Connector

Abstract

A connector (10) comprises a tubular male connector (20) mated with a first tube (12) and a tubular female connector (30) mated with a second tube (14). The male connector (20) has a first inner circumferential surface (24) that forms a first flow path (22) inside the male connector (20). The female connector (30) has a second inner circumferential surface (34) that forms a second flow path (32) inside the female connector (30). At least one of the first inner circumferential surface (24) and the second inner circumferential surface (34) has an inclined surface (60) that is inclined with respect to an axis (Ax) of the connector (10) such that a stepped surface perpendicular to the axis (Ax) is not formed in a boundary portion between the first inner circumferential surface (24) and the second inner circumferential surface (34).

Description

connector

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for connecting two flow path members to each other in a liquid-tight manner.

[0002] For example, an extracorporeal circulation circuit system includes a heart-lung machine, a blood removal line that draws blood from the human body and sends it to the heart-lung machine, and a blood return line that returns blood from the heart-lung machine to the human body. The extracorporeal circulation circuit system includes several flow path members. Adjacent flow path members are fluid-tightly connected by connectors. A conventional connector is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,244.

[0003] In connectors that are placed on lines through which blood flows, there is a concern that blood clots may occur at the connection between the male connector and the female connector.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a connector for connecting two flow path members to each other in a liquid-tight manner, comprising: a tubular male connector fitted to a first tube that is one of the two flow path members; and a tubular female connector fitted to a second tube that is the other of the two flow path members, connectable to the male connector, and communicating the first tube and the second tube with each other when connected to the male connector, wherein the male connector has a first inner circumferential surface that forms a first flow path within the male connector, and the female connector has a second inner circumferential surface that forms a second flow path within the female connector, and at least one of the first inner circumferential surface and the second inner circumferential surface has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axis of the connector so that a step surface perpendicular to the axis of the connector is not formed at the boundary between the first inner circumferential surface and the second inner circumferential surface.

[0006] According to this connector, by providing an inclined surface on at least one of the first and second inner circumferential surfaces, it is possible to prevent the formation of a step surface perpendicular to the axis of the connector at the boundary between the first and second inner circumferential surfaces, thereby promoting blood flow inside the connector and suppressing the occurrence of thrombi.

[0007] (2) In the connector according to the above item (1), the inclined surface may include a first inclined surface provided on the first inner circumferential surface.

[0008] (3) In the connector according to the above item (1), the inclined surface may include a second inclined surface provided on the second inner circumferential surface.

[0009] (4) In the connector according to the above item (1), the inclined surface may include a first inclined surface provided on the first inner circumferential surface and a second inclined surface provided on the second inner circumferential surface.

[0010] (5) In the connector described in any one of items (1) to (4) above, the male connector has a flange portion protruding radially outward from the tubular body of the male connector and a first connecting portion protruding from the flange portion toward one side of the axial direction of the connector and inserted into the female connector, and the female connector has a second connecting portion into which the first connecting portion is inserted, and when the male connector and the female connector are connected to each other, a gap may be formed between the flange portion and the second connecting portion in the axial direction, which allows the first flow path within the male connector to be visible through the tubular body of the male connector.

[0011] With this configuration, the flow path near the connection between the male connector and the female connector can be seen through the gap formed between the flange portion of the male connector and the second connection portion of the female connector, so that if a thrombus has formed, the thrombus can be easily seen.

[0012] (6) In the connector described in any one of items (1) to (5) above, the male connector has a flange portion protruding radially outward from the tubular body of the male connector, a first connecting portion protruding from the flange portion toward one side of the axial direction of the connector and inserted into the female connector, and a first fitting portion protruding from the flange portion toward the other side of the axial direction of the connector and fitted into the first tube, and in a state in which the male connector and the female connector are connected to each other, in order to suppress rattling between the male connector and the female connector in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting portion may be provided with a protruding structure protruding from the flange portion toward one side of the axial direction, and the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion may be provided with a plurality of protrusions for maintaining the fit between the first fitting portion and the first tube.

[0013] With this configuration, the protrusions on the outer surface of the first connecting portion of the male connector can suppress rattle between the male connector and the female connector in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the multiple protrusions on the outer surface of the first fitting portion of the male connector can prevent the first fitting portion from coming off the first tube.

[0014] (7) In the connector described in any one of items (1) to (6) above, the female connector may have a tubular female connector body having the second inner circumferential surface, and a locking mechanism supported by the female connector body and engageable with the male connector, and the locking mechanism may engage with the male connector to prevent separation of the connected male connector and female connector, and the locking mechanism may disengage from the male connector to enable separation of the male connector and female connector.

[0015] This configuration makes it possible to easily maintain the connected state between the male connector and the female connector.

[0016] (8) In the connector described in item (7) above, a locking groove may be provided on the outer periphery of the male connector, and the locking mechanism may include a locking member that is displaceable relative to the female connector body in a direction perpendicular to the axis between an engagement position and a disengagement position, and has an engaging portion that engages with the locking groove of the male connector at the engagement position and disengages from the locking groove at the disengagement position, and a rotating member that is rotatable relative to the female connector body between a locked position and an unlocked position, and that allows displacement of the locking member to the disengagement position at the unlocked position and prevents displacement of the locking member to the disengagement position at the locked position.

[0017] This configuration can prevent the male connector and the female connector from accidentally coming loose.

[0018] According to the connector of the present invention, by providing an inclined surface on at least one of the first and second inner circumferential surfaces, it is possible to prevent the formation of a step surface perpendicular to the axis of the connector at the boundary between the first and second inner circumferential surfaces, thereby promoting blood flow inside the connector and suppressing the occurrence of thrombi.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector. Fig. 4A is a diagram illustrating an unlocked position of a rotating member. Fig. 4B is a diagram illustrating a locked position of the rotating member. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to a first modified example. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to a second modified example. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to a third modified example.

[0020] The connector 10 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is used to fluid-tightly connect two flow path members to each other. One of the two flow path members is a first tube 12. The other of the two flow path members is a second tube 14. Each of the first tube 12 and the second tube 14 constitutes, for example, a part of an extracorporeal circulation circuit system. The extracorporeal circulation circuit system includes an oxygenator, a blood removal line that draws blood from the human body and sends it to the oxygenator, and a blood return line that returns blood from the oxygenator to the human body. The blood line that constitutes the blood flow path in the extracorporeal circulation circuit system has several connection points. The connector 10 can be applied to these connection points.

[0021] The connector 10 includes a tubular male connector 20 fitted to a first tube 12 and a tubular female connector 30 fitted to a second tube 14. The male connector 20 and the female connector 30 are detachable from each other. Hereinafter, the state in which the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 are connected as shown in Figure 3 will also be referred to as the "connected connector state."

[0022] Male connector 20 is made of, for example, a transparent resin material that allows the fluid flowing inside to be seen. Male connector 20 has a tubular main body 21 that is the body of male connector 20, and a first inner circumferential surface 24 that forms a first flow path 22 within male connector 20. First flow path 22 is the hollow portion of male connector 20 and is a flow path for blood.

[0023] The cross-sectional shape of the first flow path 22 is circular. The male connector 20 has a flange portion 25 protruding radially outward from the tubular body 21, a first fitting portion 26 fitted onto the first tube 12, and a first connecting portion 28 inserted into the female connector 30. The flange portion 25 is formed in an annular shape. The outer diameter of the flange portion 25 is larger than the outer diameter of the first fitting portion 26 and the outer diameter of the first connecting portion 28.

[0024] The first fitting portion 26 protrudes from the flange portion 25 in the axial direction (X direction) of the connector 10 and is fitted to the first tube 12. The hollow portion of the first fitting portion 26 constitutes a part of the first flow path 22. The outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion 26 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 262 for maintaining the fit between the first fitting portion 26 and the first tube 12. In this embodiment, the number of protrusions 262 is two. The number of protrusions 262 may be one, or three or more. The multiple protrusions 262 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the connector 10. Each protrusion 262 is formed in an annular shape. The multiple protrusions 262 prevent the first fitting portion 26 of the male connector 20 from slipping out of the first tube 12. A known adhesive may be used as appropriate to more stably maintain the fit between the first tube 12 and the first fitting portion 26.

[0025] The first connecting portion 28 protrudes from the flange portion 25 in the axial direction of the connector 10. The protruding direction of the first connecting portion 28 from the flange portion 25 is opposite to the protruding direction of the first fitting portion 26 from the flange portion 25. The hollow portion of the first connecting portion 28 forms part of the first flow path 22. The outer peripheral surface of the first connecting portion 28 is provided with a protruding structure 282 that protrudes axially from the flange portion 25 and protrudes radially outward from the tubular main body 21. The protruding direction of the protruding structure 282 from the flange portion 25 is opposite to the protruding direction of the first fitting portion 26 from the flange portion 25.

[0026] The outer diameter of the protrusion structure 282 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the portion of the female connector 30 into which the protrusion structure 282 is inserted. When the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 are connected to each other, the protrusion structure 282 suppresses rattle between the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the connector 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the protrusion structure 282 is formed in a ring shape that surrounds the outer periphery of the first connecting portion 28. Note that the protrusion structure 282 may be formed of a plurality of ribs provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the first connecting portion 28.

[0027] A seal retaining groove 284 (see also FIG. 2 ) is provided on the outer periphery of first connecting portion 28 at a location axially farther from flange portion 25 than protrusion structure 282. An annular seal member 29 made of an elastic material is held in seal retaining groove 284. When the connectors are connected, annular seal member 29 comes into liquid-tight contact with the inner circumferential surface of female connector 30.

[0028] A locking groove 202 is provided on the outer periphery of male connector 20. Specifically, locking groove 202 is provided in first connecting portion 28. In the axial direction of connector 10, locking groove 202 is provided between protrusion structure 282 and annular seal member 29. Locking groove 202 is formed in an annular shape that goes around the outer periphery of first connecting portion 28.

[0029] The female connector 30 is connectable to the male connector 20, and when connected to the male connector 20, it connects the first tube 12 and the second tube 14 to each other. As shown in Figure 3, the female connector 30 has a second inner surface 34 that forms a second flow path 32 within the female connector 30. The second flow path 32 is a hollow portion of the female connector 30 and is a flow path for blood. The cross-sectional shape of the second flow path 32 is circular. The first flow path 22 and the second flow path 32 have at least partially different diameters.

[0030] The female connector 30 includes a tubular female connector body 35 having a second inner circumferential surface 34, and a locking mechanism 40 supported by the female connector body 35 and engageable with the male connector 20. The female connector body 35 is made of, for example, a transparent resin material so that the fluid flowing therethrough can be seen. The female connector body 35 has a second fitting portion 36 fitted onto the second tube 14, and a second connecting portion 38 into which the first connecting portion 28 is inserted.

[0031] The hollow portion of the second fitting portion 36 constitutes the second flow path 32. The outer peripheral surface of the second fitting portion 36 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 362 for maintaining the engagement between the second fitting portion 36 and the second tube 14. The plurality of protrusions 362 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the connector 10 and prevent the second fitting portion 36 of the female connector 30 from slipping out of the second tube 14. Note that a known adhesive may be used as appropriate to more stably maintain the engagement between the second tube 14 and the second fitting portion 36.

[0032] The second connecting portion 38 is continuous with one end of the second fitting portion 36. The second connecting portion 38 is configured to have a larger diameter than the second fitting portion 36. The second connecting portion 38 has a cylindrical connecting tube 42 provided at a position adjacent to the second fitting portion 36 in the axial direction of the connector 10, and a lock support portion 44 provided at the end of the connecting tube 42 on the opposite side to the second fitting portion 36.

[0033] In the connected state, the annular seal member 29 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the connecting tube 42. The lock support portion 44 has a larger diameter than the connecting tube 42. The inner peripheral portion of the lock support portion 44 has an inner surface 442 that faces radially toward the protrusion structure 282 of the male connector 20 in the connected state.

[0034] 2, the lock support portion 44 has a first through hole 51 and a second through hole 52 formed on opposite sides in the circumferential direction. The first through hole 51 and the second through hole 52 each extend radially through the lock support portion 44. The first through hole 51 and the second through hole 52 each extend along the circumferential direction of the second connecting portion 38. The lock support portion 44 has an insertion opening 310 formed therein for receiving the first connecting portion 28 of the male connector 20.

[0035] 3, when the locking mechanism 40 engages with the male connector 20, the connected male connector 20 and female connector 30 are prevented from being separated. When the locking mechanism 40 is disengaged from the male connector 20, the male connector 20 and female connector 30 can be separated. In order to achieve this function of the locking mechanism 40, the locking mechanism 40 is configured as follows.

[0036] The locking mechanism 40 includes a locking member 46 and a rotating member 48. The locking member 46 is displaceable relative to the female connector main body 35 in a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax (Z direction). The locking member 46 is supported by a lock support portion 44 of the second connecting portion 38. In other words, the lock support portion 44 is a guide portion that supports the locking member 46 so that it can slide in the Z direction. The locking member 46 is inserted into a first through-hole 51 of the lock support portion 44.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the locking member 46 has an operating portion 461 that is pressed by the user, a displacement portion 462 that protrudes from the operating portion 461 and is inserted into the lock support portion 44, and an elastic piece 463 that protrudes from the displacement portion 462.

[0038] The operating portion 461 is disposed on the outside of the second connecting portion 38 so that the user can touch it with their finger. In this embodiment, the operating portion 461 is formed in an arc shape that follows the circumferential direction of the female connector body 35. The operating portion 461 may also be formed in a flat plate shape. At least a portion of the inner surface of the operating portion 461 faces the outer peripheral surface of the connecting tube 42. When the user presses the outer surface of the operating portion 461 toward the second connecting portion 38, the operating portion 461 is displaced in a direction approaching the connecting tube 42.

[0039] The displacement portion 462 has a first end 462a which is one end in the Z direction and adjacent to the operating portion 461, and a second end 462b which is the other end in the Z direction and located away from the operating portion 461. The second end 462b has an engaging portion 465 which is displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A hole 466 which penetrates the displacement portion 462 in the axial direction of the connector 10 is formed in the displacement portion 462. The engaging portion 465 is formed by a part of the wall of the displacement portion 462 which surrounds the hole 466.

[0040] 3, when the locking member 46 is in the engaged position, the engaging portion 465 engages with the locking groove 202 of the male connector 20. With the engaging portion 465 engaged with the locking groove 202, the first connecting portion 28 of the male connector 20 cannot be disengaged from the second connecting portion 38 of the female connector 30. Therefore, the second end 462b of the displacement portion 462 is a locking plate that engages with the locking groove 202 to prevent the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 from being separated. When the locking member 46 is in the disengaged position, the engaging portion 465 disengages from the locking groove 202.

[0041] The elastic piece 463 protrudes from the first end 462a of the displacement portion 462 and is supported in a cantilevered state by the first end 462a. The elastic piece 463 is spaced apart from the operating portion 461 in the Z direction and faces the operating portion 461. The elastic piece 463 is disposed between the operating portion 461 and the connecting tube 42. A protrusion 422 protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting tube 42 is provided on the outer peripheral surface. A free end 463a of the elastic piece 463 abuts against the protrusion 422.

[0042] When the user presses the locking member 46 in the Z1 direction and the locking member 46 is displaced, the displacement of the free end 463a of the elastic piece 463 is restricted by the protrusion 422, while the support end 463b of the elastic piece 463 (the end connected to the displacement portion 462) displaces in the Z1 direction together with the displacement portion 462. At this time, the elastic piece 463 is elastically deformed. When the user stops pressing the operation portion 461, the elastic piece 463 displaces the displacement portion 462 in the Z2 direction due to its elastic restoring force. This causes the locking member 46 to return to its original position (the position shown in FIG. 1, etc.).

[0043] The rotating member 48 is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the female connector body 35. The rotating member 48 is supported by the second connecting portion 38 of the female connector body 35 so as to be rotatable about the axis Ax of the connector 10 (the axis Ax of the female connector body 35).

[0044] 2, the rotating member 48 has a first side hole 481 and a second side hole 482 at positions opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 48. The first side hole 481 and the second side hole 482 extend in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 48. The locking member 46 is inserted into the first side hole 481. When the locking member 46 is displaced from the engaged position to the disengaged position, the second end 462b of the locking member 46 is inserted into the second side hole 482 of the rotating member 48. The rotating member 48 further has an opening 484 that exposes the protrusion 422 of the female connector body 35 and the surrounding area.

[0045] 4A , when the rotating member 48 is in the unlocked position, it allows the locking member 46 to be displaced to the disengaged position. Specifically, when the rotating member 48 is in the unlocked position, the locking portion 488 provided on the rotating member 48 is positioned circumferentially out of the gap between the abutment portion 468 provided on the locking member 46 and the female connector body 35 (second connection portion 38). Therefore, when the rotating member 48 is in the unlocked position, even if the locking member 46 begins to be displaced toward the disengaged position, the abutment portion 468 does not abut against the locking portion 488. In other words, the locking member 46 can be displaced to the disengaged position without being blocked by the locking portion 488.

[0046] 4B , when the rotating member 48 is in the locked position, it prevents the locking member 46 from moving toward the disengaged position. Specifically, when the rotating member 48 is in the locked position, the locking portion 488 provided on the rotating member 48 fits into the gap between the abutment portion 468 provided on the locking member 46 and the female connector body 35 (second connection portion 38). Therefore, when the rotating member 48 is in the locked position, if the locking member 46 begins to move toward the disengaged position, the abutment portion 468 abuts against the locking portion 488. In other words, the locking member 46 is prevented from moving toward the disengaged position.

[0047] As shown in Figure 3, at least one of the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 34 has an inclined surface 60 that is inclined with respect to the axis Ax so that a step surface perpendicular to the axis Ax of the connector 10 is not formed at the boundary between the first inner surface 24 and the second inner surface 34.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the inclined surface 60 has a first inclined surface 62 provided on the first inner circumferential surface 24 and a second inclined surface 64 provided on the second inner circumferential surface 34. The first inclined surface 62 is inclined with respect to the axis Ax over the entire circumference centered on the axis Ax, and expands in diameter toward the second inner circumferential surface 34. The first inclination angle A1 of the first inclined surface 62 with respect to the axis Ax is, for example, 1 to 60 degrees, and preferably 1 to 30 degrees.

[0049] The second inclined surface 64 is inclined with respect to the axis Ax around the entire circumference thereof, and expands in diameter toward the first inner circumferential surface 24. The second inclined surface 64 has a second inclination angle A2 with respect to the axis Ax, for example, 1 to 60 degrees, and preferably 1 to 30 degrees. In this embodiment, the first inclined angle A1 is smaller than the second inclined angle A2. Note that the first inclined angle A1 may be the same as the second inclined angle A2, or may be larger than the second inclined angle A2. In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 62 and the second inclined surface 64 form a V-shaped groove.

[0050] The first flow path 22 has a first opening 220, which is the open end of the first flow path 22 that is closer to the second flow path 32. The second flow path 32 has a second opening 320, which is the open end of the second flow path 32 that is closer to the first flow path 22. Therefore, the first opening 220 and the second opening 320 are adjacent to each other in the connector-connected state. The diameter of the first opening 220 and the diameter of the second opening 320 are approximately the same. The first inclined surface 62 is adjacent to the first opening 220. The second inclined surface 64 is adjacent to the second opening 320.

[0051] The above-mentioned "step surface perpendicular to the axis Ax of the connector 10" refers to a step surface of a size that can substantially induce thrombus formation. Therefore, minute step surfaces resulting from manufacturing errors in the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 are acceptable. Even if there is a slight difference between the diameter of the first opening 220 and the diameter of the second opening 320 at the boundary between the first inner circumferential surface 24 and the second inner circumferential surface 34, if the step due to this slight difference (the step in the direction perpendicular to the axis Ax of the connector 10) is, for example, 0.5 mm or less, the step is not a structure that can induce thrombus formation.

[0052] When the connectors are connected, a gap G is formed in the axial direction between the flange portion 25 of the male connector 20 and the second connection portion 38 of the female connector 30, which allows the first flow path 22 within the male connector 20 to be visible through the tubular body 21 of the male connector 20.

[0053] The connector 10 is used as follows.

[0054] 1, the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 are disengaged from each other. From this state, the user inserts the first connecting portion 28 of the male connector 20 into the second connecting portion 38 of the female connector 30 through the insertion opening 310.

[0055] As shown in Figure 3, when the first connecting portion 28 is inserted to the deepest part of the second connecting portion 38, the engaging portion 465 of the locking member 46 engages with the locking groove 202 of the male connector 20, resulting in an engaged state. That is, the locking member 46 is located in the engaged position. The elastic piece 463 holds the locking member 46 in the engaged position. In the engaged state, the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 are prevented from separating from each other.

[0056] Next, the user rotates rotatable member 48 relative to female connector body 35 to the locked position, as shown in Figure 4B, which prevents locking member 46 from moving to the disengaged position.

[0057] 3 , when the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 are connected, the first tube 12 and the second tube 14 are liquid-tightly connected to each other. When a system to which the connector 10 is applied is operating, blood flows through the flow path within the connector 10. The blood flows from the male connector 20 to the female connector 30, or from the female connector 30 to the male connector 20.

[0058] The following procedure is used to disconnect the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 from each other when the system is shut down. First, as shown in FIG. 4A , the user rotates the rotating member 48 relative to the female connector main body 35 to move the rotating member 48 to the unlocked position. Next, the user presses the operating portion 461 of the locking member 46 to displace the locking member 46 in the Z1 direction (displace it to the disengagement position) against the elastic force of the elastic piece 463 in FIG. 3 , thereby disengaging the engaging portion 465 from the locking groove 202. In this state, the user moves the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 relative to each other in directions that separate them, thereby disconnecting the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 from each other.

[0059] This embodiment has the following advantages.

[0060] By providing the inclined surface 60 on at least one of the first inner circumferential surface 24 and the second inner circumferential surface 34, it is possible to prevent the formation of a step surface perpendicular to the axis Ax of the connector 10 at the boundary between the first inner circumferential surface 24 and the second inner circumferential surface 34. This promotes the flow of blood inside the connector 10 and makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of thrombi.

[0061] When male connector 20 and female connector 30 are connected to each other, a gap G is formed in the axial direction between flange portion 25 and second connecting portion 38, which allows first flow path 22 inside male connector 20 to be viewed through tubular body 21 of male connector 20. With this configuration, the flow path near the connection between male connector 20 and female connector 30 can be viewed through gap G formed between flange portion 25 of male connector 20 and second connecting portion 38 of female connector 30, so that if a thrombus has occurred, the thrombus can be easily viewed.

[0062] Since the protrusion structure 282 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting portion 28 of the male connector 20, rattle between the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction can be suppressed.

[0063] Since a plurality of protrusions 262 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion 26 of the male connector 20, the first fitting portion 26 is prevented from coming off the first tube 12.

[0064] The female connector 30 has a locking mechanism 40 that can engage with the male connector 20. With this configuration, the connected state between the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 can be easily maintained.

[0065] The locking mechanism 40 includes a locking member 46 that engages with the locking groove 202 of the male connector 20 in the engaged position and a rotating member 48 that prevents the locking member 46 from moving to the disengaged position when the locking member 46 is in the locked position. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the connection between the male connector 20 and the female connector 30 from being accidentally disconnected.

[0066] Below, several variations of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0067] In a connector 10A according to a first modified example shown in Figure 5, an inclined surface 60A has a first inclined surface 62 and a second inclined surface 66. The first inclined surface 62 is the same as the first inclined surface 62 shown in Figure 3. In Figure 5, the second inclined surface 66 tapers in diameter toward the first inner circumferential surface 24. The second mating portion 36A of the female connector 30A, which has the second inclined surface 66, has a larger diameter than the second mating portion 36 of the female connector 30 shown in Figure 3.

[0068] In a connector 10B according to a second modification shown in Figure 6, an inclined surface 60B is provided only on the female connector 30 out of the male connector 20A and the female connector 30. The inclined surface 60B is the same as the second inclined surface 64 shown in Figure 3. The portion of the first inner circumferential surface 24 adjacent to the second inclined surface 64 is a straight inner circumferential surface 242 that is parallel to the axial direction of the connector 10B. The first mating portion 26A of the male connector 20A, which has the straight inner circumferential surface 242, has a larger diameter than the first mating portion 26 of the male connector 20 shown in Figure 3.

[0069] A connector 10C according to a third modified example shown in Figure 7 includes a male connector 20A and a female connector 30A. The male connector 20A and female connector 30A of the connector 10C are the same as the male connector 20A of the connector 10B shown in Figure 6 and the female connector 30A of the connector 10A shown in Figure 5, respectively. Therefore, in the connector 10C shown in Figure 7, the inclined surface 60C is provided only on the female connector 30A out of the male connector 20A and the female connector 30A. The inclined surface 60C is the same as the second inclined surface 66 shown in Figure 5.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting two flow path members to each other in a liquid-tight manner, comprising: a tubular male connector fitted onto a first tube which is one of the two flow path members; and a tubular female connector fitted onto a second tube which is the other of the two flow path members, connectable to the male connector, and communicating the first tube and the second tube with each other when connected to the male connector, wherein the male connector has a first inner surface which forms a first flow path within the male connector, and the female connector has a second inner surface which forms a second flow path within the female connector, and at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface has an inclined surface which is inclined with respect to the axis of the connector so that a step surface perpendicular to the axis of the connector is not formed at the boundary between the first inner surface and the second inner surface.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said inclined surface comprises a first inclined surface provided on said first inner peripheral surface.

3. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said inclined surface has a second inclined surface provided on said second inner peripheral surface.

4. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface comprises a first inclined surface provided on the first inner peripheral surface and a second inclined surface provided on the second inner peripheral surface.

5. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the male connector has a flange portion protruding radially outward from a tubular body of the male connector and a first connecting portion protruding from the flange portion towards one side of the axial direction of the connector and inserted into the female connector, and the female connector has a second connecting portion into which the first connecting portion is inserted, and when the male connector and the female connector are connected to each other, a gap is formed between the flange portion and the second connecting portion in the axial direction, which allows the first flow path within the male connector to be visible through the tubular body of the male connector.

6. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the male connector has a flange portion protruding radially outward from a tubular body of the male connector, a first connecting portion protruding from the flange portion towards one side in the axial direction of the connector and inserted into the female connector, and a first fitting portion protruding from the flange portion towards the other side in the axial direction of the connector and fitted into the first tube, wherein in order to suppress wobbling between the male connector and the female connector in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction when the male connector and the female connector are connected to each other, the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting portion is provided with a protruding structure protruding from the flange portion towards one side in the axial direction, and the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion is provided with a plurality of protrusions for maintaining the fit between the first fitting portion and the first tube.

7. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the female connector comprises: a tubular female connector body having the second inner circumferential surface; and a locking mechanism supported by the female connector body and engageable with the male connector, wherein separation of the male connector and the female connector which are connected to each other is prevented by the locking mechanism engaging with the male connector, and separation of the male connector and the female connector is enabled by releasing the engagement of the locking mechanism with the male connector.

8. A connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein a locking groove is provided on the outer periphery of the male connector, and the locking mechanism comprises: a locking member which is displaceable relative to the female connector body in a direction perpendicular to the axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the locking member having an engaging portion which engages with the locking groove of the male connector at the engaged position and disengages from the locking groove at the disengaged position; and a rotating member which is rotatable relative to the female connector body between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking member allowing displacement of the locking member to the disengaged position at the unlocked position and preventing displacement of the locking member to the disengaged position at the locked position.

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