JP2018175544A - Connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To secure connectivity between a connector and a tube regardless of the material of a connecting cylinder. A connector body has a connecting tube at one end and a base part at the other end. The tube and the joint are bonded together with the tube 180 passing through the joint 130 and the tip of the tube protruding from the joint. The base portion includes a tube storage portion 121 in which a tip portion of a tube protruding from the joint is stored, and a joint storage portion 122 in which the joint is stored. A liquid-tight first seal portion S1 is formed between the distal end portion of the tube and the connector body, and a liquid-tight second seal portion S2 is formed between the joint and the joint housing portion. [Selection] Figure 1B

Description

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

  In the medical field, flexible tubes are used to form flow channels (sometimes called circuits) for flowing liquids (for example, blood, drug solution, etc.). In order to connect two tubes, a connector consisting of a male connector and a female connector is used. As such a connector, there is known a slip connection type connector in which a male taper surface and a female taper surface are fitted (taper fitting) in order to prevent liquid leakage from between a male connector and a female connector. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). The male taper surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical male member, and the outer diameter thereof decreases as it approaches the tip. The female taper surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular female member, and the inner diameter thereof increases as it approaches the tip. The diameter and the taper angle of the male taper surface and the female taper surface coincide with each other. For this reason, when the male member is inserted into the female member, the male tapered surface and the female tapered surface come in surface contact in a fluid-tight manner. The male connector and the female connector are both made of a rigid material that does not substantially deform. The male connector includes a cylindrical base portion communicating with the male member, and the tube is connected to the base portion via an adhesive. The female connector also includes a cylindrical base portion in communication with the female member, and another tube is connected to the base portion via an adhesive. Thus, the two tubes can be communicated via a connector consisting of a male connector and a female connector.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2012-075495

  In the above-described conventional slip connection type connector, as the male member is more strongly inserted into the female member, the liquid tightness between the male tapered surface and the female tapered surface is improved. However, when the male member is strongly inserted into the female member too much, the female member is subjected to a force to be expanded from the male member, and the male member is to be subjected to a force to be contracted from the male member. For this reason, damage, such as a crack, may arise in one or both of a male member and a female member (these are generically called a "connection cylinder"). In order to prevent damage to the connection tube, the entire connector including the connection tube (i.e., the female connector and the male connector) may be made of a material having high toughness (i.e., tenacity) (e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene) It is valid.

  However, such high toughness resins generally have low adhesion to adhesives. Therefore, when the connector is made of a high toughness resin, the connectivity between the base portion and the tube is reduced. This increases the possibility that the base portion and the tube may be separated when a tensile force is applied to the tube, or the liquid may leak out to the outside from the connection portion between the base portion and the tube.

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

  The connector assembly of the present invention comprises a connector and a flexible hollow tube connected to the connector. The connector has a cylindrical connecting cylinder at one end and a cylindrical base portion at the other end, the connecting cylinder being in communication with the tube, a connector body made of a hard material, and a joint Prepare. The outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint are bonded in a state where the tube penetrates the joint and the distal end 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 fluid-tight first seal is formed between the tip of the tube and the connector 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 adhered are constituted by separate members. For this reason, it is possible to select the material of the joint in consideration of the adhesive property while selecting the material of the connector main body, for example, so as not to cause damage such as a crack in the connection cylinder. Therefore, regardless of the material of the connection tube, the connectivity between the connector and the tube can be secured.

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 a female connector assembly according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a female connector main body of the female connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a side view of the female connector main body. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of 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 step of the female connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an example of a male connector that can be connected to the female connector assembly according to 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 a female connector assembly according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a female connector main body according to Embodiment 2 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 a female connector main body according to a 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 of the present invention, the first seal portion may be formed between an outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the tube and an inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion. Thereby, the first seal portion can be formed with a simple configuration.

  In the first seal portion, the inner circumferential surface of the tube storage portion may radially compress the distal end portion of the tube such that the distal end portion of the tube is reduced in diameter. As a result, even if the material of the connector body is not excellent in adhesion, it is possible to form a fluid-tight first seal between the tube and the connector body.

  In the first seal portion, the distal end portion of the tube and an inner circumferential surface of the tube storage portion may be adhered. This is advantageous for further improving the sealability of the first seal portion.

  An inner diameter transition area may be provided between the joint storage portion and the tube storage portion such that the inner diameter changes from the joint storage portion toward the tube storage portion. This facilitates the insertion of the tube into the tube receptacle in the manufacture of the connector assembly.

  The second seal portion includes a circumferentially continuous annular protrusion provided on one of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion, the outer peripheral surface of the joint, and the joint storage portion. It may be formed between the other of the inner circumferential surfaces. This is advantageous for improving the sealability 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 storage 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 storage portion, the sealability of the second seal portion can be secured.

  The second seal portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the joint, a male tapered surface whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip, and on the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion to approach the connection cylinder. Therefore, it may be formed between it and the female taper surface where the inner diameter decreases. This is advantageous for improving the sealability of the second seal portion by surface contact between the male taper surface and the female taper surface.

  A fluid-tight third seal may be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tubes bonded to each other and the inner peripheral surface of the joint. This is advantageous for preventing the outflow of the liquid to the outside for a long period of time.

  The joint may be rigidly coupled to the connector body such that the joint does not slip out of the base portion. This is advantageous to further improve the connectivity between the connector and the tube.

  The joint storage portion and the joint may be provided with engaging structures that engage with each other. Thus, the connector body and the joint can be firmly coupled with a simple configuration.

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

  The recess may be a circumferentially continuous annular groove. Thereby, the concave portion and the convex portion can be engaged regardless of the rotational direction position around the central axis of the joint.

  The engagement structure provided in the joint storage portion and the engagement structure provided in the joint may be engaged irreversibly. This can prevent the tube from coming out of the connector body together with the joint even if the tube is tensioned.

  The connector 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 fluid-tight seal (first seal) may be formed between the inner cylinder and the tube. Alternatively, the inner cylinder may cause excessive deformation of the tube so that a fluid-tight seal (first seal) is reliably formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion. You may prevent it.

  The connection cylinder may be a female member provided with a tapered surface whose inner diameter is increased toward the tip on the inner peripheral surface thereof. Female members are more susceptible to cracking than male members. When the connector of the present invention is a female connector provided with a female member, it is advantageous for improving the durability of the female member while securing 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 for preventing the occurrence of damage such as cracks in the connection cylinder while securing the connectivity between the connector and the tube.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to 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 is a simplified view of main members constituting an embodiment of the present invention for convenience of explanation. Therefore, within the scope of the present invention, any member not shown in the drawings may be added, or any member shown in the drawings may be changed or omitted. In the drawings cited in the description of each embodiment, members corresponding to the members shown in the drawings cited in the preceding embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as the reference numerals in the drawings of the preceding embodiments. is there. The redundant description of such members is omitted, and the description of the preceding embodiment should be taken into consideration as appropriate.

(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 a plane including the central axis 1a. As shown in FIG. 1B, the female connector assembly 1 comprises 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 that constitute the same. For convenience of the following description, a direction parallel to the central axis 1 a is referred to as “vertical direction”. "Upper" and "down" are defined based on FIGS. 1A-1B. However, “upper” and “lower” do not mean the actual direction of use of the female connector assembly 1. The direction parallel to the plane perpendicular to the central axis 1a is called "horizontal direction". The direction orthogonal to the central axis 1a is called "radial direction" or "radial direction", and the direction rotating around the central axis 1a is called "circumferential direction".

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

  As shown in FIG. 3, the female member 110 has a generally hollow, generally cylindrical shape. The inner circumferential 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. Behind the tapered surface 112, a small diameter portion 117 having an inner diameter smaller than that of the tapered surface 112 is provided. Preferably, the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 117 is approximately 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 protrusion (male thread) 115 (see FIG. 2A). The threaded projections 115 extend along a spiral (i.e., a string winding). In the present invention, the screw-like protrusion 115 may be omitted.

  The base portion 120 also has a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The base portion 120 communicates with the female member 110 via the small diameter portion 117. The base portion 120 includes, in the inner cavity thereof, 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 portion 121 is located on the small diameter portion 117 side with respect to the joint storage portion 122.

  The inner circumferential surface of the tube storage portion 121 includes a first inner circumferential surface 121 a. The first inner circumferential surface 121 a is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the central axis direction. The inner diameter of the first inner circumferential 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).

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

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 120 is a substantially cylindrical surface. A pair of grip portions 128 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 120 so as to protrude in the radial direction. The pair of grip portions 128 facilitate the operator to hold the female connector main body 101 (and the female connector 100) and apply a rotational force. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal direction of each grip portion 128 is a hollow substantially "U" shape. However, the shape of the grip portion 128 is not limited to this and is arbitrary. For example, the grip portion may be a thin plate extending in the radial direction. The grip portion may be radially spaced from the base portion 120. For example, like the grip portion 928 provided in the male connector 900 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) described later, the grip portion may have a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-sectional shape and surround the base portion 120. Alternatively, the grip portion 128 may be omitted. The outer circumferential surface of the base portion 120 may be formed, for example, in a polygonal cylindrical surface (a square cylindrical surface, a hexagonal cylindrical surface, etc.) to improve the gripping property of the female connector main 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 is not substantially deformed by an external force. For example, resin materials such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyacetal (POM), polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene, rigid polyvinyl chloride, and acrylic-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) can be used. The female member 110 receives when a male member (for example, the male member 910 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) is inserted into the female member 110, in the direction to expand the diameter of the female member 110 (ie, radially outward) Depending on the material of the female connector main body 101, the force may cause damage such as a crack to the female member 110. In order to reduce this possibility, the material of the female connector body 101 preferably has high toughness (i.e., tenacity). From this viewpoint, polypropylene and polyethylene are preferable among the above, and polypropylene is particularly preferable. The female connector main body 101 can be integrally manufactured as one part by injection molding or the like using the above-described 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 substantially cylindrical shape provided with a through hole 138 along the central axis. The inner circumferential 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 circumferential 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 about 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.

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

  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 122 a (see FIG. 3) of the female connector main body 101. The cylindrical surface 131 is provided with a projection (second projection) 132 which protrudes radially outward. The protrusion 132 is a circumferentially continuous annular rib. Although the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 132 is not limited, it 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 circumferential surface 122 a of the female connector body 101.

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

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

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

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

  The protrusion 133 of the joint 130 is fitted into the groove 123 of the base portion 120. Since the groove 123 is an annular groove continuous in the circumferential direction, the protrusion 133 can be fitted into the groove 123 regardless of the rotational direction position of the joint 130 with respect to the base portion 120 about the central axis. The tapered surface 133 a of the projection 133 faces (preferably contacts) the tapered surface 123 a 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 projection 133 is fitted into the groove 123, thereafter, the joint 130 is pulled downward from the female connector main body 101. However, it is difficult to release the engagement between the protrusion 133 and the groove 123. That is, the projection 133 and the groove 123 irreversibly engage with each other.

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

  The tip of the joint 130 faces (preferably contacts) an inner diameter transition area 127 between the tube storage portion 121 and the joint storage portion 122 in the central axis direction.

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

  Prior to inserting the tube 180 into the through hole 138 of the joint 130, the adhesive 185 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the tube 180 and the vicinity thereof. The adhesive 185 can be appropriately selected according to the material of the tube 180 and the joint 130. For example, solvent based adhesives 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 portion 121 of the base portion 120. The tube 180 is inserted into the female connector 100 until the tip of the tube 180 collides with the step surface 126 at the boundary between the small diameter portion 117 and the tube storage portion 121. An inner diameter transition zone 127 guides the tube 180 to the tube storage 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. Furthermore, the adhesive 185 may bond the outer peripheral surface of the tip 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 circumferential surface 121a may be relatively low.

  As described above, the inner diameter of the first inner circumferential surface 121 a is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 180. For this reason, the first inner circumferential 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 fluid-tight seal portion S1 (see FIG. 1B) is formed between the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a. Ru.

  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 body 101 by the engagement structure (the groove 123 and the protrusion 133) . The materials of the female connector main body 101 and the joint 130 can be freely selected in consideration of the respective functions. For example, in order to prevent damage such as a crack from occurring in the female member 110, a material (for example, polypropylene) having high toughness can be selected as a material of the female connector main body 101 including the female member 110. Also, in order to ensure high adhesive strength between the tube 180 and the joint 130, a material with good adhesion (for example, hard polyvinyl chloride) can be selected as the material of the joint 130. Thereby, reduction of damage to female member 110 and securing of connectivity of female connector 100 and tube 180 can be compatible.

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

  The female member 110 of the female connector assembly 1 is connected to a male connector provided with a male member having a male tapered surface that conforms to the tapered surface 112. An example of a male connector is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the male connector 900, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view thereof. As shown in FIG. 6B, the male connector 900 includes a male member (connection cylinder) 910 at one end and a base portion 920 at the other end. The male member 910 has a generally hollow and cylindrical shape. A flow passage 911 penetrates the male member 910 along its longitudinal direction. The outer peripheral surface of the male member 910 includes a tapered surface (so-called male tapered surface) 912 whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip. A cylindrical outer cylinder 913 surrounds the male member 910. A female screw 915 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 913 opposite to the male member 910. The base portion 920 also has a hollow and substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The base portion 920 is disposed coaxially with the male member 910 and in communication with the flow path 911. Within the base portion 920, a flexible tube 980 is inserted. The outer peripheral surface of the tube 980 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 920 via an adhesive. The grip portion 928 surrounds the base portion 920. The cross-sectional shape along the plane parallel to the horizontal direction of the grip portion 928 is rectangular. Similar to the pair of grips 128 of the female connector main body 101, the grips 928 facilitate the operator to hold the male connector 900 and apply a rotational force. The shape of the grip portion 928 is not limited to this, and is arbitrary. The grip portion 928 may be omitted. The female connector assembly 1 and the male connector 900 are connected by inserting the male member 910 into the female member 110 and screwing the screw-like protrusion 115 and the female screw 915. The diameter and the taper angle of the female taper surface 112 of the female member 110 and the male taper surface 912 of the male member 910 match, so both are in liquid-tight surface contact. The liquid 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, part of the liquid may enter between the stepped surface 126 and the tip of the tube 180. It is necessary to prevent the 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) S1 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 fluid-tight seal portion (second seal portion) S2 is formed between the projection 132 of 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the joint storage portion 122, and further, the through hole 138 of the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the joint 130. A liquid-tight seal portion (third seal portion) S3 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the first seal portion S3 and the second seal portion S3.

  The first seal portion S1 between the tube 180 and the first inner circumferential surface 121a is formed mainly by the first inner circumferential surface 121a compressing the tube 180 in the radial direction. For this reason, the sealability of the first seal portion S1 may be reduced by the long-term use of the female connector assembly 1. Even if the liquid passes through the first seal portion S1, the second and third seal portions S2 and S3 prevent the liquid from leaking out of the female connector assembly 1. As described above, since the female connector assembly 1 includes the multistage seal portions S1, S2, and S3, it is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing out to the outside for a long time.

  As described in FIG. 5, the second seal portion S <b> 2 is formed between the protrusion 132 of the joint 130 and the second inner circumferential surface 122 a of the joint storage portion 122. The second inner circumferential surface 122a is a cylindrical surface whose inner diameter is constant in the central axis direction. This is advantageous for securing the sealability 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. Therefore, even if the joint 130 is displaced in the central axis direction in the joint storage portion 122 due to a play between the engagement structure (the protrusion 133 and the groove 123) of the joint 130 and the female connector main body 101, for example, 2 The sealability of the seal portion S2 does not change. This makes it possible to reduce the dimensional accuracy of the engagement structure (the groove 123 and the protrusion 133).

  In addition, the second seal portion S2 is formed by pressing the second inner circumferential surface 122a with the top of the annular protrusion 132. This configuration is advantageous for improving the sealing performance of the second seal portion S2 because the pressing force is concentrated in a very narrow area where the top of the projection 132 and the second inner circumferential surface 122a are in contact.

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

  The annular protrusion which comprises 2nd seal | sticker part S2 may be comprised by seal members, such as an O-ring. The seal member can be mounted in an annular groove provided in one of the cylindrical surface 131 of the joint 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122 a of the joint storage portion 122. In this case, the second seal portion S2 is formed between the seal member and the other of the cylindrical surface 131 of the joint 130 and the second inner peripheral surface 122a of the joint storage portion 122. Using a seal member which is a separate part from the female connector main body 101 and the joint 130 increases the number of parts constituting the female connector assembly 1, but is advantageous for improving the sealability of the second seal portion S2. There is.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a 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 a plane including the central axis 1a. Similar to Embodiment 1, 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. As shown in FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the joint 230, FIG. 9B is a side view of the joint 230, and FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the joint 230. The female connector assembly 2 of the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences with the first embodiment.

  In the female connector main body 101 according to the first embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage 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 Figure 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 storage portion 122 includes the second inner peripheral surface 222a, and the second inner peripheral surface 222a is The female tapered surface has a smaller inner diameter as it approaches the tube storage portion 121 (or the female member 110). The second inner circumferential surface 222 a is adjacent to the first inner circumferential surface 121 a via the inner diameter transition area 127. An annular groove 123 continuous in the circumferential direction is adjacent to the lower side with respect to the second inner circumferential surface 222 a (that is, the side opposite to the tube storage portion 121).

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

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

  The diameter and the taper angle of the second inner circumferential surface (female tapered surface) 222 a of the joint storage portion 122 and the male tapered surface 231 of the joint 230 coincide with each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the joint 230 is stored in the joint storage portion 122 so that the protrusion 133 is fitted into the groove 123, the male tapered surface 231 and the second inner circumferential surface 222a make surface contact. A liquid-tight seal (second seal) S2 is formed between the two. The second seal portion S2 between the male taper surface 231 and the second inner circumferential surface 222a is the same as the second seal portion S2 (see FIG. 1B) between the projection 132 and the second inner circumferential surface 122a of the first embodiment. In addition, the first seal portion S1 between the tube 180 and the first inner circumferential surface 121a is complemented. For this reason, since the female connector assembly 2 also includes the multistage seal portions S1, S2, and S3, the outflow of the liquid material to the outside can be prevented for a long 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 cross-sectional view of a female connector assembly 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to Embodiment 1, the female connector assembly 3 includes a female connector 300 and a tube 180. The female connector 300 includes a female connector main body 301 and a joint 130. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector main body 301. The female connector assembly 3 of the third embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences with the first embodiment.

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

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

  In the third embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the tube 180 may be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe 321, and a fluid-tight seal portion S1 'may be formed therebetween. The seal portion S1 'constitutes a first seal portion. In this case, the fluid-tight seal portion S1 may or may not be formed between the outer circumferential surface of the tube 180 and the first inner circumferential surface 121a. When 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 ′ form 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 pipe 321. In this case, the first seal portion is constituted by the seal portion S1 between the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121a. In order to form the fluid-tight seal portion S 1, as described in the first embodiment, the first inner circumferential surface 121 a may be 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 deforms to a large extent so that the outer peripheral surface of the tube 180 is recessed, the tube 180 and the first inner peripheral surface 121 a may be separated, and the fluid-tight seal portion S1 may not be formed. The inner pipe 321 can prevent such an excessive deformation of the tube 180, and can reliably form a fluid-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 circumferential surface 121a and the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 321 are set such 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 illustrative. The present invention is not limited to Embodiments 1 to 3, and can be modified as appropriate.

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

  Alternatively, the first seal portion S1 is formed between the step surface 126 and the tube 180 by pressing the distal end of the tube 180 against the lower surface (that is, the step surface 126) of the small diameter portions 117 and 317 in the central axis direction. It is also good.

  The female member of the present invention is not limited to the above first to third embodiments. The female member 110 may have a tapered surface (female tapered surface) 112 whose inner diameter increases as it approaches the tip on the inner circumferential surface thereof. 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 have to be a cylindrical surface, and the cylindrical surface 113 may not be provided with the screw-like protrusion 115. If the female member 110 has the female tapered surface 112, the female member 110 may receive a radially outward force from the inserted male member, and damage such as a crack may occur in the female member 110. The present invention is advantageous for preventing such damage of the female member 110. Therefore, the female connector assembly of the present invention can be connected to the male connector simply by fitting the male tapered surface of the male connector to the female tapered surface 112 without the threaded connection using the threaded projection 115 (this Such connections may be configured to be referred to as "slip connections".

  The engagement structure for irreversibly engaging the joint with the female connector main body is not limited to the groove 123 and the protrusion 133, and a convex portion and a concave portion engaged with each other or a convex portion and a convex portion engaged with each other It may be a part or the like. The convex portion may be an annular convex portion continuous in the circumferential direction like the projection 133, or may be one or two or more convex portions discontinuous in the circumferential direction. Similarly, the recess may be an annular recess continuous in the circumferential direction like the groove 123, or may be one or more recesses 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 have to be a substantially triangular shape, and may be a semicircular shape, a square shape, or the like. In the case where the engagement structure is configured by the convex portion and the concave portion, the convex portion may be provided in the joint storage portion 122 and the concave portion may be provided in the joint.

  In the above embodiment, the second seal portion S2 is formed at a position different from the engaging structure provided on the female connector main body and the joint, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the second seal portion S2 may be formed between the engagement structure provided on the female connector main body and the engagement structure provided on the joint. In this case, since 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, the configuration of the female connector main body and the joint can be simplified.

  In the above embodiments, the female connector body and the joint are provided with engaging structures that engage 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 main body may be provided with a fitting structure capable of integrating the joint into the female connector main body by press-fitting the joint into the joint storage portion of the female connector main body. Specifically, a male 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 storage portion of the female connector main body, and the male taper surface and the female taper surface are in firm contact with each other. It can be rigidly coupled to the connector body. Alternatively, a first cylindrical surface is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the joint, and a second cylindrical surface having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the first cylindrical surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion of the female connector body. The joint can be firmly coupled to the female connector main body by press-fitting the second cylindrical surface and fitting the two. In these cases, since the second seal portion S2 is formed in the 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 body, the joint, and the tube is not limited to those described above. There are a variety of combinations of materials that can prevent damage to the female member and improve the connectivity of the tube, and the present invention encompasses all combinations thereof. 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 changed as appropriate depending on the material of the joint and the tube.

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

  In Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, the small diameter portion 117 having an inner diameter smaller than the first inner circumferential surface 121 a is provided adjacent to the first inner circumferential surface 121 a. 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, the step surface 126 (see FIGS. 1B and 7B) is also omitted as the small diameter portion 117 is omitted.

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

  Although the application field of the present invention is not particularly limited, it can be preferably used as a connector assembly used to form a flow path for flowing a liquid, in the medical field, among others. The liquid substance is not limited in its type, and may be, for example, blood, a drug solution, or saline, and may have viscosity. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the medical field, and can be widely used in any field (for example, the field of food, chemistry, etc.) in which it is necessary to configure a flow path through which liquid 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 (connection cylinder)
112 Tapered surface (inner peripheral surface of female member)
115 screw-shaped projection 120 base portion 121 tube housing portion 121a first inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface of tube housing portion)
122 joint storage section 122a second inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface of joint storage section, cylindrical surface)
222a Second inner circumferential surface (inner circumferential surface of joint housing, female taper surface)
123 Groove (engagement structure, recess)
127 Inner diameter transition area 130, 230 Joint 131 Cylindrical surface (outer peripheral surface of joint)
231 Male taper surface 132 of joint Joint annular projection 133 Projection (engagement structure, convex part)
180 Tube 321 Inner cylinder S1, S1 'First seal portion S2 Second seal portion S3 Third seal portion

Claims (17)

A connector assembly comprising a connector and a flexible hollow tube connected to the connector, the connector assembly comprising:
The connector is
A connector main body made of a hard material, having a cylindrical connecting cylinder at one end and a cylindrical base portion at the other end, the connecting cylinder communicating with the tube;
Equipped with joints,
The outer peripheral surface of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the joint are bonded in a state where the tube penetrates the joint and the distal end 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 fluid-tight first seal is formed between the tip of the tube and the connector body,
A connector assembly characterized in that a fluid-tight second seal portion is formed between the joint and the joint storage portion.   The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first seal portion is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the tube and an inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion.   3. The first seal portion according to claim 2, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion compresses the tip end of the tube in a radial direction such that the diameter of the tip end of the tube is reduced. Connector assembly.   The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distal end portion of the tube and the inner peripheral surface of the tube storage portion are bonded to each other in the first seal portion.   The internal diameter transition area in which an internal diameter changes so that an internal diameter may become small toward the said tube accommodating part from the said joint accommodating part is provided between the said joint accommodating part and the said tube accommodating part. A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.   The second seal portion includes a circumferentially continuous annular protrusion provided on one of the outer peripheral surface of the joint and the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion, the outer peripheral surface of the joint, and the joint storage portion. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is formed between the other of the inner circumferential surfaces.   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 storage portion is a cylindrical surface having a constant diameter in the central axis direction.   The second seal portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the joint, a male tapered surface whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the tip, and on the inner peripheral surface of the joint storage portion to approach the connection cylinder. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is thus formed between the female tapered surface and the inner diameter of which is reduced.   The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a third fluid-tight seal portion is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tubes adhered to each other and the inner peripheral surface of the joint. .   10. A connector assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint is rigidly coupled to the connector body such that the joint does not slip out of the base portion.   The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the joint storage portion and the joint are provided with engagement structures that engage with each other.   The connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the engagement structure includes a recess and a protrusion fitting into the recess.   The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the recess is a circumferentially continuous annular groove.   The connector assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the engagement structure provided in the joint storage portion and the engagement structure provided in the joint are irreversibly engaged. Three-dimensional.   The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the connector body further includes an inner cylinder in the tube storage 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 connecting cylinder is a female member provided with a tapered surface whose inner diameter becomes larger toward the tip on the inner peripheral surface thereof.   A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the connector body is different from the material of the joint.

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