TWI788663B - Flexible tube manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The hose manufacturing device provided by the present invention can continuously extrude a resin layer whose hardness gradually changes along the length direction and a soft tip at the front end. The hose manufacturing device of the present invention is equipped with: a mixing valve mechanism capable of changing the mixing ratio of the first resin and the second resin; The soft third resin is supplied to the switching valve mechanism of the mold; and the control device. The control device changes the resin mixing ratio in the mixing valve mechanism while controlling the switching valve mechanism in such a way that the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism is supplied to the mold during extrusion molding. When the ratio of the resin reaches a predetermined value, the switching valve mechanism is controlled according to the way that the third resin is supplied to the mold.

Description

Hose manufacturing equipment

The present invention relates to a hose manufacturing device for extruding a hose whose outer surface is covered with a braided wire by resin.

In medical institutions, thin tube-shaped medical devices commonly called "catheters" are used to inject liquid medicines, contrast agents, etc. into predetermined parts of the patient's living body, or to remove body fluids from the living body. Since the catheter is reinserted into the living body through a curved blood vessel or the like, flexibility is required at the distal end thereof so as not to injure the blood vessel or the like and to be easily bent along the curved portion of the blood vessel or the like. On the other hand, a portion of the catheter that is not inserted into the living body is required to have appropriate rigidity in order to facilitate handling of the catheter. Therefore, various proposals have been made for a catheter manufacturing device in which the hardness is gradually changed along the length direction in such a way that the front end is soft and the operating end is harder. For example, the device described in Patent Document 1 can manufacture a hose whose hardness is continuously changed along the length direction by extruding to the outside of the braided wire while changing the mixing ratio of two resins with different hardness.

[Prior Art Literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6144862

Catheters that can suppress blood vessel damage and improve safety have a flexible tubular part called a "soft tip" at the front end of a few millimeters to several centimeters in length.

The object of the present invention is to provide: a manufacturing device capable of continuous extrusion molding of a resin layer whose hardness gradually changes along the length direction and a soft tip at the front end.

The manufacturing device of the hose of the present invention is equipped with: a mold, a first extruder, a second extruder, a mixing valve mechanism, a third extruder, a switching valve mechanism, and a control device; and the mold is Equipped with: an insertion hole for inserting the braided wire, and an extrusion port for extruding the resin to the surface of the braided wire passing through the insertion hole; the first extruder extrudes the first resin; the second extruder The extruder extrudes the second resin which is softer than the first resin; the mixing valve mechanism can extrude the first resin extruded from the first extruder and the resin extruded from the second extruder The resin mixed with the second resin, and the mixing ratio of the first resin and the second resin can be changed; the third extruder extrudes the third resin which is softer than the second resin; The resin extruded by the valve mechanism or the third resin extruded from the third extruder is selectively supplied to the die; the control device controls the mixing valve mechanism and the switching valve mechanism. During hose extrusion molding, in the state where the switching valve mechanism is controlled so that the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism is supplied to the mold, the control device increases the ratio of the second resin in the resin extruded by the mixing valve mechanism to a predetermined value. The purpose of the value is to control the mixing valve mechanism. When the ratio of the second resin reaches a predetermined value, the switching valve mechanism is controlled to supply the third resin to the mold.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a manufacturing device capable of continuously extruding a resin layer whose hardness gradually changes along the length direction and a soft tip at the front end.

1: Mold

2a: 1st extruder

2b: The second extruder

2c: The 3rd extruder

3: Mixing valve mechanism

4: Switching valve mechanism

5: Control device

6: braided wire

7: Hose

11: Internal mold

12: Outer mold

13, 47a, 47b, 49a, 49b, 50a, 50b: through holes

14: Extrusion port

15,24,58a,58b,62,63a,63b: flow path

16: Resin injection port

18a: 1st valve

18b: 2nd valve

19,22,35: motor

20: screw

21,32: Box

23,31: valve body

33: Install components

34: spacer

37: The first split body

38: The second split body

39: The third split body

40a, 40b, 41a, 41b, 42: end face

43a: The first injection port

43b: The second injection port

44: Resin supply port

45a: 1st outlet

45b: The second discharge port

48,51: ditch

54a: opening (sixth opening)

54b: Opening (first opening)

55a: opening (7th opening)

55b: Opening (second opening)

57: Plane Department

59a: Groove (8th opening)

59b: Groove (9th opening)

64: Opening (third opening)

65a: opening (4th opening)

65b: Opening (fifth opening)

71: Hardness Migration Department

72: soft tip

100:Hose manufacturing device

AX: central axis

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of the composition of the hose manufacturing device of the embodiment; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view viewed from the line II-II shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 (A) and (B) are views of the switching valve mechanism shown in Fig. 1 Enlarged view and partial cross-sectional view; Figure 4 (A) to (F) is a cross-sectional view of the switching valve mechanism shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 (A) to (F) is a schematic diagram of the action description of the switching valve mechanism shown in Figure 3; and 6(A) to (D) are explanatory diagrams of the control method performed by the control device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, an example of the present invention will be used to describe a hose manufacturing device in which the braided tube (network tube) is provided on the outer surface of the inner thin tube belonging to the resin layer and the outer thin tube belonging to the resin layer is covered with a braided tube. An example of such a hose may be, for example, a catheter shaft. However, the catheter shaft is only an example of the tube, and the present invention can also be applied to a tube manufacturing device for other purposes such as a tube used in an endoscope.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a hose manufacturing device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view viewed from line II-II shown in FIG. 1 .

The hose manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus for extruding and molding the hose 7 using resin, and includes a die 1, a first extruder 2a, a second extruder 2b, a third extruder 2c, a mixing valve mechanism 3, The valve mechanism 4 and the control device 5 are switched. In addition, the hose manufacturing apparatus 100 is fixed to a predetermined stand or the like via a base. Also, although not shown, a supply device for supplying the braided wire 6, a pulling device for pulling the extruded hose 7, etc. are appropriately provided at the upstream end and the downstream end of the mold 1. The braided wire 6 is conveyed from the rear of the hose manufacturing apparatus 100 toward the front. In the following description, there is a case where the direction is specified using a three-axis orthogonal coordinate system of xyz. The axis parallel to the central axis of the valve body 31 constituting the switching valve mechanism 4 is defined as the x-axis, and the axis parallel to the conveying direction of the braided wire 6 is defined as Let the axis be a y-axis, and let the parallel axis of a vertical direction be a z-axis. Again, the braided wire 6 is, for example, provided on the thin tube of the inner layer The braided tube (network tube) is placed in a state where the core wire (guide wire) is inserted through the hollow part in the middle of the inner layer. The hose 7 is provided with an outer thin tube on the surface of the braided wire 6, and the catheter shaft can be obtained by pulling out the core wire of the braided wire 6 after the outer thin tube is formed.

The mold 1 is a mold used to extrude the resin to the outside of the braided wire 6 and includes an inner mold 11 and an outer mold 12 . A through hole 13 through which the braided wire 6 is inserted is provided at a central axis portion of the inner mold 11 . The outer mold 12 has a hollow portion, and the inner mold 11 is accommodated in the hollow portion. Between the outer peripheral surface of the inner mold 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the hollow part of the outer mold 12, a resin flow path 15 formed by a predetermined gap is formed. The outer mold 12 is provided with an extrusion port 14 coaxial with the central axis of the inner mold 11 . The extrusion port 14 constitutes the front end of the flow path 15 . In addition, a resin injection port 16 communicating with the flow path 15 is provided in the outer mold 12 . The resin injection port 16 is connected to the resin supply port 44 (the downstream end of the flow path 62 ) of the switching valve mechanism 4 described later. The resin supplied to the resin injection port 16 flows to the extrusion port 14 through the flow path 15, and then passes through the through hole 13 and the extrusion port 14 of the inner mold 11, and is extruded onto the surface of the braided wire 6 wound forward. Also, the inner mold 11 is fixed to the outer mold 12 .

The first extruder 2a, the second extruder 2b and the third extruder 2c are, for example, screw extruders, which can melt the resin pellets and extrude them from the outlet at the front end at a constant speed. The 1st resin, the 2nd resin, and the 3rd resin which differ in hardness are supplied to the 1st extruder 2a, the 2nd extruder 2b, and the 3rd extruder 2c, respectively. Specifically, the first resin is a resin with the highest hardness, the second resin is a softer resin than the first resin, and the third resin is a softer resin than the second resin. The molten resin extruded from the first extruder 2a and the second extruder 2b is supplied to a mixing valve mechanism 3 described later, and is adjusted to a predetermined mixing ratio by the mixing valve mechanism 3 . On the other hand, the molten resin extruded from the 3rd extruder 2c is supplied to the switching valve mechanism 4 mentioned later.

The mixing valve mechanism 3 mixes the first resin extruded from the first extruder 2a with the second resin extruded from the second extruder 2b, and can supply the mixed resin to the switching valve mechanism 4 described later. , and the mixing ratio of the first resin and the second resin can be changed continuously or stepwise. This implementation The mixing valve mechanism 3 of the form includes a first valve 18 a, a second valve 18 b, a motor 19 , a screw 20 , a case 21 , and a motor 22 . The first valve 18a and the second valve 18b are respectively composed of a valve body 23 rotatable around a center axis, and a part of the case body 21 . A correspondingly shaped hollow portion of the cylindrical portion of the valve body 23 is provided in the case 21, and the valve body 23 is accommodated rotatably in the hollow portion. The valve body 23 is installed on the motor 19, and the rotation position can be changed by the rotation force of the motor 19. The screw 20 is housed in a hollow provided in the box 21 . Between the outer peripheral surface of the screw 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the hollow part of the case 21, the flow path 24 which consists of predetermined gaps is formed. In addition, the screw 20 is connected to the motor 22, and the rotation force of the motor 22 rotates around the central axis, so that the two types of resins supplied to the flow path 24 can be uniformly mixed. In addition, the rotation system of the motors 19 and 22 is controlled by the control device 5 described later.

The first valve 18a is equipped with a flow path (not shown) for supplying part or all of the first resin supplied from the first extruder 2a to the flow path 24, and for Part or all of the first resin supplied by the machine 2a is discharged (discarded) to an external flow path (not shown). The first valve 18a can change the amount ratio of the resin supplied to the flow path 24 and the amount ratio of the waste resin in accordance with the rotation position of the valve body 23 . Similarly, the second valve 18b is provided with a flow path (not shown) for supplying part or all of the second resin supplied from the second extruder 2b to the flow path 24, and for supplying the second resin from the second extruder 2b. 2 Part or all of the second resin supplied from the extruder 2b is discharged (discarded) to an external channel (not shown). The second valve 18b can change the amount ratio of the resin supplied to the flow path 24 and the amount ratio of the waste resin in accordance with the rotation position of the valve body 23 .

The rotational positions of the respective valve bodies 23 of the first valve 18a and the second valve 18b are controlled by a control device 5 described later. By synchronously controlling the first valve 18a and the second valve 18b, the controller 5 can balance the amount of the first resin supplied from the first valve 18a to the flow path 24 and the amount of resin supplied to the flow path 24 from the second valve 18b. When the total amount of the second resin is kept constant, by changing the amount of resin supplied to the flow path 24 by the first valve 18a and the second valve 18b respectively, the first resin supplied to the switching valve mechanism 4 through the flow path 24 The mixing ratio with the second resin is changed.

Furthermore, the mixing valve mechanism 3 is under the premise that the mixing ratio of the two resins can be changed, and the two kinds of resins can be uniformly mixed and supplied to the switching valve mechanism 4, and the rest are not particularly limited. For example, the mixing valve mechanism 3 uses The structure described in Japanese Patent No. 6144862 is adopted.

The switching valve mechanism 4 can selectively supply either the resin discharged from the mixing valve mechanism 3 or the third resin extruded from the third extruder 2 c to the die 1 . Details of the switching valve mechanism 4 will be described later.

The control device 5 includes a computer for controlling the mixing valve mechanism 3 and the switching valve mechanism 4 . The control device 5 is connected to the respective motors 19 of the first valve 18a and the second valve 18b included in the mixing valve mechanism 3, and controls the first resin and the second valve of the mixing valve mechanism 3 by changing the rotation angle of the valve body 23. 2 The mixing ratio of the resin. Moreover, the control device 5 is a motor 35 described later connected to the switching valve mechanism 4 , and switches the resin supplied from the switching valve mechanism 4 to the mold 1 . Details of the control by the control device 5 will be described later.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the switching valve mechanism 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 in combination.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view and a partial cross-sectional view of the switching valve mechanism shown in Figure 1 . In more detail, Fig. 3(A) is an enlarged view corresponding to the switching valve mechanism shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3(B) is equivalent to the part other than the valve body shown in Fig. 3(A), viewed from parallel to the xz plane And it is a partial sectional view cut on a plane including the central axis AX of the valve body. Again, shown in Fig. 4 is the sectional view of switching valve mechanism shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 (A), Fig. 4 (B), Fig. 4 (C), Fig. 4 (D), Fig. 4 (E) and Fig. 4 ( F) Respectively correspond to the A cut-away diagram, B cut-away diagram, C cut-away diagram, D cut-away diagram, E cut-away diagram and F cut-away diagram shown in Figure 3 (A), constituting the end surface of the split body of the valve body Or an explanatory diagram of the flat surface of the cabinet.

The switching valve mechanism 4 is provided with: a valve body 31 rotatable around the central axis AX, a casing 32 for accommodating the valve body 31 rotatably, a mounting member 33 for mounting the valve body 31 on the casing 32 , and an interposed The spacer 34 between the installation member 33 and the valve body 31, so that the valve body 31 rotates motor 35. The box body 32 is equipped with: a first injection port 43a for injecting the resin discharged from the mixing valve mechanism 3, a second injection port 43b for injecting the third resin extruded from the third extruder 2c, and a supply of the resin. A resin supply port 44 for the mold 1, a first discharge port 45a for discharging (discarding) the mixed resin to the outside, and a second discharge port 45b for discharging (disposing) the third resin to the outside. Also, the first discharge port 45a is a downstream end of the flow path 63a shown in FIG. 2 , and the second discharge port 45b is a downstream end of the flow path 63b shown in FIG. 2 .

The switching valve mechanism 4 can connect either one of the first injection port 43 a and the second injection port 43 b to the resin supply port 44 in accordance with the rotational position of the valve body 31 . More specifically, if the switching valve mechanism 4 is in the first state in which the first injection port 43a communicates with the resin supply port 44, the state can be switched between the second state in which the second injection port 43b communicates with the resin supply port 44. migrate. In the first state, the second injection port 43b communicates with the second discharge port 45b. Moreover, in the second state, the first injection port 43a communicates with the first discharge port 45a. The switching valve mechanism 4 can switch between the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 and the third resin extruded from the third extruder 2c by switching the first state and the second state. Supply to mold 1.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the valve body 31 is composed of three members: a first split body 37 , a second split body 38 , and a third split body 39 .

The first split body 37 is a cylindrical member having a pair of end faces 40 a and 40 b perpendicular to the central axis AX of the valve body 31 . As shown in Figure 4(B) and Figure 4(C), in the first split body 37 at the eccentric position of the central axis of the valve body 31, there are respectively four valves with a circular cross-section extending parallel to the central axis. The through holes 47a, 47b, 49a, and 49b. Thereby, on the end surface 40a shown in FIG. And the opening part 55b which belongs to the end part of the through-hole 49b. Further, as shown in FIG. 4(C), a groove 48 connecting the through holes 47a and 47b is formed on the end surface 40b in the negative x-axis direction of the first divided body 37 .

The second split body 38 is a cylindrical member having a pair of end faces 41 a and 41 b perpendicular to the central axis AX of the valve body 31 and having a diameter equal to that of the first split body 37 . As shown in Figure 4(D) and Figure 4(E), in the second split body 38 at the eccentric position of the central axis AX of the valve body 31, there are two circular cross-sections extending parallel to the central axis. Through holes 50a and 50b. The respective diameters of the through holes 50a and 50b are equal to the respective diameters of the through holes 49a and 49b. Moreover, when the through holes 50a and 50b respectively make the end face 41a of the second split body 38 (FIG. 4(E)) and the end face 40b of the first split body 37 (FIG. 4(B)) abut on the central axis, , formed at positions coaxial with the through-holes 49a, 49b.

The third split body 39 is a member having an end face 42 perpendicular to the central axis AX of the valve body 31 and having a cylindrical portion having a diameter equal to that of the first split body 37 and the second split body 38 . As shown in FIG. 4(F) , a groove 51 is formed in the third divided body 39 . The end portions 52a and 52b of the groove 51 are respectively when the end face 42 (FIG. 4(F)) of the third split body 39 and the end face 41b (FIG. 4(D)) of the second split body 38 abut on the central axis in unison, are respectively formed at positions where the through-holes 50a and 50b overlap.

The first divided body 37, the second divided body 38, and the third divided body 39 are integrally formed using fixing members such as bolts extending in a direction parallel to the central axis. If the first split body 37, the second split body 38, and the third split body 39 are integrated, as described above, the through holes 49a and 49b of the first split body 37 are connected to the through holes 50a of the second split body 38 respectively. and 50b are coaxial, and the through-holes 50a and 50b of the second split body 38 are positioned so as to overlap the ends 52a and 52b of the groove 51 of the third split body 39, respectively. Also, when the first divided body 37 , the second divided body 38 , and the third divided body 39 are fixed by bolts, the bolts are attached to portions where no through holes or grooves are formed. If the first split body 37, the second split body 38 and the third split body 39 are integrated to form the valve body 31, they will be formed inside the valve body 31: the first split of the openings 54a and 54b connected to the end surface 40a. The flow path and the second flow path connecting the openings 55a and 55b on the end surface 40a. The first flow path is a flow path in which the opening 54a, the through-hole 47a, the groove 48, the through-hole 47b, and the opening 54a flow in this order. No. The first flow path is a flow path for flowing the resin supplied from the first injection port 43a provided in the tank 32. The opening 54a (sixth opening) corresponds to an end on the upstream side of the first flow path, and the opening 54b (first opening) corresponds to an end on the downstream side of the first flow path. The second flow path is a flow path that flows in the order of the opening 55a, the through hole 49a, the through hole 50a, the groove 51, the through hole 50b, the through hole 49b, and the opening 55b. The second flow path is a flow path for flowing the third resin supplied from the second injection port 43 b provided in the tank 32 . The opening 55a (seventh opening) corresponds to an end on the upstream side of the second flow path, and the opening 55b (second opening) corresponds to an end on the downstream side of the second flow path.

Casing body 32 is to have the cylindrical hollow part that internal diameter is roughly equal to the outer diameter of the 1st split body 37, in this hollow part accommodates by the 1st split body 37, the 2nd split body 38 and the 3rd split body 39. Part of the cylindrical part of the same diameter. Furthermore, the case body 32 has a central axis AX perpendicular to the valve body 31 and is in contact with the flat surface portion 57 of the end surface 40 a of the valve body 31 . When the valve body 31 is accommodated in the hollow portion of the case 32, the outer peripheral surface and the end surface 40a of the valve body 31 can slide and rotate with one of the inner peripheral surface and the flat surface 57 of the hollow portion of the case 32, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4(A), a flow path 58a connected to the first injection port 43a, a flow path 58b connected to the second injection port 43b, and a flow path connected to the resin supply port 44 are formed in the case 32. The passage 62, the flow passage 63a connected to the first discharge port 45a, and the flow passage 63b connected to the second discharge port 45b. On the flat surface portion 57 of the case 32, as shown in FIG. , the opening 64 (third opening) at the upstream end of the flow path 62, the opening 65a (fourth opening) at the upstream end of the flow path 63a, and the opening at the upstream end of the flow path 63b part 65b (fifth opening part). Moreover, the groove 59a corresponds to the opening part which communicates with the 1st injection port 43a, and the groove 59b corresponds to the opening part which communicates with the 2nd injection port 43b. The flow path from the first injection port 43a to the groove 59a via the flow path 58a is a supply flow path for the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 . The flow path from the second injection port 43b to the groove 59b through the flow path 58b is the supply of the third resin extruded from the third extruder 2c flow path. In addition, the flow path from the opening 64 to the resin supply port 44 through the flow path 62 is used for extruding the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 or the third resin extruded from the third extruder 2c, This is the flow path for mold 1. The flow path from the opening 65 a to the first discharge port 45 a through the flow path 63 a is a flow path for discarding the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 . The flow path from the opening 65b to the second discharge port 45b via the flow path 63b is a flow path for discarding the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 .

With the cylindrical portion of the valve body 31 accommodated in the hollow portion of the case body 32 , the opening of the case body 32 is sealed by the mounting member 33 , and the valve body 31 is attached to the case body 32 . The installation member 33 can be fixed on the box body 32 by using bolts not shown, for example. Between the valve body 31 and the mounting member 33 , for example, an annular spacer 34 made of metal is interposed. The thickness of the spacer 34 is based on the way that the outer surface of the spacer 34 is located more outside than the end face of the open end of the box body 32, and is set to a greater depth than the space formed in the hollow portion when the valve body 31 is inserted. Therefore, by sandwiching the spacer 34 between the valve body 31 and fixing the mounting member 33 on the case body 32, the end surface 40a of the valve body 31 can be pressed against the flat surface of the case body 32 with a predetermined contact pressure. 57. That is, in this embodiment, the mounting member 33 and the spacer 34 function as pressing members for pressing the end surface 40 a of the valve body 31 against the flat surface portion 57 of the case 32 . By applying pressure to the valve body 31 toward the flat surface portion 57 of the box body 32, the movement of the valve body 31 in the direction of the central axis can be regulated, and the distance between the end surface 40a of the valve body 31 and the flat surface portion 57 of the box body 32 can be adjusted. Adhesive force can be suppressed, such as resin bleeding on the contact surface. In addition, the contact pressure of the end surface 40 a of the valve body 31 can be managed by using, for example, the tightening torque of the bolts that fix the mounting member 33 to the case body 32 . When the end surface 40a of the valve body 31 or the flat portion 57 of the box body 32 is worn, the spacer 34 can be replaced with a thicker one, or the lock of the bolt fixing the mounting member 33 on the box body 32 can be adjusted. By tightening the torque, the contact pressure of the valve body 31 can be kept constant. That is, the switching valve mechanism 4 of the present embodiment is configured such that the resin in and out between the valve body 31 and the case 32 is implemented through the orthogonal interface (end face 40a and flat portion 57 ) of the central axis, thereby further improving maintainability.

Here, the change of the rotational position of the valve body 31 relative to the case body 32 will be described.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the action of the switching valve mechanism shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 (A) ~ Figure 5 (C) shows the valve body 31 and the box 32 from the V direction shown in Figure 3 (A) The positional relationship between the first flow path and the planar portion 57 of the case 32 when viewed. Figures 5(D) to 5(F) show the positional relationship between the second flow path and the flat surface portion 57 of the box body 32 when the valve body 31 and the box body 32 are viewed from the V direction shown in Figure 3(A). . In FIG. 5 , for simplicity of illustration, the parts related to the valve body 31 are marked with thick solid lines, and the parts related to the box body 32 are marked with ordinary solid lines. Parts related to the box body 32 are located at the depth of the paper. Also, for simplicity of illustration, FIG. 5 is based on the opening (indicated by a small circle) formed on the end surface 40a of the valve body 31 and the flat surface portion 57 of the box body 32, and the groove 48 provided on the valve body 31. 51 and the grooves 59a and 59b provided on the box body 32 are shown in the center. The through-holes illustrated in FIG. 4 overlap any one of the openings formed by the end surface 40a of the valve body 31, so the illustration is omitted, and the corresponding through-holes are marked in parentheses only below the element numbers of the openings. Component symbol.

FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(D) show the state where the valve body 31 is located at the first rotational position (corresponding to the above-mentioned first state). When the valve body 31 is located at the first rotational position, as shown in FIG. The opening 54 b at the end of the downstream side of the first flow path overlaps with the opening 64 at the end of the flow path 62 to which the resin supply port 44 is connected. Thereby, the flow path 58a connected to the first injection port 43a and the flow path 62 connected to the resin supply port 44 use the first flow path (the through hole 47a, the groove 48 and the through hole 47b) inside the valve body 31. connected. At this time, the opening 54b at the end of the downstream side of the first flow path does not overlap the opening 65a at the end of the flow path 63a connected to the first discharge port 45a and the flow path connected to the second discharge port 45b. The opening 65b at the end of 63b.

Furthermore, when the valve body 31 was at the first rotational position, as shown in FIG. 5(D), the opening 55a at the end of the upstream side of the second flow path overlapped the groove 59b provided in the box body 32, and The opening 55b at the downstream end of the second flow path overlaps with the opening 65b at the end of the flow path 63b to which the second discharge port 45b is connected. Thereby, the flow path 58b connected to the second injection port 43b and the flow path 63b connected to the second discharge port 45b pass through the second flow path (through hole 49a, through hole 50a, groove 51) in the valve body 31. , the through hole 50a, and the through hole 49b) are connected. At this time, the opening 55b at the end of the downstream side of the second flow path does not overlap the opening 64 at the end of the flow path 62 to which the resin supply port 44 is connected.

Therefore, in the first state where the valve body 31 is located at the first rotation position, all the resin supplied from the first injection port 43a flows in the first flow path in the valve body 31, and is then supplied to the mold through the resin supply port 44. 1. Moreover, all the third resin supplied from the second injection port 43b flows through the second flow path in the valve body 31, and is then discarded to the outside through the second discharge port 45b.

5(B) and 5(E) show that the valve body 31 is located in the intermediate position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position (the halfway state from the first state to the second state). If the valve body 31 rotates from the above-mentioned first rotation position to the second rotation position, the first flow path and the second flow path pass through the positions shown in FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(C) respectively through FIG. The intermediate position shown in Figure 5(E) moves to the position shown in Figure 5(C) and Figure 5(F). Also, the opening 54a at the end of the upstream side of the first flow path overlaps with the valve body 31 when the valve body 31 is located at the first rotational position, or the second rotational position, or a position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. The groove 59a of the case 32 connects the first flow path to the first injection port 43a. Similarly, the opening 55a at the end of the upstream side of the second flow path overlaps with the valve body 31 when the valve body 31 is at the first rotational position, or the second rotational position, or a position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. The groove 59b of the case 32 connects the second flow path to the second injection port 43b.

FIG. 5(C) and FIG. 5(F) show the state where the valve body 31 is located at the second rotational position (corresponding to the above-mentioned second state). When the valve body 31 is at the second rotational position, as shown in FIG. 5(C), The opening 54a at the end of the upstream side of the first flow path overlaps the groove 59a provided in the case 32, and the opening 54b at the end of the downstream side of the first flow path overlaps with the opening 59a connected to the first discharge port 45a. The opening 65a at the end of the flow path 63a. Thereby, the flow path 58a connected to the first injection port 43a and the flow path 63a connected to the first discharge port 45a use the first flow path (the through hole 47a, the groove 48 and the through hole 47b) in the valve body 31. ) are connected. At this time, the opening 54b at the end of the downstream side of the first flow path does not overlap the opening 64 at the end of the flow path 62 to which the resin supply port 44 is connected.

Furthermore, when the valve body 31 is located at the first rotational position, as shown in FIG. 58b), and the opening 55b at the end of the downstream side of the second flow path overlaps with the opening 64 at the end of the flow path 62 to which the resin supply port 44 is connected. Thereby, the flow path 58b connected to the second injection port 43b and the flow path 62 connected to the resin supply port 44 utilize the second flow path (through hole 49a, through hole 50a, groove 51, through hole 49a, through hole 50a, groove 51, etc.) The hole 50a and the through hole 49b) are connected. At this time, the opening 55b at the end of the downstream side of the second flow path does not overlap the opening 65a at the end of the flow path 63a connected to the first discharge port 45a and the flow path connected to the second discharge port 45b. The opening 65b at the end of 63b.

Therefore, when the valve body 31 is in the first state of the second rotation position, all the resin supplied from the first injection port 43a flows in the first flow path in the valve body 31 and is discarded through the first discharge port 45a. on the outside. Furthermore, all the third resin supplied from the second injection port 43 b flows through the second flow path in the valve body 31 and is supplied to the mold 1 through the resin supply port 44 .

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a control method performed by the control device. More specifically, FIG. 6(A) is a schematic diagram of an example of a hose that can be manufactured by the hose manufacturing device 100 of this embodiment. 6(B) to 6(D) show the time sequence diagrams for the manufacture of the hose shown in FIG. 6(A) and the control performed by the control device. for A timing chart of changes in the respective ratios of the first resin, the second resin, and the third resin contained in the resin of the mold 1 should be given.

The hose 70 shown in Fig. 6 (A) utilizes the outer thin tube formed by the resin layer, and is covered on the braided wire 6 of the braided tube (network pipe) provided on the outer surface of the inner thin tube, including: the outer thin tube The hardness transition part 71 whose resin hardness gradually becomes softer, and the soft tip 72 connected to the front end of the hardness transition part 71 and made of softer resin than the resin covering the front end of the hardness transition part 71 . The length of the soft tip 72 is, for example, several millimeters to several centimeters, and the hardness of the resin layer (outer thin tube) constituting the soft tip 72 is constant.

When manufacturing the hose 70, the first resin and the second resin that is softer than the first resin are first used, and the mixing ratio of the second resin is increased in the mixing valve mechanism 3, and the hardness is extruded on the braided wire 6. Migration Section 71. Next, in the switching valve mechanism 4, the resin supplied to the mold 1 is switched to a third resin that is softer than the second resin, and then the soft tip is continuously extruded on the braided wire 6 at the hardness transfer portion 71 72.

A specific example will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(B) to 6(D). During extrusion molding, the flow path volume from the resin supply point of the first valve 18a and the second valve 18b constituting the mixing valve mechanism 3 to the extrusion port 14 of the mold 1 and from the tank constituting the switching valve mechanism 4 From the flat part 57 of the body 32 to the flow path volume of the extrusion port 14 of the mold 1, after the mixing valve mechanism 3 or the switching valve mechanism 4 is controlled, until the composition of the resin extruded from the extrusion port 14 changes. There will be a time difference. Therefore, considering the time lag caused by the volume of the flow path, the control timing of the mixing valve mechanism 3 and the switching valve mechanism 4 is adjusted so that the composition of the resin extruded from the extrusion port 14 can be changed according to the required timing. However, in the following description, in order to simplify the description, the timing of changing the mixing ratio in the mixing valve mechanism 3, the timing of switching the supply of resin to the mold 1 in the switching valve mechanism 4, and the timing of switching the resin extruded from the mold 1 The timing at which the composition of the resin changes is represented by the same time axis.

At time t0 when molding is started, the control device 5 controls the switching valve mechanism 4 so that the valve body 31 is disposed at the first rotational position. In this state, the control device 5 controls the first valve 18a and the first valve 18a constituting the mixing valve mechanism 3 so that the ratio of the first resin becomes 100% and the ratio of the second resin becomes 0% in the resin supplied to the switching valve mechanism 4. The rotational position of the valve body 23 of the second valve 18b is controlled. Thereby, by extruding the resin toward the braided wire 6 under the control of the mixing valve mechanism 3 and the switching valve mechanism 4, from time t0 to t1, the outer thin tube with the first resin ratio of 100% is formed.

Between time t1 and t2, the control device 5 gradually reduces the ratio of the first resin supplied to the mixing section, and gradually increases the ratio of the second resin supplied to the mixing section to a predetermined value (100% in this embodiment) In this manner, the rotational positions of the valve bodies 23 of the first valve 18a and the second valve 18b constituting the mixing valve mechanism 3 are controlled. At this time, the control device 5 controls the total amount of the first resin and the second resin supplied to the mixing unit to be constant. Moreover, the control device 5 maintains the valve body 31 of the switching valve mechanism 4 at the first rotational position until time t2. Accordingly, in the state where the mixing valve mechanism 3 and the switching valve mechanism 4 are controlled, by extruding the resin toward the braided wire 6, the molding second resin ratio gradually increases from 0% to t2 from time t1 to t2. 100% outer capillary.

At time t2, the control device 5 controls the switching valve mechanism 4 so that the valve body 31 is arranged at the second rotational position. By the control of the switching valve mechanism 4, the resin supplied to the mold 1 is switched from the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 to the third resin extruded from the third extruder 2c, and after time t2, The outer thin tube (soft tip 72) whose third resin ratio is 100% is molded.

Furthermore, in the description of FIG. 6 , an example in which the hardness transfer portion 71 is provided with only the first resin-coated portion is described, but the ratio of the first resin at the start of extrusion molding can be arbitrary. Also, in the description of FIG. 6 , when extruding the hardness transfer portion 71, the second An example in which the ratio of the resin is changed from 0% to 100% will be described, however, the upper limit of the ratio of the second resin may be arbitrary.

As described above, the hose manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes: the mixing valve mechanism 3 capable of extruding the first resin and the second resin while changing the mixing ratio; The extruded resin and the softest third resin extruded from the third extruder 2c are selectively supplied to the switching valve mechanism 4 of the die 1 . In a state where the switching valve mechanism 4 selects the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 as the resin supplied to the mold 1, the mixing valve mechanism 3 is controlled by increasing the ratio of the second resin that is softer than the first resin. , the hardness migration portion 71 whose hardness decreases along the longitudinal direction can be extruded. In addition, by switching the resin supplied to the mold 1 to the third resin by the switching valve mechanism 4 in accordance with a predetermined timing, the soft tip 72 can be extrusion-molded following the hardness transition portion 71 . Therefore, according to the hose manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the hardness transition portion 71 whose hardness gradually changes along the longitudinal direction and the soft tip 72 at the front end can be continuously extruded.

Furthermore, in the switching valve mechanism 4 of this embodiment, in the state where the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 is supplied to the mold 1, the third resin is discarded to the outside, and the third resin is supplied to the mold. In the state of 1, the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 is discarded to the outside. According to this, by blocking the resin flow path that is not selected as the resin supplied to the die 1, or discharging the non-selected resin to the outside without stopping the extruder that extrudes the non-selected resin, The pressure fluctuation of the resin stagnant in the flow path can be suppressed. According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the amount of resin extruded immediately after resin switching by the switching valve mechanism 4, and to improve the dimensional stability of the outer diameter of the hose.

Furthermore, in the switching valve mechanism 4 of the present embodiment, the valve body 31 is provided with: a first flow path for supplying the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3; The second flow path of the resin, and in accordance with the rotation position of the valve body 31, the first flow path and the second flow path One of the channels is connected to the mold 1 and the other is connected to the outlet. According to this configuration, since the flow path in the valve body 31 is not shared by the two types of resins, the time difference from switching the rotation position of the valve body 31 to the change of the resin composition at the extrusion port 14 of the mold 1 can be shortened. Responsively changes the composition of the resin. Also, since the flow path in the valve body 31 is not shared by the two types of resins, it is also possible to suppress the mixing of the two types of resins in the valve body 31 .

Furthermore, in the switching valve mechanism 4 of the present embodiment, by making the openings 54b and 55b provided on the end surface 40a perpendicular to the central axis AX of the valve body 31, and the box body 32 connected to the end surface 40a Any one of the openings 64 , 65 a , and 65 b provided in the planar portion 57 overlaps to perform connection and switching of the flow path provided in the valve body 31 , and the flow path provided in the case 32 . Also, by overlapping the openings 54a and 55b provided on the end face 40a of the valve body and the grooves 59a and 59b provided on the flat surface 57 of the case 32, the resin provided in the case 32 can be The supply path is connected to a flow path provided in the valve body 31 . In this configuration, by applying a predetermined contact pressure to the end surface 40a of the valve body 31 by using the spacer 34 and the mounting member 33, the close contact between the end surface 40a of the valve body 31 and the flat surface portion 57 of the box body 32 can be improved. properties, so that it can inhibit resin exudation, etc.

However, the switching valve mechanism 4 is under the premise that either the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism 3 or the resin extruded from the third extruder 2c can be selectively supplied to the die 1, It is not limited to the configuration in the embodiment.

(industrial availability)

The present invention is a manufacturing device that can be used to manufacture flexible tubes such as catheter shafts used in the manufacture of medical catheters and thin tubes used in endoscopes.

1: Mold

2a: 1st extruder

2b: The second extruder

3: Mixing valve mechanism

4: Switching valve mechanism

5: Control device

6: braided wire

7: Hose

11: Internal mold

12: Outer mold

13: Through hole

14: Extrusion port

15,24,58a,58b,62,63a,63b: flow path

16: Resin injection port

18b: 2nd valve

19,22: motor

20: screw

21,32: Box

23,31: valve body

44: Resin supply port

100:Hose manufacturing device

Claims (6)

A hose manufacturing device, which is a hose manufacturing device for extruding a hose, includes: a mold with an insertion hole for inserting a braided wire; The extrusion port on the surface of the above-mentioned braided wire through the insertion hole; the first extruder extrudes the first resin; the second extruder extrudes the second resin which is softer than the first resin; mixing A valve mechanism capable of extruding a resin mixed with the above-mentioned first resin extruded from the above-mentioned first extruder and the above-mentioned second resin extruded from the above-mentioned second extruder, and capable of changing the above-mentioned first resin The mixing ratio of 1 resin and the above-mentioned second resin; the third extruder, which extrudes the third resin which is softer than the above-mentioned second resin; the switching valve mechanism, which can extrude the resin extruded from the above-mentioned mixing valve mechanism , or the above-mentioned third resin extruded from the above-mentioned third extruder is selectively supplied to the above-mentioned mold; and a control device controls the above-mentioned mixing valve mechanism and the above-mentioned switching valve mechanism; wherein, the above-mentioned control device performs the following The above-mentioned control: During the extrusion molding of the above-mentioned hose, in the state where the above-mentioned switching valve mechanism is controlled so that the resin extruded from the above-mentioned mixing valve mechanism is supplied to the above-mentioned mold, one of the resins extruded according to the above-mentioned mixing valve mechanism The mixing valve mechanism is controlled to increase the second resin ratio to a predetermined value, and when the second resin ratio reaches the predetermined value, the switching valve mechanism is controlled to supply the third resin to the mold. The hose manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the switching valve mechanism is provided with: a first injection port for injecting the resin extruded from the mixing valve mechanism; The second injection port is for injecting the above-mentioned third resin extruded from the above-mentioned third extruder; the resin supply port is connected to the above-mentioned mold for supplying the resin to the above-mentioned mold; the first discharge port is for used to discharge the resin extruded from the above-mentioned mixing valve mechanism to the outside; and a second discharge port, which is used to discharge the above-mentioned third resin to the outside; wherein the above-mentioned switching valve mechanism can be in the first state and the second state Switch between states; the first state is that the first injection port is connected to the resin supply port, and the second injection port is connected to the second discharge port; the second state is that the second injection port is connected to the resin supply port. The supply port communicates, and the first injection port communicates with the first discharge port. The hose manufacturing device according to claim 2, wherein the switching valve mechanism includes: a valve body having a cylindrical shape, rotatable around a central axis between a first rotation position and a second rotation position; Body, which is rotatably accommodated above-mentioned valve body; wherein, there is provided in above-mentioned valve body: a first flow path, which is when the above-mentioned valve body is in the above-mentioned first rotation position, or the above-mentioned second rotation position, or the above-mentioned Between the first rotation position and the second rotation position, the resin injected from the first injection port is supplied; and the second flow path is when the valve body is located at the first rotation position or the second rotation position position, or between the first rotation position and the second rotation position, the resin injected from the second injection port is supplied; and when the valve body is in the first rotation position, the first flow path will 1st injection port It is connected with the above-mentioned resin supply port, and the above-mentioned second flow path is connected with the above-mentioned second injection port and the above-mentioned second discharge port; when the above-mentioned valve body is in the second rotation position, the above-mentioned first flow path connects the above-mentioned first injection The inlet is connected to the first discharge port, and the second flow path connects the second injection port to the resin supply port. The hose manufacturing device according to claim 3, wherein the valve system is provided with an end surface perpendicular to the central axis, and on the end surface, it is arranged eccentrically from the central axis of the valve body: the downstream side of the first flow path The first opening at the end, and the second opening at the end of the downstream side of the second flow path; the box system is provided with a flat surface in contact with the above-mentioned end surface of the valve body, and the flat surface is provided with: communication In the third opening of the resin supply port, the fourth opening connected to the first discharge port, and the fifth opening connected to the second discharge port; when the valve body is located at the first rotation position, The first opening overlaps the third opening but does not overlap the fourth opening and the fifth opening, and the second opening overlaps the fifth opening but does not overlap the fifth opening. 3rd opening; when the valve body is in the 2nd rotation position, the 2nd opening overlaps the 3rd opening, but does not overlap the 4th opening and the 5th opening. The 1st opening does not overlap with the 3rd opening mentioned above. The hose manufacturing device according to claim 4, wherein, on the end surface of the valve body, the sixth opening at the upstream end of the first flow path and the first opening are provided eccentrically from the central axis of the valve body on the end surface of the valve body. 2. The seventh opening at the end of the upstream side of the flow path; on the flat surface of the above-mentioned box, there is provided a groove-like first opening that communicates with the first injection port. 8 opening, and the groove-shaped ninth opening connected to the second injection port; when the valve body is at the first rotation position, or the second rotation position, or at the Between the positions, the sixth opening overlaps the eighth opening, and the seventh opening overlaps the ninth opening. The hose manufacturing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the switching valve mechanism further includes: a pressing member that presses the end surface of the valve body against the flat surface of the box body.

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