WO2018193965A1

WO2018193965A1 - Connector assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2018193965A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/015407
Authority: WO
Inventors: 浮田純次; 瀧本和彦; 上原康賢
Original assignee: 株式会社ジェイ・エム・エス
Priority date: 2017-04-17
Filing date: 2018-04-12
Publication date: 2018-10-25
Also published as: JP6904033B2; JP2018175544A

Abstract

A connector body (101) has a connection cylinder (110) at one end thereof and has a base body (120) at the other end thereof. A tube (180) extends through a joint (130), and the tube and the joint are bonded together while the front end of the tube protrudes from the joint. The base body is provided with: a tube containing section (121) having contained therein the front end of the tube, which protrudes from the joint; and a joint containing section (122) having the joint contained therein. A liquid-tight first seal (S1) is formed between the front end of the tube and the connector body, and a liquid-tight second seal (S2) is formed between the joint and the joint containing section.

Description

Connector assembly

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

In the medical field, a flexible tube is used to form a flow path (sometimes referred to as a circuit) for flowing a liquid material (for example, blood, chemical liquid, etc.). In order to connect two tubes, a connecting tool including a male connector and a female connector is used. As such a connection tool, a slip connection type connection tool for fitting a male taper surface and a female taper surface (taper fitting) to prevent liquid leakage from between the male connector and the female connector is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The male taper surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical male member, and its outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip. The female taper surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical female member, and its inner diameter increases as it approaches the tip. The male taper surface and the female taper surface have the same diameter and taper angle. For this reason, when the male member is inserted into the female member, the male taper surface and the female taper surface come into liquid-tight surface contact. Both the male connector and the female connector are made of a hard material that does not substantially deform. The male connector includes a cylindrical base portion communicating with the male member, and a tube is connected to the base portion via an adhesive. The female connector also includes a cylindrical base portion communicating with the female member, and another tube is connected to the base portion via an adhesive. Thus, the two tubes can be communicated with each other via a connector composed of a male connector and a female connector.

JP 2012-074495 A

In the conventional slip connection type connector described above, the stronger the male member is inserted into the female member, the better the liquid tightness between the male tapered surface and the female tapered surface. However, if the male member is inserted too strongly into the female member, the female member receives a force that increases the diameter from the male member, and the male member receives a force that decreases the diameter from the male member. For this reason, damage such as cracks may occur in one or both of the male member and the female member (collectively referred to as “connecting cylinder”). In order to prevent the connection tube from being damaged, the entire connector (that is, the female connector and the male connector) including the connection tube may be made of a material having high toughness (that is, tenacious) (for example, polypropylene or polyethylene). It is valid.

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

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

The connector assembly of the present invention includes a connector and a flexible hollow tube connected to the connector. The connector has a connector body made of a hard material, having a cylindrical connection tube at one end, a cylindrical base portion at the other end, and the connection tube communicating with the tube, and a joint. Prepare. The outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint are bonded together with the tube penetrating the joint and the distal end portion of the tube protruding from the joint. The base portion includes a tube storage portion in which the distal end portion of the tube protruding from the joint is stored, and a joint storage portion in which the joint is stored. A liquid-tight first seal portion is formed between the distal end portion of the tube and the connector main body. A liquid-tight second seal portion is formed between the joint and the joint storage portion.

In the connector of the present invention, the connector main body having the connecting cylinder and the joint to which the tube is bonded are formed of separate members. For this reason, for example, it is possible to select the material of the joint in consideration of adhesiveness while selecting the material of the connector body so that damage such as cracks does not occur in the connection tube. Therefore, the connectivity between the connector and the tube can be ensured regardless of the material of the connection cylinder.

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

In the connector assembly according to the present invention, the first seal portion may be formed between an outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the tube and an inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion. Thereby, a 1st seal | sticker part can be formed with a simple structure.

In the first seal portion, the inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion may compress the distal end portion of the tube in a radial direction so that the distal end portion of the tube is reduced in diameter. Thereby, even if the material of a connector main body is not excellent in adhesiveness, a liquid-tight 1st seal | sticker part can be formed between a tube and a connector main body.

In the first seal portion, the distal end portion of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion may be bonded. This is advantageous for further improving the sealing performance of the first seal portion.

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

The second seal part includes a circumferential annular protrusion provided on one of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage part, and the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the joint storage part. You may form between the other of the internal peripheral surfaces. This is advantageous in improving the sealing performance of the second seal portion with a simple configuration.

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

The second seal portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint, the male taper surface having an outer diameter that decreases as it approaches the tip, and the connection cylinder provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion. Therefore, it may be formed between the female taper surface with a smaller inner diameter. This is advantageous in improving the sealing performance of the second seal portion by the surface contact between the male taper surface and the female taper surface.

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

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

The joint storage portion and the joint may be provided with an engagement structure that engages with each other. Accordingly, the connector body and the joint can be firmly coupled with a simple configuration.

The engagement structure may include a concave portion and a convex portion that fits into the concave portion. This is advantageous for simplifying the configuration of the engagement structure.

The concave portion may be an annular groove that is continuous in the circumferential direction. Thereby, a recessed part and a convex part can be engaged irrespective of the rotation direction position around the central axis of the joint.

The engagement structure provided in the joint housing portion and the engagement structure provided in the joint may be irreversibly engaged. Thereby, even if tension | tensile_strength is applied to a tube, it can prevent that a tube pulls out from a connector main body with a joint.

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

The connecting tube may be a female member provided on its inner peripheral surface with a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases as it approaches the tip. The female member is more susceptible to cracking than the male member. When the connector of this invention is a female connector provided with the female member, it is advantageous in improving the durability of the female member while ensuring the connectivity between the female connector and the tube.

The material of the connector body may be different from the material of the joint. This is advantageous in preventing the connection tube from being damaged such as cracks while securing the connectivity between the connector and the tube.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail while showing preferred embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Each drawing referred to in the following description shows simplified main members constituting an embodiment of the present invention for convenience of description. Therefore, within the scope of the present invention, arbitrary members not shown in the drawings may be added, or arbitrary members shown in the drawings may be changed or omitted. In the drawings cited in the description of the respective embodiments, members corresponding to those shown in the drawings cited in the preceding embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the drawings of the preceding embodiments. is there. About such a member, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted and you should consider the description of previous embodiment suitably.

(Embodiment 1)
The embodiment which applied this invention to the female connector assembly is shown. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a female connector assembly 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly 1 along one plane including the central axis 1a. As shown in FIG. 1B, the female connector assembly 1 includes a female connector 100 and a tube 180. The female connector 100 includes a female connector main body 101 and a joint 130. The central axis 1 a of the female connector assembly 1 is common to the central axes of the female connector main body 101, the joint 130, and the tube 180 constituting the female connector assembly 1. For convenience of the following description, a direction parallel to the central axis 1a is referred to as “vertical direction”. “Upper” and “Lower” are defined based on FIGS. 1A to 1B. However, “upper” and “lower” do not mean the orientation of the female connector assembly 1 in actual use. A direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the central axis 1a is referred to as a “horizontal direction”. The direction orthogonal to the central axis 1a is referred to as “radial direction” or “radial direction”, and the direction of rotation around the central axis 1a is referred to as “circumferential direction”.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Between the tube storage part 121 and the joint storage part 122, an inner diameter transition region 127 is provided due to an inner diameter difference between the first inner peripheral surface 121a and the second inner peripheral surface 122a. In the inner diameter transition area 127, the inner diameter changes so that the inner diameter decreases from the joint housing portion 122 (second inner circumferential surface 122 a) toward the tube housing portion 121 (first inner circumferential surface 121 a). The inner diameter transition region 127 of the present embodiment is configured by a convex curved surface that protrudes toward the inner cavity of the base portion 120 and has a substantially arc-shaped cross section. However, the inner diameter transition region 127 of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the inner diameter decreases from the joint housing part 122 (second inner circumferential surface 122a) toward the tube housing part 121 (first inner circumferential surface 121a). It may be a tapered surface inclined so as to be. A step surface that is an annular flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis, similar to the step surface 126, may be provided between the tube storage portion 121 and the joint storage portion 122. A convex curved surface or a tapered surface similar to the above-described inner diameter transition region 127 may be provided on the inner edge of the step surface (that is, the edge of the opening on the joint storage portion 122 side of the tube storage portion 121).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The protrusion 133 of the joint 130 is fitted in the groove 123 of the base body 120. Since the groove 123 is an annular groove that is continuous in the circumferential direction, the protrusion 133 can be fitted into the groove 123 regardless of the rotational position around the central axis of the joint 130 with respect to the base portion 120. The tapered surface 133a of the protrusion 133 is opposed (preferably abutted) to the tapered surface 123a of the groove 123 in the central axis direction. As described above, since the

tapered surfaces

123a and 133a have a very large taper angle, once the protrusion 133 is fitted into the groove 123, the joint 130 is then pulled downward from the female connector body 101. However, it is difficult to release the engagement between the protrusion 133 and the groove 123. That is, the protrusion 133 and the groove 123 are irreversibly engaged.

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

The tip of the joint 130 is opposed (preferably abutted) in the central axis direction to an inner diameter transition region 127 between the tube storage part 121 and the joint storage part 122.

Next, the tube 180 is inserted into the through hole 138 of the joint 130. The outer peripheral surface of at least the portion inserted into the female connector 100 of the tube 180 is a cylindrical surface whose outer diameter is constant in the longitudinal direction. The tube 180 has such flexibility that it can be easily bent and compressed in the radial direction. The material of the tube 180 is not limited, but is preferably a soft material. For example, a resin material such as soft polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, or polybutadiene can be used, and soft polyvinyl chloride is particularly preferable.

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

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

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

As described above, the inner diameter of the first inner peripheral surface 121a is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 180. For this reason, the first inner peripheral surface 121a is slightly compressed and deformed in the radial direction so as to reduce the diameter of the distal end portion of the tube 180. The outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 is in close contact with the first inner peripheral surface 121a by the elastic restoring force of the tube 180, and a liquid-tight seal portion S1 (see FIG. 1B) is formed between the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a. The

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

As shown in FIG. 1B, in the female connector assembly 1, the tube 180 is bonded to the joint 130, and the joint 130 is engaged with the female connector main body 101 by the engaging structure (the groove 123 and the protrusion 133). . The material of the female connector main body 101 and the joint 130 can be freely selected in consideration of the respective functions. For example, a material having high toughness (for example, polypropylene) can be selected as the material of the female connector main body 101 including the female member 110 in order to prevent the female member 110 from being damaged such as cracks. In addition, in order to ensure high adhesive strength between the tube 180 and the joint 130, a material having good adhesion (for example, hard polyvinyl chloride) can be selected as the material of the joint 130. Thereby, reduction of the damage of the female member 110 and securing of the connectivity between the female connector 100 and the tube 180 can be achieved at the same time.

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

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

Returning to FIG. 1B, there is a possibility that a part of the liquid material enters between the step surface 126 and the tip of the tube 180. It is necessary to prevent this liquid from flowing out to the outside of the female connector assembly 1.

As described above, in the female connector assembly 1, the liquid-tight seal portion (first seal portion) S 1 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121 a of the tube storage portion 121. A liquid-tight seal portion (second seal portion) S 2 is formed between the protrusion 132 of 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122 a of the joint housing portion 122, and further, the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the through hole 138 of the joint 130. A liquid-tight seal portion (third seal portion) S3 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the first and second inner surfaces.

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

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

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

In the above embodiment, the surface 131 is a cylindrical surface. However, as long as the projection 132 forms the second seal portion S2, the surface 131 may not be an accurate cylindrical surface.

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

The annular protrusion constituting the second seal portion S2 may be constituted by a seal member such as an O-ring. The seal member can be attached to an annular groove provided on one of the cylindrical surface 131 of the joint 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the joint storage portion 122. In this case, the second seal portion S 2 is formed between the seal member and the other of the cylindrical surface 131 of the joint 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122 a of the joint storage portion 122. Use of a seal member that is a separate component from the female connector main body 101 and the joint 130 increases the number of components constituting the female connector assembly 1, but is advantageous in improving the sealing performance of the second seal portion S2. There is.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the female connector assembly 2 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the female connector assembly 2 along one plane including the central axis 1a. Similar to the first embodiment, the female connector assembly 2 includes a female connector 200 and a tube 180. The female connector 200 includes a female connector main body 201 and a joint 230. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body 201. 9A is a perspective view of the joint 230, FIG. 9B is a side view of the joint 230, and FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the joint 230. Below, the female connector assembly 2 of this Embodiment 2 is demonstrated centering around difference with Embodiment 1. FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The above embodiments 1 to 3 are merely examples. The present invention is not limited to Embodiments 1 to 3, and can be modified as appropriate.

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

Alternatively, the first seal portion S 1 is formed between the step surface 126 and the tube 180 by pressing the distal end of the tube 180 against the lower surfaces of the small diameter portions 117 and 317 (that is, the step surface 126) in the central axis direction. Also good.

The female member of the present invention is not limited to Embodiments 1 to 3 described above. The female member 110 only needs to have a taper surface (female taper surface) 112 whose inner diameter increases as it approaches the tip. The dimensions (inner diameter, taper angle, length in the central axis direction, etc.) of the female taper surface are arbitrary. The outer peripheral surface 113 of the female member 110 does not need to be a cylindrical surface, and the cylindrical surface 113 may not be provided with the screw-like projection 115. If the female member 110 has the female taper surface 112, the female member 110 receives an outward force in the radial direction from the inserted male member, and the female member 110 may be damaged such as a crack. The present invention is advantageous in preventing such damage of the female member 110. Therefore, the female connector assembly of the present invention is connected to the male connector simply by fitting the male taper surface of the male connector to the female taper surface 112 without screwing connection using the screw-like projection 115 (this is the case). Such a connection may be referred to as a “slip connection”.

The engagement structure for irreversibly engaging the joint with the female connector main body is not limited to the groove 123 and the protrusion 133, and the protrusion and the recess that engage with each other, or the protrusion and the protrusion that engage with each other. It may be a part. The convex portion may be an annular convex portion that is continuous in the circumferential direction like the projection 133, or may be one or more convex portions that are discontinuous in the circumferential direction. Similarly, the recess may be an annular recess that is continuous in the circumferential direction like the groove 123, or may be one or more recesses that are discontinuous in the circumferential direction. The cross-sectional shape along the plane including the central axis of the convex portion and the concave portion does not need to be substantially triangular, and is arbitrary such as a semicircular shape and a rectangular shape. In the case where the engaging structure is constituted by a convex portion and a concave portion, the convex portion may be provided in the joint housing portion 122 and the concave portion may be provided in the joint.

In the above-described embodiment, the second seal portion S2 is formed at a position different from the engaging structure provided on the female connector main body and the joint, and the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the second seal portion S2 may be formed between the engagement structure provided in the female connector body and the engagement structure provided in the joint. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a structure for forming the second seal portion S2 in the female connector main body and the joint separately from the engagement structure, so that the configuration of the female connector main body and the joint can be simplified.

In the above embodiment, the female connector main body and the joint are provided with the engagement structure that engages with each other. However, in the present invention, the structure for firmly coupling the joint to the female connector main body is not limited to the engagement structure so that the joint does not come out of the female connector main body. For example, the joint and the female connector body may be provided with a fitting structure that allows the joint to be integrated with the female connector body by press-fitting the joint into the joint housing portion of the female connector body. Specifically, a male taper surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint, a female taper surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint housing portion of the female connector body, and the male taper surface and the female taper surface are brought into firm surface contact, thereby allowing the joint to be female. It can be firmly coupled to the connector body. Alternatively, the first cylindrical surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint, the second cylindrical surface having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the first cylindrical surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint housing portion of the female connector body, and the first cylindrical surface is provided. The joint can be firmly coupled to the female connector main body by press-fitting into the second cylindrical surface and fitting them together. In these cases, since the second seal portion S2 is formed in a fitting structure, it is not necessary to provide a structure for forming the second seal portion S2 in the joint and the female connector main body separately from the fitting structure.

The material of the female connector main body, the joint, and the tube is not limited to the above. There are various combinations of materials that can prevent damage to the female member and improve the connectivity of the tube, and the present invention encompasses all these combinations. However, the material of the female connector body is preferably different from the material of the joint. The adhesive for bonding the joint and the tube may be appropriately changed according to the material of the joint and the tube.

The manufacturing method of the female connector assembly is not limited to the first to third embodiments. For example, the tube may be inserted into the joint such that its tip protrudes from the joint, and after the tube and the joint are bonded, the joint may be inserted into the base portion of the female connector body.

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

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

The application field of the present invention is not particularly limited, but can be preferably used as a connector assembly used to form a flow path for flowing a liquid substance in the medical field. There is no restriction | limiting in the kind in liquid, For example, blood, a chemical | medical solution, physiological saline may be sufficient, and it may have viscosity. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the medical field, and can be widely used in any field (for example, a field of food, chemistry, etc.) that needs to form a flow path through which a liquid material flows.

1,2,3 Female connector assembly (Connector assembly)
100, 200, 300 Female connector (connector)
101, 201, 301 Female connector body (connector body)
110 Female member (connecting cylinder)
112 Tapered surface (inner peripheral surface of female member)
115 screw-like projection 120 base part 121 tube storage part 121a first inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface of tube storage part)
122 Joint housing portion 122a Second inner circumferential surface (inner circumferential surface of the joint housing portion, cylindrical surface)
222a 2nd inner peripheral surface (the inner peripheral surface of a joint storage part, a female taper surface)
123 groove (engagement structure, recess)
127 Inner

diameter transition region

130, 230 Joint 131 Cylindrical surface (outer peripheral surface of joint)
231 Male taper surface 132 of joint Annular projection 133 Protrusion (engagement structure, convex portion)
180 Tube 321 Inner cylinder S1, S1 '1st seal part S2 2nd seal part S3 3rd seal part

Claims

A connector assembly comprising a connector and a flexible hollow tube connected to the connector,
The connector is
A connector body made of a hard material, having a cylindrical connection tube at one end, a cylindrical base portion at the other end, and the connection tube communicating with the tube;
With a joint,
The tube passes through the joint, and the outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint are bonded in a state where the tip of the tube protrudes from the joint.
The base portion includes a tube storage portion in which the distal end portion of the tube protruding from the joint is stored, and a joint storage portion in which the joint is stored,
A liquid-tight first seal portion is formed between the distal end portion of the tube and the connector body,
A connector assembly, wherein a liquid-tight second seal portion is formed between the joint and the joint housing portion.
2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first seal portion is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the tube and an inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion.
The said 1st seal | sticker part WHEREIN: The said internal peripheral surface of the said tube accommodating part is compressing the said front-end | tip part of the said tube radially so that the said front-end | tip part of the said tube may reduce in diameter. Connector assembly.
The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distal end portion of the tube and an inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion are bonded to each other in the first seal portion.
The inner diameter transition region in which the inner diameter changes so that the inner diameter decreases from the joint storage section toward the tube storage section is provided between the joint storage section and the tube storage section. The connector assembly according to any one of claims.
The second seal part includes a circumferential annular protrusion provided on one of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage part, and the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the joint storage part. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connector assembly is formed between the other inner peripheral surfaces.
7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the other of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint housing portion is a cylindrical surface having a constant diameter in the central axis direction.
The second seal portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint, the male taper surface having an outer diameter that decreases as it approaches the tip, and the connection cylinder provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connector assembly is formed between the female taper surface having a smaller inner diameter.
The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a liquid-tight third seal portion is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint bonded to each other. .
The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the joint is firmly coupled to the connector main body so that the joint does not come out of the base portion.
The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the joint housing portion and the joint are provided with an engaging structure that engages with each other.
The connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the engagement structure includes a concave portion and a convex portion that fits into the concave portion.
The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the recess is an annular groove continuous in a circumferential direction.
The connector assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the engagement structure provided in the joint housing portion and the engagement structure provided in the joint are irreversibly engaged. Solid.
The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the connector main body further includes an inner cylinder in the tube housing portion, and the inner cylinder is inserted into the distal end portion of the tube.
The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the connection cylinder is a female member provided with a tapered surface having an inner diameter that increases toward the tip on an inner peripheral surface thereof.
The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a material of the connector main body is different from a material of the joint.