JP2001200968A - Extensible-contractible flexible tube coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an extensible-contractible flexible tube coupling having a simple structure and reducing a manufacturing cost. SOLUTION: A spherical surface ring body 3 having at least the outer periphery formed in a spherical surface shape is fitted inside a cylindrical case body 2 so as to be slidable and rotatably slidable in the shaft direction, and an outer peripheral surface of the spherical surface ring body 3 and an inside surface of the cylindrical case body 2 are held in a watertight state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telescopic flexible pipe joint for connecting a fluid pipe such as a water pipe or a gas pipe so as to be flexible.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of such pipe joints,
For example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-189.

In this conventional pipe joint, a large-diameter case body connected to each end of a fluid pipe and having a concave spherical portion on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion and a spherical portion on the outer peripheral surface are in close contact with the concave spherical portion. Thus, a spherical ring body slidably fitted in each case body tip, a connection pipe fitted slidably in the tube axis direction in each spherical ring body, and a case body tip. The packing interposed between the spherical ring body is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the case body, and the concave spherical part formed on the inner surface slides on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the spherical ring body. It consists of a pressing wheel freely attached.

[0004] The connecting pipe is prevented from coming off by engaging stopper rings fitted on the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends of the connecting tube with inward projections projecting from the inner surfaces of both ends of the spherical ring body. Watertightness is maintained by the packing arranged on the inner peripheral surface.

[0005]

The above-mentioned conventional pipe joint is divided into a mechanism in the vicinity of a ball body which is responsible for flexibility in the joint performance and a mechanism related to a connecting pipe which is responsible for elasticity.
Each is provided with a retaining member and a water stop member, which complicates the structure, increases the number of parts, and increases the cost of the product due to the large number of assembly steps and the complicated assembly process. Had become.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic flexible pipe joint having a simple structure and a low manufacturing cost.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a telescopic flexible pipe joint according to the present invention is characterized in that a spherical ring body having at least an outer periphery formed spherical inside a cylindrical case body is provided in an axial direction. It is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the spherical ring body and the inner surface of the cylindrical case are held in a watertight state while being fitted so as to be slidable and rotatable. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the expansion-contraction flexible pipe joint of this invention of the said structure, a spherical ring body can move and rotate while ensuring watertightness in an axial direction inside a case body while maintaining watertightness. Therefore, the simple structure of the spherical ring body and the case body can provide expansion and contraction flexibility, and can provide an expansion and contraction flexible pipe joint with low manufacturing cost. Also,
The force such as earth pressure applied to the telescopic flexible pipe joint can be instantaneously released at the sliding part that can cope with both the axial direction and the tilt direction. Responsiveness is improved as compared to a joint that is separated.

Preferably, at least one end of the case is provided with a locking projection for preventing the spherical ring from coming off. This prevents the spherical ring body from coming into contact with the locking projection and coming out of the case body. Therefore, even if a force larger than the allowable elongation is applied to the expandable and contractible flexible pipe joint, the spherical ball can be used. The body does not fall out, and the continuity of the pipeline can be maintained.

It is preferable that the locking projection has a spherical surface whose surface in contact with the spherical ring is substantially equal to the curvature of the spherical ring. With this configuration, since the inside of the locking projection is formed in a spherical shape substantially equal to the curvature of the spherical ring body, even when the spherical ring body is in contact with the locking projection, the spherical ring body can be easily formed. It can rotate and slide, and the flexibility performance is not impaired.

[0010] It is preferable that the case body is fitted to each of the pair of spherical ring bodies connected to each other by the connecting pipe, and that one end of the case body is provided with a joint for connecting to the fluid pipe. With this configuration, the pair of spherical rings is communicated by the connecting pipe, the case body is fitted to each spherical ring body, and the connection portion is provided at the end of the case body, so that the case body can be expanded and contracted and flexible. The expansion / contraction flexible pipe joint having two portions formed can be attached to the fluid pipe by the connection portion, and the eccentricity of the fluid pipe connected by one expansion / contraction flexible pipe joint can be absorbed.

It is preferable that a spherical ring body is fitted to both ends of the case body, and a joint pipe part provided with a joint part connected to a fluid pipe at an end part extends from the spherical ring body. In this case, the expandable and contractible flexible pipe joint in which the spherical ring body in which the joining pipe section is extended is fitted to both ends of the case body is connected to the fluid pipe via the joining section provided at the end of the joining pipe section. The eccentricity of the fluid pipe connected by one telescopic flexible pipe joint can be absorbed by providing two mechanisms for expanding and contracting and rotating inside the case body.

Preferably, the inner peripheral surface of the case body is covered with a sealing member for maintaining watertightness. In this case, since the seal member is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical case, the seal member can be made uniform.

It is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the spherical ring is covered with a seal member for maintaining watertightness. With this configuration, it is only necessary to attach the seal member to only the sliding portion of the spherical ring body, and it is possible to provide a telescopic flexible pipe joint which requires only a minimum number of seal members and has a low manufacturing cost.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a telescopic flexible pipe joint to which fluid pipes are connected at both ends, and 2 is a case in which the inner peripheral surface is formed in a cylindrical shape. Reference numeral 3 denotes a spherical ring having an outer peripheral surface formed in a spherical shape, 4 denotes a sealing member covering the outer peripheral surface of the spherical ring, 5 denotes a locking projection for preventing the spherical ring from coming out, and 6 denotes a spherical surface. Ring body 3
The connecting pipe 7 communicates with the fluid pipe.

The case body 2 has a cylindrical main body of a predetermined length formed with an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the spherical ring body 3 and a locking projection 5 via a packing 2a at one end. It is composed of a flange portion 2b which is connected in a watertight manner, and a joint portion 7 formed at an end portion which is provided continuously from the other end portion and is narrowed down to a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the main body portion.

The joint 7 in the embodiment is formed on a flange provided at the end of the fluid pipe and a flange which is connected to the flange in a watertight manner via a sheet packing.

The flange 2b of the case body 2 is provided with a flange 5a provided at the end of the locking projection 5.
Are joined by bolts and nuts. The inner peripheral surface of the locking projection 5 is formed into a spherical shape having a curvature slightly larger than the diameter of the spherical ring body 3 that is smoothly continued from the main body of the case body 2, and a spherical surface is formed on the opposite end of the flange 5 a. An opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the ring body 3 is provided.

The locking projection 5 is vertically divided into two parts.
Opposite flanges (not shown) provided at the opposite ends are integrated by tightening with bolts and nuts via packing.

The spherical ring 3 has an outer shape obtained by cutting both ends of a sphere, has an outer periphery formed in a spherical shape, and has a space through which a fluid passes inside. A cylindrical connecting pipe 6 is provided integrally so as to connect the openings of the left and right spherical ring bodies 3 and 3. In the embodiment, the spherical ring body 3 and the connecting pipe 6 are formed integrally, but they may be manufactured separately and assembled in a watertight manner.

The outer surface of the spherical ring body 3 is covered with a sealing member 4 having a predetermined thickness and having elasticity, such as synthetic rubber. Spherical ring body 3 covered with seal member 4
Is fitted inside the case body 2, and the seal member 4 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the case body 2 to secure water-tightness and enable sliding and rotation.

The assembling of the telescopic flexible pipe joint 1 is as follows. First, the flange portion 5a is directed outward on the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 6 provided with the spherical ring body 3 covered with the seal member 4 at both ends. This is performed by fitting the two sets of the locking projections 5 outside and fixing the opposing flanges with bolts and nuts to integrate them. Next, the case body 2 is externally fitted to the left and right spherical ring bodies 3 of the connecting pipe 6, and the flange 2b of the case body 2 and the flange 5a of the locking projection 5 are sandwiched between the packings 2a and bolts and nuts. Fasten to complete assembly.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which the telescopic flexible pipe joint 1 is maximally eccentric. Both the spherical ring bodies 3 are in contact with the locking projections 5 and are bent in opposite directions. Since the inner peripheral surface of the locking projection 5 is formed in a spherical shape, the spherical ring body 3 is prevented from coming out smoothly even when a force such that the two case bodies move in the opposite directions acts smoothly. You can turn.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the telescopic flexible pipe joint 1 is maximally contracted, and both spherical ring bodies 3 are in contact with the back of the case body 2. In the embodiment, the rear side of the case body 2 is also formed in a spherical shape like the inner peripheral surface of the locking projection 5, so that it is possible to smoothly flex even in this state.

As described above, the telescopic function and the flexible function are realized by the combination of the cylindrical case body and the spherical ring body whose outer surface is covered with the sealing member, so that the number of parts is smaller than that of the conventional telescopic flexible pipe joint. And the number of assembly steps can be reduced, so that an inexpensive product can be provided.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which the telescopic flexible pipe joint 1 is maximally eccentric.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a telescopic flexible pipe joint to which fluid pipes are connected at both ends, 2 denotes a case body having an inner peripheral surface formed into a cylindrical shape, and 3 denotes a spherical ring body having an outer peripheral surface formed into a spherical shape. ,
4 is a seal member coated on the outer peripheral surface of the spherical ring body, 5
Denotes a locking projection for preventing the spherical ring from coming off, 7 denotes a connecting portion connected to the fluid pipe, and 8 denotes a connecting tube connected to the spherical ring.

The case body 2 is divided into two parts at the center substantially right and left, and has a cylindrical main body having a predetermined length and an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the spherical ring body 3, and one end part. It is composed of a flange portion 2b for connecting the case body 2 divided through the packing 2a in a water-tight manner, and a locking projection 5 continuously provided from the other end portion and narrowed down to an inner diameter of the main body portion. I have.

The inner peripheral surface of the locking projection 5 is formed into a spherical shape having a curvature slightly larger than the diameter of the spherical ring body 3 that is smoothly continuous from the main body of the case body 2, and has a spherical end at the tip. An opening smaller in diameter than the diameter is provided.

The spherical ring body 3 has an outer shape obtained by cutting both ends of a spherical body, has an outer periphery formed in a spherical shape, and has a space through which a fluid passes inside. Outside the spherical ring body 3, a cylindrical joining pipe portion 8 having a joining portion 7 joined to a fluid pipe is integrally provided. Joint 7 of Example
Is formed in the shape of the opening of the mechanical joint, but may be formed in the shape of a receiving port or a flange. In addition, although the spherical ring body 3 and the joining tube 8 are formed integrally, they may be manufactured separately and assembled in a watertight manner.

The outer surface of the spherical ring body 3 is covered with a sealing member 4 of a predetermined thickness having elasticity, such as synthetic rubber. Spherical ring body 3 covered with seal member 4
Is fitted inside the case body 2, and the seal member 4 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the case body 2 to secure water-tightness and enable sliding and rotation.

When the flexible joint 1 is assembled, the spherical ring 3 covered with the sealing member 4 is inserted from the flange 2b side of the split case 2 from the joint 8 and fitted. Then, the packing 2a is sandwiched between the flange portions 2b of the left and right case bodies 2 and fastened with bolts and nuts to complete the assembly.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the locking projection 5 can be bent smoothly even when the telescopic flexible pipe joint is extended, because the inner peripheral surface of the locking projection 5 is formed in a spherical shape.

Further, since the end of the connecting pipe portion 8 extending from the spherical ring body 3 is connected to the fluid pipe, the spherical ring body 3
Even when is moved toward the center of the case body 2, the fluid pipe connected to the locking projection 5 does not come into contact with the case body 2, so that the telescopic flexible performance can be exhibited.

As described above, the expansion and contraction function and the flexibility function are realized by the combination of the cylindrical case body and the spherical ring body whose outer surface is covered with the sealing member. And the number of assembly steps can be reduced, so that an inexpensive product can be provided.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific structure of the present invention is not limited to this.

In the embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the spherical ring is covered with a sealing member. However, the same effect can be obtained even if the inner peripheral surface of the case is covered with a sealing member.

A flange is shown as a joint of the case body, and an insertion port is shown as a joint of the joint pipe.
It may be a socket or a screw, and may have different shapes on the left and right.

[0039]

According to the present invention, the spherical ring can move and rotate while maintaining watertightness in the axial direction inside the case body while maintaining watertightness. A simple structure of the body and the case body can provide elasticity and flexibility, and can provide a flexible joint with low manufacturing cost. In addition, the force such as earth pressure applied to the telescopic flexible pipe joint can be instantaneously released at the sliding part that can cope with both the axial direction and the tilt direction. Responsiveness is improved as compared to a joint that is separated in nature.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the spherical ring body is prevented from coming into the outside of the case body by contacting the locking projection, the spherical ring body moves more than the allowable extension to the telescopic flexible pipe joint. Even when a force is applied, the spherical ball body does not come off, and the continuity of the pipeline can be maintained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the inside of the locking projection is formed in a spherical shape substantially equal to the curvature of the spherical ring, the state in which the spherical ring abuts the locking projection is provided. Also, the spherical ring body can rotate and slide without difficulty, and the flexibility performance is not impaired.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the pair of spherical rings are communicated with each other by the connection pipe, the case body is fitted to each of the spherical ring bodies, and a connection portion is provided at an end of the case body. There are two parts that expand and contract
The telescopic flexible pipe joint formed at a location can be attached to the fluid pipe by the connection part, and the eccentricity of the fluid pipe connected by one telescopic flexible pipe joint can be absorbed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a telescopic flexible pipe joint in which a spherical ring body having a joint pipe extending therefrom is fitted to both ends of a case body is provided at an end of the joint pipe. Since it is attached to the fluid pipe via the joint, the eccentricity of the fluid pipe connected by one telescopic flexible pipe joint can be absorbed by providing two mechanisms for expanding and contracting and rotating inside the case body. .

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the seal member is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical case, the seal member can be made uniform.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is only necessary to attach the seal member only to the sliding portion of the spherical ring body, and it is possible to provide a telescopic flexible pipe joint which requires a minimum number of seal members and has a low manufacturing cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a telescopic flexible pipe joint according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of maximum eccentricity.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of being maximally contracted.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the telescopic flexible pipe joint according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Telescopic flexible pipe joint 2 Case body 2a Packing 2b Flange part 3 Spherical ring body 4 Seal member 5 Locking projection 5a Flange part 6 Connecting pipe 7 Joint part 8 Joint pipe part

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A spherical ring body having at least an outer periphery formed in a spherical shape inside a cylindrical case body is fitted in an axially slidable and rotationally slidable manner, and an outer peripheral surface of the spherical ring body; A telescopic flexible pipe joint characterized in that the inner surface of a cylindrical case is held in a watertight state. 2. The telescopic flexible pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein at least one end of said case body is provided with a locking projection for preventing the spherical ring body from coming off. 3. The telescopic flexible pipe joint according to claim 2, wherein the locking projection has a spherical surface whose surface in contact with the spherical ring is substantially equal to the curvature of the spherical ring. 4. The case body is externally fitted to each of a pair of spherical ring bodies communicated by the connecting pipe, and a joint portion connected to the fluid pipe is provided at one end of the case body. 4. The telescopic flexible pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A spherical pipe body fitted to both ends of a case body, and a joint pipe part provided with a joint part connected to a fluid pipe at an end part extends from the spherical ring body. 4. The telescopic flexible pipe joint according to any one of 1 to 3. 6. The telescopic flexible pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the case body is covered with a seal member for maintaining watertightness. 7. The flexible joint according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the spherical ring body is covered with a seal member for maintaining watertightness.