JP2004286153A - Socket for connection of fluid pipe conduit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a socket for connection of a fluid pipe conduit capable of preventing the damage of a socket itself in addition to preventing the damage of the products. <P>SOLUTION: An annular member (29) is fixed to the top of the socket (1) turning free and a protective layer (31) is formed so as to cover an outer circumferential face and an end face of the annular member (29). The protective layer (31) is formed by the comparatively soft material as synthetic resins and synthetic rubber etc., and by plating these materials on the outer face of the annular member (29). And the protective layer (31) can be also formed by fitting this cylindrical member on the outer circumference of the annular member (29) forming a cylindrical member preliminarily from the comparatively soft material as synthetic resins and synthetic rubber etc. The material and the thickness of the protective layer (31) is determined properly taking into consideration the buffering capability of the protective layer (31). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a socket for detachably connecting a fluid conduit for carrying a fluid such as compressed air or a pressurized liquid to another fluid conduit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Various tools using compressed air as a driving source are used in an assembling process of automobiles and home appliances. For example, it is a tool for tightening bolts and nuts, a tool for positioning a member to be assembled, or the like. For these tools, a plurality of types of tools are prepared according to components such as bolts to be tightened, and each tool has an independent fluid conduit. Each tool is appropriately selected by a worker of the assembly line, and is used by being connected to a fluid conduit that carries compressed air.
[0003]
A socket is attached to the end of the fluid conduit that conveys fluid from a source such as compressed air, and a plug is attached to the end of the fluid conduit that supplies compressed fluid to the tool. The operator uses the selected tool by attaching and detaching the socket to and from the plug. Patent Document 1 discloses a hose connection socket used for supplying compressed air to an air machine such as an air motor or a nailing machine. This socket is provided with a cylindrical protector made of a soft material around the movable end of the hose, and by forming a thick part and a thin part continuously on the outer peripheral surface of the protector, it is hard to slip and easy to grasp. A hose connection socket characterized in that: Patent Literature 2 discloses a pipe joint capable of automatically locking a sleeve for operating a locking device that has been advanced to improve operability.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-213673 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-249280 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For the connection and disconnection work between the fluid conduit on the pneumatic machine side such as an air motor and a nailing machine and the fluid conduit on the pressurized fluid supply source side such as a compressor, the assembly line worker manually fits the socket and plug. The socket, once removed from the plug, is released around the operator with the fluid conduit connected to the socket so that the operator can quickly move on to the next operation. It is usually thrown. At this time, the thrown socket may collide with the product being assembled and damage the outer surface of the product.
An object of the present invention is to provide a socket for connecting a fluid conduit, which can prevent damage to a product and also prevent damage to the socket itself.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the fluid line connection socket of the present invention is attached to an end of a fluid conduit for carrying fluid, and detachably connects the fluid conduit to another fluid line. In the socket, a protective layer made of a flexible material is provided on an outer surface of a distal end portion of the socket.
[0007]
The protective layer is formed of a relatively flexible material such as a synthetic resin or a synthetic rubber, and is formed by forming a cylindrical member with these materials and mounting the cylindrical member on the tip of the socket. be able to. This protective layer can also be formed by baking synthetic rubber on the outer surface of the tip of the socket.
[0008]
The protective layer is formed so as to cover the outer surface of the distal end portion of the socket, and more specifically, is formed so as to cover the entire side surface of the distal end portion of the socket and the outer edge portion of the distal end surface of the socket. It is desirable. A fluid conduit such as a hose made of a flexible material is connected to a rear end portion of the socket (hereinafter, this end portion is referred to as a base end portion). The socket moves in an arc while bending the fluid conduit. As a result, the tip edge of the side face of the tip of the socket and the peripheral edge of the tip face of the socket are most likely to collide with a product or the like, and give the largest impact force when it collides with the product or the like. Because it becomes.
[0009]
It is desirable that the protective layer formed on the front end face of the socket always protrudes outward from components other than the protective layer of the socket when the socket is separated from the plug. When the tip of the socket collides with the product, etc., if components other than the protective layer protrude from the tip of the socket, the component of the socket collides with the product, etc. before the protective layer, causing damage to the product, etc. Is not prevented, and the components of the socket may be damaged. For the same reason, it is preferable that the protective layer formed on the side surface of the distal end portion of the socket always protrudes more outward than the components other than the protective layer of the socket.
[0010]
Further, the socket for connecting a fluid conduit of the present invention can be constituted by rotatably mounting an annular member at the tip of the socket and forming a protective layer on the outer surface of the annular member. By this rotation of the annular member, the impact when the socket collides with a product or the like can be more effectively reduced. The protective layer is preferably formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular member and the distal end surface of the annular member, and the protective layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular member and the protective layer formed on the distal end surface of the annular member are: It is desirable to be continuous at the peripheral edge of the annular member. When the socket collides with the product, etc., the edge of the outer peripheral surface of the annular member and the outer edge of the distal end surface of the annular member are most likely to collide with the product, etc. This is because it is likely to give power.
[0011]
In order to more effectively mitigate the impact when the socket collides with a product or the like, as described above, in addition to the annular member being rotatably mounted on the distal end of the socket, the annular member is connected to the base end of the socket. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the annular member is always resiliently urged toward the distal end of the socket. According to the socket having the annular member having such a configuration, when the annular member collides with a product or the like, a predetermined cushioning effect can be obtained by the protective layers formed on the outer peripheral surface and the distal end surface of the annular member. Since the annular member itself retreats toward the proximal end of the socket against the spring force, a further cushioning effect can be obtained by the spring force. The annular member may be rotatably mounted on the socket and may be mounted to be reciprocally movable.
[0012]
Even when the above-mentioned annular member is attached to the distal end portion of the socket and a protective layer is formed on this annular member, the protective layer formed on the distal end surface of the annular member is always in a state where the socket is detached from the plug. It is desirable to project outwardly from components not covered by the protective layer of the socket. When the tip of the socket collides with the product, etc., if a component that is not covered with the protective layer protrudes from the tip of the socket, this component collides with the product, etc. before the protective layer, and the product, etc. Not only cannot prevent the damage of the socket, but also may damage the components of the socket itself. For the same reason, it is desirable that the protective layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular member always protrude more outward than the components other than the protective layer of the socket.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 3, the main body of the socket 1 is configured by screwing a female thread 3 of the front cylinder 2 and a male thread 5 of the rear cylinder 4 and integrating them. A washer 6 is disposed between the front cylinder 2 and the rear cylinder 4, and the washer 6 is fixed between the cylinders 2 and 3. The washer 6 is located along the inner peripheral surfaces of the lumens 7, 8 at an intermediate portion between the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2 and the lumen 8 of the rear cylinder 3.
[0014]
A cylinder 9 is formed in the center of the washer 6, a spring receiver 10 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the washer 6 on the side of the cavity 7, and a valve seat is formed on an inner surface of an end of the washer 6 on the side of the cavity 8. The part 11 is formed. The front cylinder 2, the rear cylinder 4, and the washer 6 are each formed of a metal material, and are firmly fastened and integrated with each other so as to maintain an airtight state.
[0015]
Before the front cylinder 2 is fastened to the rear cylinder 4, the hollow valve body 12 is inserted into the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2, and the valve body 12 is closed when the front cylinder 2 and the rear cylinder 4 are fastened. The closed end 13 is inserted into the cylinder 9 of the washer 6 and assembled. At this time, a compression coil spring 14 is interposed between the spring receiver 10 of the washer 6 and the valve body 12.
[0016]
The valve body 12 is slidably supported along the lumen 7 by the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2 and the cylinder portion 8 of the washer 11. Four air passages 120 are formed on the side surface of the valve body 12, and these air passages 120 communicate with a main passage 15 formed inside the valve body 12. An O-ring 16 is attached to a side surface of the closed end 13 of the valve body 12, and the O-ring 16 is configured to be able to be seated on the valve seat 11 of the washer 6. An O-ring 17 is mounted on the side surface of the valve body 12, and the O-ring 17 is press-fitted to the cylinder 9 of the washer 6 so that a state road is possible. Further, an annular packing 18 made of an elastic material is fitted into the inside of the valve body 12, and an air passage 19 is opened at the center of the packing 18. A guide surface 20 which is expanded in a tapered shape is formed at the open end of the main passage 15 of the valve body 12 to facilitate insertion of the engagement end 22 of the plug 21 shown in FIG.
[0017]
Four through holes 23 are formed at the tip of the front cylinder 2, and spheres 24 for locking the plug 21 are inserted into these through holes 23, respectively. Each of the through holes 23 has a tapered side surface whose diameter is reduced in the direction of the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2, thereby preventing the sphere 24 from dropping into the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the plug 21 is detached from the socket 1, so that the sphere 23 is pushed out of the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2 by the outer surface of the valve body 12.
[0018]
An attachment / detachment operation member 25 made of an annular synthetic resin material is slidably mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the front cylinder 2, and a tapered surface 26 that engages with the sphere 24 is provided on the inner periphery of the distal end portion of the attachment / detachment operation member 25. Is formed. The tapered surface 26 expands toward the distal end of the detachable operation member 25. A compression coil spring 27 is interposed between the attachment / detachment operation member 25 and the front cylinder 2, and the tapered surface 26 of the annular operation member 25 is always in contact with the sphere 24 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 27, 24 is resiliently biased in the direction of the valve element 12.
[0019]
An annular member 29 that is prevented from falling off by a stop ring 28 is mounted on the outer periphery of the front end portion 27 of the front cylinder 2. The annular member 29 is rotatable around the distal end 27 of the front cylinder 2. The stop ring 28 is fitted in an annular groove 30 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 27.
[0020]
The protective layer 31 is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the annular member 29 and the distal end surface of the annular member 29. The protective layer 31 is formed of a relatively flexible material such as a synthetic resin or a synthetic rubber, and can be formed by baking these materials on the outer surface of the annular member 29. The protective layer 31 may also be formed by forming a cylindrical member in advance from a relatively flexible material such as synthetic resin or synthetic rubber, and fitting this cylindrical member to the outer periphery of the annular member 29. it can. The material and thickness of the protective layer 31 are appropriately determined in consideration of the buffer capacity of the protective layer 31. It is desirable that the components of the socket 1 such as the attachment / detachment operation member 25 be configured so as not to protrude outward from the protective layer 31. In addition, it is desirable that the components of the socket 1, such as the distal end portion 27 of the front cylinder 2, be configured not to protrude forward beyond the protective layer 31. If the components of the socket 1 protrude outward and forward from the protective layer 31, not only will the buffer function of the protective layer 31 be impaired, but also the components of the socket 1 will be damaged. Therefore, in forming the protective layer 31, it is necessary to select the thickness and the position so that the components of the socket 1 do not project outward and forward from the protective layer 31.
[0021]
At the rear end of the rear cylinder 4 of the socket 1, a fluid conduit connecting member 32 for connecting a flexible fluid conduit (not shown) made of a hose or the like for conveying compressed air is rotatably attached. . The fluid conduit connecting member 32 forms a base end of the socket 1. A plurality of spheres 33 are interposed at the fitting portion between the fluid line connection member 32 and the rear cylinder 4, and the fluid line connection member 32 is rotatably supported by the rear cylinder 4 by these spheres 33. At the same time, it is locked from the rear cylinder 4. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 34 denotes a spherical insertion hole formed in the rear cylinder 4, and reference numeral 35 denotes a hexagon socket set screw screwed into the spherical insertion hole 34. In the figure, reference numeral 36 denotes an O-ring for sealing.
[0022]
2 is formed with a threaded portion 37 to which a fluid conduit (not shown) on the pneumatic machine side such as a tool is connected, and the engagement end portion 22 has a tapered portion 38 and an annular shape. A groove 39 is provided side by side. After inserting the engaging end portion 22 of the plug 21 from the distal end portion of the socket 1 into the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2 and further inserting it along the guide surface 20 of the valve body 12 to a position where it comes into pressure contact with the packing 18, it is compressed. When the valve body 12 is pushed in against the elastic force of the coil spring 14, the sphere 24 protrudes into the bore 7 of the front cylinder 2 and engages with the annular groove 39 of the plug 21. As a result, the socket 1 is connected to the plug 21 and is prevented from falling off, and the main passage 15 of the valve body 12 and the lumen 8 of the rear cylinder 4 communicate with each other via the air passage 120. As a result, the compressed fluid is supplied to the tool and the like. To remove the socket 1 from the plug 21, the annular operation member 25 is slid in the direction toward the base end of the socket 1 against the elastic force of the compression coil spring 27. As a result, the valve element 12 is moved in the direction of the annular member 29 by the resilient force of the compression coil spring 14, so that the sphere 24 is housed in the through hole 23 from the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2, and the socket 1 and the plug 1 21 is disengaged.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the socket of the fluid conduit of the present invention, since the socket has a protective layer made of a relatively soft material at the tip end, even if the socket collides with the product, the product may be damaged. Can be prevented, and the socket itself can be prevented from being damaged.
[0024]
Also, if an annular member is rotatably mounted on the tip of the socket of the present invention, and a protective layer is formed on the outer surface of the annular member, the rotation of the annular member reduces the impact when the socket collides with a product or the like. The effect of being able to alleviate more effectively can be obtained.
[0025]
Furthermore, if an annular member is provided at the distal end of the socket of the present invention so that the annular member can reciprocate freely, and the annular member is constantly biased toward the distal end of the socket, the annular member can collide with a product or the like. Then, a predetermined buffering effect can be obtained by the protective layer formed on the annular member, and the annular member itself retreats toward the base end portion of the socket against the spring force. A buffer effect can be obtained.
[0026]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a socket according to the present invention, in which a plug is detached from the socket.
FIG. 2 is a half sectional view of an embodiment of a plug detachably fitted to the socket of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the socket taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1, and is a cross-sectional view in a state where a plug is detached from the socket.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Socket 2 Front cylinder 4 Rear cylinder 6 Washer 12 Valve body 21 Plug 28 Stop ring 29 Annular member 31 Protective layer 32 Fluid pipe connection member

Claims (3)

A fluid conduit connection socket attached to an end of a fluid conduit for transporting a fluid and removably connecting the fluid conduit to another fluid conduit, wherein a flexible material is provided on an outer surface of a distal end portion of the socket. A fluid line connection socket having a protective layer made of: 2. The socket according to claim 1, wherein an annular member is rotatably mounted on a distal end portion of the socket, and the protective layer is formed on an outer surface of the annular member. 3. 2. The socket according to claim 1, wherein an annular member is reciprocally mounted on a distal end portion of the socket, and the annular member is constantly spring-biased to a distal end portion of the socket, and the protection is provided on an outer surface of the annular member. The said socket formed with a layer.

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