JP2016109209A - Pipe joint and shower hose connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shower hose connection structure capable of improving in slip-off resistant strength of a flexible pipe to a nipple by sheet metal working and adjusting a flow rate of the nipple simultaneously.SOLUTION: A clearance is formed between a positioned flexible pipe 1 and a small-diameter portion 2a of a nipple 2 by inserting the flexible pipe 1 to a space (an insertion space S) between the nipple 2 formed into the cylindrical shape by sheet metal working and a caulk pipe 3. By a diameter-reduction/deformation of the caulk pipe 3 toward the flexible pipe 1 in this state, a material 1m of the flexible pipe 1 flowing in accompany with the diameter-reduction/deformation flows into an engagement recessed portion 2c. Simultaneously the material 1m of the flexible pipe 1 flowing into the engagement recessed portion 2c is engaged with a locking step portion 2d in a slip-off direction U of the flexible pipe 1, thus slip-off movement of the flexible pipe 1 is inhibited. As a flow channel throttle portion 2h projecting toward a flow channel space W is formed inside of the small-diameter portion 2a by sheet metal working, an area of the fluid passing through the flow channel space W of the nipple 2 is reduced at the flow channel throttle portion 2h.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe joint used for connecting a flexible pipe such as a hose or a tube to a nipple by tightening a caulking pipe, and a shower hose as a flexible pipe by the pipe joint, and a water discharge device such as a shower head. In addition, the present invention relates to a shower hose connection structure used for connecting to a water supply fitting such as a hot-water mixing tap or a water tap.

Conventionally, this type of pipe joint and shower hose connection structure uses an insert pipe that is relatively thin and has a smooth outer peripheral surface as a nipple that contacts the inner surface of the flexible pipe (for example, Patent Document 1). And a nipple that is relatively thick and has a bamboo shoot-like portion integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
The one described in Patent Document 1 is integrated by inserting and inserting the insert pipe inside the inner cylinder part, and a step is formed by disposing the end of the inner cylinder part at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the insert pipe, In a state where a hose is fitted between the inner cylinder part and the insert pipe and the outer cylinder part, the axially intermediate part of the outer cylinder part facing the step is caulked to partially reduce the diameter. .
Further, in the device described in Patent Document 2, a hose is inserted into a presser tube, a bamboo child-like portion of a nipple is inserted into the inner periphery of the hose, and the presser tube is forcibly moved to the outer periphery of the hose. By doing so, the presser cylinder is inserted into the bamboo child-like portion of the nipple with the hose interposed therebetween.

JP 2003-120877 A JP 2005-351474 A

However, the pipe joint using the insert pipe having a smooth outer peripheral surface described in Patent Document 1 is more flexible than the pipe joint using the nipple having the outer peripheral surface described in Patent Document 2. The frictional resistance against the surface is reduced.
The reason is that an insert pipe with a smooth outer peripheral surface is formed by sheet metal processing by a press machine, etc., and an outer peripheral surface is formed by cutting a bamboo nipple-like nipple. This is because it is unsuitable to perform uneven processing that requires a wall thickness such as a bamboo shoot shape on the outer peripheral surface of the insert pipe that comes into contact with the pipe.
As a result, the smooth insert pipe tends to be inferior in the pull-out strength of the flexible tube. In particular, when the flexible tube rises in temperature and softens due to the passage of hot water, there is a risk that the tube will come off.
In addition, pipe fittings using nipples made by cutting require more labor to cut the nipples and take longer than pipe fittings using insert pipes made by sheet metal processing, making mass supply difficult and costly. become.
By the way, a flexible tube such as a shower hose has a shorter product life than a water supply fitting with long-term use, and the flexible tube may be replaced because it tends to cause appearance deterioration or damage due to mold or the like.
However, when the part is replaced with the pipe joint using the thin insert pipe described in Patent Document 1 from the pipe joint using the thick nipple described in Patent Document 2, the flow path of the thick nipple Since the passage area of the insert pipe with a smaller wall thickness is larger than the area, the pressure of the passing hot water decreases and the momentum of the hot water discharged from the shower head weakens, and the instantaneous discharge amount of hot water increases. Can't save water.
Such a problem can be solved by adjusting the water pressure of a water supply system such as a water supply fitting, a stop cock, a water heater, or a main plug, but the adjustment work is difficult for an amateur who does not have expertise.
As another simple solution, it is conceivable to increase the water pressure by narrowing the flow path area by incorporating a separate flow rate adjusting member into a flexible tube such as a shower hose for exchanging components.
However, in this case, the work of adding another part is troublesome and increases the cost.

  An object of the present invention is to cope with such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to achieve, at the same time, improvement of the pull-out strength of the flexible tube with respect to the nipple and adjustment of the flow rate of the nipple in sheet metal processing. It is.

  In order to achieve such an object, a pipe joint according to the present invention is a pipe joint in which a flexible pipe is inserted between a nipple and a caulking pipe, and the flexible pipe is connected to the nipple by a diameter reduction deformation of the caulking pipe. The nipple formed into a cylindrical shape by sheet metal processing, and the caulking pipe provided on the outside of the nipple so as to face the radial direction across the insertion space of the flexible tube, A narrow-diameter portion smaller than the inner diameter of the flexible tube, an engagement recess formed on the outside of the narrow-diameter portion so as to face the reduced diameter deformation portion of the caulking pipe, and the engagement recess And a retaining step portion formed so as to protrude adjacent to the direction in which the flexible tube is removed, and a flow passage restricting portion formed so as to protrude toward the flow passage space inside the small diameter portion. It is characterized by having.

The pipe joint according to the present invention having the above-described features includes a flexible pipe and a nipple that are positioned by inserting a flexible pipe between an nipple and a caulking pipe (insertion space) formed into a cylindrical shape by sheet metal processing. A gap is formed between the small-diameter portion. In this state, the caulking pipe is reduced in diameter and deformed toward the flexible tube, so that the material of the flexible tube that has flowed along with the diameter reduction flows into the engagement recess. At the same time, the material of the flexible tube that has flowed into the engagement recess engages with the retaining stepped portion in the direction in which the flexible tube is removed, and the flexible tube is prevented from coming off. Since the flow path restricting portion that protrudes toward the flow path space is formed inside the narrow diameter portion by sheet metal processing, the area of the fluid that passes through the flow path space of the nipple is reduced in the flow path restricting portion.
Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously improve the pull-out strength of the flexible tube with respect to the nipple and adjust the flow rate of the nipple by sheet metal processing.
As a result, even if the flexible tube rises in temperature and softens due to the passage of high-temperature fluid (hot water), the flexible tube does not come out and is safer than the conventional one using an insert pipe with a smooth outer peripheral surface. Excellent in properties. In particular, even when a flexible tube made of a material whose inner surface is slippery is connected, the flexible tube can be prevented from coming off.
Furthermore, even if parts are replaced from a pipe joint using a thick nipple, the pressure of the fluid (hot water) that passes through the flexible pipe 1 does not decrease, and the fluid (hot water) that passes through the flexible tube 1 is discharged. The momentum does not weaken, and the instantaneous discharge of hot water does not increase, saving water. Further, since the nipple is formed into a cylindrical shape by sheet metal processing, mass supply is easy and cost reduction can be achieved.

It is explanatory drawing of the state connected to the water discharging appliance which shows the whole structure of the pipe joint and shower hose connection structure which concern on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a longitudinal front view after diameter reduction, (b) is before diameter reduction. It is the vertical front view which decomposed | disassembled. It is a perspective view which shows the pipe joint after diameter reduction. It is explanatory drawing of the pipe joint which shows the modification of a nipple, (a) is a longitudinal front view after diameter reduction, (b) is the exploded longitudinal front view before diameter reduction. It is explanatory drawing of the state connected to the water supply metal fitting, (a) is a longitudinal front view after diameter reduction, (b) is the exploded longitudinal front view before diameter reduction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the state connected to the water supply metal fitting, (a) is a longitudinal front view after diameter reduction, (b) is the exploded longitudinal front view before diameter reduction.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in the pipe joint A according to the embodiment of the present invention, the flexible pipe 1 is inserted between the nipple 2 and the caulking pipe 3, and the caulking pipe 3 is reduced in diameter toward the flexible pipe 1. By doing so, the flexible tube 1 is connected to the nipple 2 and the caulking pipe 3 to integrate these three components.
More specifically, the pipe joint A according to the embodiment of the present invention is diametrically opposed with the nipple 2 formed in a cylindrical shape by sheet metal processing and the insertion space S of the flexible pipe 1 outside the nipple 2. The caulking pipe 3 provided as described above is provided as a main component.
The insertion direction N of the flexible tube 1 with respect to the insertion space S is hereinafter referred to as “tube insertion direction N”, and the removal direction U of the flexible tube 1 opposite to the tube insertion direction N is hereinafter referred to as “tube removal direction U”. That's it.

The flexible tube 1 is, for example, a flexible hose or tube formed of a deformable soft material such as soft synthetic resin or rubber, and the distal end surface 1a and the connecting end 1b at one or both ends thereof are inserted. It is inserted into the space S. Further, as the flexible tube 1, it is preferable to use at least the inner surface 1c and the outer surface 1d of the connection end portion 1b, or the inner surface 1c and the outer surface 1d of the entire tube being smooth.
As a specific example of the flexible tube 1, in the case shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b) to 5 (a), (b), an inner layer portion 1e and an outer layer formed into a cylindrical shape with a transparent or opaque material. A plurality of or single reinforcing wire 1g is spirally or net-wrapped between the portions 1f so that a reinforcing layer is embedded inside the flexible tube 1 and has excellent shape retention and pressure resistance. Is used. As the reinforcing wire 1g, a multifilament obtained by twisting a plurality of thin synthetic resin fibers, a monofilament (monofilament) made of a single synthetic resin fiber, a flat yarn made of a tape-like synthetic resin fiber ( Or tape yarn).
Although not shown in the drawings as another example, an adhesive layer is provided between the inner layer portion 1e, the outer layer portion 1f, and the reinforcing wire 1g, or is adjusted to the fluid passing through the flexible tube 1 inside the inner layer portion 1e as necessary. An innermost layer portion made of a material, an outermost layer made of a protective material on the outer side of the outer layer portion 1f, a reinforcing resin such as a synthetic resin or metal cross-sectional rectangle and a circular cross-section as an intermediate layer Reinforcement wires such as glass fiber and flame retardant fiber are braided, reinforcement wires made of metal or hard synthetic resin are embedded in a spiral, or a single layer structure It is also possible to use a tube made of soft synthetic resin.

The nipple 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by subjecting a rigid material such as stainless steel or aluminum to sheet metal processing. Sheet metal processing refers to plastic processing in which a sheet metal is deformed and pressed into a desired three-dimensional shape by inserting and pressing a thin sheet metal between molds such as a press machine. The nipple 2 that has been subjected to sheet metal processing has a strength that is not restored and deformed by a diameter-reducing deformation process of a caulking pipe 3 to be described later and a repulsive force from the flexible tube 1 associated therewith.
More specifically, the nipple 2 has a narrow diameter portion 2a formed to be smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the flexible tube 1, and a crimping pipe 3 which will be described later by being bent deeper in the tube insertion direction N than the small diameter portion 2a. A stop portion 2b that engages with the abutment portion 3a in the tube insertion direction N, and an engagement recess portion 2c that is formed on the outside of the small diameter portion 2a so as to face the reduced diameter deformation portion 3b of the caulking pipe 3 in the radial direction. The retaining recess 2c and a retaining step 2d that protrudes so as to be adjacent to each other in the tube withdrawal direction U are included as main components.

The small-diameter portion 2a is formed by partially reducing the diameter of a diametrically deformed portion 3b of the caulking pipe 3 described later on the outer circumferential surface of the nipple 2 by sheet metal processing. 2 is formed in an annular shape having a predetermined width in the axial direction.
On the outside of the small diameter portion 2a, there is an engagement recess 2c that is formed in a reduced diameter in the radial direction so as to be opposed to the inner surface 1c of the flexible tube 1 inserted into the insertion space S across the gap in the radial direction. In the engaging recess 2c, a stopper step 2d that is formed to expand in the radial direction is formed at the end in the tube disconnecting direction U, respectively.
The engaging recess 2c is configured such that the material 1m of the flexible tube 1 that flows along with the deformation of the caulking pipe 3 to be described later enters the engaging recess 2c.
The retaining step 2d is configured such that the material 1m of the flexible tube 1 that has flowed into the engaging recess 2c due to the diameter reduction deformation of the caulking pipe 3, which will be described later, abuts in the tube withdrawal direction U and engages with each other. Yes.

Further, the nipple 2 includes an annular convex portion 2e formed to project in the tube withdrawal direction U from the retaining step portion 2d, and a cylindrical portion 2f having a smaller diameter than the annular convex portion 2e and substantially the same as the inner diameter of the flexible tube 1. And a tapered guide portion 2g formed at the other end in the axial direction (the end in the tube pull-out direction U) of the nipple 2 and protrudes toward the flow path space W inside the nipple 2 inside the narrow diameter portion 2a. And a channel restricting portion 2h.
The annular convex portion 2e is partially expanded in diameter by sheet metal processing at a portion opposed to the reduced diameter deformation portion 3b of the caulking pipe 3 to be described later in the tube removal direction U rather than the retaining step portion 2d. The flexible tube 1 is formed so as to be slightly larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the flexible tube 1 and narrower than the width of the narrow diameter portion 2a.
The cylindrical portion 2f is disposed at a portion radially facing a reduced diameter deforming portion 3b of the caulking pipe 3 (to be described later) in the tube removal direction U with respect to the annular convex portion 2e, and is possible when the flexible tube 1 is inserted into the insertion space S. The inner surface 1c of the flexible tube 1 is smoothly slidably in contact with the inner surface 1c of the flexible tube 1, and the inner surface 1c of the flexible tube 1 is formed so as to come into close contact with the inner surface 1c of the flexible tube 1 when the caulking pipe 3 is deformed.
The tapered guide portion 2g is formed so as to be gradually reduced in diameter in the tube removal direction U in order to facilitate the insertion of the connection end portion 1b of the flexible tube 1 into the insertion space S.
The flow path restricting portion 2h is formed in an annular shape with a predetermined width on the inner side surface of the small diameter portion 2a by partially reducing the diameter of the nipple 2 in the axial direction by sheet metal processing.

The caulking pipe 3 is compressed and deformed by radial pressing by a caulking machine (not shown), but is not deformed and deformed by a repulsive force from the flexible tube 1. For example, the caulking pipe 3 can be deformed more than a nipple 2 such as stainless steel or aluminum. The rigid material is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube 1.
Furthermore, the caulking pipe 3 is assembled to the outside of the nipple 2 so as to face the double cylinder in the radial direction with the insertion space S of the flexible tube 1 interposed therebetween.
In the caulking pipe 3, an abutting portion 3 a facing the distal end surface 1 a of the flexible tube 1 is bent toward the nipple 2 at one end in the axial direction (the distal end in the tube insertion direction N). At the intermediate position in the axial direction of the caulking pipe 3, a reduced diameter deforming portion 3b by a caulking machine is disposed.
As a caulking machine, a driving caulking machine that moves a plurality of caulking dies arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the caulking pipe 3 toward the caulking pipe 3 by a driving source such as a hydraulic device, or a manual type caulking machine A caulking machine is used.
As the shape of the reduced diameter deforming part 3b by the caulking machine, “clamping in eight directions” caulking into a substantially regular octagonal cross section with eight caulking dies, or “clamping in plural places in the axial direction so as to tighten cylindrical scissors” It is possible to tighten the entire circumference of the caulking pipe 3 uniformly.

As a specific example of the caulking pipe 3, in the case shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 4A, 5B, and 5A, 5B, the caulking pipe 3 has an axial end. The nipple 2 and the caulking pipe 3 are integrally assembled by opening a through-hole 3c through which the small-diameter portion 2a of the nipple 2 is inserted inside the contact portion 3a that is bent toward the nipple 2. .
The other end of the caulking pipe 3 in the axial direction (the end in the tube pull-out direction U) is formed to be longer than the length up to the guide portion 2g of the nipple 2 in a state of being assembled integrally with the nipple 2. In order to facilitate the insertion of the connecting end 1b of the flexible tube 1 into the insertion space S at a portion of the caulking pipe 3 that protrudes in the tube removal direction U from the guide portion 2g of the nipple 2, a caulking pipe 3 described later is provided. The tapered guide portion 3d is formed so as to gradually increase in diameter toward the other end in the tube withdrawal direction U before the diameter reduction deformation processing.
In the caulking pipe 3, the narrow-diameter portion 2a of the nipple 2, the engaging concave portion 2c, the retaining step portion 2d, the annular convex portion 2e, the cylindrical portion 2f, and the guide portion 2g are radially tightened.
As another example, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), a through hole 3c is opened inside an abutting portion 3a bent toward the nipple 2 at one end in the axial direction of the caulking pipe 3. Instead, the cylindrical bent portion 3e is integrally formed so as to extend in the tube withdrawal direction U along the small diameter portion 2a of the nipple 2, and the inner side surface of the cylindrical bent portion 3e is formed as the small diameter portion of the nipple 2. It is also possible to assemble the nipple 2 and the caulking pipe 3 integrally by joining to 2a.
In this case, the inner surface 1c of the flexible tube 1 inserted into the insertion space S is opposed to the outer surface of the cylindrical bent portion 3e disposed on the outer side of the small-diameter portion 2a with a gap therebetween. The engaging recess 2c is formed.
In addition, the shape of the caulking pipe 3 can be changed to a shape other than the illustrated example.

According to such a pipe joint A according to the embodiment of the present invention, the flexible tube 1 is inserted between the nipple 2 and the caulking pipe 3 (insertion space S) formed into a cylindrical shape by sheet metal processing. As a result, the distal end surface 1a of the flexible tube 1 abuts against the contact portion 3a of the caulking pipe 3, and the caulking pipe 3 and the connecting end portion 1b of the flexible tube 1 are positioned at predetermined positions by the stopper 2b of the nipple 2. At the same time, a gap is formed between the positioned inner surface 1 c of the flexible tube 1 and the small diameter portion 2 a of the nipple 2.
In this state, the caulking pipe 3 is deformed to a reduced diameter (caulking process) with the caulking machine toward the outer surface 1d of the flexible tube 1.
Thereby, the material 1m of the flexible tube 1 that has flowed as the caulking pipe 3 is reduced in diameter flows into the engagement recess 2c. At the same time, the material 1m of the flexible tube 1 that has flowed into the engagement recess 2c engages with the retaining step 2d and the flexible tube 1 in the removal direction (tube removal direction) U, so that the flexible tube 1 Is prevented from moving out.
Furthermore, since the nipple 2 is processed by sheet metal processing, a flow passage restricting portion 2h that protrudes toward the flow passage space W is formed inside the narrow diameter portion 2a, so that the fluid passing through the flow passage space W of the nipple 2 can be reduced. The area decreases at the flow path restricting portion 2h.
Accordingly, it is possible to simultaneously improve the pull-out strength of the flexible tube 1 with respect to the nipple 2 and adjust the flow rate of the nipple 2 by sheet metal processing.
As a result, even if the flexible tube 1 rises in temperature and softens due to the passage of a high-temperature fluid (hot water), the flexible tube 1 cannot be removed and is excellent in safety. In particular, even when the flexible tube 1 made of a material with a slippery inner surface 1c is connected, the flexible tube 1 can be prevented from coming off.
Furthermore, even if parts are replaced from a pipe joint using a thick nipple, the pressure of the fluid (hot water) that passes through the flexible pipe 1 does not decrease, and the fluid (hot water) that passes through the flexible tube 1 is discharged. The momentum does not weaken, and the instantaneous discharge of hot water does not increase, saving water. Further, since the nipple 2 is formed into a cylindrical shape by sheet metal processing, mass supply is easy and cost reduction can be achieved.
In addition, since the caulking pipe 3 and the flexible tube 1 are positioned at predetermined positions by the stopper 2b of the nipple 2, the caulking processing of the caulking pipe 3 can be uniformly connected regardless of the operator's experience. .

Further, an annular convex portion 2e formed so that the nipple 2 protrudes in a radial direction opposite to the reduced diameter deforming portion 3b of the caulking pipe 3 in the withdrawal direction U of the flexible tube 1 rather than the retaining step portion 2d, and an annular convex portion It is preferable to have a cylindrical portion 2f having a smaller diameter than 2e and substantially the same as the inner diameter of the flexible tube 1.
In this case, when the flexible tube 1 is inserted into the insertion space S, first, the contact resistance between the cylindrical portion 2f of the nipple 2 and the inner surface 1c of the flexible tube 1 is small, and the annular convex portion 2e is smoothly overcome. By deforming the caulking pipe 3 toward the flexible tube 1, the annular convex portion 2 e bites into and comes into close contact with the inner surface 1 c of the flexible tube 1.
Therefore, both the smooth insertion of the flexible tube 1 into the insertion space S and the reliable sealing by the annular convex portion 2e can be realized.
As a result, the flexible tube 1 can be quickly inserted into the insertion space S and the workability is excellent, and at the same time, fluid leakage from the joint surface between the flexible tube 1 and the nipple 2 can be prevented.

And the shower hose connection structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention is through the shower hose 1H from which the pipe joint A mentioned above and the pipe joint A become the flexible tube 1 as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. Or a water supply device B such as a shower head, or a water supply fitting C such as a hot water mixing tap or a water tap.
One pipe joint A is prepared, and this is attached to only one of the water discharge device B or the water supply fitting C or two pipe joints A are prepared, which will be described later. The connecting cylinder 11 is attached to both the water discharge device B and the water supply fitting C, respectively.

The connecting cylinder 11 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a rigid material such as metal or hard synthetic resin, and has an inner diameter on one end side in the axial direction of the crimping pipe 3 which is the outer diameter of the pipe joint A. The outer diameter portion is set to be slightly larger than the removed outer diameter portion, and the inner diameter on the other end side is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe joint A (the outer diameter portion excluding the reduced diameter deformation portion 3b in the caulking pipe 3). .
In other words, the connecting cylinder 11 has an attachment hole 11a into which the pipe joint A is inserted in a loose fit, and at least one of the nipple 2 and the caulking pipe 3 is engaged in the removal direction (tube removal direction) U of the flexible tube 1. There are engaging stepped portions 11b and 11b 'and a connecting portion 11c that is detachably joined to a water discharge device B such as a shower head or a water supply fitting C such as a hot and cold water mixing tap.

According to the shower hose connection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, the shower hose 1H coupled to the pipe joint A is connected to the water discharge device B or the water supply fitting C.
Therefore, the shower hose 1H cannot be removed from the water discharge device B or the water supply fitting C and can be connected at low cost.

Next, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in Example 1, a pipe joint A to which one connection end 1 b of a shower hose 1 </ b> H to be a flexible pipe 1 is connected is connected to a shower by a connection cylinder 11 (11 </ b> B). This is a shower hose connection structure connected to a water discharge device B such as a head.
The connecting cylinder 11 (11B) used for the water discharger B is a caulking pipe 3 at the other end in the axial direction (the end in the pipe pull-out direction U) in the mounting hole 11a opened on the inner peripheral surface of the connecting cylinder 11. An annular locking step portion 11b that is axially opposed to the distal end edge 3f is formed, and the end edge 3f of the caulking pipe 3 is abutted against the locking step portion 11b, so that the entire pipe joint A is a flexible tube 1. It is locked so that it cannot be pulled out in the direction of pulling out (in the direction of pipe pulling out) U and is rotatable.
On the inner peripheral surface on one end side of the mounting hole 11a, a screw portion that is screwed with the screw portion B1 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the water discharging device B is provided as a connection portion 11c.

In the nipple 2, an accommodation portion 2 i that is opposed to the attachment hole 11 a of the connecting cylinder 11 (11 </ b> B) in the radial direction is formed at one end in the axial direction (the tip in the tube insertion direction N), and the accommodation portion 2 i and the attachment hole 11 a A sealing material 12 is interposed between the two.
Thereby, the accommodating part 2i of the nipple 2 and one connecting end part 1b of the shower hose 1H connected thereto are rotatably connected to the mounting hole 11a of the connecting cylinder 11 (11B) via the sealing material 12. Yes.
In the example shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the accommodating portion 2 i is integrally bent so as to be continuous with the stopper portion 2 b that is bent at the back side in the tube insertion direction N with respect to the small diameter portion 2 a, and the sealing material U packing 12 a is used as 12.
Although not shown as another example, it is also possible to change the shape of the accommodating portion 2 i, or to use a packing having a shape different from the U packing 12 a as the sealing material 12.

According to the shower hose connection structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the connection end 1b of the shower hose 1H connected to the pipe joint A is securely connected to the water discharge device B such as a shower head. .
Therefore, there is an advantage that the shower hose 1H cannot be removed from the water discharge device B such as a shower head and can be connected at low cost.

In Example 2, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pipe joint A to which the other connection end 1 b of the shower hose 1 </ b> H to be the flexible pipe 1 is connected is connected to hot water by a connection cylinder 11 (11 </ b> C). The configuration connected to a water supply fitting C such as a mixing tap or a water tap is different from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. It is.
The connecting cylinder 11 (11C) used for the water supply fitting C has the other end in the axial direction (the end in the pipe pull-out direction U) or one end (at the mounting hole 11a provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connecting cylinder 11). At the tip end in the tube insertion direction N), annular locking step portions 11b and 11b ′ that are axially opposed to the end edge 3f of the caulking pipe 3 or the tip edge 2j of the nipple 2 are formed. By abutting the end edge 3f of the caulking pipe 3 or the tip edge 2j of the nipple 2 against 11b ', the entire pipe joint A is locked so as not to be removed in the direction U of the flexible tube 1 (the direction of tube removal). ing.
On the inner peripheral surface on one end side of the mounting hole 11a, a screw portion that is screwed with the screw portion C1 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the water supply fitting C is provided as a connection portion 11c.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, an annular locking step portion 11 b that faces the end edge 3 f of the caulking pipe 3 in the axial direction is formed at the other end portion in the axial direction (the end portion in the tube removal direction U) in the mounting hole 11 a. Then, the end edge 3f of the caulking pipe 3 is abutted against the locking step portion 11b.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, an annular locking step portion 11 b ′ that faces the tip edge 2 j of the nipple 2 in the axial direction is formed at one end portion in the axial direction (tip portion in the tube insertion direction N) in the mounting hole 11 a. The leading edge 2j of the nipple 2 is abutted against the locking step portion 11b '. The tip edge 2j of the nipple 2 is integrally bent so as to be continuous with the stopper 2b that is bent to the back side in the tube insertion direction N with respect to the small diameter portion 2a.

Furthermore, a sealing material 12 is interposed between one end surface in the axial direction (tip surface in the tube insertion direction N) and the connection end surface C2 of the water supply fitting C in the nipple 2.
Thereby, the one end surface of the nipple 2 in the axial direction and the other connecting end 1b of the shower hose 1H connected to the nipple 2 are connected to the mounting hole 11a of the connecting cylinder 11 (11C) via the sealing material 12.
In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the one end surface in the axial direction of the nipple 2 is the distal end surface of the stopper portion 2 b that is bent to the back side in the tube insertion direction N with respect to the small diameter portion 2 a. A flat packing 12b is used.
Although not shown in the drawings as another example, a separate member is provided on the tip end surface of the stopper 2b as an axial end surface of the nipple 2, or a packing having a shape different from that of the flat packing 12b is used as the sealing material 12. Is also possible.

According to the shower hose connection structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the connection end 1b of the shower hose 1H connected to the pipe joint A is securely connected to the water fitting C such as a hot water mixing tap or a water tap. Connected to.
Therefore, there is an advantage that the shower hose 1H cannot be removed from the water supply fitting C such as a hot water mixing tap or a water supply tap and can be connected at low cost.

  In the embodiment shown above, a shower hose connection structure in which a shower hose is connected as a flexible pipe 1 by a pipe joint A to a water discharge device B such as a shower head, or a water supply fitting C such as a hot-water mixing tap or a water tap. Although demonstrated, it is not limited to this, You may use the pipe joint A for things other than the shower hose connection structure.

A Pipe joint 1 Flexible pipe 1a Tip surface 1H Shower hose 2 Nipple 2a Thin diameter part 2b Stopping part 2c Engaging recess 2d Retaining step 2e Annular convex part 2f Cylindrical part 2h Channel restricting part 3 Caulking pipe 3a Contact part B Water discharge device AC Water supply fitting N Flexible tube insertion direction (tube insertion direction) S Flexible tube insertion space U Flexible tube removal direction (tube removal direction) W Channel space

Claims (3)

A flexible pipe is inserted between the nipple and the caulking pipe, and the flexible pipe is connected to the nipple by a diameter-reducing deformation of the caulking pipe;
The nipple formed into a cylindrical shape by sheet metal processing;
The caulking pipe provided on the outside of the nipple so as to face the radial direction across the insertion space of the flexible tube, and
The nipple includes a narrow-diameter portion smaller than the inner diameter of the flexible tube, an engagement recess formed on the outer side of the narrow-diameter portion so as to be opposed to a reduced-diameter deformed portion of the caulking pipe, and A retaining step portion that is formed to protrude so as to be adjacent to the engaging recess and the direction in which the flexible tube is removed, and a flow passage restricting portion that is formed to protrude toward the flow passage space inside the small diameter portion. And a pipe joint characterized by comprising:   The nipple is smaller in diameter than the annular protrusion, and an annular protrusion formed to protrude in a radial direction opposite to the reduced diameter deformation portion of the caulking pipe in the removal direction of the flexible tube than the retaining stepped portion. The tubular joint according to claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical portion substantially the same as the inner diameter of the flexible tube.   A shower hose connection structure comprising: the pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2; and a water discharge device or a water supply fitting to which the pipe joint is connected via a shower hose serving as the flexible pipe.

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