JP2014185745A - Pipe connection structure, pipe connector, cover member and water service device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pipe connection structure, a pipe connector, a cover member and a water service device capable of reliably detecting whether two pipes are perfectly connected.SOLUTION: A pipe connector 1 for forming a pipe connection structure includes: a coupling part 2 which is attached to edge parts of pipes 131A, 131B and receives and retains edge parts of introduction pipes 112A, 112B; a cover part 3 which is attached and detached for the coupling part 2; a protrusion part 3e which is disposed in the cover part 3, proceeds into the coupling part 2 accompanied by the fitting of the cover part 3 for the coupling part 2 and, when connection of the pipes 131A, 131B and the introduction pipes 112A, 112B is imperfect, butts at the introduction pipes 112A, 112B in the middle of the fitting of the cover part 3; and a connection part 4 which joints the cover part 3 and the coupling part 2 while allowing the movement of the cover part 3 which is attached and detached for the coupling part 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe connection structure, a pipe connector, a cover member, and a water supply device.

  A water supply device such as a water faucet device has a connection structure that is attached to and detached from a supply pipe. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connection structure between an introduction pipe for introducing hot water into a faucet device and a hot water supply pipe. This connection structure has a joint part and a cover part. The joint portion is attached to the end portion of the supply pipe, and receives and holds the end portion of the introduction pipe. The cover part is attached to and detached from the joint part. A convex portion for connection confirmation is provided in the cover portion. This convex part enters the joint part with the attachment of the cover part to the joint part, and hits the introduction pipe in the middle of the attachment of the cover part when the connection between the introduction pipe and the supply pipe is incomplete. Thereby, it can be detected whether the introduction pipe and the supply pipe are completely connected.

JP 2010-230073 A

  However, in the connection structure described above, if the cover part is forgotten to be attached to the joint part, it cannot be detected whether or not the introduction pipe and the supply pipe are completely connected.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe connection structure, a pipe connector, a cover member, and a water supply device that can more reliably detect whether or not two pipes are completely connected.

  The pipe connection structure according to the present invention is a connection structure of two pipes, which is attached to the end of the first pipe and receives and holds the end of the second pipe, and the joint A cover part that is attached to and detached from the joint part, and enters the joint part when the cover part is attached to the joint part, and the connection of the two pipes is incomplete. The connection confirmation convex part which abuts on the 2nd pipe in the middle, and the connection part which connects a cover part and a joint part, allowing movement of the cover part attached or detached with respect to a joint part are provided.

  In this pipe connection structure, it is possible to detect whether the two pipes are completely connected by inserting the end of the second pipe into the joint and then attaching the cover to the joint. That is, it is possible to detect that the connection between the two tubes is incomplete when the convex portion for connection confirmation hits the second tube while the cover portion is being mounted. For this reason, two pipes can be reliably connected through the process of mounting the cover portion.

  The cover part and the joint part are connected by a connecting part. Since the connection part allows the movement of the cover part attached to and detached from the joint part, the cover part can be attached and detached without separating the cover part and the joint part. Thereby, since the cover part is always arranged near the joint part, the cover part surely enters the field of view of the operator, and forgetting to attach the cover part is prevented. Therefore, it can be detected more reliably whether the two pipes are completely connected.

  The cover portion is attached to the joint portion from the second pipe side, the connecting portion is provided with a strap provided on one of the cover portion and the joint portion and extending to the other side, and accepts the strap on the other of the cover portion and the joint portion. It may have a receiving hole, and the movement of the cover part may be allowed by moving the strap into and out of the receiving hole. In this case, since the strap enters the receiving portion when the cover portion is attached to the joint portion, bending of the strap between the cover portion and the joint portion is prevented. For this reason, a cover part can be mounted without being obstructed by the strap. Moreover, it can prevent that the bent strap protrudes outside a cover part and a joint part, and becomes obstructive.

  The other of the cover part and the joint part may have a strap storage chamber inserted into the receiving hole. In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent the strap from getting in the way after the cover portion is attached.

  A claw portion that engages with the peripheral edge of the receiving hole in a state of being inserted through the receiving hole may be provided at the tip of the strap. In this case, the engagement between the claw portion and the peripheral portion of the receiving hole prevents the strap from coming off from the receiving hole, and the state where the cover portion and the joint portion are connected can be reliably maintained.

  The strap has a belt-like shape, and two ridges along both edges in the width direction are provided on one surface of the strap, and the claw portion is provided on the other surface of the strap. It may be located between. In this case, the strap is reinforced by providing the raised portion, and the strap can be more reliably prevented from bending when the cover portion is attached to the joint portion. Further, a concave portion defined by two raised portions is formed on the opposite side of the claw portion. For this reason, when connecting a cover part and a joint part, a nail | claw part can be easily inserted in a receiving hole by deform | transforming a strap to a recessed part side and retracting a claw part to a recessed part side.

  The protrusion height of the claw part with respect to the strap may become smaller as it goes to the tip side of the strap. In this case, when connecting the cover portion and the joint portion, the claw portion can be more easily inserted into the receiving hole.

  The tube connector according to the present invention is a tube connector for forming the tube connection structure, and includes the joint portion, the cover portion, the convex portion, and the connecting portion. The cover member which concerns on this invention is a cover member used as said cover part. The water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention is a water supply apparatus provided with the said pipe | tube connection structure.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably detect whether two pipes are completely connected.

It is a perspective view of a faucet device provided with the pipe connection structure of this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the pipe connection structure of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the III-III line | wire in FIG. It is a perspective view which abbreviate | omits and shows the cover part, fastener case, and fastener grip in FIG. It is a perspective view which abbreviate | omits and shows the cover part, fastener, and fastener grip in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the fastener case in FIG. It is a perspective view which abbreviate | omits and shows the cover part in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which shifted the fastener and fastener grip in FIG. It is a perspective view which abbreviate | omits and shows the fastener case in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX line in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the cover part and the joint part. It is a perspective view of a cover part. It is a perspective view from the lower part of a cover part. It is sectional drawing which follows the XIV-XIV line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XV-XV line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XVI-XVI line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which penetrated the nail | claw part in FIG. 15 in the receiving hole. It is a perspective view which shows the procedure which attaches a cover part to a coupling part. It is a top view which shows the procedure which receives a male base in the notch part of a cover part. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which mounted | wore the joint part with the cover part in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a cover part. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which orient | assigned the strap in FIG. 21 below.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a connection structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

<Water faucet device>
First, a faucet device to which the pipe connection structure of the present embodiment is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the faucet device 100 is a single lever type hot / cold water faucet device installed in a kitchen sink or the like. The faucet device 100 includes a mixing faucet 110 and a shower head 120.

  The mixing faucet 110 includes a faucet main body 111, two introduction pipes 112 </ b> A and 112 </ b> B, a lead-out hose 113, and a lever 114. The faucet body 111 has a cylindrical outer shape and protrudes upward from the sink. The faucet main body 111 receives hot water, mixes it, and sends it out. The faucet body 111 has a cylindrical shower holder 111a that protrudes obliquely upward from the peripheral surface.

  The introduction pipes 112 </ b> A and 112 </ b> B extend downward from the faucet main body 111 and introduce hot water into the faucet main body 111, respectively. The introduction pipes 112A and 112B are connected to the water supply pipe 131A and the hot water supply pipe 131B, respectively, under the sink. The mixing faucet 110 includes the pipe connection structure of the present embodiment at the connection portion between the pipes (first pipes) 131A and 131B and the introduction pipes (second pipes) 112A and 112B.

  The outlet hose 113 extends downward from the faucet main body 111, and guides mixed water from the faucet main body 111. The lead-out hose 113 is folded upward and returned to the faucet body 111, and is drawn obliquely upward through the shower holder 111a.

  The lever 114 is attached to the upper part of the faucet body 111. By rotating the lever 114 around the vertical axis, the mixing ratio of hot water in the faucet body 111 is adjusted. The amount of mixed water discharged from the faucet main body 111 is adjusted by tilting the lever 114 up and down.

  The shower head 120 is attached to the tip of the outlet hose 113. By moving the outlet hose 113 in and out of the shower holder 111a, the position of the shower head 120 can be freely changed to discharge the mixed water. In the state where the lead-out hose 113 enters the shower holder portion 111a most, the root portion of the shower head 120 is fitted into the shower holder portion 111a, and the shower head 120 is held in a state of protruding obliquely upward from the faucet body portion 111. Is done.

<Pipe connection structure>
Next, the pipe connection structure will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pipe connector 1 that forms the pipe connection structure of the present embodiment includes a joint portion 2 and a cover portion 3.

(Fitting part)
The joint 2 is attached to the ends of the pipes 131A and 131B, and receives and holds the leading ends of the introduction pipes 112A and 112B. In the following description, “up and down” means a direction in which the pipes 131A and 131B are on the lower side and the introduction pipes 112A and 112B are on the upper side. The introduction pipes 112A and 112B have a male cap 10 at the tip. The male base 10 is made of, for example, brass or stainless steel. The male base 10 has a cylindrical shape and is provided with a flange 10a on the outer periphery. Two groove portions 10b and 10c arranged in the axial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the male base 10 on the tip side of the flange portion 10a. Each of the groove portions 10 b and 10 c extends over the entire circumference of the male base 10 and accommodates the O-ring 11.

  The joint portion 2 includes a female base 20 attached to end portions of the pipes 131 </ b> A and 131 </ b> B, a fastener 21, a fastener case 22, and a fastener grip 23. The female base 20 is made of, for example, brass or stainless steel, and has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. A nut portion 20a attached to the pipes 131A and 131B is provided at the lower end portion of the female base 20. At three locations arranged in the axial direction on the outer periphery of the female base 20, flanges 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d are provided, respectively. The collar portion 20 b is for connection with the male base 10 and is located at the upper end of the female base 20. The flange portions 20c and 20d are for positioning with a fastener case 22 described later, and are arranged in the axial direction below the flange portion 20b.

  The male base 10 is inserted into the female base 20 from above, and the flange 10 a of the male base 10 and the flange 20 b of the female base 20 overlap. A gap between the inner peripheral surface of the female base 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the male base 10 is sealed with an O-ring 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fastener 21 is a plate-like member bent in a U shape so as to surround the flange portions 10 a and 20 b, and is provided with two opposing plate portions 21 a and 21 b facing each other, and an opposing plate portion And a connecting plate portion 21c that connects 21a and 21b. The fastener 21 is made of, for example, a stainless plate. A rectangular opening 21d extending in the horizontal direction is formed at the center of the opposing plate portions 21a and 21b. The opening 21d accommodates the flanges 10a and 20b that overlap each other. The fastener 21 holds the male base 10 in the joint part 2 by restraining the flange part 10a and the flange part 20b of the male base 10 together in the opening 21d (see FIG. 3).

  Of the upper edge portions of the opposed plate portions 21a and 21b, a portion corresponding to the opening 21d is formed with an inverted conical bulged portion 21e. The bulging portion 21e guides the flange portion 10a of the male base 10 between the opposing plate portions 21a and 21b. Of the opposing plate portions 21a and 21b, an end portion on the opposite side of the connecting plate portion 21c is formed with a widened portion 21f that goes outward as the distance from the connecting plate portion 21c increases. A stopper portion 21g protruding upward is formed on the upper edge of the expanded portion 21f. Hereinafter, in the description of the fastener case 22 and the like, “front / rear and left / right” means a direction in which the expanded portion 21f side of the fastener 21 is the front side and the connecting plate portion 21c side is the rear side.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fastener case 22 includes a storage portion 24 of the fastener 21 and an attachment portion 25 to the female base 20. The fastener case 22 is made of, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, fluorine resin, or polyether ether ketone. Among these resins, polypropylene or polyamide is preferable from the viewpoint of economy, and polypropylene is particularly preferable.

  The storage portion 24 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that opens rearward, and includes a pair of side wall portions 24a and 24b along the opposing plate portions 21a and 21b, a front wall portion 24c, and a ceiling portion 24d. Each of the side wall parts 24a and 24b is formed with a slit 24e that extends along the front-rear direction and is opened rearward. The slit 24e functions as a guide for a fastener grip 23 described later. An opening 24f for receiving the male base 10 is formed in the ceiling portion 24d. On the rear side of the storage portion 24, a bank portion 24g is formed on the lower surface of the ceiling portion 24d (see FIG. 10). The bank portion 24g engages with the stopper portion 21g to prevent the fastener 21 from coming out of the storage portion 24.

  The attachment portion 25 is located below the storage portion 24. The upper portion of the attachment portion 25 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that faces in the same direction as the storage portion 24, and projects outward from the side surface and the rear surface of the storage portion 24. The lower portion of the attachment portion 25 has a tapered shape that gradually approaches the female base 20 as it goes downward, and its lower end portion reaches the vicinity of the nut portion 20a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the fastener case 22 is divided into left and right parts, and can be opened like a shell with the front boundary as an axis. The fastener case 22 is closed so as to sandwich the female base 20 and attached to the female base 20. Inside the mounting portion 25, three surrounding portions 25a, 25b, and 25c arranged in the vertical direction are provided. The upper surrounding portion 25 a surrounds the collar portion 20 c of the female base 20. The lower surrounding portion 25b surrounds the female base 20 between the flange portion 20d and the nut portion 20a. The intermediate surrounding portion 25 c enters between the flange portion 20 c and the flange portion 20 d and surrounds the female base 20. By these surrounding portions 25a, 25b, and 25c, the relative position of the female base 20 with respect to the fastener case 22 is determined, and the fastener case 22 is fixed to the female base 20. However, the fastener case 22 can be rotated around the axis of the female base 20. For this reason, the direction in which the fastener grip 23 (described later) is moved can be appropriately adjusted when connecting or separating the introduction pipes 112A and 112B and the pipes 131A and 131B.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the fastener grip 23 is a plate-like member bent in a U shape following the fastener 21, and has two opposing plate portions 23 a and 23 b facing each other, and an opposing plate portion. And a connecting plate portion 23c that connects 23a and 23b. The fastener grip 23 is made of, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, fluorine resin, or polyether ether ketone. Among these resins, polypropylene or polyamide is preferable from the viewpoint of economy, and polypropylene is particularly preferable.

  The connecting plate portion 23c overlaps the outside of the connecting plate portion 21c of the fastener 21 and is fixed to the connecting plate portion 21c. The opposed plate portions 23a and 23b are opposed to the opposed plate portions 21a and 21b of the fastener 21 with a gap, respectively. The opposing plate portions 23 a and 23 b cover the outer surfaces of the side wall portions 24 a and 24 b of the fastener case 22. Protruding portions 23d for holding the cover portion 3 are formed on the outer surfaces of the opposing plate portions 23a and 23b. Convex portions 23e that fit into the slits 24e of the side wall portions 24a and 24b are formed on the inner surfaces of the opposing plate portions 23a and 23b (see FIG. 3).

  The fastener grip 23 is movable in the front-rear direction with the slit 24e as a guide. By holding the fastener grip 23 and moving it in the front-rear direction, the position of the fastener 21 can be shifted in the front-rear direction. The rearward movement of the fastener grip 23 is regulated by the engagement between the stopper portion 21g of the fastener 21 and the bank portion 24g of the fastener case 22.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the fastener grip 23 and the fastener 21 are shifted to the rearmost side, the collar portions 10 a and 20 b come out from the opening 21 d of the fastener 21, and the holding of the male base 10 by the fastener 21 is released. Thereby, the male base 10 can be pulled out from the joint portion 2. That is, the introduction pipes 112A and 112B and the pipes 131A and 131B can be separated.

  When the fastener grip 23 and the fastener 21 are returned to the foremost side with the male base 10 not inserted into the joint part 2, only the collar part 20b of the female base 20 enters the opening 21d. In this state, when the male base 10 is inserted into the joint portion 2, the flange portion 10 a of the male base 10 passes through the opening 24 f of the fastener case 22 and comes into contact with the inner surface of the bulging portion 21 e of the fastener 21. When the male base 10 is further pushed in, the flange portion 10a is guided downward by the inverted conical slope of the bulging portion 21e, and the fastener 21 is elastically deformed and spreads. When the male base 10 is further pushed in, the collar portion 10a reaches the position of the opening 21d. At this time, the flange portion 10a enters the opening 21d and the fastener 21 is elastically restored (see FIG. 4). Thereby, the male base 10 is held in the joint portion 2, and the introduction pipes 112A and 112B and the pipes 131A and 131B are connected.

  In addition, at least one of the opposing plate portions 23a and 23b of the fastener grip 23 is provided with an opening that allows the fastener 21 and the flanges 10a and 20b to be visually recognized, and an opening corresponding to the opening is formed on the side wall of the fastener case 22. You may provide in at least one of the parts 24a and 24b.

(Cover part)
As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the cover part 3 has the surrounding wall part 3a surrounding the storage part 24, and the ceiling part 3b spanned over the upper edge of the surrounding wall part 3a. The cover 3 is made of, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, fluorine resin, polyether ether ketone, or the like. Among these resins, polypropylene or polyamide is preferable from the viewpoint of economy, and polypropylene is particularly preferable.

  The cover portion 3 is attached to the storage portion 24 from the introduction pipes 112 </ b> A and 112 </ b> B in a state where the male cap 10 is inserted into the joint portion 2. Specifically, the peripheral wall portion 3 a is fitted into the storage portion 24 and the fastener grip 23, and the ceiling portion 3 b overlaps the ceiling portion 24 d of the storage portion 24. Hereinafter, “front and rear, left and right” in the description of the cover part 3 means a direction in a state where the cover part 24 is mounted.

  An opening 3c corresponding to the convex portion 23d of the fastener grip 23 is formed in the left side portion and the right side portion of the peripheral wall portion 3a. The opening 3 c receives the convex portion 23 d in a state where the cover portion 3 is completely attached to the storage portion 24. The state where the cover portion 3 is mounted on the storage portion 24 is maintained by the projection 23d being hooked on the inner surface of the opening 3c.

  The cover 3 is formed with a notch 3d for receiving the introduction pipes 112A and 112B from the outside of the peripheral wall 3a. The notch 3d is opened in front of the peripheral wall 3a and reaches the center of the ceiling 3b. The notch 3d does not necessarily have to be opened in front of the peripheral wall 3a, and may be open in any direction around the peripheral wall 3a. The notch 3d depicts a locus that is bent in one direction when viewed from the viewpoint of facing the joint 2 from the introduction pipes 112A and 112B. As an example, in the form of illustration, it curves so that it may incline to the left side as it goes inside the ceiling part 3b (refer FIG. 19).

  At the center of the ceiling 3b, the edge of the notch 3d has an arc shape surrounding the introduction pipes 112A and 112B. At the center of the ceiling 3b, two protrusions 3e and 3f for connection confirmation are formed at the edge of the notch 3d. That is, the pipe connector 1 further includes convex portions 3e and 3f. The convex portions 3e and 3f are arranged so as to sandwich the male base 10 between the opposed plate portions 21a and 21b of the fastener 21, and project downward. The convex portion 3 e is located behind the male base 10. The convex portion 3f is located in front of the male base 10 and is located on the inner peripheral side of the curved locus of the notch portion 3d. The convex portions 3e and 3f enter the storage portion 24 from above between the opening 24f of the storage portion 24 and the male base 10 (see FIG. 14). In a state in which the cover 3 is mounted on the storage unit 24, the heights of the tips of the convex portions 3e and 3f reach the upper edge of the opening 21d of the fastener 21.

(Connecting part)
Here, the pipe connector 1 further includes a connecting portion 4 that connects the cover portion 3 and the joint portion 2 (see FIG. 17). The connecting portion 4 includes a strap 40 extending from the cover portion 3 toward the joint portion 2 and a receiving hole 41 that receives the strap 40 in the joint portion 2. As shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13, the strap 40 is provided in the front left part of the surrounding wall part 3a, and is extended below. That is, the strap 40 is located on the inner peripheral side of the locus of the notch 3d. The strap 40 has a band shape, and its width direction is along the front-rear direction.

  On the left surface of the strap 40, two raised portions 40a are provided along the front and rear edges. A convex claw portion 40 b is provided at the front end portion of the strap 40 on the right side. The claw portion 40b is located between the two raised portions 40a. The protruding height of the claw portion 40b with respect to the right surface of the strap 40 becomes smaller toward the front end side of the strap 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, the receiving hole 41 is provided in the upper part of the attachment portion 25 of the joint portion 2. The receiving hole 41 is located outside the storage unit 24 and opens upward. The receiving hole 41 is located at the left front portion of the mounting portion 25 corresponding to the position of the strap 40, and has a slit shape along the front-rear direction corresponding to the band shape of the strap 40. A taper surface 41a is formed at the upper part of the inner surface of the receiving hole 41 so as to extend upward.

  A housing chamber 42 that houses the strap 40 is formed on the front side in the mounting portion 25, and the receiving hole 41 is connected to the housing chamber 42. As described above, the lower portion of the attachment portion 25 has a tapered shape. Correspondingly, a tapered surface 42a that approaches the female base 20 as it goes downward is formed on the inner surface of the lower portion of the storage chamber 42. The tapered surface 42 a is located on the insertion path of the strap 40. That is, on the inner surface of the storage chamber 42, a tapered surface 42 a that is positioned on the insertion path of the strap 40 and is inclined so as to approach the central axis of the introduction pipes 112 </ b> A and 112 </ b> B as it goes in the insertion direction of the strap 40 is formed. Yes.

  The tip of the strap 40 is inserted into the receiving hole 41 from above as shown in FIG. At this time, since the tip of the strap 40 is guided to the tapered surface 41a, the position of the tip of the strap 40 and the receiving hole 41 can be easily aligned. During insertion of the strap 40, as shown in FIG. 16, the claw portion 40b is caught on the tapered surface 41a. When the strap 40 is further pushed into the receiving hole 41, the strap 40 and the claw portion 40b are elastically deformed by the reaction force from the tapered surface 41a, and the claw portion 40b enters the receiving hole 41.

  A concave portion P1 defined by the two raised portions 40a is formed on the opposite side of the claw portion 40b. Accordingly, the claw portion 40b can be easily inserted into the receiving hole 41 by deforming the strap 40 to the concave portion P1 side and retracting the claw portion 40b to the concave portion P1 side. Further, the protruding height of the claw portion 40 b with respect to the strap 40 becomes smaller toward the front end side of the strap 40. For this reason, the claw part 40 b is guided more smoothly into the receiving hole 41, and the claw part 40 b can be inserted into the receiving hole 41 more easily.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the claw portion 40 b passes through the receiving hole 41 and enters the receiving chamber 42, the strap 40 and the claw portion 40 b are elastically restored, and the claw portion 40 b engages with the peripheral edge portion of the receiving hole 41. To do. When the claw portion 40b is hooked on the peripheral edge of the receiving hole 41 while being inserted into the receiving hole 41, the strap 40 is prevented from coming off from the receiving hole 41. Thus, the joint part 2 and the cover part 3 are connected. Further, the movement of the cover part 3 attached to and detached from the joint part 2 is allowed by the entry and exit of the strap 40 with respect to the receiving hole 41 and the elastic deformation of the strap 40.

  Note that the length of the portion of the strap 40 that extends upward from the receiving hole 41 (hereinafter referred to as “the extended length of the strap 40”) is such that the claw portion 40b is hooked on the peripheral portion of the receiving hole 41. The length of the strap 40 is preferably larger than the depth of the cover 3 (height of the peripheral wall 3a) The extension length of the strap 40 in a state where the claw 40b is hooked on the peripheral edge of the receiving hole 41 is 1.1 to 1.8 times, preferably 1.2 to 1.6 times, more preferably 1.3 to 1.5 times, more preferably 1.1 times. If it is small, the movable range of the cover part 3 is small, and it may be difficult to attach and detach the cover part 3. If it is larger than 1.8 times, the strap 40 cannot be accommodated in the accommodating chamber 42, and the cover part 3 is There is a risk that it cannot be completely attached to the joint 2 If there. Impossible to fully seat the cover portion 3, the pipe 131A, 131B and inlet 112A, also confirm the connection between 112B becomes difficult.

(Removal procedure of cover part)
Next, a procedure for attaching and detaching the cover unit 3 will be described. The cover part 3 is attached and detached when the male base 10 and the female base 20 are connected and separated. When connecting the male base 10 and the female base 20, the male base 10 is inserted into the joint portion 2 with the strap 40 bent and the cover portion 3 retracted from the joint portion 2. When the insertion of the male base 10 is completed, the cover part 3 is returned onto the joint part 2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18A, the introduction pipes 112A and 112B are put into the notch 3d.

  As described above, the notch 3d has a locus that is bent in one direction when viewed from the viewpoint of facing the joint 2 from the introduction pipes 112A and 112B, and the strap 40 is formed at the peripheral edge of the cover 3. It is located on the inner circumference side of the trajectory. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 19, the male base 10 can be received in the notch 3d by rotating the cover part 3 around the vicinity of the strap 40 as viewed from the male base 10 side. The same applies when the male base 10 is sent out from the notch 3d. That is, when the male base 10 is taken in and out of the notch 3d, it is not necessary to greatly translate the end of the strap 40. For this reason, the strap 40 can be shortened and the ease of handling of the cover part 3 can be improved.

  When the cover part 3 is arranged on the joint part 2, as shown in FIG. 18B, the cover part 3 is attached to the storage part 24 of the joint part 2 from the male base 10 side. In the middle of mounting the cover part 3 on the storage part 24, the peripheral wall part 3a is expanded by the convex part 23d and elastically deformed. When the cover part 3 is completely attached to the storage part 24, the position of the convex part 23d coincides with the position of the opening 3c. And while the convex part 23d enters in the opening 3c, the surrounding wall part 3a elastically returns. Thereby, the mounting of the cover part 3 is completed.

  In addition, since it can be visually confirmed from the outside whether or not the convex portion 23 d enters the opening 3 c, it is easy to confirm whether or not the cover portion 3 is completely attached to the storage portion 24. In order to further improve the ease of confirmation, a different coloring may be applied to the projecting portion 23d with respect to other portions of the fastener grip 23.

  When the connection between the female base 20 and the male base 10 is incomplete, the convex portions 3 e and 3 f abut against the collar portion 10 a of the male base 10 during the mounting of the cover portion 3. When the connection between the female base 20 and the male base 10 is incomplete, the flange 10a of the male base 10 does not enter the opening 21d of the fastener 21, so that the male base 10 is held in the joint portion 2. Means not. That is, when the connection between the female base 20 and the male base 10 is incomplete, the female base 20 and the male base 10 can be separated only by pulling out the male base 10 from the joint portion 2. Means. It is detected that the connection between the female base 20 and the male base 10 is incomplete by the protrusions 3e and 3f striking the flange part 10a and preventing the cover part 3 from being mounted.

  When the cover portion 3 is pushed toward the joint portion 2 in a state where the convex portions 3e and 3f are in contact with the flange portion 10a, the flange portion 10a of the male base 10 is pressed by the convex portions 3e and 3f and the flange portion of the female base 20 is pressed. 10a approaches and enters the opening 21d of the fastener 21. Along with this, the cover part 3 is completely attached to the storage part 24. Thus, the cover part 3 also functions as a jig for completely connecting the female base 20 and the male base 10. In addition, since the convex portions 3e and 3f are arranged so as to sandwich the female base 20, the inclination of the male base 10 when pressed against the convex portions 3e and 3f is suppressed, and the male base 10 is connected to the female base 20. Inserts smoothly.

  When the cover portion 3 is attached, the strap 40 enters the receiving hole 41, so that the strap 40 is prevented from bending between the cover portion 3 and the joint portion 2. Furthermore, since the strap 40 is reinforced by the raised portion 40a, the bending of the strap 40 can be prevented more reliably. For this reason, the cover part 3 can be mounted without being obstructed by the strap 40. Moreover, it can prevent that the bent strap 40 protrudes to the outer side of the cover part 3 and the coupling part 2, and becomes obstructive.

  Since the strap 40 that has entered the receiving hole 41 is accommodated in the accommodating chamber 42 of the joint portion 2, it is possible to more reliably prevent the strap from becoming an obstacle after the cover portion is attached. As shown in FIG. 20, the strap 40 accommodated in the accommodation chamber 42 is guided by the tapered surface 42 a and gently bends, so that buckling of the strap 40 in the accommodation chamber 42 can also be prevented.

  When the male base 10 and the female base 20 are separated, the cover part 3 is detached from the storage part 24 of the joint part 2 in the reverse order to the above procedure, and the cover part 3 is retracted from the joint part 2. In this state, the male base 10 is pulled out from the joint portion 2. At this time, the claw portion 40b engages with the peripheral edge portion of the receiving hole 41, so that the strap 40 is prevented from coming off from the receiving hole 41, and the cover portion 3 and the joint portion 2 are kept connected.

  Thus, in the pipe connection structure of the present embodiment, the pipes 112A and 112B and the piping are connected by attaching the cover part 3 to the joint part 2 after inserting the end parts of the introduction pipes 112A and 112B into the joint part 2. It is possible to detect whether 131A and 131B are completely connected. For this reason, the introduction pipes 112A and 112B and the pipes 131A and 131B can be reliably connected through the process of attaching the cover part 3.

  The cover part 3 and the joint part 2 are connected by a connecting part 4, and the connecting part 4 allows the movement of the cover part 3 to be attached to and detached from the joint part 2, so that the cover part 3 and the joint part 2 are connected. The cover part 3 can be attached and detached without separation. Thereby, since the cover part 3 is always arrange | positioned near the joint part 2, the cover part 3 enters into an operator's visual field reliably, and the forgetting installation of the cover part 3 is prevented. Furthermore, since the direction of the joint part 2 with respect to the cover part 3 is regulated by the connecting part 4, it is possible to prevent the cover part 3 from being mounted in an incorrect direction. Therefore, it can be detected more reliably whether or not the introduction pipes 112A and 112B and the pipes 131A and 131B are completely connected.

<Modification>
Subsequently, a modification of the cover unit 3 will be described. The cover part 30 shown in FIG. 21 is obtained by extending a strap laterally from the peripheral wall part in consideration of formability and the like. In the left front portion of the peripheral wall portion 30a of the cover portion 30, a relief portion 30b that is recessed as compared with the peripheral wall portion 3a in plan view is formed. A support portion 51 that protrudes outward from the peripheral wall portion 3a and a strap 50 that extends leftward from the support portion 51 are provided at the lower portion of the escape portion 30b. A restriction hole 51 a is formed in the support portion 51. The regulation hole 51a penetrates the support portion 51 along the vertical direction, and has a slit shape along the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the strap 50 protruding to the left is bent upward, passed through the restriction hole 51a from above, and pulled out downward. Thereby, the strap 50 molded so as to extend to the left is used in a state of extending downward similarly to the strap 40. Hereinafter, a state in which the strap 50 extends to the left side is referred to as a “molded state”, and a state in which the strap 50 extends downward through the restriction hole 51a is referred to as a “use state”.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the strap 50 includes a main body portion 52 that extends downward through the restriction hole 51 a, a bent portion 53 that is connected to the base portion of the main body portion 52 and is connected to the support portion, And a knob portion 54 connected to the distal end side of the main body portion 52. The main body 52 has a belt shape like the strap 40. Similar to the strap 40, the main body 52 is provided with a claw portion 40b and a raised portion 40a. In the molded state, the claw portion 40 b is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion 52, and the raised portion 40 a is provided on the upper surface of the main body portion 52. A claw portion 52 a is formed on the base end side of the lower surface of the main body portion 52. The nail | claw part 52a is located between the two protruding parts 40a similarly to the nail | claw part 40b. The protrusion height of the claw portion 52 a with respect to the lower surface of the main body portion 52 becomes smaller toward the distal end side of the main body portion 52.

  The bent portion 53 does not have a reinforcing raised portion, and has a uniform thin-walled band shape. The knob portion 54 is connected to the main body portion 52 and extends to the distal end side, and has a tongue-like shape with a rounded distal end. The width of the knob portion 54 is smaller than the width of the main body portion 52, and an oblique chamfer is applied to the step portion between the knob portion 54 and the main body portion 52. An uneven pattern 54 a for preventing slipping is formed on the surface of the knob portion 54. The concavo-convex pattern 54a can be configured by a rib-shaped convex portion, a groove-shaped concave portion, a lattice-shaped convex portion, a lattice-shaped concave portion, a semicircular convex portion, a semicircular concave portion, or the like.

  When the molded strap 50 is to be used, the strap 50 is bent upward, the knob portion 54 is inserted into the restriction hole 51a, the knob portion 54 is gripped below the support portion 51, and the main body portion 52 is pulled out downward. . When the main body 52 is completely pulled out, the claw 52a passes through the restriction hole 51a and engages with the peripheral edge of the restriction hole 51a. As a result, the strap 50 is held in use. Since the tip of the knob 54 is rounded and the width of the knob 54 is smaller than the width of the main body 52, the knob smoothly passes through the restriction hole 51a. Since the step portion between the knob portion 54 and the main body portion 52 is obliquely chamfered, the distal end portion of the main body portion 52 smoothly passes through the restriction hole 51a. Since the bent portion 53 does not have a reinforcing raised portion, the bent portion 53 bends flexibly as the main body portion 52 is pulled out. For this reason, the main-body part 52 can be easily pulled out from the control hole 51a. For these reasons, the molded strap 50 can be easily put into use.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not necessarily limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, the strap may be provided on the joint part side and extend to the cover part side. In this case, the receiving hole and the accommodation chamber are formed in the cover portion.

  The connecting portion between the joint portion and the cover portion may be anything as long as it connects the cover portion and the joint portion while allowing the movement of the cover portion attached to and detached from the joint portion. As an example, a wire or a chain connected to both the joint part and the cover part can be cited.

  The water supply apparatus to which the above-described pipe connection structure is applied is not limited to the above-described water faucet apparatus, and the above-described pipe connection structure can be applied to various other water supply apparatuses. Examples of other water supply devices include a faucet device for a bathroom, a watering device for a garden, a shower toilet, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pipe connector, 2 ... Joint part, 3, 30 ... Cover part, 3e, 3f ... Convex part for connection confirmation, 4 ... Connection part, 40, 50 ... Strap, 40a ... Raised part, 40b ... Claw part, 41 ... receiving hole, 42 ... accommodating chamber, 100 ... faucet device (water supply device), 112A, 112B ... introduction pipe (second pipe), 131A, 131B ... pipe (first pipe).

Claims (9)

A connection structure of two pipes,
A joint attached to the end of the first tube and receiving and holding the end of the second tube;
A cover part attached to and detached from the joint part;
Provided in the cover part, entering the joint part with the attachment of the cover part to the joint part, and when the connection of the two pipes is incomplete, A convex portion for confirming connection that hits the second tube;
A pipe connection structure comprising: a connecting portion that connects the cover portion and the joint portion while allowing movement of the cover portion that is attached to and detached from the joint portion. The cover portion is attached to the joint portion from the second pipe side,
The connecting portion includes a strap provided on one of the cover portion and the joint portion and extending to the other side, and a receiving hole for receiving the strap on the other of the cover portion and the joint portion, and the receiving hole The pipe connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the cover portion is permitted by the entry and exit of the strap with respect to the housing.   The pipe connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the other of the cover part and the joint part has a storage chamber for the strap inserted through the receiving hole.   4. The pipe connection structure according to claim 2, wherein a claw portion that engages with a peripheral edge portion of the receiving hole in a state of being inserted into the receiving hole is provided at a distal end portion of the strap. The strap has a band shape,
Two ridges along both edges in the width direction are provided on one surface of the strap,
The pipe connection structure according to claim 4, wherein the claw portion is provided on the other surface of the strap and located between the two raised portions.   The pipe connection structure according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a protruding height of the claw portion with respect to the strap becomes smaller toward a tip side of the strap.   It is a pipe connection tool for making the pipe connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Comprising: The pipe connection tool provided with the joint part, the cover part, the convex part, and the connection part. .   The cover member used as the said cover part of the pipe connection structure as described in any one of Claims 1-6.   An apparatus for water supply comprising the pipe connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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