JP3071043B2 - Flexible 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 flexible pipe joint for connecting a bellows-shaped flexible pipe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a joint for connecting a flexible pipe formed in a bellows shape, for example, a joint shown in FIG.
-73785. This is to provide a retaining ring with expandable diameter in the joint body, insert this flexible ring through the retaining ring while expanding the diameter of this retaining ring, and screw the fastening member whose tip is enlarged in a trumpet shape into the joint body. A joint in which the retaining ring is pushed in while preventing the expansion of the retaining ring, and the flexible pipe in front of the retaining ring is crushed and connected to the joint body. A configuration substantially equivalent to this is disclosed in
It is also disclosed in -48094.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional joint for a flexible pipe, firstly, the flexible pipe has to be inserted into the cable so that the retaining ring is expanded and passed through, that is, the flexible pipe is inserted. However, there is a problem that a considerable amount of insertion force is required. Second, the connection is not completed only by inserting the flexible tube, and then the fastening member needs to be screwed into the joint body, which requires a wrench or the like, and the fastening work is troublesome. There is. Third, since the flexible pipe in front of the retaining ring is crushed by the tightening of the fastening member, a considerable force is required for the tightening operation. Further, unless the flexible pipe co-rotates, the fastening member and the retaining ring are inevitably connected to each other. Between them, or between the retaining ring and the flexible pipe, there is a problem that the tightening operation requires more force because the tightening is performed while generating friction. Fourth, the completion of the tightening operation is not clear. If the tightening is too loose, the retaining ring may be pushed out when the pulling force is applied to the flexible tube and the flexible tube may come out. There is a problem that the front flexible pipe may be excessively crushed and damaged.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a joint for a flexible pipe that completes the connection simply by pushing in the flexible pipe, does not crush the flexible pipe, generates rotational friction in the circumferential direction, and can easily determine the completion of the connection work. The purpose is to:

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a body having a step portion and a sliding hole therein, and an axially movably mounted in the sliding hole of the body, and an inlet side having a stepped portion of the body. And a sleeve that engages with the distal end of the flexible tube to be connected, and is provided integrally with the sleeve or as a separate body at the back of the sleeve, and is slidably sealed in the sliding hole of the main body. A packing that is mounted and hermetically seals the outer surface of the flexible tube; and a ring-shaped elastic surface that expands and contracts elastically, fits in a valley of the flexible tube in a free state, and expands in diameter, and an outer surface on the inlet side of the sleeve. Ring spring attached to the, attached to the inlet side of the main body,
The above object has been attained by a flexible pipe joint having an inner surface on the back side having a nut formed to have a smaller diameter than an outer diameter of the ring spring when the ring spring is fitted into a valley of the flexible pipe. . Also,
A large-diameter hole, a medium-diameter hole, and a small-diameter hole are formed in the body, and a large-diameter step surface is formed between the large-diameter hole and the medium-diameter hole, and a small-diameter step surface is formed between the medium-diameter hole and the small-diameter hole. An annular packing may be attached to the medium diameter hole, and the outside of the sleeve may be sealed and slid between the sleeve and the annular packing. Further, a spring may be provided between the sleeve and the small diameter step surface of the main body. May be interposed.

[0006]

The ring spring is mounted on the outer surface on the inlet side of the sleeve with its diameter increased, that is, the outer surface on the inlet side of the sleeve holds the ring spring while preventing the diameter from being reduced by the elastic force of the ring spring. In this state, when the flexible pipe is inserted from the inlet side of the main body through the nut, the distal end of the flexible pipe engages with the sleeve or the packing, and the sleeve moves to the back side of the main body while keeping the outer surface sealed, and The ring spring mounted on the outer surface on the inlet side also moves to the back side together with the sleeve at first. However, since the movement of the ring spring to the back side is blocked by the step surface of the step portion of the main body, for example, the large diameter step surface, after the ring spring comes into contact with the step surface of the main body, only the sleeve moves to the back side. As a result, the ring spring is left behind, and the holding of the ring spring by the sleeve is finally released, and the ring spring snaps and snaps into a valley portion of the flexible pipe by its own elastic force. Then, when the flexible tube is released and the flexible tube is pulled out, the ring spring fitted into the valley of the flexible tube is also pushed back to the inlet side. Since the nut having a diameter smaller than the diameter is mounted, the movement of the ring spring toward the inlet side is prevented by the nut, and therefore, the movement of the flexible pipe in the drawing direction is also prevented. Moreover, even if a bending or twisting force is applied when the flexible tube is pulled out, the packing does not act on the packing because the packing is located deeper than the pull-out prevention part. Since the sealed state is maintained as it is and the packing or the annular packing seals the space between the sleeve and the main body, the flexible pipe is eventually connected to the main body with sealing properties. In the above, when a spring is inserted between the sleeve and the small-diameter step surface,
After releasing the pushing of the flexible tube, this spring tries to push the sleeve back to the inlet side, so that there is always a pressing force between the sleeve, the ring spring and the nut, so that these parts do not rattle. .

[0007]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. This flexible pipe joint comprises a main body 1, a nut 2, a sleeve 3, a ring spring 4, a packing 6, a watertight packing 8, and an O-ring 11.
Consists of On the other hand, the distal end portion of the flexible pipe 9 to be connected usually has a cut portion 9a, a first peak portion 9b, a first valley portion 9c, and a second valley portion 9c, as shown in FIG. A ridge 9d, a second valley 9e,... Are formed, and the outer surface is covered with a protective tube 10 made of synthetic resin. First, at least one step and a sliding hole are formed inside the main body 1. In this embodiment, the large-diameter hole 1a, the medium-diameter hole 1b, and the small-diameter hole 1c are formed in order from the entrance side (the left side in the drawing) toward the back side (the right side in the drawing). And a step portion is formed between the first and second steps to form a large-diameter step surface 1d. At this time, the medium diameter hole 1b is used as a sliding hole. (Hereinafter, a description will be given of the medium-diameter hole 1b.) A small-diameter step surface 1e is formed between the medium-diameter hole 1b and the small-diameter hole 1c.
A sleeve 3 integrally incorporating a packing 6 is mounted in the medium diameter hole 1b of the main body so as to be sealed and slidable in the axial direction, and the inlet end of the sleeve 3 extends to the large diameter hole 1a of the main body. It is growing. Note that the sleeve 3 and the packing 6 do not necessarily have to be integrated, but may be separate bodies. The inner side of the middle diameter hole 1b is a tapered inner peripheral surface that is gradually narrowed. The inner surface of the packing 6 attached to the sleeve 3 is as shown in FIG.
The inner diameter is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ridge of the flexible pipe 9, and the tip ridges 9b, 9d, 9 of the flexible pipe are formed.
The outer periphery of f is sealed. The shape of the packing 6 is such that the inlet side is open so that the tip of the flexible pipe can easily enter, and may have a tapered inner surface that gradually narrows or a triangular cross section. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the sleeve 3 may be reinforced so as to slide in the medium-diameter hole, and can be appropriately selected.

The inlet-side end of the sleeve 3 is a large-diameter hole 1 of the main body.
The ring spring 4 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 3 at this portion. The ring spring 4 is formed in a ring shape having a shape in which a steel wire is wound around the outer periphery of a donut.
The winding diameter is a diameter that fits into the valley of the flexible pipe 9,
The overall diameter in the free state also forms a diameter that fits into the valley of the flexible tube 9. Therefore, when the ring spring 4 is mounted on the outer surface on the inlet side of the sleeve 3, the diameter of the ring spring 4 is larger than in the free state. A female screw is cut into the large diameter hole 1a of the main body, and a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the nut 2 (right side in the drawing) is screwed to the female screw via an O-ring 11. On the inner peripheral surface of the nut 2, the inlet side (left side in the drawing)
A watertight packing groove having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the protective tube 10 is mounted in the watertight packing groove. The inner peripheral surface 2a on the back side (right side in the drawing) of the nut 2 is formed to have a slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the ridge of the flexible pipe 9, and the ring spring 4 is further fitted into the valley of the flexible pipe 9. The ring spring 4 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the entire diameter thereof. Note that the entire outer periphery may not be formed to have a small diameter, but may be formed to have a uniform part and a small diameter. In this embodiment,
The back side of the inner peripheral surface 2a at the back end of the nut is formed as a tapered surface 2b whose diameter increases toward the back. As shown in FIG. 2, the position of the end face on the back side of the nut 2 moves to the back side together with the sleeve 3 and the flexible pipe 9 engaged with each other, and the back end face of the nut 2 and the inlet end face of the sleeve 3. When the interval between them becomes equal to the winding diameter of the ring spring 4, the center of the interval is arranged so as to reach almost the center of, for example, the fourth valley 9i of the flexible pipe. The rear end face of the packing 6 forms a protruding portion 6a protruding in the axial direction. This protrusion 6
Although a is not necessarily required, the distance c between the rear end face of the packing 6 and the small-diameter stepped surface 1e of the main body is desirably as small as possible, and is desirably about the size of the winding diameter of the ring spring 4. Alternatively, the dimension may be slightly smaller than the winding diameter in consideration of the elastic deformation of the protrusion 6a.

This embodiment is configured as described above.
First, the procedure for assembling each member will be described.
And attach the ring spring 4 to the nut 2
The ring 11 is attached, and the watertight packing 8 is attached.
Next, the sleeve 3 is inserted into the main body 1 and the nut 2 is attached to the main body 1.
To complete the assembly. At this time, if the packing 6 does not easily slide, silicone oil or grease may be used. In this assembled state, as shown in FIG. 1, the ring spring 4 is mounted on the outer surface on the inlet side of the sleeve 3 with its diameter increased, that is, the outer surface on the inlet side of the sleeve 3 is reduced in diameter by the elastic force of the ring spring 4. The ring spring 4 is held while blocking.

Next, a method of using the joint for a flexible pipe will be described. First, cut off the protective tube 10 to a certain length and cut the nut 2
When the flexible pipe 9 is inserted from the inlet side (left side in the drawing), the first peak 9b of the flexible pipe engages with the packing 6 of the sleeve 3 as shown in FIG. Moves to the back side (right side in the drawing) of the main body 1, and the ring spring 4 attached to the outer surface on the entrance side of the sleeve 3 also moves to the back side together with the sleeve 3 initially. However, since the movement of the ring spring 4 to the back side is blocked by the large-diameter step surface 1d of the main body, only the sleeve 3 and the packing 6 are in the middle after the ring spring 4 comes into contact with the large-diameter step surface 1d of the main body. The ring spring 4 is moved to the rear side while keeping the seal with the diameter hole 1b, and the ring spring 4 is left. As a result, when the distance from the large-diameter step surface 1d of the main body to the inlet-side end surface of the sleeve 3 becomes half of the winding diameter of the ring spring 4, that is, when the distance becomes equal to the winding radius of the ring spring 4. The ring spring 4 starts reducing the diameter by the elastic force, so that the ring spring 4 moves toward the inner end face of the nut 2 and comes into contact with the end face. At this time, the second and third ridges 9d and 9f of the flexible pipe are also engaged with the packing 6 and sealed. The outer peripheral surface of the packing 6 is also sealed by the tapered surface of the medium diameter hole 1b. When the flexible pipe 9 is further pushed in, the ring spring 4 gradually falls into the space between the inner end face of the nut 2 and the inlet end face of the sleeve 3, and the protrusion 6a of the packing 6 comes into contact with the small-diameter step face 1e. When the ring spring 4 comes into contact with and is crushed and the interval becomes equal to the winding diameter of the ring spring 4, the holding of the ring spring 4 by the sleeve 3 is completely released, and the ring spring 4 is reduced in diameter at once by its own elastic force. As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible tube is fitted into the fourth valley 9i. Therefore, when the holding of the ring spring 4 by the sleeve 3 is released, a clicking sound is emitted.

When the push-in of the flexible tube 9 is released after that, the nut 2 having a smaller diameter than the entire diameter of the ring spring 4 in the fitted state is screwed to the inlet side of the main body 1. As shown in the figure, the movement of the ring spring 4 toward the inlet is prevented by the tapered surface 2b formed on the inner peripheral surface 2a at the inner end of the nut. When a further pulling force is applied, the ring spring 4 is firmly fitted into the valley of the flexible tube 9 by the diameter reducing action of the tapered surface 2b. Further, since the outer diameter of the ring spring 4 is larger than the gap between the inner end surface of the nut 2 and the distal end surface of the sleeve 3, the escape of the ring spring in the outer diameter direction is also suppressed. Therefore, the movement of the flexible tube 9 in the drawing direction (left direction in the drawing) is completely prevented. On the other hand, the packing 6 seals the outer surface of the flexible tube 9. The outer peripheral surface of the packing 6 seals between the medium diameter holes 1b and seals between the protruding portions 6a and the small diameter step surfaces 1e. The watertight packing 8 prevents foreign matter such as water from entering the joint from the outside, and the O-ring 11 seals between the nut 2 and the main body 1. Connected. Further, even when a pull-out force is applied, the packing 6 is located on the back side of the pull-out preventing portion such as a ring spring, so that even if the pull-out is bent, the seal performance is not adversely affected and stable sealing performance is obtained. be able to. Further, in the case of this embodiment, the number of parts is small and simple, and the packing 6 is made large for the sealing length, so that the sealing performance can be secured for a long time.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an upper half sectional view showing a state where the flexible tube is inserted, and FIG. 5 is an upper half sectional view showing a state where the flexible tube is further pushed in. The joint for a flexible pipe according to this embodiment includes a main body 1, a nut 2, a sleeve 3, a ring spring 4, a packing 6, an annular packing or O-ring 7, a watertight packing 8, and an O-ring 11.
In contrast to the first embodiment, O
The ring 7 is attached, and the sleeve 3 is
Is different in that the outer peripheral surface of the O. is sealed and slidably mounted on the O-ring 7 and the packing 6 is mounted on the inner side. As for the connection method, when the flexible pipe 9 is inserted in the same manner as described above, the first peak 9 b of the flexible pipe 9 may engage with the packing 6, or the cutting section 9 a may engage with the rear end of the sleeve 3. When the ring spring 4 is further pushed in, the ring spring 4 is left behind, the sleeve 3 moves to the back side, the ring spring 4 gradually falls down, and when the interval c substantially equal to the winding diameter of the ring spring 4 becomes zero, the ring spring 4 4 is released, and the connection is completed by fitting into the second valley 9e of the flexible tube as shown in FIG. Other assembling procedures, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, the degree of sliding between the O-ring 7 and the sleeve 3 can be relatively easily adjusted, and the pushing force of the flexible pipe 9 can be adjusted. It is easy to adjust the sealing surface pressure with the seal 6 and the inner surface on the inlet side of the sleeve 3 is tapered, so that when the pulling force is applied to the flexible pipe, the binding force of the ring spring 4 is strong. effective. As a modified example of this embodiment, an elastic ring such as rubber is attached to the small-diameter step surface 1e by fitting or the like, and when the rear end surface of the sleeve 3 is pressed against the small-diameter step surface, this ring is elastically compressed. It is conceivable that the distance c is adjusted by adjusting the distance c, and at this time, an airtight seal is provided between the small-diameter step surface and the rear end surface of the sleeve by the elastic ring.

Next, FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an upper half sectional view showing a state where the flexible tube is inserted, and FIG. 7 is an upper half sectional view showing a state where the connection is completed by further pushing the flexible tube. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that a spring 5 is interposed between the sleeve 3 and the small-diameter step surface 1e. The connection method, assembling procedure, operation and effect of this embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. However, in this embodiment, since the force of the spring 5 is always applied to the inlet side, the flexible pipe 9 is connected. After that, the flexible tube 9 and the sleeve 3 are pushed back to the inlet side, and there is an effect that there is no backlash between the nut 2, the ring spring 4 and the sleeve 3.

As a countermeasure against a fire, a fireproof O-ring (not shown) is mounted between the main body 1 and the nut 2 together with an O-ring 11 for sealing, and the packing 6 is provided together with the packing 6 in the packing groove of the sleeve 3. Fireproof packing (same front) can be attached to either front or rear.

[0015]

According to the joint for a flexible pipe of the present invention, the connection is completed only by pushing in the flexible pipe, and the connection work is greatly simplified since no wrench or the like is required. Further, there is no rotational friction in the circumferential direction, and there is no danger that the flexible tube will be broken because it does not crush the distal end portion. Further, when the connection is completed, a snapping sound is emitted, so that the completion of the connection work can be easily determined. Also, the number of parts is relatively small, and compactness can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an upper half cross-sectional lower half front view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper half sectional view showing a state where the flexible tube of the embodiment is inserted.

FIG. 3 is an upper half sectional view showing a state in which the flexible tube of the embodiment is pushed in.

FIG. 4 is an upper half sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention and showing a state where a flexible tube is inserted.

FIG. 5 is an upper half sectional view showing a state in which the flexible tube of the embodiment is pushed in.

FIG. 6 is an upper half sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention and showing a state where a flexible tube is inserted.

FIG. 7 is an upper half sectional view showing a state where the flexible tube of the embodiment is pushed in.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the sleeve.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a joint for a flexible pipe showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body 1a ... Large diameter hole 1b ... Medium diameter hole 1c ... Small diameter hole 1d ... Large diameter stepped surface 1e ... Small diameter stepped surface 2 ... Nut 2a ... Back end inner peripheral surface 2b ... Tapered surface 3 ... Sleeve 3a ... Inclined surface 4 ... Ring spring 5 ... Spring 6 ... Packing 7 ... O-ring 8 ... Watertight packing 9 ... Flexible pipe 9a ... Cutting part 9b ... First crest 9c ... First trough 9d ... Second crest 9e ... Second trough 10 … Protective tube 11… O-ring

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-U 3-73785 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16L 33/00 F16L 33/26 F16L 37 / 12

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body having a step portion and a sliding hole therein, and is mounted movably in the axial direction in the sliding hole of the main body, and an entrance side extends to a step portion of the main body to be connected. A sleeve engaged with the distal end portion of the flexible tube; and a sleeve provided integrally with the sleeve or as a separate member on the inner side of the sleeve, and mounted in a sliding hole of the main body so as to be sealed and slidable. A ring spring formed in a ring shape and elastically expanded and contracted, fitted in a valley portion of the flexible tube in a free state, expanded in diameter, and mounted on an outer surface on the inlet side of the sleeve; A nut mounted on the inlet side of the main body and having a rear inner surface formed to have a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the ring spring when the ring spring is fitted into a valley of the flexible pipe. Fitting for a flexible pipe, characterized. 2. A large-diameter hole, a medium-diameter hole, and a small-diameter hole in order from an inlet side, a large-diameter stepped surface between the large-diameter hole and the medium-diameter hole, and a medium-diameter hole and a small-diameter hole. A main body having a small-diameter stepped surface formed between the main body, an annular packing mounted on a medium-diameter hole of the main body, and an annular packing whose outer side is mounted on the medium-diameter hole of the main body so as to be sealed and slidably slidable. The side extends to the large-diameter hole of the main body, and has a packing that seals the outer surface of the flexible tube to be connected inside, and a sleeve that engages with the distal end of the flexible tube. Elastically expands and contracts, fits in the valley portion of the flexible tube in a free state, and expands in diameter and is mounted on the outer surface on the inlet side of the sleeve. The ring spring is placed on the inner peripheral surface at the valley of the flexible pipe. Flexible pipe joint and having a nut formed smaller in diameter than the outer diameter of the ring spring when the input. 3. The joint for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, wherein a spring is interposed between the sleeve and the small-diameter stepped surface of the main body.