Pipe unit, degassing assembly, and method for manufacturing pipe unit

Abstract

A degassing module (1) is provided with a tube unit (3) in which both ends of a plurality of tubes (2) are bundled by a first bundling part (5a) and a second bundling part (5b), and a housing (4) that houses the tube unit (3), and the plurality of tubes (2) are each a tubular film that allows gas to pass through but does not allow liquid to pass through. The housing (4) has an internal space first through-hole (15) and an internal space second through-hole (16) that communicate with the internal space (A1) of each of the plurality of pipes (2) and into which the bundling section (5) is inserted, and an external space through-hole (20) that communicates with the external space (A2) of the plurality of pipes (2). A pipe unit (3) is provided with: a plurality of pipes (2); a bunching unit (5) that bunches the ends (2c) of the plurality of tubes (2); and an auxiliary member (6) which extends in a solid rod shape and is bundled by the bundling part (5) together with the end parts (2c) of the plurality of tubes (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tube unit in which ends of multiple tubes are bundled by a bundling portion, a degassing assembly including the tube unit, and a method for manufacturing the tube unit. This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-181178 filed in Japan on November 11, 2022, and the entire disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference for reference purposes. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a tube unit in which ends of multiple fluororesin tubes are bundled by a bundling portion (joint portion). This tube unit includes a bundle of multiple fluororesin tubes, a fluororesin sleeve covering the ends of the bundle of these fluororesin tubes, and a bundling portion made of a thermally fluid fluororesin that joins and integrates the multiple fluororesin tubes and the fluororesin sleeve. When manufacturing this tube unit, multiple fluororesin tubes with heat-shrinkable tubes made of a thermally fluid fluororesin covering their ends are bundled, a fluororesin sleeve is put on the ends of the bundle of these fluororesin tubes, and the ends are heated to a temperature above the melting point of the heat-shrinkable tube, so that the heat-shrinkable tube shrinks and melts at the same time. Then, the thermally fluid fluororesin of the heat-shrinkable tube is cooled and solidified to join and integrate the fluororesin tubes and the fluororesin sleeve.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 01-131392 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In a degassing device including such a tube unit, the bundling portion of the tube unit is joined to a connector of a housing. Specifically, a circular through-hole is formed in the connector, and the bundling portion of the tube unit is inserted into the through-hole, so that the bundling portion of the tube unit is joined to the connector. Therefore, the bundling portion of the tube unit is preferably not flattened.

[0008] In addition, in the case of degassing expensive liquids, etc., in order to reduce the amount of drained liquid in the tube unit, there is a requirement to reduce the number of tubes. However, if the number of tubes decreases, due to the heat shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable tube, the bundling portion is likely to become flattened, and it is easy to generate a gap between the connector and the bundling portion. For example, when there are two tubes, the bundling portion will be significantly flattened, and it is easy to generate a large gap between the connector and the bundling portion.

[0009] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a tube unit capable of suppressing flattening of a bundling portion that bundles multiple tubes, a degassing assembly including the tube unit, and a method for manufacturing the tube unit.

[0010] Solution for solving problems

[0011] [1] The tube unit of a technical solution of the present invention includes: a plurality of tubes; a bundling part that bundles the ends of the plurality of tubes; and an auxiliary member that extends in a solid rod shape and is bundled by the bundling part together with the ends of the plurality of tubes.

[0012] In this tube unit, the auxiliary member that extends in a solid rod shape is bundled by the bundling part together with the ends of the plurality of tubes. The auxiliary member is bundled by the bundling part together with the ends of the plurality of tubes as a simulation of the tube. Therefore, even if the number of tubes is small, it is easy to make the bundling part into a circular shape. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the bundling part from becoming flat.

[0013] [2] The tube unit according to [1] may also be that the tube unit includes a plurality of auxiliary members. In this tube unit, having a plurality of auxiliary members can sufficiently suppress the flattening of the bundling part even when the flattening of the bundling part cannot be sufficiently suppressed if there is only one auxiliary member.

[0014] [3] The tube unit according to [1] or [2] may also be that the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary members are arranged in a honeycomb structure. In this tube unit, the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary members are arranged in a honeycomb structure, thereby being able to suppress the bundling part from becoming flat.

[0015] [4] The tube unit according to any one of [1] to [3] may also be that the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary members are arranged in a regular polygon shape. In this tube unit, the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary members are arranged in a regular polygon shape, thereby being able to suppress the bundling part from becoming flat.

[0016] [5] The tube unit according to any one of [1] to [4] may also be that the auxiliary member has a circular outer peripheral surface, and the outer diameter of the auxiliary member is 50% or more and 150% or less of the outer diameter of each of the plurality of tubes. In this tube unit, the auxiliary member has a circular outer peripheral surface, and the outer diameter of the auxiliary member is 50% or more and 150% or less of the outer diameter of each of the plurality of tubes, thereby being able to appropriately use the auxiliary member as a simulation of the tube.

[0017] [6] The tube unit according to any one of [1] to [5] may also be that the bundling part includes: an outer cylinder that is sleeved on the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary members; and a sealing part that is filled between the ends of the plurality of tubes, the auxiliary members, and the outer cylinder. In this tube unit, the sealing part is filled between the ends of the plurality of tubes, the auxiliary members, and the outer cylinder, thereby being able to suppress the following situation: when supplying fluids such as liquid and gas from the end face of the bundling part, the fluid leaks between the ends of the plurality of tubes, the auxiliary members, and the outer cylinder.

[0018] [7] The tube unit according to [6] may also be such that the melting point of the sealing portion is lower than the melting points of the multiple tubes, the auxiliary member, and the outer cylinder. In this tube unit, the melting point of the sealing portion is lower than the melting points of the multiple tubes, the auxiliary member, and the outer cylinder. Thus, when manufacturing the tube unit, heating is performed at a temperature higher than the melting point of the sealing portion and lower than the melting points of the multiple tubes, the auxiliary member, and the outer cylinder, so that the sealing portion can be melted without melting the multiple tubes, the auxiliary member, and the outer cylinder. As a result, the sealing portion can be appropriately filled between the multiple tubes, the auxiliary member, and the outer cylinder while appropriately maintaining the state where the outer cylinder is sleeved over the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member.

[0019] [8] The tube unit according to [6] or [7] may also be such that the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member are separated from each other. In this tube unit, the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member are separated from each other, so that a state is formed in which the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member are covered by the sealing portion. Thus, the situation where fluid leaks from the interface between the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member can be further suppressed.

[0020] [9] The tube unit according to any one of [1] to [8] may also be such that the multiple tubes contain a fluororesin. In this tube unit, the multiple tubes contain a fluororesin, so that the chemical resistance can be improved.

[0021]

[10] The tube unit according to any one of [1] to [9] may also be such that the bundling portion has a first bundling portion that bundles the ends on one side of the multiple tubes and a second bundling portion that bundles the ends on the other side of the multiple tubes, and the auxiliary member extends from the first bundling portion to the second bundling portion. When the multiple tubes are bent or wound into a circle for storage in a housing or the like, a part or all of the multiple tubes may break. Moreover, the thinner the wall thickness of each of the multiple tubes, the smaller the diameter of each of the multiple tubes, and the fewer the number of the multiple tubes, the more likely a part or all of the multiple tubes are to break. However, in this tube unit, the auxiliary member extends from the first bundling portion to the second bundling portion, so that when the multiple tubes are bent or wound into a circle, the auxiliary member becomes a guiding member or a strengthening member for the multiple tubes. Thus, when the multiple tubes are bent or wound into a circle, a part or all of the multiple tubes can be prevented from breaking.

[0022]

[11] The tube unit according to

[10] may also be such that the bending strength of the auxiliary member is higher than the bending strength of each of the multiple tubes. In this tube unit, the bending strength of the auxiliary member is higher than the bending strength of each of the multiple tubes, so that when the multiple tubes are bent or wound into a circle, a part or all of the multiple tubes can be further prevented from breaking.

[0023]

[12] The tube unit according to

[10] or

[11] may also be such that the length of the auxiliary member from the first bundling portion to the second bundling portion is 95% or more and 105% or less of the length of the multiple tubes from the first bundling portion to the second bundling portion. In this tube unit, since the length of the auxiliary member from the first bundling portion to the second bundling portion is 95% or more and 105% or less of the length of the multiple tubes from the first bundling portion to the second bundling portion, the auxiliary member can extend along substantially the entire area of the multiple tubes. Thereby, when the multiple tubes are bent or wound into a circle, breakage of part or all of the multiple tubes can be further suppressed.

[0024]

[13] A degassing assembly according to one aspect of the present invention is a degassing assembly for degassing a liquid. In this case, the degassing assembly includes the tube unit according to any one of [1] to

[12] and a housing that houses the tube unit. The multiple tubes are each a tubular membrane that allows gas to pass through but does not allow liquid to pass through. The housing has an internal space through-hole that communicates with the internal space of each of the multiple tubes and into which the bundling portion of the tube unit is inserted, and an external space through-hole that communicates with the external space of the multiple tubes.

[0025] In this degassing assembly, while sucking air from either the internal space through-hole or the external space through-hole, liquid is supplied to the other of the internal space through-hole and the external space through-hole, thereby degassing the liquid supplied to the degassing assembly. Since the bundling portion of the above-described tube unit is inserted into the internal space through-hole, generation of a gap between the bundling portion and the housing can be suppressed.

[0026]

[14] The degassing assembly according to

[13] may also be such that the housing further has a connector in which the internal space through-hole is formed, and the bundling portion is connected to the connector. In this degassing assembly, since the bundling portion is connected to the connector in which the internal space through-hole is formed, connection between the bundling portion and the housing can be easily performed while suppressing generation of a gap between the bundling portion and the connector.

[0027]

[15] The degassing assembly according to

[13] or

[14] may also be such that the multiple tubes are wound into a circle. In this degassing assembly, since the multiple tubes are wound into a circle, even if the housing is small, the length of the multiple tubes can be sufficiently ensured. Therefore, for example, when using multiple tubes with low gas permeability, high degassing performance can also be obtained.

[0028]

[16] A method for manufacturing a tube unit according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a tube unit in which the ends of multiple tubes are bundled. In this case, the method for manufacturing the tube unit includes a bundling step in which the ends of the multiple tubes are bundled together with an auxiliary member extending in a solid rod shape.

[0029] In the manufacturing method of the tube unit, the ends of multiple tubes are bundled together with an auxiliary member extending in a solid rod shape. The auxiliary member is bundled with the multiple tubes as a simulation of the tubes. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the bundling portion from becoming flat.

[0030]

[17] In the manufacturing method of the tube unit according to

[16] , it may also be that the bundling step includes: an inner sleeve outer covering step in which an inner sleeve made of a heat-meltable resin is outer covered on at least one end of the multiple tubes; an outer sleeve outer covering step in which an outer sleeve made of a heat-shrinkable resin is outer covered on the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member; and a heating step which, after the inner sleeve outer covering step and the outer sleeve outer covering step, in this heating step, the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are heated to cause the outer sleeve to shrink and the inner sleeve to melt. In this manufacturing method of the tube unit, the inner sleeve is outer covered on at least one end of the multiple tubes, the outer sleeve is outer covered on the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member, and the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are heated to cause the outer sleeve to shrink and the inner sleeve to melt. Thus, the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member are gathered by the shrinking outer sleeve and bundled by the heat-meltable resin of the inner sleeve. Thereby, it is possible to easily bundle the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member.

[0031]

[18] In the manufacturing method of the tube unit according to

[17] , it may also be that in the outer sleeve outer covering step, the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member are arranged in a honeycomb structure inside the outer sleeve. In this manufacturing method of the tube unit, the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member are arranged in a honeycomb structure inside the outer sleeve, so that when the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are heated, it is possible to suppress the shrinking outer sleeve from becoming flat. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the bundling portion from becoming flat.

[0032]

[19] In the manufacturing method of the tube unit according to

[17] or

[18] , it may also be that in the outer sleeve outer covering step, the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member are arranged in a regular polygon shape inside the outer sleeve. In this manufacturing method of the tube unit, the ends of the multiple tubes and the auxiliary member are arranged in a regular polygon shape inside the outer sleeve, so that when the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are heated, it is possible to suppress the shrinking outer sleeve from becoming flat. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the bundling portion from becoming flat.

[0033] Effects of the Invention

[0034] According to one technical solution of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the bundling portion for bundling multiple tubes from becoming flat. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the degassing assembly of the first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 2It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tube unit of the first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown.

[0038] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown.

[0039] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example corresponding to Figure 3 ...

[0040] Figure 6 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example corresponding to Figure 3 ...

[0041] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the relationship between the bundling portion and the auxiliary member.

[0042] Figure 8 It is a diagram for explaining the tube bundling method.

[0043] Figure 9 It is a diagram for explaining the tube bundling method.

[0044] Figure 10 It is a diagram for explaining the tube bundling method.

[0045] Figure 11 It is a diagram for explaining the tube bundling method.

[0046] Figure 12 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state after connecting the tube unit of the comparative example to the connector.

[0047] Figure 13 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state after connecting the tube unit of another example to the connector.

[0048] Figure 14 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the degassing component of the second embodiment.

[0049] Figure 15 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tube unit of the second embodiment.

[0050] Figure 16 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the tube unit shown in Figure 15 extends linearly. Detailed implementation mode

[0051] Hereinafter, the tube unit, the degassing component, and the manufacturing method of the tube unit according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0052] [First Embodiment]

[0053] <Degassing Component>

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the degassing component of the first embodiment. As Figure 1 shown, the degassing component 1 is a component for degassing a liquid. The degassing component 1 includes a tube unit 3 in which both ends of a plurality of tubes 2 are bundled by a first bundling portion 5a and a second bundling portion 5b, and a housing 4 that houses the tube unit 3.

[0055] The liquid to be degassed in the degassing component 1 is not particularly limited. When the degassing component 1 is used for degassing a liquid in liquid chromatography, as the liquid to be degassed in the degassing component 1, for example, solvents such as nitriles such as acetonitrile, ketones such as acetone, and esters such as ethyl acetate, which are used as the high-performance liquid chromatography solvent "HIL-SOL" of Kanto Chemical Co., Inc. and the preparative liquid chromatography solvent "Presol" in large quantities, are used.

[0056] The tube 2 is a tubular membrane that allows gas to pass through but does not allow liquid to pass through. The raw material, membrane shape, membrane form, etc. of the tube 2 are not particularly limited. As the raw material of the tube 2, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ethylene copolymer resin) (ETFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), amorphous fluoropolymer (amorphous fluororesin; AF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and other fluororesins, polypropylene (PP), polymethylpentene (PMP), silicone, polyimide, polyamide can be cited. As the amorphous fluoropolymer, for example, Teflon (registered trademark) AF can be cited.

[0057] In the degassing component 1, the inside of the housing 4 is divided into two regions, namely, the internal space A1 of each of the plurality of tubes 2 and the external space A2 of the plurality of tubes 2, by the plurality of tubes 2 (refer to Figure 4)。The degassing component 1 of this embodiment is an internally filled type degassing component. The internal space A1 is the area for supplying the liquid, and the external space A2 is the area for sucking air (decompression). In the degassing component 1, the liquid is supplied to the internal space A1 of each of the plurality of tubes 2, and the external space A2 of the plurality of tubes 2 is sucked air (decompressed), thereby degassing the liquid. However, the degassing component 1 can also be an externally filled type degassing component. In the case where the degassing component 1 is an externally filled type degassing component, the internal space A1 is the area for sucking air (decompression), and the external space A2 is the area for supplying the liquid. In the externally filled type degassing component 1, the liquid is supplied to the external space A2 of the plurality of tubes 2, and the internal space A1 of each of the plurality of tubes 2 is sucked air (degassed), thereby degassing the liquid.

[0058] The housing 4 includes a housing main body 11, a cover portion 12, a first connector 13, and a second connector 14.

[0059] The housing main body 11 is a container having an opening at one end face. The housing main body 11 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The cover portion 12 is a cover that is hermetically joined to the housing main body 11 to block the opening of the housing main body 11. The joining between the housing main body 11 and the cover portion 12 can be performed, for example, by welding, screwing, fitting, etc. If there are no manufacturing problems, the housing 4 can also be integrally formed without being divided into the housing main body 11 and the cover portion 12.

[0060] In the cover portion 12, the first connector 13 and the second connector 14 are hermetically connected. The connection of the first connector 13 and the second connector 14 to the cover portion 12 can be performed, for example, by welding, screwing, fitting, etc.

[0061] The first connector 13 is connected to the first bundling portion 5a of the tube unit 3. A first through hole 15 for the internal space is formed in the first connector 13, and the first through hole 15 for the internal space communicates with the internal space A1 of each of the plurality of tubes 2 and penetrates the inside and outside of the housing 4. The first bundling portion 5a is connected to the first connector 13 in a state of being inserted into the first through hole 15 for the internal space. The connection between the first connector 13 and the first bundling portion 5a can be performed, for example, by welding, screwing, fitting, etc. The first connector 13 is joined to the first tube 18, and the first tube 18 communicates with the internal space A1 of each of the plurality of tubes 2 via the first through hole 15 for the internal space. The joining between the first connector 13 and the first tube 18 can be performed, for example, by welding, screwing, fitting, etc.

[0062] The second connector 14 is connected to the second bundling portion 5b of the tube unit 3. A second through-hole 16 for the internal space is formed in the second connector 14, and the second through-hole 16 for the internal space communicates with the internal spaces A1 of the plurality of tubes 2 and penetrates the inside and outside of the housing 4. The second bundling portion 5b is connected to the second connector 14 in a state of being inserted into the second through-hole 16 for the internal space. The connection between the second connector 14 and the second bundling portion 5b can be performed, for example, by welding, screwing, fitting, or the like. The second connector 14 is joined to the second tube 19, and the second tube 19 communicates with the internal spaces A1 of the plurality of tubes 2 via the first through-hole 15 for the internal space. The joining between the first connector 13 and the second tube 19 can be performed, for example, by welding, screwing, fitting, or the like.

[0063] A through-hole 20 for the external space that penetrates the inside and outside of the housing 4 is formed in the housing main body 11. The through-hole 20 for the external space communicates with the external spaces A2 of the plurality of tubes 2 inside the housing 4. The housing main body 11 is joined to the third tube 21, and the third tube 21 communicates with the external spaces A2 of the plurality of tubes 2 inside the housing 4 via the through-hole 20 for the external space. Therefore, by connecting a suction pump (not shown) to the third tube 21 and operating the suction pump, the external spaces A2 of the plurality of tubes 2 inside the housing 4 can be decompressed. The joining between the housing main body 11 and the third tube 21 can be performed, for example, by welding, screwing, fitting, or the like.

[0064] <Tube unit>

[0065] Refer to Figures 2 to 4 The tube unit 3 will be described in detail.

[0066] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the tube unit according to the first embodiment, Figure 3 is along Figure 2 the schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III shown. Figure 4 is along Figure 3 the schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV shown. As Figures 2 to 4 shown, the tube unit 3 includes: a plurality of tubes 2; a first bundling portion 5a that bundles the first ends 2a that are one ends of the plurality of tubes 2; a second bundling portion 5b that bundles the second ends 2b that are the other ends of the plurality of tubes 2; and one or more auxiliary members 6 that extend in a solid rod shape and are bundled by the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b together with the plurality of tubes 2.

[0067] The first bundling portion 5a is located at the end of one side of the tube unit 3 and is connected to the first connector 13 of the shell 4. The second bundling portion 5b is located at the end of the other side of the tube unit 3 and is connected to the second connector 14 of the shell 4. The first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b have the same structure as each other, so below, except for the case where they are specifically described separately, the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b are collectively described as the bundling portion 5. Similarly, the first end portion 2a and the second end portion 2b have the same structure as each other, so below, except for the case where they are specifically described separately, the first end portion 2a and the second end portion 2b are collectively described as the end portion 2c. However, they may also have different structures. Of the two end faces of the bundling portion 5, the end face located at the top end of the tube unit 3 is called the first end face 5c, and the end face located on the side opposite to the top end of the tube unit 3 is called the second end face 5d.

[0068] The bundling unit 5 bundles the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 so as to surround the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. The bundling unit 5 includes an outer cylinder 7 which is fitted over the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, and a sealing unit 8 which is filled between the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer cylinder 7.

[0069] The outer cylinder 7 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and constitutes the outermost layer of the clustering portion 5. The outer cylinder 7 is a portion connected to the first connector 13 or the second connector 14 of the housing 4. As a raw material of the outer cylinder 7, a thermoplastic resin is preferably used, and a thermoplastic resin having a higher melting temperature than the melting temperature of the sealing portion 8 is more preferably used, and a thermoplastic resin having excellent chemical resistance and solvent resistance and having a higher melting temperature than the melting temperature of the sealing portion 8 is further preferably used. As a raw material of such an outer cylinder 7, for example, fluororesins such as PFA and PTFE can be cited.

[0070] The sealing part 8 bundles the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, and seals the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer tube 7. The sealing part 8 is not filled in the internal space A1 of each of the multiple tubes 2, but is filled between the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, and between the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 and the outer tube 7. Therefore, only the internal space A1 of each of the multiple tubes 2 is opened from the first end surface 5c of the bundling part 5. By filling the sealing part 8 between the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are separated from each other. As the raw material of the sealing part 8, a thermoplastic resin is preferably used, and a thermoplastic resin having a lower melting temperature than the raw material (thermoplastic resin) used for the outer tube 7 and the tube 2 (end 2c) is more preferably used, and a thermoplastic resin having excellent chemical resistance and solvent resistance and a lower melting temperature than the raw material (thermoplastic resin) used for the outer tube 7 and the tube 2 (end 2c) is further preferably used. Examples of the material of the sealing portion 8 include fluororesins such as FEP and PFA.

[0071] For example, as described later, the bundling portion 5 is formed by: forming the inner sleeve 32 (see Figure 9 and Figure 10 ) is heated and melted, and the outer sleeve 33 (refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 ) is heated and shrunk. The bundling portion 5 is heated during formation, and shrinks while enclosing the end portions 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, bundling the end portions 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. Therefore, the melting point of the sealing portion 8 is higher than the melting points of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer tube 7.

[0072] The auxiliary member 6 is a member that is bundled together with the plurality of tubes 2 by the bundle portion 5 (the first bundle portion 5a or the second bundle portion 5b) as a pseudo member of the tube 2. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary member 6 bundled by the first bundle portion 5a and the auxiliary member 6 bundled by the second bundle portion 5b are independent members. The auxiliary member 6 does not extend from the first bundle portion 5a to the second bundle portion 5b.

[0073] In addition, the clustering portion 5 is preferably not flat because it is to be connected to the first connector 13 or the second connector 14 of the housing 4. The meaning of the clustering portion 5 not being flat includes the following: when the clustering portion 5 is connected to the first connector 13 or the second connector 14, it is flat to such an extent that no gap is generated between the clustering portion 5 and the first connector 13 or the second connector 14. However, as described above, when the clustering portion 5 is formed, the outer sleeve 33 that becomes the outer sleeve 7 shrinks while enclosing the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. Therefore, in the absence of the auxiliary member 6, there is a situation where the clustering portion 5 is flat and a gap is easily generated between the clustering portion 5 and the first connector 13 or the second connector 14, depending on the number of the plurality of tubes 2. For example, in the case where there are two tubes 2, the clustering portion 5 will be significantly flat, and a large gap is easily generated between the clustering portion 5 and the first connector 13 or the second connector 14.

[0074] Therefore, in this embodiment, auxiliary member 6 is used as a pseudo member of tube 2 and is bundled together with a plurality of tubes 2 by bundling section 5. In order to prevent bundling section 5 from being flattened when forming bundling section 5, auxiliary member 6 is provided as a pseudo member of tube 2.

[0075] The number of auxiliary members 6 bundled together with the plurality of tubes 2 by the bundling section 5 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to the number of tubes 2 bundled by the bundling section 5 so as to suppress the bundling section 5 from becoming flat. The arrangement of the plurality of tubes 2 bundled by the bundling section 5 and the auxiliary members 6 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to the number of tubes 2 bundled by the bundling section 5 so as to suppress the bundling section 5 from becoming flat.

[0076] For example, from the viewpoint of suppressing the flattening of the clustering portion 5, the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are preferably arranged in a honeycomb structure. The end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are arranged in a honeycomb structure, such as Figure 3 As shown in the example, any of the ends 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged at any position of each regular hexagon arranged without gaps. In this case, the total number of the ends 2c of the tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 bundled by the bundling unit 5 can be, for example, 7, 19, etc. Figure 3 The example shown is that the end portions 2 c of six tubes 2 and one auxiliary member 6 are bundled by the bundling unit 5 , and the end portions 2 c of a plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged in a honeycomb structure. Figure 5 An example is shown in which the end portions 2 c of fifteen tubes 2 and four auxiliary members 6 are bundled by the bundling unit 5 so that the end portions 2 c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged in a honeycomb structure. Figure 5 Other examples are Figure 3 Corresponding schematic cross-sectional view.

[0077] For example, from the viewpoint of suppressing the bundled portion 5 from becoming flat, the end portions 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are preferably arranged in a regular polygonal shape. The end portions 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are arranged in a regular polygonal shape, such as Figure 3 As shown in the example, the ends 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged so that the overall outer shape of the ends 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 becomes a regular polygon. As the regular polygon, for example, it can be set to a regular triangle, a regular quadrilateral, a regular pentagon, a regular hexagon, a regular octagon, etc. In this case, the total number of the ends 2c of the tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 that are bundled by the bundling unit 5 can be, for example, 3, 7, 19, etc. Figure 6 The example in which the end portions 2 c of two tubes 2 and one auxiliary member 6 are bundled by the bundling unit 5 and the end portions 2 c of a plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged in an equilateral triangle shape is shown. Figure 6 Other examples are Figure 3 Corresponding schematic cross-sectional view. Figure 3 An example is shown in which the end portions 2 c of six tubes 2 and one auxiliary member 6 are bundled by the bundling unit 5 so that the end portions 2 c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged in a regular hexagonal shape. Figure 5 An example is shown in which the end portions 2 c of fifteen tubes 2 and four auxiliary members 6 are bundled by the bundling unit 5 so that the end portions 2 c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged in a regular hexagonal shape.

[0078] From the viewpoint of appropriately functioning as a pseudo member of the tube 2, the auxiliary member 6 preferably has a circular outer peripheral surface similar to the tube 2. In this case, the outer diameter D1 of the auxiliary member 6 is preferably, for example, 50% or more and 150% or less of the outer diameter D2 of each of the plurality of tubes 2, and more preferably 70% or more and 120% or less. The outer diameter D1 of the auxiliary member 6 can be appropriately adjusted according to the shape or length of the housing 4 or the tube 2.

[0079] As long as the auxiliary member 6 is bundled together with the plurality of tubes 2 by the bundling unit 5, the length of the auxiliary member 6 and the position of the auxiliary member 6 in the bundling unit 5 are not particularly limited. Figure 4 As shown, both ends of the auxiliary member 6 may be located at the first end surface 5c and the second end surface 5d of the clustering portion 5 and exposed from the clustering portion 5. Figure 7 As shown in the example of (a), the top end of one side of the auxiliary member 6 can be located at the first end surface 5c of the clustering portion 5 and exposed from the clustering portion 5. The top end of the other side of the clustering portion 5 can protrude from the second end surface 5d of the clustering portion 5. Figure 7 As shown in the example of (b), the top end of one side of the auxiliary member 6 can be located at the first end surface 5c of the clustering portion 5 and exposed from the clustering portion 5. The top end of the other side of the clustering portion 5 can be located at a position retreated from the second end surface 5d of the clustering portion 5 and buried in the clustering portion 5. Figure 7As shown in the example of (c), the top end of one side of the auxiliary member 6 can be located at a position retreated from the first end surface 5c of the clustering portion 5 and buried in the clustering portion 5. The top end of the other side of the auxiliary member 6 can be located at the second end surface 5d of the clustering portion 5 and exposed from the clustering portion 5. Figure 7 As in the example shown in (d) of FIG. 5 , both ends of the auxiliary member 6 may be recessed from the first end surface 5 c and the second end surface 5 d of the bundling portion 5 and buried in the bundling portion 5 . Figure 7 (a) Figure 7 (b) Figure 7 (c) and Figure 7 (d) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the relationship between the bundling portion and the auxiliary member.

[0080] As the raw material of the auxiliary component 6, for example, a material having chemical resistance and solvent resistance is preferred. As the raw material of such an auxiliary component 6, for example, ceramics such as zirconium oxide and aluminum oxide, metals such as stainless steel (stainless steel such as SUS316, stainless steel coated with fluororesin, etc.) can be cited. As the raw material of the auxiliary component 6, it can also be a resin material such as a cured product of a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin having a higher melting temperature than the melting temperature of the raw material constituting the sealing portion 8. As the resin material of such an auxiliary component 6, for example, polyamide, polyimide, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), ETFE, FEP, PFA, PTFE can be cited.

[0081] like Figure 1 As shown, in the degassing assembly 1, in the state where the multiple tubes 2 are rolled into a circle, the first bundling part 5a and the second bundling part 5b are connected to the first connector 13 and the second connector 14. The number of turns of the multiple tubes 2 is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the required degassing performance. In order to keep the multiple tubes 2 rolled into a circle, the rolled parts can also be bundled using a clamp or the like. The part where the rolled parts are bundled can be one or more places.

[0082] When degassing the liquid using the degassing assembly 1 thus constructed, the liquid is supplied to the first tube 18 and discharged from the second tube 19 while the external space A2 of the multiple tubes 2 in the housing 4 is sucked (depressurized) by the suction pump connected to the third tube 21. Then, the liquid supplied to the first tube 18 is supplied to the internal space A1 of each of the multiple tubes 2 via the first through hole 15 for the internal space of the first connector 13. At this time, since the external space A2 of the multiple tubes 2 in the housing 4 is in a depressurized state, when the liquid passes through the internal space A1 of each of the multiple tubes 2, the dissolved gas and bubbles of the liquid are respectively passed through the multiple tubes 2 and introduced into the external space A2 of the multiple tubes 2 in the housing 4. Thus, the liquid is degassed. The degassed liquid is discharged to the second tube 19 via the second through hole 16 for the internal space of the second connector 14. The liquid may also be supplied from the second tube 19 and discharged from the first tube 18.

[0083] <Method for manufacturing tube unit>

[0084] An example of a method for manufacturing the tube unit 3 will be described.

[0085] In the manufacturing method of the pipe unit 3 of the present embodiment, an inner sleeve coating step, an outer sleeve coating step, and a heating step are performed. The inner sleeve coating step, the outer sleeve coating step, and the heating step are bundling steps for bundling the ends of the plurality of pipes 2. The following description will be made based on the case where the inner sleeve coating step, the outer sleeve coating step, and the heating step are performed in this order, but these steps may be performed in any order.

[0086] like Figure 8 As shown, in the inner sleeve outer sleeve step, a plurality of tubes 2 and auxiliary components 6 are prepared. Figure 9 As shown, in the inner sleeve outer sleeve step, an inner sleeve 32 composed of a hot melt resin is respectively outer sleeved on the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. The inner sleeve 32 is heated and melted to form a sealing portion 8. The hot melt resin forming the inner sleeve 32 is a resin that melts and has fluidity when heated above the melting point. The hot melt resin is preferably a resin that shrinks when heated to near the melting point and melts when heated to above the melting point. The melting point of the hot melt resin is preferably lower than the melting point of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, and is preferably lower than the decomposition temperature of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. The hot melt resin can be set to the same resin as the sealing portion 8. The inner circumference of the inner sleeve 32 is greater than the outer circumference of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, and is preferably greater than the outer circumference of the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6.

[0087] In the inner sleeve covering step, the inner sleeve 32 is then heated to shrink it, and the inner sleeve 32 is temporarily fixed to the end 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. The heating temperature for temporarily fixing the inner sleeve 32 is below the melting point of the inner sleeve 32, and preferably below the melting point of the inner sleeve 32. Thus, it is possible to suppress the inner sleeve 32 from falling off from the end 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. However, if the falling off of the inner sleeve 32 is not a problem, the inner sleeve 32 may not be heated and shrunk for the temporary fixing of the inner sleeve 32.

[0088] like Figure 10 As shown, in the outer sleeve covering step, an outer sleeve 33 made of a heat-shrinkable resin is covered on the end of the tube bundle 31 that bundles the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. The outer sleeve 33 is heated and shrunk to become the outer sleeve 7. The heat-shrinkable resin that forms the outer sleeve 33 is a resin that shrinks when heated to near the melting point and melts and has fluidity when heated above the melting point. The melting point of the heat-shrinkable resin is higher than the melting point of the hot melt resin that forms the inner sleeve 32. The melting point of the heat-shrinkable resin is preferably lower than the melting point of the multiple tubes 2, and is preferably lower than the decomposition temperature of the multiple tubes 2. The heat-shrinkable resin can be set to the same resin as the outer sleeve 7. The inner circumference of the outer sleeve 33 is preferably greater than the outer circumference of the tube bundle 31.

[0089] In the outer sleeve outer sleeve outer sleeve step, the end 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are arranged in a honeycomb structure inside the outer sleeve 33. Alternatively, in the outer sleeve outer sleeve outer sleeve step, the end 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are arranged in a regular polygon shape inside the outer sleeve 33.

[0090] like Figure 11 As shown, in the heating step, the inner sleeve 32 and the outer sleeve 33 are heated to shrink the outer sleeve 33 and melt the inner sleeve 32. In the heating step, the inner sleeve 32 and the outer sleeve 33 are heated at a temperature higher than the melting point of the hot melt resin of the inner sleeve 32 and lower than the melting point of the heat shrinkable resin of the outer sleeve 33. As a result, the outer sleeve 33 shrinks, thereby narrowing the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the interval between the outer sleeve 33. The hot melt resin of the inner sleeve 32 melts and flows, and seals the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer sleeve 33. At this time, by adjusting the wall thickness of the inner sleeve 32, etc., it is possible to appropriately seal the end 2c of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer sleeve 33. In the case where the area between the above-mentioned components is large, the wall thickness of the inner sleeve 32 is thickened. When the amount of hot-melt resin in the inner sleeve 32 alone is insufficient to seal the above-mentioned components, the above-mentioned components can be sealed by configuring multiple layers of the inner sleeve 32 or additional components with the same hot-melt resin as the inner sleeve 32.

[0091] From the viewpoint of suppressing the outer sleeve 33 from falling off from the tube bundle 31, the outer sleeve 33 may be heated and slightly shrunk before the heating step, thereby temporarily fixing the outer sleeve 33 to the tube bundle 31. In this case, the heating temperature of the outer sleeve 33 is lower than the melting point of the outer sleeve 33, preferably lower than the melting point of the outer sleeve 33. However, if the falling off of the outer sleeve 33 is not a problem, the outer sleeve 33 may not be heated and shrunk for temporary fixing of the outer sleeve 33.

[0092] Thereby, the pipe unit 3 in which the end portions 2 c of the plurality of pipes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are bundled by the bundling unit 5 is completed.

[0093] Figure 12 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a pipe unit according to a comparative example is connected to a connector. Figure 13 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where a pipe unit according to another example is connected to a connector.

[0094] like Figure 12 As shown, the tube unit 103 of the comparative example does not include an auxiliary member, and only the end portions 2c of the two tubes 2 are bundled by the bundling portion 5. Therefore, when the bundling portion 5 is formed, the outer sleeve 33, which becomes the outer sleeve 7, shrinks while enclosing the end portions 2c of the two tubes 2, so that the bundling portion 5 is significantly flattened, and a large gap is easily generated between the bundling portion 5 and the first connector 13 or the second connector 14.

[0095] In contrast, Figure 13 As shown, in the pipe unit 3 of another example, two pipes 2 and one auxiliary member 6 are bundled by the bundling portion 5, and the two pipes 2 and one auxiliary member 6 are arranged in a honeycomb structure and in an equilateral triangle shape. Therefore, when the bundling portion 5 is formed, even if the outer sleeve 33 serving as the outer sleeve 7 is contracted while enclosing the end portions 2c of the two pipes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, the bundling portion 5 is not likely to be flat, and a gap is not likely to be generated between the bundling portion 5 and the first connector 13 or the second connector 14.

[0096] Thus, in the tube unit 3 of the present embodiment, the auxiliary member 6 extending in a solid rod shape is bundled together with the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 by the bundling portion 5. The auxiliary member 6 is a pseudo member of the tube 2, and is bundled together with the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 by the bundling portion 5. Therefore, even if the number of tubes 2 is small, it is easy to form the bundling portion 5 into a circular shape. Thus, it is possible to suppress the bundling portion 5 from becoming flat.

[0097] In this pipe unit 3, since a plurality of auxiliary members 6 are provided, even when flattening of the bundling portion 5 cannot be sufficiently suppressed if there is only one auxiliary member 6, flattening of the bundling portion 5 can be sufficiently suppressed.

[0098] In the pipe unit 3 , the end portions 2 c of the plurality of pipes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged in a honeycomb structure, so that the clustering portion 5 can be prevented from being flattened.

[0099] In this pipe unit 3 , the end portions 2 c of the plurality of pipes 2 and the auxiliary members 6 are arranged in a regular polygonal shape, so that the bundled portion 5 can be prevented from being flattened.

[0100] In the pipe unit 3 , the auxiliary member 6 has a circular outer peripheral surface, and the outer diameter of the auxiliary member 6 is 50% to 150% or 70% to 120% of the outer diameter of each of the plurality of pipes 2 , so that the auxiliary member 6 can be appropriately used as a dummy of the pipe 2 .

[0101] In the tube unit 3, a sealing portion 8 is filled between the end portions 2c of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary component 6, and the outer tube 7, thereby preventing a situation in which, when a fluid such as liquid or gas is supplied from the first end surface 5c of the bundling portion 5, the fluid leaks between the end portions 2c of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary component 6, and the outer tube 7.

[0102] In the pipe unit 3, the melting point of the sealing portion 8 is lower than the melting points of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer tube 7. Therefore, when manufacturing the pipe unit 3, the sealing portion 8 can be melted without melting the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer tube 7 by heating at a temperature higher than the melting point of the sealing portion 8 and lower than the melting points of the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer tube 7. Therefore, the sealing portion 8 can be appropriately filled between the multiple tubes 2, the auxiliary member 6, and the outer tube 7 while appropriately maintaining the state in which the outer tube 7 is fitted over the multiple tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6.

[0103] In the pipe unit 3, the end portions 2c of the multiple pipes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are separated from each other, and the end portions 2c of the multiple pipes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are covered by the sealing portion 8. Thus, leakage of the fluid from the interface between the end portions 2c of the multiple pipes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 can be further suppressed.

[0104] In the pipe unit 3, the plurality of pipes 2 contain fluororesin, thereby improving chemical resistance.

[0105] In the degassing module 1 of the present embodiment, liquid is supplied to the first internal space through hole 15 while air is sucked from the external space through hole 20, thereby degassing the liquid supplied to the degassing module 1. Since the clustering portion 5 of the tube unit 3 is connected to the first internal space through hole 15 and the second internal space through hole 16, it is possible to suppress the generation of a gap between the clustering portion 5 and the housing 4.

[0106] In the degassing assembly 1, the bundling portion 5 of the tube unit 3 is connected to the first connector 13 having a first through hole 15 for the internal space and the second connector 14 having a second through hole 16 for the internal space, so that while suppressing the generation of a gap between the bundling portion 5, the first connector 13, and the second connector 14, the connection between the bundling portion 5 and the housing 4 can be easily performed.

[0107] In the degassing assembly 1, a plurality of tubes 2 are wound into a circle, so that even if the housing 4 is small, the length of the plurality of tubes 2 can be sufficiently ensured. Therefore, for example, in the case of using a plurality of tubes 2 with low gas permeability, high degassing performance can be obtained.

[0108] In the manufacturing method of the tube unit of the present embodiment, the ends 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 extending in a solid rod shape are bundled together. The auxiliary member 6 is bundled together with the plurality of tubes 2 as a simulation of the tube 2. Therefore, even if the number of tubes 2 is small, the bundling portion 5 can be prevented from becoming flat.

[0109] In the manufacturing method of the tube unit, an inner sleeve 32 is respectively sleeved on the ends 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, and an outer sleeve 33 is sleeved on the ends 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6. The inner sleeve 32 and the outer sleeve 33 are heated to cause the outer sleeve 33 to contract and the inner sleeve 32 to melt. As a result, the ends 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are gathered by the contracted outer sleeve 33 and bundled by the thermally molten resin of the inner sleeve 32. Thus, the ends 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 can be easily bundled.

[0110] In the manufacturing method of the tube unit, the ends 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6 are arranged in a honeycomb structure or in a regular polygon shape inside the outer sleeve 33, so that when the inner sleeve 32 and the outer sleeve 33 are heated, the contracted outer sleeve 33 can be prevented from becoming flat. Thus, the bundling portion 5 can be prevented from becoming flat.

[0111] [Second Embodiment]

[0112] The second embodiment will be described. The degassing assembly and the tube unit of the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, and are different from the degassing assembly and the tube unit of the first embodiment in that the auxiliary member extends from the first bundling portion to the second bundling portion. Therefore, hereinafter, only the matters different from the degassing assembly and the tube unit of the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the matters the same as those of the degassing assembly and the tube unit of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0113] Figure 14 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the degassing assembly of the second embodiment. As Figure 14As shown, the degassing component 1A of the second embodiment includes a tube unit 3A in which both ends of a plurality of tubes 2 are bundled by a first bundling portion 5a and a second bundling portion 5b, and a housing 4 that houses the tube unit 3A.

[0114] Figure 15 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the tube unit of the second embodiment. Figure 16 It shows Figure 15 A schematic cross-sectional view of the state in which the shown tube unit extends linearly. As Figure 15 and Figure 16 shown, the tube unit 3A of the second embodiment includes: a plurality of tubes 2; a first bundling portion 5a that bundles the first ends 2a of the plurality of tubes 2; a second bundling portion 5b that bundles the second ends 2b of the plurality of tubes 2; and one or more auxiliary members 6A that extend in a solid rod shape and are bundled by the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b together with the plurality of tubes 2.

[0115] Similar to the auxiliary member 6 of the first embodiment, the auxiliary member 6A is a member that is bundled by the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b together with the plurality of tubes 2 as a simulation of the tube 2. Different from the auxiliary member 6 of the first embodiment, the auxiliary member 6A extends from the first bundling portion 5a to the second bundling portion 5b. One end of the auxiliary member 6A is bundled by the first bundling portion 5a together with the first ends 2a of the plurality of tubes 2, and the other end of the auxiliary member 6A is bundled by the second bundling portion 5b together with the second ends 2b of the plurality of tubes 2.

[0116] In addition, when the plurality of tubes 2 are bent or wound into a circle for housing in the housing 4 or the like, a part or all of the plurality of tubes 2 may be broken. Moreover, the thinner the wall thickness of each of the plurality of tubes 2, the smaller the diameter of each of the plurality of tubes 2, and the fewer the number of the plurality of tubes 2, the easier it is for a part or all of the plurality of tubes 2 to be broken.

[0117] Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to suppress breakage of a part or all of the plurality of tubes 2 when the plurality of tubes 2 are bent or wound into a circle, the auxiliary member 6A is made to extend from the first bundling portion 5a to the second bundling portion 5b, and the auxiliary member 6A also functions as a guiding member or a strengthening member for the plurality of tubes 2.

[0118] The auxiliary member 6A is wound into a circle together with the plurality of tubes 2. The length of the auxiliary member 6A is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of making the auxiliary member 6A follow the plurality of tubes 2, the length L1 of the auxiliary member 6A from the first bundling portion 5a to the second bundling portion 5b is preferably 95% or more and 105% or less, more preferably 99% or more and 101% or less, of the length L2 of the plurality of tubes 2 from the first bundling portion 5a to the second bundling portion 5b.

[0119] The bending strength of the auxiliary member 6A is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of suppressing breakage of some or all of the multiple tubes 2 when bending or curling the multiple tubes 2 into a circular shape, the bending strength of the auxiliary member 6A is preferably higher than the bending strength of each of the multiple tubes 2. The buckling load of the auxiliary member 6A is preferably larger than the buckling load of each of the multiple tubes 2.

[0120] The number of the auxiliary members 6A, the outer diameter of the auxiliary members 6A, the arrangement at the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b, etc. can be the same as those of the auxiliary member 6 in the first embodiment. The manufacturing method of the tube unit 3A can be the same as the manufacturing method of the tube unit 3 in the first embodiment.

[0121] Thus, in the tube unit 3A of the present embodiment, the auxiliary member 6A extends from the first bundling portion 5a to the second bundling portion 5b, so that when bending or curling the multiple tubes 2 into a circular shape, the auxiliary member 6 becomes a guiding member or a strengthening member for the multiple tubes 2. Thereby, when bending or curling the multiple tubes 2 into a circular shape, breakage of some or all of the multiple tubes 2 can be suppressed.

[0122] In this tube unit 3A, the bending strength of the auxiliary member 6A is higher than the bending strength of each of the multiple tubes 2, so that when bending or curling the multiple tubes 2 into a circular shape, breakage of some or all of the multiple tubes 2 can be further suppressed.

[0123] In this tube unit 3A, the length L1 of the auxiliary member 6A from the first bundling portion 5a to the second bundling portion 5b is 95% or more and 105% or less, or 99% or more and 101% or less of the length L2 of the multiple tubes 2 from the first bundling portion 5a to the second bundling portion 5b, so that the auxiliary member 6A can extend along substantially the entire region of the multiple tubes 2. Thereby, when bending or curling the multiple tubes 2 into a circular shape, breakage of some or all of the multiple tubes 2 can be further suppressed.

[0124] The above has described the embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0125] For example, in the above-described present embodiment, the degassing assembly is an internal perfusion type, and while sucking air from the external space through the through hole 20, the liquid flows from the first through hole 15 for the internal space to the second through hole 16 for the internal space, thereby degassing the liquid. However, the degassing assembly can also be an external perfusion type. In this case, for example, it can be configured to form two through holes, i.e., the first through hole for the external space and the second through hole for the external space, as the through hole for the external space, and form one through hole as the through hole for the internal space, and while sucking air from the through hole for the internal space, the liquid flows from the first through hole for the external space to the second through hole for the internal space, thereby degassing the liquid.

[0126] In the above-described embodiment, it is described that the inner sleeve 32 is externally fitted to the end portions 2c of the plurality of tubes 2 and the auxiliary member 6, respectively. However, it may be configured such that the inner sleeve 32 is externally fitted to at least one end portion 2c of the plurality of tubes 2.

[0127] In the above-described embodiment, it is described that the housing 4 includes the first connector 13 and the second connector 14, and the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b of the tube unit 3 are connected to the first connector 13 and the second connector 14 of the housing 4. However, it may be configured such that the housing does not include a connector, and the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b of the tube unit 3 are directly connected to the housing. It may also be configured such that cylindrical fittings are attached to the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b of the tube unit 3, and the first bundling portion 5a and the second bundling portion 5b of the tube unit 3 are connected to the first connector 13 and the second connector 14 of the housing 4 via the fittings. In this case, when the bundling portion is flat, a gap between the housing and the bundling portion is generated, for example, between the bundling portion and the fitting or between the fitting and the connector.

[0128] Description of Reference Numerals

[0129] 1, degassing assembly; 1A, degassing assembly; 2, tube; 2a, first end; 2b, second end; 2c, end; 3, tube unit; 3A, tube unit; 4, housing; 5, bundling portion; 5a, first bundling portion; 5b, second bundling portion; 5c, first end face; 5d, second end face; 6, auxiliary member; 6A, auxiliary member; 7, outer cylinder; 8, sealing portion; 11, housing body; 12, cover portion; 13, first connector; 14, second connector; 15, first through hole for internal space (through hole for internal space); 16, second through hole for internal space (through hole for internal space); 18, first tube; 19, second tube; 20, through hole for external space; 21, third tube; 31, tube bundle; 32, inner sleeve; 33, outer sleeve; 103, tube unit; A1, internal space; A2, external space; D1, outer diameter; D2, outer diameter.

Claims

1. A tube unit, wherein, the tube unit includes: a plurality of tubes; a bundling part that bundles the ends of the plurality of tubes; and an auxiliary member that extends in a solid rod shape and is bundled by the bundling part together with the ends of the plurality of tubes.

2. The tube unit according to claim 1, wherein, the tube unit includes a plurality of the auxiliary members.

3. The tube unit according to claim 1, wherein, the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary member are arranged in a honeycomb structure.

4. The tube unit according to claim 1, wherein, the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary member are arranged in a regular polygon shape.

5. The tube unit according to claim 1, wherein, the auxiliary member has a circular outer peripheral surface, and an outer diameter of the auxiliary member is 50% or more and 150% or less of an outer diameter of each of the plurality of tubes.

6. The tube unit according to claim 1, wherein, the bundling part includes: an outer cylinder that is sleeved on the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary member; and a sealing part that is filled between the ends of the plurality of tubes, the auxiliary member, and the outer cylinder.

7. The tube unit according to claim 6, wherein, a melting point of the sealing part is lower than melting points of the plurality of tubes, the auxiliary member, and the outer cylinder.

8. The tube unit according to claim 6, wherein, the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary member are separated from each other.

9. The tube unit according to claim 1, wherein, the plurality of tubes contain fluororesin.

10. The tube unit according to claim 1, wherein, the bundling part has a first bundling part that bundles the ends on one side of the plurality of tubes and a second bundling part that bundles the ends on the other side of the plurality of tubes, and the auxiliary member extends from the first bundling part to the second bundling part.

11. The tube unit according to claim 10, wherein, a bending strength of the auxiliary member is higher than a bending strength of each of the plurality of tubes.

12. The tube unit according to claim 10, wherein, a length of the auxiliary member from the first bundling part to the second bundling part is 95% or more and 105% or less of a length of the plurality of tubes from the first bundling part to the second bundling part.

13. A degassing assembly for degassing a liquid, wherein, the degassing assembly includes: the tube unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and a housing that houses the tube unit, wherein the plurality of tubes are tubular membranes that allow gas to pass through but do not allow liquid to pass through, and the housing has an internal space through hole that communicates with an internal space of each of the plurality of tubes and into which the bundling part of the tube unit is inserted, and an external space through hole that communicates with an external space of the plurality of tubes.

14. The degassing assembly according to claim 13, wherein, the housing further has a connector in which the internal space through hole is formed, and the bundling part is connected to the connector.

15. The degassing assembly according to claim 13, wherein, the plurality of tubes are wound into a circle.

16. A method for manufacturing a tube unit, which is a method for manufacturing a tube unit in which the ends of a plurality of tubes are bundled together. Wherein, The method for manufacturing the tube unit includes a bundling step in which the ends of the plurality of tubes are bundled together with an auxiliary member extending in a solid rod shape.

17. The method for manufacturing a tube unit according to claim 16, Wherein, The bundling step includes: An inner sleeve outer covering step in which an inner sleeve made of a heat-meltable resin is outer covered on at least one of the ends of the plurality of tubes; An outer sleeve outer covering step in which an outer sleeve made of a heat-shrinkable resin is outer covered on the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary member; And A heating step, which is after the inner sleeve outer covering step and the outer sleeve outer covering step, in which the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are heated to cause the outer sleeve to shrink and the inner sleeve to melt.

18. The method for manufacturing a tube unit according to claim 17, Wherein, In the outer sleeve outer covering step, the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary member are arranged in a honeycomb structure inside the outer sleeve.

19. The method for manufacturing a tube unit according to claim 17, Wherein, In the outer sleeve outer covering step, the ends of the plurality of tubes and the auxiliary member are arranged in a regular polygon shape inside the outer sleeve.

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