JP2627485B2 - Flexible fittings - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pipe joint for supplying pressure fluid, and more particularly to a flexible pipe joint.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, flexible pipe joints have been widely used for water supply pipes for tap water or the like because of their ability to absorb displacement and to have a high degree of freedom in the pipe direction. Conventionally, flexible joints are formed by inserting an end straight pipe portion of a flexible pipe into the inner diameter side of a connection fitting and using an O-ring, a tube expander method, or the like because the processing method is simple. In this case, the joining is performed by swelling or the like from the inner surface of the flexible pipe. If the connecting fitting has a straight cylindrical shape, the joining can be performed without any trouble. However, if the connecting fitting has an elbow shape, the joining becomes difficult. 3 and 4 have been proposed as flexible pipe joints that can cope with recent elbow-shaped connection fittings. This pipe joint is applied to a flexible pipe (bellows pipe) 12 in which folds (corrugations) are continuously formed. An O-ring attached to the outer periphery of the connection fitting corresponding to the overlapped portion, in which the blade 30 is covered, a connection fitting is inserted into one end side of the flexible pipe, and a ring-shaped metal fitting is provided at the overlapped portion of the flexible pipe and the blade. It has a structure in which a metal fitting is pressed and fixed from the outside so that the flexible tube and the flexible tube are in close contact with each other.

[0003]

According to this conventional flexible pipe joint, the overlapping portion of the flexible pipe and the blade is further caulked and fixed with a metal fitting from the outer surface side, so that the flexible pipe and the blade for the connection fitting are fixed. Therefore, it is not possible to remove the slack of the blade by applying sufficient ironing to the blade to be sheathed on the flexible tube, and if the pressure is applied inside the fitting at the time of use, the flexible tube is If the flexible tube is stretched (unless pressure is applied to the inside of the flexible tube and the pressure is applied to the inside, the folds expand and return to a cylinder), causing abnormal deformation, and causing a breakage accident due to unstable movement. In addition, regarding the connection between the flexible pipe and the connection fitting, a metal fitting whose diameter is slightly increased from the flexible pipe side to the other end is provided on the blade at the overlapping portion of the flexible pipe and the blade provided on the connection fitting. It is difficult to fix the flexible pipe and the blade firmly to the connection fittings only by fixing the outer pipe and crimping it.It is difficult to fix the flexible pipe joint when it is used to absorb the misalignment of the actual pipe. When one end is fixed and the other end is bent, a large tensile force is generated in the axial direction, and as a result, there is a concern that the flexible pipe may be detached from the connection fitting to cause a large trouble.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and one object of the present invention is to fix a flexible pipe and a connection fitting, and then externally cover a blade including both of them.
By fixing the ends, the blades can be sufficiently ironed to prevent the flexible tube from extending, to maintain the original sufficient flexibility of the fitting, and to prevent damage accidents and other accidents. It is to provide a pipe joint. Another object is to form a male / female fitting or protruding part in the connection fitting and the fixing ring, and to connect the fixing ring and the connection fitting with a strong mechanical coupling force with a flexible tube interposed therebetween, and at the same time, to achieve a high sealing. An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible pipe joint capable of ensuring the performance.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cylindrical connecting member 16 and a straight pipe portion 14 at the end of the connecting member 16 to form a continuous fold. The connection fitting 1 having a flexible pipe 12 formed by
The first fixing ring 22 is fitted from the outside of the exterior portion 18 of the flexible tube 12 to
And the flexible tube 12 are fixed, and after the connection fitting 16 and the flexible tube 12 are fixed by the first fixing ring 22, the outer surfaces of the flexible tube 12 and the first fixing ring 22 are covered. The end 30a is extended in the direction away from the outer blade 30 to be fitted, fitted from the outside of the blade end 30a,
A second fixing ring 32 for fixing the blade end 30a to the connection fitting 16 is provided. An outer peripheral surface of the connection fitting 16 at a position corresponding to the exterior portion 18 of the flexible tube 12 has
One or a plurality of concave grooves 20 are formed, and further, on the inner peripheral surface of the first fixing ring 22, a protruding peripheral portion 24 that fits or protrudes into the concave groove 20 is formed. Is filled with an adhesive 26, and in this state, the protruding peripheral portion 24 is fitted in the concave groove 20, and the first fixing ring 22 and the second fixing ring 32 are attached with a required gap. A flexible pipe joint having a ridge 28 provided with a step portion 28a substantially in close contact with at least the end portion 22a of the first fixing ring 22 is provided on the outer periphery of the connection fitting 16 corresponding to the gap. You.

[0006]

In the flexible pipe joint according to the first aspect, after the flexible pipe and the connection fitting are fixed by the first fixing ring, the blade is sheathed so as to include both the flexible pipe and the first fixing ring. Since the end of the blade is fixed to the blade, give the blade a sufficient amount of iron, and make sure that the blade is sufficiently adapted to the surface of the flexible tube, and confirm this, and finally connect the end of the blade to the fitting. Can be fixed.

Further, one or more concave grooves are formed on the outer periphery of the connection fitting, and further, a protruding part is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first fixing ring at a position corresponding to these grooves, so that the male and female can be fitted together. Since both are joined, the joining force by the male and female fitting together with the caulking joining force of the first fixing ring acts, and the flexible pipe is connected and joined to the connection fitting with a strong mechanical joining force.

Further, since the adhesive is filled in the concave groove, the holding portion of the adhesive is determined, so that the connection fitting and the flexible tube are securely bonded to each other to enhance the mechanical joining between them, and to improve the sealing property.

Further, when the flexible pipe and the first fixing ring are externally mounted on the ridge, the flexible pipe and the first fixing ring may be mounted so as to abut against the step, so that the mounting workability is improved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same members as those of a conventional flexible pipe joint are denoted by the same reference numerals. 1 and 2 are a partially omitted cross-sectional explanatory view of a flexible pipe joint 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part thereof. A straight tube portion 14 is formed at one end of a flexible tube (flexible tube) 12, and a cylindrical connection fitting 16 is connected to the straight tube portion 14.

The flexible tube 12 has a hollow cylindrical structure. The surface of the flexible tube 12 is formed into a corrugated corrugated cross section by folding a straight tube, and the inside and outside of the tube are kept watertight. The straight pipe portion 14 may be formed by a method in which only a required portion is secondarily processed into a straight tubular shape after the fold is performed continuously, or a portion which is not folded at the time of forming the fold (corrugated). Is also good.

The connection fitting 16 connected to one end of the flexible tube 12 is formed of a cylindrical sleeve tube made of stainless steel or other metal in the embodiment. One end of the connection fitting 16 is inserted into one end of the flexible tube 12. That is, one end of the flexible tube 12 is covered with the end of the connection fitting 16, and this part forms the exterior part 18.

In the present embodiment, two concave grooves 20 are provided in the outer periphery of the connection fitting 16 corresponding to the exterior portion 18 of the flexible tube 12 in the circumferential direction at a certain interval in the axial direction. . This groove shape may be arbitrary,
In the embodiment, the corner portion is a rectangular groove having a right angle. However, the corner portion may be formed, for example, in an inverted trapezoidal shape so as to be enlarged toward the cross-section opening side, or may have another shape.

On the other hand, a first fixing ring 22 is fitted from outside the exterior portion 18 in a state where one end of the flexible tube 12 is exteriorly mounted on the connection fitting 16. Also,
On the inner peripheral side of the first fixing ring 22, the connection fitting 1
Six protrusions 24 are provided at positions corresponding to the six grooves 20 so as to protrude continuously in the circumferential direction. This first fixing ring is a metal ring, and is press-bonded, pressed,
The flexible tube 12 is joined at the outer portion 18 of the connection fitting 16 by caulking or another method.

In the embodiment, the adhesive 26 is filled in the concave groove 20 of the connection fitting 16. The formation of the groove 20 holds the adhesive 26 in place therein. As the adhesive, it is preferable to use a metal adhesive or the like having a strong bonding force and a good sealing property.

Thus, when the first fixing ring 22 is crimped so that the projecting peripheral portion 24 of the first fixing ring 22 fits or protrudes into the concave groove 20 of the connection fitting 16, the flexible pipe 12 and the connection fitting 16 are connected. First, mechanical bonding is ensured by the caulking force of the first fixing ring 22, and
The male / female fitting of the concave groove 20 and the protruding peripheral portion 24 secures the joining force between them, and in addition, the adhesive keeps almost perfect mechanical joining force. In addition, since the pipes are connected by such a strong mechanical joining force and at the same time, complete sealing is maintained, the piping work using this kind of flexible pipe joint can be stably performed. That is, it is possible to perform a somewhat rough attachment work, shorten the work time, and reliably perform the centering work of the pipes to be connected.

In the embodiment, two pairs of the concave groove 20 and the projecting peripheral portion 24 are formed, but may be one pair.
Also, two or more may be provided. The larger the number, the better the mechanical joining force and the sealing property.

As described above, the mechanical joining force is greatly improved by fitting the groove 20 and the projecting peripheral portion 24, and the groove 20
By filling the inside with the adhesive 26, the watertightness between the flexible pipe and the connection fitting is higher simply by the pressing force of the O-ring embedded in the connection fitting and the metal fitting for caulking, and Complete sealing properties can be ensured.

The connection fitting 16 is located in a direction away from the flexible tube 12 than the concave groove 20 of the connection fitting 16.
A ridge 28 is formed continuously in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the. The projection 28 is provided with a step portion 28a so that the end portion 22a of the first fixing ring substantially abuts and abuts. The stepped portion of the ridge 28 is located at a position where the concave groove 20 and the protruding peripheral portion 24 are fitted with each other.
The end of the fixing ring 22 is formed to abut. Thereby, the flexible pipe 12 is connected to the connection fitting 16.
When the outer case is fitted, the straight tube portion 14 is fitted to the step portion 28a until the straight tube portion 14 abuts, and the first fixing ring 22 is similarly abutted against the step portion at its end 22a. Positioning for bonding can be performed.

After the connection fitting 16 and the flexible tube 12 are fixed by the first fixing ring 22, the flexible tube 12 and the first fixing ring 22 are covered, and the end extends further away from the flexible tube 12. A blade 30 is provided.

In this embodiment, the blade 30 has a hollow knitted structure made of stainless steel. Known blades are formed by knitting a blade unit made of a tape-shaped stainless steel plate or a blade unit in which wire strands are arranged and connecting them in a hollow cylindrical shape, and maintain the elasticity and deformability of the inner flexible pipe 12. In addition, when pressure is applied from the inside, the uneven portion is protected from extending, and a metal blade having an arbitrary configuration may be used.

The outer surface of the first fixing ring 22 is further extended to the end 30a of the blade 30 further extended to the second fixing ring 32.
Is fitted from the outside, and is fitted and fixed by caulking, pressing, or other methods in the adjacent concave peripheral portion 34 of the ridge 28. This second fixing ring is also a metal ring made of stainless steel or steel. At this time, as described above, since the flexible tube 12 is already firmly joined to the connection fitting 16, the press-fixing operation of the second fixing ring 32 can be performed with the blade 30 sufficiently ironed. Therefore, the blade 30 can be attached to the flexible pipe 12 in close contact, and for example, the flexible pipe joint 1
0 can be prevented from extending in the axial direction and causing a dimensional change.

In this manner, the flexible tube and the connection fitting are joined by the first fixing ring, and after joining the two together in a water-tight manner, the blade is covered so as to also wrap the flexible tube and the first fixing ring. Since the end is fixed by the second fixing ring, mechanical joining, reliable sealing, and sufficient ironing of the blade can be simultaneously and completely achieved. In addition, the number of members is small, the structure is simple, and the cost can be kept low. Further, since there is no welded portion due to external crimping or the like, the connection operation is simple, and there is no reduction in corrosion resistance due to heat.

Also, since the blade end 30a covers the first fixing ring 22 and is fixed at the extended end thereof, the blade protects the first fixing ring together with the flexible tube 12. From this point, the joint between the flexible pipe and the connection fitting is reinforced.

Furthermore, the flexible pipe and the blade are overlapped as in the prior art, and the entire portion is caulked at once by a pressure ring or the like. By simply fixing the blade to the connection fitting by the means, it is possible to obtain a higher mechanical joining force than before.

In the drawing, reference numeral 36 denotes a heat-shrinkable synthetic resin protective film, etc., which keeps the joints and the like waterproof. Reference numeral 38 denotes a cap nut connected to the other end of the connection fitting 16 via a direct connection ring 40. An inner thread portion 42 is formed on the inner diameter portion of the cap nut, and an external thread portion such as a telescopic tube or other piping to be connected. Are connected by screwing.

It is not always necessary to provide the ridges 28 provided on the outer periphery of the connection fitting in the embodiment, and a simple structure having a first and second fixing rings 22 and 32 on the outer periphery may be used as a smooth peripheral surface. In addition, the second fixing ring may be caulked and fixed adjacent to the first fixing ring 22 (or may be disposed at a position adjacent to or separated from the first fixing ring 22).

The flexible pipe joint according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, and may be arbitrarily modified without departing from the essence of the invention described in the claims. For example, an O-ring may be arranged at a required portion such as a connection fitting in order to further improve the sealing performance.

[0029]

As described above, according to the flexible pipe joint according to the first aspect, the cylindrical fitting and the straight pipe at the end of the fitting are externally formed, and the folds are formed continuously. And a first fixing ring is fitted from outside the exterior part of the flexible tube to the connection fitting to fix the connection fitting and the flexible pipe, and the first fixing ring is used to fix the connection fitting to the connection fitting. After fixing the flexible tube and the outer surface of the flexible tube and the first fixing ring, the end is extended in the direction away from the flexible tube to further cover the blade, and the outer side of the blade end is And a second fixing ring for fixing the blade end portion to the connection fitting, and one on the outer peripheral surface of the connection fitting at a position corresponding to the exterior part of the flexible tube. A plurality of concave grooves are formed, and a protruding peripheral portion that fits or enters the concave groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first fixing ring, and the concave groove is filled with an adhesive. The protrusion is fitted in the groove, the first fixing ring and the second fixing ring are attached with a required gap, and at least the outer periphery of the connection fitting corresponding to the gap is provided at the outer periphery. Since the end of the first fixing ring is provided with a stepped portion that substantially abuts and abuts, after fixing the flexible tube and the connection fitting, the blade is externally covered including both, and the end is fixed. Provide sufficient ironing to prevent the extension of the flexible pipe, maintain the original sufficient flexibility of the fitting, prevent damage accidents and other accidents, and improve the mechanical joining strength. It becomes possible. One or more concave grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection fitting at a position corresponding to the exterior part of the flexible tube, and further, the inner peripheral surface of the first fixing ring is fitted or inserted into the concave groove. The flexible pipe is interposed by the caulking force of the first fixing ring to secure mechanical connection with the first fixing ring, the flexible pipe, and the connection fitting. The bonding force between the two can be ensured by fitting the male and female to the peripheral portion. Further, the concave groove is filled with an adhesive, and in this state, the projecting peripheral portion is fitted in the concave groove. At the same time, while maintaining the almost perfect mechanical bonding force by the adhesive, it is possible to ensure a perfect sealing state. Further, the first fixing ring and the second fixing ring are attached with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a portion of the outer periphery of the connection fitting corresponding to the gap substantially abuts at least to an end of the first fixing ring. When the flexible tube or the first fixing ring is externally mounted on the connection fitting, it is easy to make the ends of the flexible tube and the first fixing ring just abut against the step. Positioning for joining can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted cross-sectional explanatory view of a flexible pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional explanatory view of a main part thereof.

FIG. 3 is a partially omitted cross-sectional explanatory view of a conventional flexible pipe joint.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional explanatory view of a main part thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 flexible pipe joint 12 flexible pipe 16 connection fitting 18 exterior part 20 concave groove 22 first fixing ring 24 protruding peripheral part 26 adhesive 30 blade 32 second fixing ring

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cylindrical connection fitting, and a straight pipe portion at an end of the connection fitting is externally provided, and folds are continuously formed.
A flexible tube formed, and the outside of an exterior portion of the flexible tube with respect to the connection fitting.
The first fixing ring is fitted from
Fixing the kibble tube and connecting the fitting and the flexible tube with the first fixing ring
After fixing the flexible tube and the first fixing ring
Cover the outer surface of the flexible tube and separate from the flexible tube
The blade end is extended in the direction to cover the blade, and the blade end is fitted from outside the blade end.
A second fixing ring for fixing the connection metal to the connection fitting, and the connection metal at a position corresponding to the exterior part of the flexible tube.
One or more concave grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tool, and the concave grooves are fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the first fixing ring.
Alternatively, a protruding peripheral portion is formed, and the concave groove is filled with an adhesive.
Are fitted in the concave grooves, and the first fixing ring and the second fixing ring are fitted.
Is installed with a required gap between them.
At least the first
(1) A projection provided with a step portion which is substantially in close contact with the end of the fixing ring.
A flexible pipe joint comprising ridges.