the male screw 172.

The transmission gear 173 is fixed to the male screw 172 at the end on the support wall 182 side. The outer force stepping motor 5 is fixed to the support wall 182, and the drive gear 174 fixed to the motor shaft penetrating the support wall 182 is engaged with the transmission gear 173.

Further, on the upper surface of the female screw block 163, there is provided a pair of upper and lower plates 166, 167, and S, which are provided with two plate members stacked one on top of the other. On the other hand, a control board 183 is fixed to the support walls 181 and 182 as shown in FIG. 2, and the control board 183 is provided with a standby detection sensor 185 and a feed detection sensor 186. The standby detection sensor 185 is a sensor that detects the standby position of the feed frame 161 based on the position of the marker 166, and the feed detection sensor 186 is a sensor that detects the feed position of the feed frame 161 based on the position of the marker 167. The markers 166 and 167 are pivotally supported on the female screw block 163 so that the degree of opening of the tip, which is the detection target portion, can be adjusted. Further, stoppers 175 and 176 for preventing the slider 162 from overrunning are fitted on the guide rod 171 against the support walls 181 and 182, respectively.

Further, a support arm 168 is provided on the slider 162 from below the feeder 161, and a pin 169 is further provided on the tip of the support arm 168. On the other hand, a prism-shaped beam 191 is stretched between the support wall 182 and the cam support 390 in parallel with the guide rod 171. The beam 191 is formed with a rail 192 having a step at the corner, and a prismatic operation rod 195 is mounted on the rail 192. The operating rod 195 has a guide groove 195 a formed on the back surface along the vertical direction, and is fitted on a guide pin 193 protruding from the rail 192.

The distal end force of the support arm 168 protruding from the slider 162 is applied to the rear end of the operation rod 195 from the side, and the pin 169 at the end of the support arm 168 is lightly fitted into the operation rod 191.

Next, the tube joining operation of the tube joining apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 (a)-(f) and FIGS. 16 (a)-(f). FIGS. 15 (a)-(f) are diagrams conceptually showing tube cutting and joining operations. FIGS. 16 (a)-(f) are diagrams conceptually showing the movement of a foreign substance when a foreign substance such as an adhesive adheres to a joint portion of a tube. This tube joining device is entirely covered with a cover (not shown) except for the upper portions of the movable clamps 12 and 82. When the movable clamps 12 and 82 are opened upward as shown in FIG. 1, the upper surfaces of the fixed clamps 11 and 81 appear, and the tubes 7 and 8 can be set. Therefore, the user fits the two tubes 7 and 8 (see FIG. 2) into the tube guide 100, respectively.

Subsequently, after setting the tubes 7 and 8, the user holds the buckle 120 and closes the movable clamps 12 and 82 of the tube joining device in the state shown in FIG. That is, the movable clamps 12, 8 2 are superimposed on the fixed clamps 11, 81, and the tubes 7, 8 are held and clamped by these.

Since the buckle 120 is formed integrally with the buckle 125, both movable clamps 12, 82 can be closed together by operating the holding plate 121 (see FIG. 11). Then, the movable clamps 12, 82 are overlaid on the fixed clamps 11, 81 (see FIG. (See 8) to rotate the knocking knob 120, and it is pulled by the bearings 28, 90 of the class 127 force S fixed clamps 11, 81 and locked.

Next, when the movable clamps 12 and 82 are superimposed on the fixed clamps 11 and 81,

, 81 project into the hollow movable clamps 12, 82, and are fitted in the horizontal direction without a gap. Therefore, the lateral displacement is prevented, and the fixed clamps 11 and 81 and the movable clamps 12 and 82 are superposed at accurate positions.

At this time, on the first tube holder 1 side, as shown in FIG. 8, the plate panel 71 is pushed back by the positioning protrusion 21 that has entered the movable clamp 12 side. Therefore, the panel panel 71 is bent and deformed by the pressing force of the positioning protrusion 21, and the deformation causes the engaging piece 72 to retreat and to be removed from the lock groove 37 b of the clamp rotor 30.

[0061] Next, when the start switch is input by the user to the tube joining device in which the tubes 7, 8 are accurately clamped and the start switch is in the standby state, the respective mechanisms of the device are driven to drive the tube. Cutting and joining are performed. At that time, first, the wafer 6 is replaced.

One wafer 6 is used for each tube bonding, and the used wafer 6 used earlier is left in the wafer holder 140 (see FIG. 1). . Therefore, when the start switch is input, first, the wafer 6 is replaced by the following operation (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

When the start switch is input by the user, the stepping motor 5 is driven and transmitted to the male screw 172 constituting the ball screw via the rotation output force drive gear 174 and the transmission gear 173. Therefore, the male screw 172 rotates, and the female screw block 163 of the female screw engaged with the male screw 172 moves in the axial direction. Since the female screw block 163 is stopped by the slider 162, it cannot rotate. Accordingly, the driving of the stepping motor 5 causes the slider 162 to slide on the guide rod 171 in the axial direction, and the movement of the slider 162 causes the feed piece 161 and the operation rod 195 to move in the same direction. In the feed frame 161 sent in the X direction, the claw 161a at the tip hooks the rear end of the wafer 6 and pushes forward, and only one wafer 6 is pulled out from the wafer cassette 160. Be taken away. The wafer 6 extruded by the feed frame 161 advances in the X direction while standing upright, and is sent to a groove in the wafer holder 140.

The movement of the slider 162 in the X direction causes the opening and closing operation of the wafer holder 140 by the operation rod 195 as well as the sending out of the wafer 6 by the sending piece 161. When the slider 162 moves in the X direction, the operating rod 195 supported by a pin at the tip of the support arm 168 also slides on the rail 192 in the X direction. At this time, since the guide groove 195a is fitted in the guide pin 193 on the Reynole 192, the operation rod 195 moves linearly without falling off the Renore 192 force. The operation rod 195 that has slid on the rail 192 in the X direction has its tip end inserted between the cam support 390 and the wafer holder 140. Since the operation rod 195 is synchronized with the movement of the feed frame 161 by the slider 162, the opening and closing of the wafer holder 140 is performed as the wafer 6 is inserted into the wafer holder 140.

The position of the wafer 6 placed in the wafer holder 140 is adjusted by the stop position of the feed frame 161. As shown in FIG. 2, the marker 167 moves physically in the feed frame 161, and the movement of the marker 167 is detected by the feed detection sensor 186. That is, the position of the feed frame 161 when the force 167 moves to the detection position of the feed detection sensor 186 becomes the fixed position of the wafer 6 in the wafer holder 140.

Therefore, when the marker 167 moves in the X direction integrally with the feed frame 161 and is detected by the feed detection sensor 186, a detection signal from the feed detection sensor 186 is sent to the control side, and the stepping motor 5 , Reverse drive control is performed.

[0065] Therefore, reverse rotation occurs in the male screw 172, the female screw block 163 and the slider 162 move in the anti-X direction, and the feeder 161 moves backward, so that only the wafer 6 remains in the wafer holder 140.

Then, when returning to the position shown in FIG. 2, the standby detection sensor 185 detects the marker 166, and the detection signal is sent to the control side to stop the rotation of the stepping motor 5.

On the other hand, the used wafer 6 is still loaded in the wafer holder 140. The used wafer 6 is also fixed by the positioning plate panels 147a, 147b, 147c. 143 It is being held down. Therefore, even if the thickness of the wafers 6 and 6 is as thin as several hundreds / im, the end faces always overlap each other, and the used wafer 6 is pushed out of the wafer holder 140 by the new wafer 6, and the wafer 6 is reliably replaced. .

When the wafer 6 has been sent to the home position, the rear end of the wafer 6 slips through the receding-prevention plate panel 148, and the tip of the receding-prevention panel panel 148 hits the fixed plate 143. The retreat of wafer 6 is cut off by 148a. Therefore, when a user tries to remove the used wafer 6 that has been pushed out, even if the user pushes the used wafer 6 by mistake, the new wafer 6 is placed in a fixed position without being pushed back.

When the operating rod 195 moves back together with the slider 162 as described above, the opening / closing plate 145 is released from its pressing, and is closed by an urging member (not shown). Therefore, the electrodes 146a and 146b provided on the opening / closing plate 145 come into contact with the resistor terminals of the wafer 6, and the energized resistors are heated to raise the temperature of the wafer 6 (about 300 ° C.).

Then, following sufficient temperature rise of the wafer 6, the tubes 7 and 8 are cut. In cutting the tubes 7 and 8, the wafer 6 is raised by swinging the wafer holder 140, and the wafer 6 is orthogonally inserted into the tubes 7 and 8 clamped by the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2. (See Fig. 15 (a)). At this time, if foreign matter such as an adhesive (for example, tape glue) adheres to the joint portion of the tube, as shown in FIG. 16 (a), the foreign matter 9 sandwiches the wafer 6 at the tube joint portion. Separated left and right.

The swing of wafer holder 140 is performed by transmitting the rotation of stepping motor 4 (see FIG. 2) to driving cam 92 (see FIG. 10).

Then, when the stepping motor 4 is started, its rotation output is transmitted from the drive gear 96 fixed to the motor shaft 4a to the reduction gear 95, and rotation is given to the drive cam 92 formed integrally with the reduction gear 95. When the drive cam 92 rotates, the height of the top of the cutting cam 94 on which the roller bearing 155 is placed changes. In this case, the wafer holder 140 is pushed up by the drive cam 92 and rises, and descends according to the drive cam 92.

Then, the wafer 6 in the wafer holder 140 moves in the direction orthogonal to the tube 78. [0071] Therefore, the tubes 7, 8 clamped by the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 are cut by a downward force by the wafer 6, and the heated portion of the wafer 6 to which the wafer 6 has been applied is melted. And is cut off. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the position of the wafer 6 at the time of cutting the tube.

The heated wafer 6 has its cut side (upper side) applied to the tubes 7 and 8 from below, and is cut by the oscillating wafer holder 140 so as to slide obliquely with respect to the tubes 7 and 8. . Therefore, the contact portion of the cut side of the wafer 6 that cuts the tubes 7 and 8 shifts in the process of cutting, so that the calorie of the cut portion of the wafer 6 is maintained.

The cutting and joining of the tubes 7 and 8 by the wafer 6 are performed at the respective closed portions (see FIG. 12) of the tubes 7 and 8 crushed by the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2. Is

When the movable clamps 12 and 82 are superimposed on the fixed clamps 11 and 81, the tubes 7 and 8 supported by the tube guide 100 (see FIG. 1) are moved by the first tube holder 1 into the closed portions 33b and 33b of the clamp rotor 30. 33b (see FIG. 3), and in the second tube holder 2, by the holding groove 98 (see FIG. 9) of the fixed clamp body 83 and the closing portion 114 (see FIG. 11) of the movable clamp body 110. Clamped as shown in 12. Therefore, between the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2, the cylindrical tubes 7 and 8 have a flattened shape, and a portion where the tubes are in close contact appears. This portion is a portion cut and bonded by the wafer 6.

Then, the wafer 6 is lifted by the swing of the wafer holder 140, and the tubes 7, 8 are cut as shown in FIG. The tubes 7 and 8 are previously clamped and crushed, and the liquid in the tubes is flushed from the cut portion at the time of clamping, so that the tubes do not flow out of the cut portion during cutting.

When cutting the tubes, the cut portions of tubes 7 and 8 are in a high-temperature state where the resin has melted or softened, and their cut surfaces are in air-tight contact with wafer 6. Until joining, the inside of tubes 7 and 8 is kept in an aseptic condition without contacting the atmosphere. Here, the drive cam 92 for raising the wafer holder 140 includes a cutting cam 94, a slide cam 293 for moving the first tube holder 1, and a slide for moving the second tube holder 2. And the cam 294 are integrally formed. Then, the first tube holder 1 is constantly urged by the spring 131 (see FIG. 1), and the roller bearing 25 of the pressing arm 24 (see FIG. 6) is moved by the sliding cam 293 of the driving cam 92 (see FIG. 10). ). Further, the second tube holder 2 is constantly urged by the spring 231 (see FIG. 1), and the roller bearing 225 of the pressing arm 224 (see FIG. 9) The sliding cam 294 of the driving cam 92 (see FIG. 10) Is abutted.

Therefore, when the wafer holder 140 is raised by the rotation of the driving cam 92, the roller bearing 25 enters the slide cam surface 293a of the slide cam 293 and rolls. Further, the roller bearing 225 enters the slide cam surface 294a of the slide cam 294 and rolls. As a result, the wafer 6 rises and cuts the tubes 7 and 8, and slides the first tube holder 1 to the second tube holder 2 and the first tube holder 2 of the second tube holder 2. The slide to 1 is uniquely performed, and the cut surfaces of the tubes 7 and 8 are pressed in the axial direction at a predetermined timing (FIG. 15 (b)). As a result, the cut surfaces of the tubes 7 and 8 are pressed against both surfaces of the wafer 6, so that even if foreign matter 9 such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tubes 7 and 8, the foreign matter 9 is removed from the tube 7. It is pushed out of the connection plane (outside the burr) of, 8 (see Fig. 16 (b)).

Next, the tubes 7 and 8 cut off by the wafer 6 are inverted by the rotation of the clamp rotor 30 at the portion clamped by the first tube holder 1.

Then, when the wafer 6 is sufficiently raised, the driving of the stepping motor 4 is stopped, and the rotation of the clamp rotor 30 is given by the subsequent driving of the stepping motor 3 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 8, the rotation of the stepping motor 3 is driven by the drive gear of the motor shaft 3a. Then, the clamp rotor 30 rotates with the rotor pieces 31 and 32 serving as one rotating body shown in FIG.

The clamp rotor 30 is rotated by 180 ° by the stepping motor 3 so that the rotor pieces 31 and 32 are switched between the fixed clamp 11 and the movable clamp 12. Therefore, the figure As shown in FIG. 15 (c), the two clamped tubes 7, 8 rotate so as to face each other alternately.

Here, as described above, after cutting the tubes 7, 8, the joining surfaces of the tubes 7, 8 are pressed against both surfaces of the wafer 6. Therefore, even if foreign matter 9 such as an adhesive adheres to the joint of the tubes 7 and 8, the foreign matter 9 is pushed out of the joint surface of the tubes 7 and 8 (outside the burr). That is, there is no foreign matter 9 at the joint. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16 (c), even if the tubes 7 and 8 after cutting are rotated, the foreign matter 9 is not drawn into the joint surfaces of the tubes 7 and 8.

At this time, the clamp rotor 30 is rotatably supported by rollers 20,..., 55,... Arranged at equal intervals on the same circumference, and performs accurate rotation about a virtual rotation axis. It becomes. Therefore, when the clamp rotor 30 is inverted and the positions of the rotor pieces 31 and 32 are interchanged, the contact surfaces are located on the same circumference, and the cut surfaces of the tubes 7 and 8 are exactly at the positions before the inversion. Will be overlaid. That is, the cut surface of the tube 7 (8) and the cut surface of the tube 8 (7) are accurately overlapped.

Thereafter, as will be described later, the wafer 6 is lowered to perform tube bonding. When foreign matter 9 such as an adhesive substance is adhered to the bonding surfaces of the tubes 7 and 8, the wafer 6 is lowered. At this time, the tubes 7, 8 are pressed against both surfaces of the wafer 6, as shown in FIG. 15D, in order to prevent the foreign matter 9 from being drawn into the joining surfaces of the tubes 7, 8. As a result, the foreign matter 9 is pushed out of the joint surface of the tubes 7 and 8 (outside of the burr) as shown in FIG. Therefore, the foreign matter 9 is pushed out of the joint surface of the tubes 7 and 8 (outside the burr), and the foreign matter 9 is rotated by rotating the tubes 7 and 8 as described later. It can be prevented from being drawn into.

At this time, the pressing operation of the tubes 7 and 8 is performed by sliding the first tube holder 1 to the second tube holder 2 and sliding the second tube holder 2 to the first tube holder 1. Done by The sliding operation of the first tube holder 1 and the sliding operation of the second tube holder 2 are performed as described above. That is, first, the stepping motor 4 is started again, and the drive cam 92 (see FIG. 10) is rotated. Then, the slide cams 293 and 294 formed integrally with the drive cam 92 also rotate. That The roller bearing 225 enters the inclined slide cam surface 294b of the slide cam 294 and rolls. Therefore, the biasing force of the springs 131 and 231 causes the first tube holder 1 to slide on the second tube holder 2 and the second tube holder 2 to slide on the first tube holder 1. . At this time, since the height of the top of the cutting cam 94 does not change, the position of the wafer holder 140 does not change. That is, the wafer ₆ remains in a raised state.

Then, the cut surfaces of the tubes 7 and 8 rotated as described above are sandwiched between the cut surfaces of the tubes 7 and 8 clamped on the second tube holder 2 side and the wafer 6 in the same manner as immediately after cutting. It is located at the same position. Then, as shown in FIG. 15 (e), the wafer 6 is subsequently lowered, and as shown in FIG. 15 (f), when the cut surfaces are pressed against each other in the axial direction, the cut tubes 7, In the case of 8, the cut surfaces are alternately welded to each other to form one tube.

At that time, first, the stepping motor 3 in which the clamp rotor 30 is inverted is stopped, and then the stepping motor 4 is started again. Therefore, the driving cam 92 (see FIG. 10) rotates, and the height of the top of the cutting cam 94 on which the roller bearing 155 (see FIG. 13) is placed is lowered, and the wafer holder 140 is lowered accordingly. Therefore, the wafer 6 also descends and is extracted from the tubes 7 and 8. At that time, since the contact resistance between the wafer 6 and the melted tube cut surface is large, the wafer 6 is hooked by the slip stoppers 143a and 143b so as not to come off the wafer holder 140, and the wafer 6 is prevented from coming off. .

The drive cam 92 for lowering the wafer holder 140 has a cutting cam 94 and slide cams 293 and 294 for sliding the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2. Is formed. Therefore, the wafer 6 is extracted from the tubes 7 and 8, the first tube holder 1 slides to the second tube holder 2, and the second tube holder 2 slides to the first tube holder 1. Is performed uniquely, and the cut surfaces of the tubes are pressed in the axial direction at a predetermined timing. In other words, as described above, the mouth bearing 25 enters the inclined slide cam surface 293c of the slide cam 293 and rolls, and the roller bearing 225 is inclined by the slide cam surface 294c of the slide cam 294 (this person). As a result, the first force of the springs 131 and 231 The slide of the tube holder 1 to the second tube holder 2 and the slide of the second tube holder 2 to the first tube holder 1 are performed.

[0084] Then, the cut tubes 7 and 8 which are turned over are welded and joined by pressing the cut surfaces thereof to form two tubes 7 and 8 which are alternately joined. As described above, even when the foreign matter 9 exists at the joint portion between the tubes 7 and 8, when the wafer 6 is lowered, the foreign matter 9 is not in contact with the wafer 6 as shown in FIG. Therefore, foreign matter 9 cannot be drawn into the joint surface of tubes 7 and 8. Also, even if the foreign matter 9 spreads (spreads) on the joining surface of the tubes when the wafer 6 descends, the tubes are pressed together after the wafer 6 is pulled out of the tube force as shown in FIG. 16 (f). Then, the foreign matter 9 is pushed out of the joint surface of the tube (outside of the burr). Therefore, it is possible to stably maintain a favorable bonding state.

Thereafter, completion of the lowering of the wafer holder 140 is detected by a limit switch (not shown). By this detection, the plunger 203 of the solenoid 202 is lowered, and the knockers 120 and 125 can be removed.

Therefore, the user removes the buckles 120 and 125, opens the movable clamps 12 and 82, and removes the tubes 7 and 8.

The moved first tube holder 1 and second tube holder 2 remain at the same position until the next tube joining operation is performed. Then, when the switch is turned on, the stepping motor 4 is started, the rotation of the drive cam 92 is adjusted, and the positions of the first tube holder 1 and the second tube holder 2 are returned to the initial state.

[0086] As described above in detail, the tube bonding apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the drive cam 92 for raising and lowering the wafer holder 140, the cutting cam 94, and the first tube holder 1 And a slide cam 294 for moving the second tube holder 2 are integrally formed. The first tube holder 1 is constantly urged by a spring 131, and is in contact with the roller bearing 25 force S of the pressing arm 24 and the slide cam 293 of the drive cam 92. Further, the second tube holder 2 is constantly urged by a spring 231 and is in contact with a slide cam 294 of a roller bearing 225 force drive cam 92 of the pressing arm 224. [0087] Therefore, the roller bearing 25 enters the slide cam surfaces 293a-293c of the slide cam 293 and rolls in conjunction with the movement of the wafer holder 140 by the rotation of the drive cam 92. Further, the roller bearing 225 enters the slide cam surfaces 294a-294c of the slide cam 294 and rolls. As a result, after the wafer 6 rises and cuts the tubes 7 and 8, the clamp rotor 30 rotates to rotate the tubes 7 and 8, and the wafer 6 descends and falls out of the tubes 7 and 8. Later, the slide of the first tube holder 1 to the second tube holder 2 and the slide of the second tube holder 2 to the first tube holder 1 are performed.

[0088] Thereby, the cut surfaces of the tubes 7, 8 are pressed in the axial direction at a predetermined timing. As a result, the cut surfaces of the tubes 7 and 8 are pressed against the wafer 6, so that even if a foreign substance 9 such as an adhesive adheres to the joint portion of the tubes, the foreign substance 9 is removed from the joint surface of the tubes 7 and 8. It is pushed out (outside the burr). Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the foreign matter 9 from being unfolded or drawn into the joint surface of the tubes 7 and 8. The tubes 7 and 8 can be joined stably without causing a decrease in the size.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. . For example, in the above-described embodiment, a rotary type in which the tubes 7 and 8 are cut and then rotated to perform the tube joining is illustrated. The slide in which the tubes 7 and 8 are cut and then rotated instead of being rotated to perform the tube joining. The present invention can be applied to a formula.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] In a tube joining method for aseptically joining a plurality of flexible tubes,

A tube holding step of deforming the tube into a flat state,

A tube cutting step of cutting the tube with a cutting plate,

A cutting plate removing step of removing the cutting plate out of the cutting surface of the tube; and a tube joining step of welding and joining the cut surfaces of different tubes to each other, and cutting the tube after the tube cutting step. A tube joining method comprising a tube pressing step of pressing a surface against the cutting plate.

[2] The tube joining method according to claim 1,

After the tube cutting step, a first tube pressing step of pressing the cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate,

A tube moving step of moving the tubes so that the cut surfaces of the tubes to be joined face each other;

A second tube pressing step of pressing a cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate.

[3] In the tube joining method according to claim 1 or claim 2,

A tube joining method, comprising: a third tube pressing step of pressing the cut surfaces of the tubes after the cutting plate removing step.

[4] A tube joining apparatus for aseptically joining a plurality of flexible tubes,

A pair of tube holding means for holding the tube,

A cutting plate that cuts the tube between the pair of tube holding units, and a first moving unit that moves the pair of tube holding units toward and away from each other,

The first moving means, after cutting the tube by the cutting plate, moves at least one of the tube holding means to press a cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate. Joining equipment.

[5] The tube joining apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

Furthermore, after cutting the tube, the cut surfaces of the tubes to be joined face each other. A second moving means for moving at least one of the tube holding means as described above.

[6] The tube joining device according to claim 4 or claim 5,

The first moving means includes at least one of the tube holding means for pressing the cut surface of the tube against the cutting plate in a state where the cut surfaces of the tubes joined by the second moving means face each other. Tube joining device characterized by moving

[7] The four-tube joining apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first moving means cuts the tube and then pulls the cutting plate out of the cut surface of the tube. A tube connecting means for moving at least one of the tube holding means so as to press the cut surfaces of the tube together in a state where they have been removed;