JP2007056919A - Pipe joint structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pipe joint structure capable of surely preventing pipes from rapidly separating at the time of canceling a connection state of the pipe joint structure and improving safety and efficiency of operation at the time of maintenance and the like. <P>SOLUTION: In the pipe joint structure for connecting pipes in an air-tight manner by inserting one of the pipes into the other pipe and engaging a pipe engaging member with a ring-shape protrusion part formed at the former pipe, air-tight state can be canceled while connection of the former pipe and the other pipe is maintained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe joint structure in which the other pipe is inserted into one pipe and connected via a pipe locking member, and in particular, a pipe joint structure suitable for connecting a heat exchange medium introduction / extraction pipe of a heat exchanger. About.

  Conventionally, a pipe joint structure in which an end of one pipe is inserted into an end of the other pipe and both pipes are connected via a pipe locking member is well known. According to such a pipe joint structure, since both pipes can be easily and detachably connected, it is suitable for a pipe joint in which a sufficient working space cannot be secured, for example, during maintenance of a vehicle air conditioner or the like.

  As a method for separating the pipe joint as described above, for example, a pipe joint structure (patent document 1) that can form and release a pipe connection structure with a general-purpose jig or tool, or a dedicated jig or tool is used. Thus, there has been proposed a pipe joint structure that can form and release a connection structure (Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3). By the way, at the time of maintenance or the like, the release of the pipe joint structure is usually performed after collecting the heat exchange medium (refrigerant) in the pipe.

However, when the refrigerant or the like is not sufficiently collected and the heat exchange medium remains in the pipe, the two pipes may be rapidly separated by the residual refrigerant.
JP-A-8-178147 JP 2004-176845 A JP-A-4-217991

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pipe joint structure that can reliably prevent sudden separation of both pipes when the connection state of the pipe joint structure is released, and can improve the safety and efficiency of work during maintenance. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the pipe joint structure according to the present invention is configured such that one pipe is inserted into the other pipe, and a pipe locking member is engaged with an annular protrusion formed on the one pipe. In the pipe joint structure in which both pipes are connected in an airtight manner, the structure is configured such that the airtight state can be released while maintaining the connection between the one pipe and the other pipe. In such a configuration, the airtight state can be released while the connection state of both pipes is maintained. Therefore, once the airtight state is released and the refrigerant remaining in the pipes can be removed, the pipes can be separated, so that sudden separation of both pipes can be reliably prevented, and work efficiency and safety during maintenance etc. Can be improved.

  In the structure capable of releasing the airtight state while maintaining the connection between the one pipe and the other pipe, for example, the pipe locking member is engaged with the end of the other pipe in the state where the airtight state is released. It can comprise by providing the latching | locking part.

  In addition, the structure capable of releasing the airtight state while maintaining the connection between the one pipe and the other pipe is, for example, engaged with the annular protrusion at the end of the other pipe when the airtight state is released. However, it can also be configured from a structure in which a stopper for preventing one of the pipes from dropping off is provided.

  The stopper can be formed from an outer surface provided with a groove that can be fitted to an end edge of the other pipe. Moreover, it is preferable that the said piping latching member and / or stopper are formed from elastic members, such as rubber | gum and resin, for example.

  The pipe joint structure according to the present invention can be used in a wide range of industrial fields, and is particularly suitable for a pipe joint structure of a pipe for introducing / extracting a heat exchange medium of a heat exchanger. Further, the heat exchanger is not limited, and examples thereof include a stacked heat exchanger in which tubes and fins are alternately stacked, particularly a heat exchanger of a vehicle air conditioner.

  In the pipe joint structure according to the present invention as described above, the airtight state can be released while maintaining the connection state of both pipes. Therefore, once the airtight state is released and the refrigerant remaining in the pipes can be removed, the pipes can be separated, so that sudden separation of both pipes can be reliably prevented, and work efficiency and safety during maintenance etc. Can be improved. Abrupt separation of both pipes can be reliably prevented.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a pipe joint structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 10 show a pipe joint structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 indicates a pipe joint. The pipe joint 1 has pipes 2 and 3, and in the present embodiment, the pipes 2 and 3 are pipes for introducing and discharging the refrigerant into the heat exchanger.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the end of the pipe 2 is inserted into the end of the pipe 3. An enlarged diameter portion 4 is formed at the end of the pipe 3. On the other hand, an annular protrusion 5 protruding in the radial direction of the pipe 2 is integrally formed at the end of the pipe 2 as shown in FIG. Since the annular protrusion 5 is engaged with the engaging portion 6 of the enlarged diameter portion 4 of the pipe 3, the insertion allowance of the pipe 2 into the pipe 3 is regulated to be constant. Further, the pipe 2 is formed with a groove 13 into which the sealing material 12 (O-ring) is fitted. The pipes 2 and 3 are connected in an airtight manner when the sealing material 12 abuts against the inner wall of the enlarged diameter portion 4 of the pipe 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a hole 7 is provided in the enlarged diameter portion 4 of the pipe 3. A pipe locking member 9 as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is engaged with the peripheral edge 8 of the hole 7. Specifically, the convex portion 10 formed on the side portion of the pipe locking member 9 is engaged with the peripheral edge 8 of the hole portion 7. In a state where the convex portion 10 of the pipe locking member 9 is engaged with the peripheral edge 8 of the hole portion 7, the one end portion 11 engages with the annular protrusion 5 formed on the pipe 2, and the annular protrusion 5 is securely locked to the locking portion 6 of the pipe 3 (FIG. 10A).

  Next, a procedure for separating both the pipes 2 and 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A shows a state where both pipes 2 and 3 are connected. In this state, when the pipe 2 and the pipe locking member 9 are gradually pulled out to the upper part of FIG. 10, the pipe locking member 9 made of an elastic member is elastically deformed, and the engagement between the convex portion 10 and the peripheral edge 8 of the hole portion 7 is performed. Is released (FIG. 10B). However, in this state, since the sealing material 12 is still in contact with the inner wall of the enlarged diameter portion 4, both the pipes 2 and 3 are connected in an airtight state.

  Next, when the pipe 2 and the pipe locking member 9 are further pulled out to the upper part of FIG. 10, the sealing material 12 moves to the upper part of the locking part 6 of the pipe 3. In this state, since the airtight state of the pipes 2 and 3 is released, if unrecovered refrigerant remains in the pipes 2 and 3, the refrigerant passes through the gap between the pipes 2 and 3 to the outside. (FIG. 10C). Further, in this state, the convex portion 10 of the pipe locking member is engaged with a step portion 14a as a locking portion provided at the end portion 14 of the enlarged diameter portion 4, so that both the pipes 2, 3 are engaged. The connection state is maintained (FIG. 10C).

  Further, the pipe locking member 9 is rotated 90 degrees in its circumferential direction (FIG. 10 (c) to FIG. 10 (d)). By this rotation, the engagement between the convex portion 10 and the stepped portion 14a is released, and the position of the convex portion 10 matches the convex portion insertion portion 15 formed at the end portion 14 (FIG. 10 (d)). If the pipe 2 is pulled up to the upper part of FIG. 10 in this state, the pipes 2 and 3 are completely separated.

  In this embodiment, the airtight state can be canceled while the connection state of both the pipes 2 and 3 is maintained. Therefore, the pipes 2 and 3 can be completely separated after the airtight state is once released and the refrigerant remaining in the pipes 2 and 3 is surely removed. It is possible to prevent and improve work efficiency and safety during maintenance.

  In the present embodiment, since the pipe locking member 9 and the stopper are integrally formed, an increase in the number of parts and an increase in work processes during maintenance can be prevented, thereby preventing an increase in cost. In addition, the connection structure of the pipes 2 and 3 can be easily formed by following the steps (FIGS. 10 (d) to 10 (a)) completely opposite to those at the time of the pipe separation.

  11 to 18 show a pipe joint structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 16 indicates a pipe joint. The pipe joint 16 has pipes 17 and 18. In this embodiment, the pipes 17 and 18 are pipes for introducing and discharging a heat exchange medium into and from the heat exchanger.

  The end of the pipe 17 is inserted into the end of the pipe 18 as shown in FIG. An enlarged diameter portion 19 is formed at the end of the pipe 18. On the other hand, an annular protrusion 20 protruding in the radial direction of the pipe 17 is formed at the end of the pipe 17. Since the annular protrusion 20 is locked to the locking portion 21 of the enlarged diameter portion 19 of the pipe 18, the insertion allowance of the pipe 17 into the pipe 18 is regulated to be constant. The pipe 17 is formed with a groove 23 into which the sealing material 22 (O-ring) is fitted. And both the piping 17 and 18 are connected airtightly because the sealing material 22 contact | abuts to the inner wall of the enlarged diameter part 19 of the piping 18. As shown in FIG.

  The diameter-expanded portion 19 of the pipe 18 is expanded in two stages as shown in FIG. That is, the enlarged diameter portion 19 is formed of a first enlarged diameter portion 19a and a second enlarged diameter portion 19b that is further expanded in diameter than the first enlarged diameter portion 19a with the locking portion 21 as a boundary. ing. A pipe locking member 24 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is interposed in the second enlarged diameter portion 19b. The pipe locking member 24 is formed from an elastic member. One end 24a of the pipe locking member 24 is in contact with the inner wall of the second enlarged diameter portion 19b. One end 24 b of the pipe locking member 24 is engaged with the annular protrusion 20 of the pipe 17. When the pipe locking member 24 is housed in the second enlarged diameter portion 19b, the one end 24b engages with the annular protrusion 20 formed on the pipe 17 as shown in FIG. The protrusion 20 is securely fixed to the locking portion 21 of the pipe 18.

  A stopper 25 made of an elastically deformable member is provided on the end edge 19c of the end portion of the second enlarged diameter portion 19b. The stopper 25 is formed in an arc shape as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and a groove portion 27 that can be fitted to the edge 19 c is provided on the outer surface 26 of the stopper 25. 16 and 17 show a stopper 28 having a different form from the stopper 25 described above. The stopper 28 has an arc-shaped portion 29 made of an elastic member, and the arc-shaped portion 29 is provided with a fitting portion 30 having a groove portion 31 that can be fitted to the end edge 19c. The stopper 28 also has the same effect as the stopper 25.

  Next, a procedure for separating both the pipes 17 and 18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18A shows a state where both pipes 17 and 18 are connected. In this state, when the pipe 17 is gradually pulled out to the upper part of FIG. 18, the annular protrusion 20 of the pipe 17 is moved upward while elastically deforming the pipe locking member 24 made of an elastic member, and the one end 24b and the annular protrusion 20 are moved. Is disengaged (FIG. 18B). However, in this state, since the sealing material 22 is still in contact with the inner wall of the first enlarged diameter portion 19a, both the pipes 17 and 18 are connected in an airtight state.

  Next, when the piping 17 is gradually pulled out to the upper part of FIG. 18, the sealing material 22 moves into the second diameter-expanded portion 19b. In this state, since the airtight state of the pipes 17 and 18 is released, if unrecovered refrigerant remains in the pipes 17 and 18, the refrigerant passes through the gaps between the pipes 17 and 18 to the outside. (FIG. 18C). In this state, since the annular protrusion 20 of the pipe 17 is engaged with the stopper 25, the connection state of both the pipes 17 and 18 is maintained (FIG. 18C). That is, the stopper 25 has a function of releasing the airtight state while maintaining the connection state of both the pipes 17 and 18.

  Further, if the stopper 25 is removed and the pipe 17 is pulled out to the upper part of FIG. 18, the pipes 17 and 18 can be completely separated (FIG. 18D).

  In this embodiment, the airtight state can be canceled while the connection state of both the pipes 17 and 18 is maintained. Therefore, the pipes 17 and 18 can be completely separated after the airtight state is once released and the refrigerant and the like remaining in the pipes 17 and 18 are surely removed, so that sudden separation of both pipes can be reliably prevented. Work efficiency and safety during maintenance can be improved.

  In addition, the connection structure of the pipes 17 and 18 can be easily formed by following the steps (FIGS. 18D to 18A) completely opposite to those at the time of the pipe separation.

  The pipe joint structure according to the present invention can be used in a wide range of industrial fields, and is particularly suitable for connecting pipes for introducing and discharging a heat exchange medium of a heat exchanger.

It is a front view of the piping joint concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is II arrow directional view of the piping joint of FIG. It is a side view of the piping joint of FIG. It is IV arrow line view of the piping joint of FIG. It is a front view of the other piping connected by the piping joint of FIG. It is VI arrow directional view of piping of FIG. It is a top view of the piping latching member of the piping joint of FIG. It is a front view of the piping latching member of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the piping latching member of FIG. It is process drawing which shows the isolation | separation process of the pipe joint which concerns on the 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the piping joint which concerns on the 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the piping latching member of the piping joint of FIG. It is a front view of the piping latching member of FIG. It is a top view of the stopper of the piping joint of FIG. It is a side view of the stopper of FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view of a stopper in a mode different from the stopper shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. It is a side view of the stopper of FIG. It is process drawing which shows the isolation | separation process of the pipe joint which concerns on the 2nd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,16 Pipe joint 2,3,17,18 Piping for introduction / extraction of heat exchange medium 4,19 Expanded diameter part 5,20 Annular protrusion 6,21 Locking part 7 Hole part 8 Periphery 9,24 Pipe locking member DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Convex part of piping latching member 11 One end part of piping latching member 12, 22 Seal material 13, 23 Groove part 14 End part of enlarged diameter part of piping 14a Step part as latching part 15 Convex part insertion part 19a 1st Diameter expansion portion 19b Second diameter expansion portion 19c Edge 25, 28 Stopper 26 Stopper outer surface 27 Groove portion 29 Arc-shaped portion 30 Fitting portion 31 Groove portion

Claims (7)

  In a pipe joint structure in which one pipe is inserted into the other pipe and a pipe locking member is engaged with an annular protrusion formed on the one pipe to connect both pipes in an airtight manner. A pipe joint structure characterized in that the airtight state can be released while maintaining the connection of the other pipe.   The pipe joint structure according to claim 1, wherein the end of the other pipe is provided with a locking part to be engaged with the pipe locking member in a state where the airtight state is released.   2. The pipe joint structure according to claim 1, wherein a stopper that engages with the annular protrusion and prevents the one pipe from falling off is provided at an end of the other pipe in a state where the airtight state is released.   The pipe joint structure according to claim 3, wherein a groove that can be fitted to an end edge of the other pipe is provided on the outer surface of the stopper.   The pipe joint structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the stopper is made of an elastic member.   The pipe joint structure according to claim 1, wherein the pipe locking member is made of an elastic member. The pipe joint structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pipe is composed of a pipe for introducing and discharging a heat exchange medium of a heat exchanger.

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