JP2919251B2 - Pipe 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 multiple pipe joint which can connect a plurality of plugs and sockets at the same time, that is, a so-called multi coupler, and more particularly to a small-diameter type mainly used for air. A plurality of plugs and sockets can be simultaneously connected by lever operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to improve the efficiency of pipe connection, various multiple pipe joints capable of simultaneously connecting a plurality of pipes by one connection operation have been developed. An example of such a multiple pipe joint (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-81490) will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 shows a socket body holding a large number of tube nipple sockets and a large number of tube nipples inserted therein. It is a sectional side view which shows the state which separated the plug main body which has a front-end | tip part. In the figure, 101 is a socket body, 113 is a plug body, and the socket body 1
A plurality of tube nipples 116 are provided at 01, and a plug nipple insertion port 123 is provided at the plug body 113 so as to face each of the tube nipples.

[0003] To connect the socket body 101 and the plug body 113 in the illustrated state, the sleeve 104 is moved rearward (to the left in the figure) and a lock ball escape portion 106 formed at the front of the sleeve 104 is formed. Is positioned above the lock ball 103. As a result, rock ball 1
03 is allowed to escape in the centrifugal direction.
1 can be inserted into the plug body 113. The movement of the sleeve 104 causes the coil spring 10 to move.
9 is pressed by the coil spring engaging portion 111 of the sleeve 104 and moves in the annular groove 107 toward the shallowest portion,
With this movement, the coil spring 109 expands its radius and expands in the centrifugal direction.

In this state, the plug body 113 is inserted into the socket body 101 with the protrusion 121 on the socket body 101 side and the engaging groove 127 on the plug body 113 facing each other. When the lock ball engaging groove 114 formed and the lock ball 103 fitted in the tapered through hole 102 face each other, the sleeve 10
4 release the sleeve 104 moving backward.
Is released from the pressing force. At this time, the coil spring 1
09 moves toward the deepest part along the inclined surface 108 of the annular groove 7. Due to the movement of the coil spring 109, the sleeve 104 moves forward, the lock ball suppressing surface 105 on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 104 presses the lock ball 103 in the centripetal direction, and the lock ball 103 is inserted into the socket body 101. The lock ball engagement groove 114 of the main body 113 is completely engaged. And the socket body 1
01 and the plug body 113 are connected, and at the same time, a plurality of tube nipples 1 provided in the socket body 101 are connected.
The insertion holes 123 of the tube nipples provided in the plug main body 113 enter the 16 sockets 138, and the respective tube nipples are simultaneously connected.

As is apparent from the above description, according to this conventional example, the sockets of a plurality of tube nipples are connected simultaneously to the sockets of the tube nipples by simply connecting the socket body and the plug body. Therefore, a large number of tube nipples can be easily connected by a single operation, which is extremely efficient. In addition to the above-mentioned conventional example, there has been proposed a type in which sockets of a plurality of tube nipples and the insertion ports of the tube nipples are simultaneously connected using screws.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned pipe joint, since the valve is not provided in the tube nipple portion, it is necessary to close the main plug every time connection and disconnection are performed. Even if a valve is provided in the socket portion of the tube nipple, if a fluid pressure (compressed air pressure which is usually used is approximately 6 to 10 kg / cm ² ) is applied to the inside of the socket, the hand will act due to the pressure. Connection work was difficult. In order to improve these points, in practice, the number of couplers is reduced, or a multi-coupler is used only for a low fluid pressure, but this is inconvenient because of lack of versatility. Further, in the case of a pipe joint using a screw, the operability of the attaching / detaching operation is poor, and it is difficult to automate the connection operation. And so on.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a multiple pipe joint capable of simultaneously connecting a plurality of plugs and sockets, a so-called multi-coupler, provided with a lock mechanism operated by an operating member, and the operation of the lock mechanism causes the tube nipple to function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple pipe joint capable of simultaneously connecting a large number of tube nipples even when fluid pressure is applied to the socket side of the socket, and to solve the above problems.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention comprises a substrate having a plurality of tube nipple sockets attached thereto, and a substrate having tube nipple plugs attached thereto corresponding to the plurality of sockets. On the other hand, a cylindrical operating member is provided rotatably and having a main joint that forms a cam mechanism at an end, and is moved in the axial direction according to the movement of the main joint while contacting the operating member with the main joint. And a locking member and an engaging member provided on the other substrate are engaged with each other to connect the substrates 1 and 1 ′ according to the moving state of the driven member, Further, in this state, the sockets of the plurality of tube nipples attached to the respective substrates and the plugs of the tube nipples are simultaneously connected, and this is a means for solving the problem. You.

[0009]

In the unlocked state in which the operating lever 5 is in the position A, the main joint 4b formed on the operating member 4 faces the cam surface 8a of the follower 8, while the follower 8 and the body 13 Are locked by the springs 12 and 17, and the lock 15 is disposed at a position corresponding to the large-diameter portion 16a connected to the inclined surface 16 formed on the follower 8. In this state, the substrates 1 and 1 'can be connected and separated.

When the operating lever 5 is moved to the position B in the above state, the main joint 4b moves along the cam surface 8b of the follower 8, and the driven joint 8 moves by the distance of the cam 8b by the main joint 4b. Since the inclined surface 16 formed on the follower 8 presses the locking element 15 in the centripetal direction, the locking element 15 is locked in the engaging groove 23 of the engaging portion 22 to connect the substrate 1 and the substrate 1 ′. At the same time, it becomes inseparable. Further, the board 1 in the separated state is kept in the first locked state in which the operation lever 5 is at the position B, and the engaging member 22 of the board 1 ′ is
When the lock member 15 is inserted into the inside, the distal end portion of the engagement member 22 pushes the lock element 15, and further, the main body 13 moves together with the lock element 15. Is pushed into. Thereafter, when the engagement groove 23 of the engagement member enters the position of the lock 15, the lock 15 falls into the groove 23, and the engagement member 22 and the lock 1 are locked.
5 can be engaged to connect the substrate 1 and the substrate 1 '. In this state, although the plug portion of the tube nipple is inserted into the socket portion of the tube nipple, the socket portion and the plug portion of the tube nipple are not yet completely connected, and the valve in the socket is still closed. I have.

In the fully locked state where the operation lever 5 is at the C position, the main joint 4b rides on the cam surface 8c of the follower 8, and the follower 8 is further moved by the distance of the cam 8c by the main joint 4b. At this time, since the locking member 15 and the engagement groove 23 are engaged, the movement of the follower 8 causes the engagement member 2 to move.
2 also moves, and the board 1 'also moves by the movement of the engaging member 22, whereby the plug portion of the tube nipple of the board 1' is completely inserted into the socket portion of the tube nipple of the board 1, and the valve in the socket portion Is opened to connect the fluid passages of both tube nipples. Also at this time, the substrate 1 and the substrate 1 'are maintained in an inseparable state.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a multiple pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is provided with a large number of tube nipple sockets. It is a sectional side view of the pipe joint which shows the state where the board and the board which arranged the plug in the position corresponding to the socket are separated (non-connection state).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a substrate.
Has a plurality of tube nipple socket portions 2 (8 in the figure).
Sockets are shown). As shown in FIG. 2, a plug portion 3 of the tube nipple is attached to a substrate 1 'corresponding to the substrate 1 at a position corresponding to the socket portion 2 of the tube nipple. A locking member, which will be described later, operated by the operation member 4 is provided at the center of the substrate 1, and an engagement member 22 (described in detail later) which locks the locking member is provided on the substrate 1 ′ side. These constitute a lock mechanism described later.

The lock mechanism is unlocked (the board 1 and the board 1 'can be connected and separated) by the operation member 4 taking the positions A, B and C shown in FIG. 1, and the first lock (the board 1 and the board 1). 1 ′ is connected and cannot be separated), and
A completely locked state (the substrate 1 'is connected to the substrate 1 and approached) can be taken, and the socket portion and the plug portion of the tube nipple are disconnected and connected according to the locked state. 3 with valve closed and valve open
(The details of this state including the configuration of the valve will be described later). That is, in this multiple pipe joint, by operating the operating member 4, the socket portion and the plug portions of many tube nipples can be simultaneously attached and detached at a time by the lock mechanism. Hereinafter, in order to describe the configuration of the multiple pipe joint, the operation member 4 and the lock mechanism, the engagement member 22, and the socket portion 2 and the plug portion 3 of the tube nipple provided on each of the substrates 1, 1 'are described. The detailed structure will be described sequentially.

[Operation Member 4 and Lock Mechanism] See FIGS. 3 to 8 The lock mechanism is a locking member 15 operated by the operation member 4 provided on the substrate 1, and an engagement member engaged with the locking member 15. 22 (details will be described later) and the like. In FIG. 3, the operating member 4 has a cylindrical shape and has an operating lever 5, and the operating member 4 is rotatably mounted on the substrate 1 by appropriate means.
A of the operation lever 5 shown in FIG.
A concave portion 4a for positioning the positions B and C is formed. The substrate 1 is provided with balls 7 pressed by springs 6 at positions corresponding to positions A, B, and C shown in FIG. 1, and the balls 7 fall into the recesses 4a, so that A, Positions B and C can be positioned.

FIG. 4 shows a side view and a sectional view of the operation member 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the operating member 4 is formed with one main driving member 4b forming a cam mechanism, which will be described later, and the main driving member 4b rotates together with the operating member 4 to move the other driven member 8 forming the cam mechanism. It controls and functions to regulate the locking member. The follower 8 is a member that fits into the operation member 4 and forms a cam mechanism together with the main mover 4b. The follower 8 is accommodated in a cover 10 attached to the base plate 1 by screws 21. A groove 11 is formed in the inner surface of the cover 10 in the axial direction thereof, and a ball 9 accommodated in a concave portion 8 d on the outer periphery of the follower 8 is fitted in the groove 11. For this reason, although the follower 8 cannot rotate, the operation member 4 is allowed to move in the axial direction. The follower 8 is urged rightward in the figure by a spring 12 arranged between the follower 8 and the cover 10.

FIG. 5 shows a side view and a sectional view of the follower 8. The follower 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 5, and cam surfaces 8a, 8b, 8c constituting a cam mechanism in cooperation with the main mover 4b are provided on the outer periphery of the follower 8 with the operating member. Are formed corresponding to the A, B, and C positions. When the operating member 4 is operated to take the positions A, B and C, the main joint 4
b is the cam surface 8a, 8 against the urging force of the spring 12.
b and 8c are pressed, whereby the follower 8 is axially moved to three positions corresponding to the positions A, B and C.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a main body 13 is slidably provided in the inner hole of the follower 8 in the axial direction.
A plurality of tapered through holes 14 are formed in the main body 13, and a lock 15 as a locking member is loosely fitted in the through holes 14. The follower 8 fitted to the outer periphery of the main body 13 has an inclined surface 16 on its inner surface for pressing the lock element 15 in a centripetal direction, and the inclined surface 16 has a large diameter portion. 16a. A spring 17 is disposed between the main body 13 and the cover 10. The lock 17 is pressed against the substrate 1 ′ by the urging force of the spring 17, but is loosely fitted to the main body 13. The child 15 is located at the large diameter portion 16a.
In the figure, reference numeral 18 denotes a snap ring, and 19 denotes a substrate 1, 1 '.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a screw for attaching the positioning member 19 to the substrate 1, and reference numeral 21 denotes a screw for fixing the cover 10 to the substrate 1.

[Engaging Member 22] See FIG. 3 FIG. 3 shows the engaging member 22 which engages with the lock 15 provided on the operation member 4. As shown in FIG. This engaging member 2
Reference numeral 2 is fixed to the substrate 1 'with a nut, and an engagement groove 23 for engaging with the lock 15 is formed on the outer periphery of a predetermined position of the engagement member. When the locking element 15 in the operation member 4 and the engagement groove 23 of the engagement member 22 engage, the substrates 1 and 1 'are connected to each other, and furthermore, a configuration described later provided on the substrates 1, 1' The socket portion and the plug portion of the tube nipple having the above are connected.

The lock mechanism can take an unlocked state, a first locked state, and a completely locked state when the operating member 4 takes the positions A, B, and C shown in FIG. Accordingly, the socket and plug of the tube nipple are not connected, the valve is closed,
It can take three positions of the valve open state (the details of this state will be described later).

Next, the connection between the lock element 15 and the engaging member 22 will be described with reference to the operation state diagram of the cam mechanism shown in FIG. 6 and the lock operation state diagram shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8. FIG. 6A shows an unlocked state (disconnected state) in which the operation lever 5 is at the position A, and the main movement 4b formed on the operation member 4 is the cam surface 8a of the driven movement 8. Facing. At this time, the follower 8 and the body 13 are urged by the springs 12 and 17 into the state shown in FIG. 3, and the lock 15 is a large diameter portion connected to the inclined surface 16 formed on the follower 8. It is arranged at a position corresponding to 16a. Therefore, when the engaging member 22 provided on the substrate 1 ′ is inserted into the body 13 in the state of FIG.
5 is pushed into the large-diameter portion 16 a by the engaging member 22, so that the engaging member 22 can be freely inserted into and removed from the main body 13. Therefore, the substrate 1 and the substrate 1 ′ can be connected and separated.

FIG. 6B shows a first locked state (valve closed state) in which the engaging member 22 of the substrate 1 ′ is inserted into the substrate 1 and the operation lever 5 is at the position B. Yes,
The main joint 4b is on the cam surface 8b of the follower 8. In this state, as shown in FIG.
The follower 8 is moved to the left in the figure by the cam 8b by the main driver 4b, and the inclined surface 16 formed on the follower 8 is
Since the lock 5 is pressed in the centripetal direction, the lock 15 is locked in the engaging groove 23 of the engaging portion 22 so that the substrate 1 and the substrate 1 ′ are connected to each other and are inseparable.

When the operating lever 5 is in the first locked state with the substrate 1 and the substrate 1 'separated as shown in FIG. 7, the engaging member 22 of the substrate 1' is moved into the body 13 of the main body. When inserted, the distal end of the engaging member 22 pushes the locking element 15 and further pushes the body 13 together with the locking element 15 to the left in the figure against the urging force of the spring 17. Then, the locking element 15 is pushed into the large-diameter portion 16a of the inclined surface 16 by the leftward movement of the locking element 15, and the locking element 15 is moved.
Does not hinder the approach of the engaging member 22.

Further, the locking groove 23 of the locking member is
5, the lock 15 falls into the groove 23 and the spring 1 acting on the body 13 of the main body.
7, the locking element 15 is pushed in the centripetal direction by the action of the inclined surface 16, whereby the engaging member 22 and the locking element 15 are engaged, and the board 1 and the board 1 'can be connected. . In this state, although the plug portion 3 of the tube nipple is inserted into the socket portion 2 of the tube nipple, the socket portion 2 and the plug portion 3 of the tube nipple are not yet completely connected, and the valve in the socket is not connected. It is still in a closed state (detailed description of the open / closed state of the valve will be described later).

FIG. 6C shows that the operating lever 5 is in the C position.
3 shows a fully locked state (valve open state) in which the main joint 4b rides on the cam surface 8c of the follower 8. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8 from the state of FIG.
Moves to the left in the figure by the amount of the cam 8c. At this time, since the locking element 15 protrudes toward the centripetal side of the main body 13 by the action of the inclined surface 16 and is engaged with the engaging groove 23 formed in the engaging member 22, the locking element 15 is moved by the movement of the follower 8. The engaging member 22 also moves to the left in the figure together with the main body 13. The board 1 'is also moved by the movement of the engaging member 22, whereby the boards 1 and 1' are completely connected. Further, the plug of the tube nipple of the board 1 'is completely inserted into the socket of the tube nipple. Then, the valve in the socket is opened to communicate the tube nipple.

When the operation lever 5 is operated as described above,
The operation member 4 takes positions A, B, and C. At the position C, the valves in the sockets of the plurality of tube nipples provided on the substrates 1, 1 'can be simultaneously opened. Also, the substrate 1,
Until 1 'is completely connected, the valve provided in the socket portion 2 of the tube nipple does not open, so that it is possible to avoid a situation where the connection work becomes difficult due to the pressure of the fluid at the time of connection. It is clear from the above description that the operation lever can be connected with one touch at the C position as well as at the B position.

Next, the detailed configuration of the socket portion 2 of the tube nipple provided on the substrates 1 and 1 ', the valve disposed in the socket portion and the configuration of the plug portion 3 will be described with reference to FIG. Will be described with reference to the operation member 4. [Socket portion of tube nipple and valve disposed in the socket portion] In FIG. 2, the socket portion 2 of the tube nipple and the tube nipple 2a are connected by screws, and the outer peripheral step portion of the socket portion 2 and the outer periphery of the tube nipple 2a And is fixed to the substrate 1 by a stop ring locked to the substrate 1. A valve is arranged in the socket 2,
The valve includes a valve element 2b having a valve hole 2d, and a valve element 2b.
And a spring 2c for urging the right side in the figure.
The valve 2b is axially slidably mounted in the socket 2. The valve 2b is normally urged to the right by a spring 2c to close the valve hole 2d. [Structure of Plug Section] On the other hand, a plug section 3 of a tube nipple is fixed to the substrate 1 'by a stop ring.

The connection between the socket 2 and the plug 3 of the tube nipple constructed as described above will be described.
When the operating member 4 is in the position A (in the state of FIG. 3), the socket 2 and the plug 3 are separated. That is, the cam mechanism is in the state (a) in FIG. 6, the socket portion and the plug portion of the tube nipple attached to each substrate 1, 1 'are in the state of FIG. 2, and the valve element 2b of the socket portion
Is in a state where the valve hole 2d is closed. Therefore, no fluid is discharged from the socket portion 2.

In order to connect the pipe joint, the operating lever 5 is set to the position B (in the state of FIG. 7). That is, when the cam mechanism is in the state (b) in FIG. 6, the socket portion and the plug portion of the tube nipple attached to each of the substrates 1, 1 'are in the state in FIG. In FIG. 9, the plug portion 3 of the tube nipple has entered the socket portion 2 of the tube nipple to the state shown in FIG. However, in this state, the valve body 2b has not yet been pushed by the tip of the plug 3, and the valve hole 2 in the socket 2 has not yet been pressed.
d is closed. Therefore, even in the state of FIG.
The fluid is not released because the flow path is closed.

Further, the operation lever 5 is set to the position C (the state shown in FIG. 8). That is, when the cam mechanism is in the state (C) in FIG. 6, the socket portion 2 and the plug portion 3 of the tube nipple attached to each substrate 1, 1 'are in the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the plug portion 3 of the tube nipple has completely entered the socket portion 2 of the tube nipple as shown. For this reason, the valve element 2b is pushed by the tip of the plug 3, the valve hole 2d in the socket 2 is opened, the flow path is released, and the substrate 1,
The 1 'tube nipple will be fully connected. In this state, the socket 2 of the tube nipple
The plug portion 3 of the tube nipple is completely inserted into the socket, and the valve in the socket portion is opened.
Tube nipples are completely connected.

As described above, in the present pipe joint, by operating the operating member 4, the socket portion 2 of the tube nipple and the plug portion 3 of the tube nipple are moved depending on the positions of the operating members 4 at positions A, B and C. Can be controlled, so that there is no need to perform an operation of closing the main plug of the pipe every time the connection is disconnected. Therefore, an efficient pipe connection operation can be performed. It is clear that the connection between the substrate 1 and the substrate 1 'can be made with one touch even when the operation lever is at the B position or the C position.

The operating member 4 of the present invention may be of any material and shape as long as it does not impair operability, and may be embodied in other various forms without departing from its spirit or main features. it can. Further, the mounting of the locking member and the engaging member may be reversed from that in this embodiment, and the engaging member may be disposed on the substrate 1 and the locking member may be disposed on the substrate 1 '. Moreover, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in every respect and should not be construed as limiting.

[0033]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
A lock mechanism control operated by the operating member is adopted, so each time connection and disconnection are performed, the connection work is facilitated with the fluid pressure applied inside the socket without closing the main plug of the pipe, and the safety that the connection state can be maintained Can be improved.
Further, since the connection work can be performed regardless of the position of the operation member, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect such as automation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a disconnected state of the pipe joint and a disconnected state of a socket portion and a plug portion of a tube nipple attached to a substrate.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view for explaining an operation member of the pipe joint.

FIG. 4A is a side view of an operation member having a main joint constituting a cam mechanism, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the operation member taken along line AA.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a follower constituting the cam mechanism, and FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the same member taken along line BB.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a cam mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the operating member of the pipe joint in a first locked state.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the operating member of the pipe joint in a completely locked state.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view corresponding to a first locked state of a socket portion and a plug portion of a tube nipple attached to a substrate.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view corresponding to a completely locked state of a socket portion and a plug portion of a tube nipple attached to a substrate (valve opened state).

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a conventional multiple pipe joint.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'board 2 socket 3 plug 4 operating member 4b main joint 5 operating lever 8 follower 13 main body 15 locking member 16 inclined surface 22 engaging member 23 engaging groove

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A substrate having a plurality of tube nipple sockets attached thereto, and a substrate having a tube nipple plug attached thereto corresponding to the plurality of sockets, wherein one of the substrates is rotatably and end-mounted. A cylindrical operating member having a main joint that forms a cam mechanism is provided in the portion, and a driven joint that forms a cam mechanism that moves in the axial direction according to the movement of the main joint while being in contact with the operating member. In accordance with the movement of the follower, the locking member engages with the engaging member provided on the other substrate to connect the substrates 1 and 1 ', and further attaches to the substrates in this state. A pipe joint, wherein sockets of a plurality of tube nipples and plugs of the tube nipples are simultaneously connected.