JP2009067107A - Retaining structure for pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a retaining structure for a pipe capable of retaining the pipe even if there are variations in the pipe having a small outer diameter or the dimensions of a recession part for retaining the pipe of a tank. <P>SOLUTION: A clamp 3 comprises the one made of synthetic resin for detachably retaining the pipe 2 having one end connected to the tank 1 made of synthetic resin. A recession part 11 attached with the clamp 3 is formed on the tank 1. The clamp 3 has an embrace part 31 for embracing the pipe 2; engagement parts 32, 32 formed on outer both end parts of the embrace part 31 and engaged with an opening end 11a of the recession part 11; and elastic pieces 33, 33 inwardly projected from both end parts of the embrace part 31 and elastically supporting an outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a piping holding structure that holds, for example, a pipe having one end connected to a synthetic resin tank mounted on an automobile on a side surface of the tank so as to be detachable by a clamp.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a resin fuel tank with a clip in which a fixing clip for fixing a pipe (hose) is integrally formed on a tank surface is known as a fuel tank mounted on an automobile (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  Such a resin fuel tank is formed of a resin material by so-called blow molding. The fixing clip has a cylindrical portion that protrudes inwardly from the tank surface on one side of the resin fuel tank with a clip and has a C-shaped cross section, and a pipe is inserted and held in the cylindrical portion. Is.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-11422 (Utility Model Registration Request, FIGS. 1 to 4)

  However, in the resin fuel tank with a clip described in Patent Document 1, since the pipe is held by fitting the pipe into the cylindrical section having a C-shaped cross section, the inner diameter of the cylindrical section is reduced. There was a problem that only pipes with the same outer diameter could be held.

  In other words, when the outer diameter of the pipe is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion of the fixing clip, there is a gap between the pipe and the fixing clip, and the pipe swings due to vibrations while the automobile is running. There was a problem.

  Further, the fuel tank formed by blow molding has variations in dimensional accuracy, and it has been difficult to form the fixing clip with an accurate dimension. For this reason, even if the pipe is held by the fixing clip, there is a problem that the pipe is supported in a shaky state or supported in an excessively tightened state due to variations in dimensions of the fixing clip.

  Therefore, the present invention has been invented to solve the above-mentioned problems, and keeps the piping in a stable state even when there is variation in the dimensions of the piping having a small outer diameter and the recess for holding the piping of the tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide a piping holding structure that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problem, the pipe holding structure according to claim 1 is a pipe holding structure provided with a clamp for detachably holding the pipe in a recess formed in the tank, wherein the clamp Is a holding portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section containing the pipe, a locking portion formed outside both ends of the holding portion and locked to the opening end of the recess, and the holding portion And an elastic piece that protrudes inside the both end portions and elastically supports the outer peripheral surface of the pipe.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the pipe whose one end is connected to the tank and whose outer diameter is smaller than the concave portion of the tank is attached to the clamp, and the clamp is made to be the concave portion of the tank. Can be detachably held. The clamp can have a spring structure in which the pipe is held by the holding portion and is tightened by the elastic piece being pressed and bent on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. For this reason, the clamp can be held without backlash even when there is variation in the size of the recess that holds the pipe. The clamp is attached to the concave portion of the tank by locking portions formed at both ends of the holding portion being locked to the opening end of the concave portion.

  The pipe holding structure according to claim 2 is the pipe holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the pipe having a small outer diameter is inserted into the inner peripheral surface side of the holding portion. It is characterized by having a pressing part that bends together with the elastic piece and greatly bends together with the elastic piece when a pipe having a large outer diameter is inserted.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, the holding portion has a large outer diameter on the inner peripheral surface side by having a pressing portion that bends in an appropriate size together with the elastic piece according to the outer diameter of the pipe. When holding the pipe, the pipe can be held by the elastic piece and the pressing portion being greatly bent. Further, when holding a pipe having a small outer diameter, the elastic piece and the pressing portion can be held by being bent small. In this way, the clamp can firmly hold and hold the pipe by the elastic piece and the pressing portion protruding from the holding portion.

  The pipe holding structure according to claim 3 is the pipe holding structure according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion protrudes toward a direction in which the pipe held by the clamp extends. It has the elastic tongue piece which supports piping.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the elastic tongue piece is bent by the elastic tongue piece projecting toward the extending direction side of the pipe held by the clamp. Since the bending allowance that is the range can be made large, the range of the outer diameter of the pipe that can be held by the clamp is widened, and the pipes having different outer diameters can be held.

  The piping holding structure according to claim 4 is the piping holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holding portion has an inner surface in the recessed portion. It has the elastic locking piece locked to a wall surface, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the elastic locking piece is locked and held on the inner wall surface of the concave portion by having the elastic locking piece on the inner wall surface of the concave portion on the outer peripheral surface side of the holding portion. Is done.

  The pipe holding structure according to claim 5 is the pipe holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clamp holds the inner wall surface or the open end of the recess. The holding part is integrally formed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the holding portion is integrally formed on the inner wall surface or the open end of the concave portion of the tank, so that the clamp is prevented from moving downward due to the vibration of the automobile or the like. can do.

  According to the piping holding structure according to claim 1 of the present invention, the clamp is rattled even when there is variation in the dimensions of the piping having a smaller outer diameter than the concave portion of the tank or the concave portion holding the piping. In a stable state, the tank can be detachably held with one touch. The clamp holds the pipe with the holding part, and the elastic piece is elastically supported on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, so that the holding force is reduced even for a large pipe or a small pipe with different outer diameters. It can be secured with a stable holding force, and the piping can be held firmly. The clamp is secured to the concave part of the tank without the pipes swaying due to the vibration of the automobile and interfering with the tank by the locking parts formed at the outer ends of the holding part being locked to the opening end of the concave part. Can be attached.

  According to the piping holding structure according to claim 2 of the present invention, the holding portion of the clamp has a pressing portion on the inner peripheral surface side, the tip of which is arranged concentrically with the elastic piece and presses the piping. Accordingly, even if the pipe has a large outer diameter or a pipe having a small outer diameter, the elastic piece and the pressing portion can be bent to ensure a stable fastening force. As a result, the pipe can be securely held without shaking at a predetermined position such as the center of the tank, so that it is possible to prevent the pipe from swinging and interfering with the tank, the fastening portion, and the like.

  According to the holding structure for a pipe according to claim 3 of the present invention, the clamp is formed with the elastic tongue protruding in the direction in which the pipe is extended, so that the holding force of the clamp pipe varies. And the fall of fastening force can be prevented and the range which an elastic tongue piece bends can be enlarged. For this reason, the range of the outer diameter of the pipe that can be held by the clamp can be widened, and the pipes having different outer diameters can be held in a stable state. Therefore, even when supporting pipes with different outer diameters, one clamp can handle multiple types of pipes with different outer diameters, reducing the number of types of clamps and reducing costs. Can do.

  According to the pipe holding structure according to claim 4 of the present invention, the holding portion of the clamp has the elastic locking piece on the inner wall surface of the concave portion on the outer peripheral surface side. Since it is held on the wall surface, the clamp can be attached to the recess without rattling.

  According to the pipe holding structure according to claim 5 of the present invention, the holding part is integrally formed on the inner wall surface or the open end of the concave part of the tank, so that the clamp moves due to the vibration of the automobile and falls off. Can be prevented.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, the holding structure of piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In the attached drawings, piping and clamps are exaggerated.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a pipe holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view showing a state when holding a pipe having a large outer diameter. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow XX in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a pipe holding structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view showing a state when holding a pipe having a thin outer diameter. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line YY in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clamp, showing a pipe holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clamp, showing a piping holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing a piping holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view of a clamp. 8 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow ZZ in FIG.

≪Composition of tank≫
As shown in FIG. 1, the tank 1 is a synthetic resin container for storing automobile fuel such as gasoline and light oil, and is disposed under the floor of the vehicle body or under the seat. The tank 1 is a hollow body formed by, for example, resin blow molding, and includes a pipe-fixed fuel tank that fixes the pipe 2 to the side surface of the tank body 13. In the tank 1, for example, joint members 12 (see FIG. 3) and 12A for connecting the pipe 2 to the central portion of the upper surface, a tank main body 13 for storing fuel, and a recess 11 in which a clamp 3 described later is mounted Are integrally molded.

  The joint members 12 (see FIG. 3) and 12A are, for example, so-called elbows which are L-shaped tubular joints, and are installed on the upper surface of the tank body 13 so as to be replaceable by screw means or the like. One end of the pipe 2 is connected to the joint members 12 and 12A. The joint member 12A is for a pipe 2A having a large outer diameter, and the joint member 12 described later is for a pipe having a thin outer diameter. The joint members 12 and 12A may be appropriately replaced and attached to the tank 1 according to the outer diameter of the pipes 2 and 2A to be connected. The tank body 13 is integrally formed with a recess 11 on an outer peripheral surface such as one side surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recess 11 is a part to which the thick pipe 2 </ b> A or the clamp 3 that holds the thin pipe 2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is attached. Formed by the sidewalls forming The recess 11 is formed integrally with the outer surface forming portion of the tank 1 in a U shape in plan view. A pair of left and right holding portions 11c, 11c, 11c, and 11c for holding the thick pipe 2A (see FIG. 1) and holding the clamp 3 are integrally formed above and below the opening end 11a of the recess 11.
The upper and lower holding portions 11c and 11c have a convex shape that engages with a groove-shaped locking portion 32 (see FIG. 4), and are formed at the open ends 11a and 11a on both sides.

≪Piping configuration≫
The pipes 2 (see FIG. 3) and 2A are, for example, tubular members for supplying fuel to the tank 1, and are made of, for example, an elastic synthetic resin tube. The piping 2 for the tank 1 mounted on the automobile has different outer diameters and types depending on the type of fuel stored in the tank 1, the type of engine, the exporting country, and the destination. In the drawings, the pipe 2A shows a thick outer diameter that fits into the concave portion 11, and the pipe 2 (see FIG. 3) shows a thin outer diameter than the concave portion 11.

≪Clamp configuration≫
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the clamp 3 is used when holding the pipe 2 having a small outer diameter, and holds the pipe 2 in an upright state so as to be detachable, and the recess 11 of the tank 1. It is a synthetic resin pipe holding member attached to the upper and lower holding parts 11c, 11c. The clamp 3 is formed of a clip-like member that is formed in a substantially U shape in plan view and has an elastic force with respect to the outer side direction (expanding direction). As shown in FIG. 4, the clamp 3 includes a holding portion 31 that holds the pipe 2, and a locking portion 32 that is formed at both outer ends of the holding portion 31 and locks to the opening end 11 a of the recess 11. , 32, elastic pieces 33, 33 projecting inward from both ends of the holding portion 31 to elastically support the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2, pressing parts 34, 34 pressing the pipe 2, A pair of cutout portions 35 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) formed at the left and right end portions of the center portion of the holding portion 31 and a knob portion 36 that is manually picked when the clamp 3 is attached to and detached from the tank 1 are provided. is doing.

<Configuration of the holding part>
The holding portion 31 is a band-like portion that holds the outer periphery of the thin pipe 2 so as to face the inner wall surface 11 b of the substantially U-shaped recess 11 in plan view. On the inner peripheral surface side of the holding portion 31, tips are arranged at positions concentric with the elastic pieces 33 and 33, and pressing portions 34 and 34 that press and support the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2 are formed.

<Configuration of locking part>
The locking portions 32, 32 are portions that engage and lock the holding portions 11 c, 11 c of the opening end 11 a of the concave portion 11 of the tank 1, and are depressions formed at both outer end portions of the holding portion 31 (see FIG. 6).

<Configuration of elastic piece>
The elastic pieces 33, 33 are a pair of projecting pieces for preventing the pipe 2 inserted into the holding part 31 from being detached from the holding part 31. It protrudes toward the part and is formed so as to elastically support the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2.

<Configuration of pressing part>
The pressing portions 34 and 34 are portions that press and hold the thin pipe 2, and a pair of elastic tongue pieces 34 a and 34 a protruding in the direction in which the pipe 2 held by the clamp 3 extends (FIG. 7). And FIG. 8). The elastic tongue pieces 34a and 34 are formed in a shape that is curved in an arc shape with respect to the extending direction of the pipe 2 in order to press the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2 with an appropriate pressing force, and press the pipe. It has a spring force to do.

<Composition of notch>
The cutout portion 35 is a portion formed in order to give an appropriate elastic force (spring force) to the belt-shaped holding portion 31 in the expanding direction when viewed from the side. When the clamp 3 is compressed by picking the knob 36 by hand, the notch 35 separates the locking parts 32, 32 from the open ends 11 a, 11 a of the recess 11 of the tank 1, thereby removing the clamp 3 from the recess 11. It is formed so as to be bent with appropriate elasticity.

<Configuration of knob>
The knob 36 is a part that is gripped with a finger when the clamp 3 is attached to and detached from the tank 1, and is formed so as to protrude from the outer surface of the tank 1 when the clamp 3 is attached to the recess 11. ing. In other words, the width in the left-right direction of the knob 36 is formed wider than between the opening ends 11 a and 11 a of the recess 11.

≪Action≫
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-8, the effect | action of the holding structure of the piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with the attachment procedure of the piping 2 and the clamp 3. FIG.

First, a case where a pipe 2A having a large outer diameter is attached to the tank 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this case, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pipe 2A is held by pushing the thick pipe 2A directly into the recess 11 of the tank 1 and engaging the upper and lower holding parts 11c and 11c. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the thick pipe 2 </ b> A presses the pipe 2 </ b> A inserted into the concave portion 11 into the concave portion 11 by the convex holding portion 11 c formed at the opening end 11 a of the concave portion 11. And is held firmly. For this reason, the thick pipe 2A does not fall from the tank 1 due to vibration or external force of the automobile.

Next, a case where the pipe 2 having a small outer diameter is attached to the tank 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
In this case, first, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the knob portion 36 of the clamp 3 is picked by hand, and the latch portion 32 is held in the tank 1 while the knob is slightly pressed and narrowed in the direction of the arrow B. Each of the clamps 3 is pushed into the recess 11 by engaging with the upper and lower holding portions 11 c and 11 c in the recess 11.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4, each clamp 3 is elastically engaged with the convex holding portion 11c by the concave locking portion 32 by the elastic force of the knob 36 spreading outward in the direction of arrow A. By doing so, it is securely mounted in the recess 11 so as not to move up and down. For this reason, the clamp 3 does not fall from the tank 1 due to vibration or external force of the automobile.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, one end of the thin pipe 2 is connected to the joint member 12, and one end of the pipe 2 is fixed to the tank 1. The pipe 2 is pressed against the elastic pieces 33, 33 of the clamp 3, and spreads out as shown by phantom lines in FIG. 4 against the elastic force of the elastic pieces 33, 33, and is held in the holding portion 31. Push in.
Then, the pipe 2 is elastically abutted against the distal ends of the elastic pieces 33 and 33 and the distal end portion of the elastic tongue piece 34a, and is supported in a state where the four portions in the holding portion 31 are elastically pressed together. As a result, the clamp 3 is held without rattling. In particular, when the pipe 2 is a resin tube, the pipe 2 is pressed by the elastic pieces 33 and 33 and the elastic tongue pieces 34a and 34a and is elastically deformed and held firmly so as not to be rattled. .
Thereby, the thin piping 2 can be fixed perpendicularly to the side surface portion of the tank 1, and the piping 2 can be firmly held so as not to be shaken by vibrations or the like while the vehicle is running.

  In this way, when the pipe 2 having one end connected to the joint member 12 of the tank 1 is fixed to the side surface or the like of the tank 1, the clamp 3 can be pushed into the recess 11 and the pipe 2 can be pushed into the clamp 3. Therefore, the pipe 2 can be held in the tank 1 in a one-touch manner, and the pipe 2 can be easily attached.

Next, the case where the thin piping 2 is removed from the tank 1 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 3 and FIG.
In this case, the knob 3 of the clamp 3 is picked and pressed in the direction of compression indicated by the arrow B, and the clamp 3 is pulled from the recess 11 while moving the locking portion 32 away from the holding portion 11c of the opening end 11a. By pulling out, the clamp 3 can be removed from the tank 1.

  Then, a tool (not shown) or a dedicated jig is pushed between the knobs 36 and 36 of the clamp 3 to expand the gap between the knobs 36 and 36, and the elastic pieces 33 and 33 are indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 4. The clamp 3 and the pipe 2 can be separated by spreading the pipe 2 and pulling out the pipe 2 from the holding portion 31.

  Thus, since the clamp 3 can be attached to the pipe 2 and separated, the pipe can be easily attached and detached such as replacement and repair of the pipe 2 and the work efficiency can be increased.

  Thus, when the outer diameter of the pipe 2 is thin, the pipe holding structure according to the present invention uses the clamp 3 so that the concave part 11 that directly holds the thick pipe 2A is positioned on the concentric O. The clamp 3 can hold the thin pipe 2A. For this reason, the tank 1 can be used irrespective of the pipes 2 and 2A.

  The elastic pieces 33 and 33 and the elastic tongue pieces 34a and 34a of the clamp 3 that supports the thin pipe 2 are elastically abutted against the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2 and supported by a spring force. Even if the outer diameter is slightly different, it is deformed so as to be appropriately warped, so even if the outer diameter is different due to a plurality of various pipes 2 with one clamp 3 or dimensional errors, etc. Can be held.

≪Modification≫
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea. The present invention extends to these modifications and changes. Of course.

  FIG. 9 is an essential part enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the piping holding structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the clamp 3 described in the embodiment has elastic locking pieces 3 </ b> Aa and 3 </ b> Aa that elastically press against the inner wall surface 11 b of the recess 11 on the outer peripheral surface side of the holding portion 31. It may be. In this way, the clamp 3 attached to the concave portion 11 of the tank 1 is more firmly elastic when the elastic locking pieces 3Aa and 3Aa abut against the inner wall surface 11b of the concave portion 11 in an elastically pressed state. It comes to be joined.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing another modified example of the pipe holding structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The recessed part 11 (refer FIG. 1) formed in the tank 1 is not limited by what was formed so that it might dent in the inner side from the side surface of the tank 1 as mentioned above. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a substantially C-shaped (clip-shaped) recess 1 </ b> Aa in a plan view integrally formed so as to protrude from an appropriate portion of one outer peripheral surface (for example, a side surface) of the tank 1 </ b> A. There may be.

  In addition, when the joint member 1Ad to which the pipe 2 is connected is disposed on the upper surface of the tank 1A, the recess 1Aa further holds the pipe 2 in a stable state by being installed near the lower side of the tank 1A. can do.

  In addition, on the left and right inner wall surfaces 1Ab of the opening of the concave portion 1Aa, a convex holding portion 1Ae that engages with the locking portion 3Bb is formed so that the clamp 3B attached to the concave portion 1Aa does not come off. Yes.

In the above embodiment, the fuel tank has been described as an example of the tanks 1 and 1A. However, a resin tank that stores other liquids may be used.
Further, the pipes 2 and 2A may be pipes that are arranged in the vicinity of the tanks 1 and 1A and are connected to a different one from the tanks 1 and 1A.

It is a figure which shows the holding structure of piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is an exploded perspective view which shows a state when hold | maintaining piping with a thick outer diameter. It is arrow XX direction sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a pipe holding structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view showing a state when holding a pipe having a thin outer diameter. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the YY line direction of FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the holding structure of piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view of a clamp. It is a figure which shows the holding structure of piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view of a clamp. It is a figure which shows the holding structure of piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is a front view of a clamp. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow ZZ in FIG. 6. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows the modification of the holding structure of piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the other modification of the holding structure of piping which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,1A Tank 2 Piping (Pipe with a small outer diameter)
2A piping (piping with large outer diameter)
3, 3A, 3B Clamp 3Aa Elastic locking piece 3Ba Engaging portion 11, 1Aa Recessed portion 11a Open end 11b, 1Ab Inner wall surface 11c Holding portion 31 Holding portion 32 Locking portion 33 Elastic piece 34 Pressing portion 34a Elastic tongue piece

Claims (5)

A pipe holding structure provided with a clamp for detachably holding the pipe in a recess formed in the tank,
The clamp has a substantially U-shaped holding portion including the pipe,
A locking portion that is formed outside both ends of the holding portion and is locked to the opening end of the recess,
A piping holding structure, comprising: an elastic piece that protrudes inside the both end portions of the holding portion and elastically supports the outer peripheral surface of the piping.   On the inner peripheral surface side of the holding portion, a pressing portion that bends together with the elastic piece when a pipe having a small outer diameter is inserted, and bends together with the elastic piece when a pipe having a large outside diameter is inserted. The piping holding structure according to claim 1, wherein:   The pipe holding structure according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion includes an elastic tongue piece that protrudes toward a direction in which the pipe held by the clamp extends and supports the pipe.   The piping holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an elastic locking piece that is locked to an inner wall surface of the concave portion on an outer peripheral surface side of the holding portion. .   5. The piping holding structure according to claim 1, wherein a holding portion that is held by the clamp is integrally formed on an inner wall surface or an open end of the concave portion.

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