JP3076766B2 - Cylindrical pipe joint for filtration device for ornamental fish tank - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tubular pipe joint used for a filtering device for an ornamental fish tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of the filtering devices for an aquarium fish tank includes an upper filtering mechanism provided at an upper portion of the water tank and a bottom filtering mechanism provided at a bottom of the water tank.
FIG. 8 shows an ornamental fish tank (T) using this type of ornamental fish filter device. In the figure, an upper filtration mechanism (U) is composed of a physical filtration mechanism (21) for filtering suspended matter in water in a water tank (T) by a filtering material (22) such as a chemical fiber. The physical filtration mechanism (21) is provided with a septic tank (37) mounted on the upper part of the water tank (T) so as to cover the upper surface of the water tank.
A filter medium tank (23) supported by the bottom plate of the filter medium and containing the filter medium (22); and a discharge pipe (24) for returning filtered water flowing through the filter medium (22) into the water tank (T). It has.
On the other hand, the bottom filtration mechanism (B) is composed of a biological filtration mechanism (26) for purifying water by decomposing organic substances such as ornamental fish dung and residual foods with aerobic microorganisms breeding on the bottom sand (27). A flat casing (28) having a plurality of slit-shaped water inlets (29) on its upper surface is embedded in the bottom sand (27) of the biological filtration mechanism (26). (P) is a pumping pump mechanism, which comprises a driving motor (31) supported by the bottom plate of the septic tank (37) and a pump chamber (32) containing a pumping impeller (not shown). . (33) is an inverted L-shaped water supply pipe, which connects the pump chamber (32) and the filter medium tank (23). The pump chamber (32) and the casing (28) are connected to the connecting pipe (34).
Connected by

The water (W0) in the water tank flows through the bottom sand (27) by the pumping force generated from the pump chamber (32), and flows through the slit-shaped water inlets (29) to the casing (28). Inhaled into. And the connecting pipe (34)
Through the water pipe (33) and the physical filtration mechanism (2
After being transported to 1), it is returned from the discharge pipe (24) into the water tank (T). By circulating the water (W0) in the water tank through the biological filtration mechanism (26) and the physical filtration mechanism (21), good water quality can be maintained.

In the filter device for an ornamental fish tank having such a configuration, among various sizes of underwater floating materials floating in the water tank, those having a size that cannot flow through the bottom sand (27) are as follows: Since it was not sucked into the casing (28), it could not be conveyed to the physical filtration mechanism (21) and could not be removed from the water (W0) in the water tank.

Therefore, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-72358 proposes a pipe joint to be mounted in the middle of the connecting pipe (34). This pipe joint (5
1) has a connecting pipe (34) at the lower end as shown in FIG.
b) a fixed pipe (5) having a connecting pipe portion (52a) fitted therein.
2), a movable tube (54) having a C-shaped cross section which is attached to the inner or outer peripheral surface of the fixed tube (52) in close contact, and a connecting tube (56a) fitted at the upper end to a connecting pipe (34a). )
(56). Such a pipe joint (51) is excellent in that it is configured to be able to suck water (W0) in a water tank, but has the following drawbacks.

That is, the pipe joint (51)
Is composed of the three members (52), (54), and (56), so that the number of molds required for the production is large, and the peripheral surface of the fixed pipe (52) has a large number of slit-shaped water inlets (5).
3) are provided, and a number of slit-shaped water inlets (55) corresponding to the slit-shaped water inlets (53) are also provided on the peripheral surface of the movable cylinder (54). Also required complicated shapes, and the manufacturing cost was high.

At the time of initial setting, the connecting pipe (34) is cut in advance with a saw or the like, and the fixed pipe (52) is attached to the tip of the pipe (34b) on the biological filtration mechanism (26) side. ), The connection pipe (52a) of the cap (56) is internally fitted to the tip of the pipe (34a) on the side of the physical filtration mechanism (21). It is necessary to fit and connect to the state. At this time, the pipe (34b) on the biological filtration mechanism (26) side
Pipe (34a) on the tip and physical filtration mechanism (21) side
If the distance from the tip is a little too short, the physical filtration mechanism (21) and the septic tank (37) supporting the same are lifted when connected to the upper and lower connecting pipes (56a) (52a). As a result, the lid (not shown) of the water tank cannot be closed, or the beauty of the water tank (T) is impaired. On the contrary, these two pipes (34
a) (34b) If the distance between the tips is a little too long, a gap is formed in the fitting portion between the pipes (34a) (34b) and the connecting pipes (56a) (52a). Water (W0) in the water tank flows through the gap, and the flow rate cannot be adjusted properly. for that reason,
In the above-mentioned conventional product, at the time of the initial setting, the distance between the tips of the pipes (34a) (34b) must be strictly set to a length that can be fitted to the upper and lower connecting pipes (56a) (52a) without any problem. The initial setting work was very difficult.

Further, in the case of maintenance of the water tank (T) such as water exchange and cleaning, in order to facilitate the work, the septic tank (37) is lifted and both pipes (34a) (34b) and the connecting pipe ( Although it is necessary to release the connection between the pipes (56a) and (52a), the pipes (34a) and (34b) and the connection pipes (56a) and (52a) are connected to the conventional product so that water does not flow from the fitting portion. Is connected to some extent, the connection may not be released simply by lifting the septic tank (37). In this case, the septic tank (37) must be lifted while holding down the fixed pipe (52), and when the connection between the pipes (34a) (34b) and the connecting pipes (56a) (52a) is released alone. Had a very difficult task.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned difficulties, and can be manufactured at a low cost, can be easily set at an initial stage, and can be easily removed even during maintenance of an aquarium. It is intended to provide a pipe joint for the device.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter device for an ornamental fish tank, wherein the pipe joint comprises a drainage pipe vertically provided to a filtration mechanism installed at the bottom of the tank, and a water tank. A water absorption pipe hanging down to a filtration mechanism installed at the upper part of the tubular pipe joint of the aquarium fish tank filtration device for connecting the tips of the pipe in a separated state, the inner diameter of both ends of each pipe. Each pipe is set to be approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter, and is slidably inserted along the axial direction, and is provided with a water suction port for sucking water from a water tank on a peripheral surface of an intermediate portion in the axial direction. It is a feature.

According to this configuration, a pipe joint having a simple structure can be obtained, the number of molds required for production can be reduced, and the pipe joint can be produced with a relatively simple mold. Also, at the time of initial setting, one end of this pipe joint is inserted into one of the water absorption pipe and the drainage pipe in an externally fitted state, and the other end is inserted into the other pipe in an externally fitted state. This eliminates the need to strictly set the distance between the distal end of the water absorption pipe and the drainage pipe as in the related art, thereby facilitating the initial setting operation. Further, at the time of maintenance of the water tank, the pipe joint is slid in advance to one of the water absorption pipe and the drain pipe to expose the pipe separation portion, and then the septic tank is lifted.

[0012] The water in the water tank containing the suspended matter in the water flows from the water suction port and is sucked into the water absorption pipe. By sliding the pipe joint along the axial direction, the amount of water flowing into the water tank into the water absorption pipe can be adjusted. For example, the water intake port is blocked by the outer peripheral surface of the water absorption pipe or drainage pipe, and the opening area decreases,
The water intake opening closed by the outer peripheral surface of the water absorption pipe or the drainage pipe opens to increase the opening area, and the amount of water flowing into the water tank is adjusted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the intermediate portion is provided with the water inlet and has an inner diameter larger than a pipe diameter. The intermediate portion is connected to the water absorbing portion and the inner diameter gradually decreases as the distance from the water absorbing portion increases. A configuration having a flow rate adjustment unit that is gradually increased is adopted.

According to this structure, the water in the water tank containing the suspended matter flows in from the water inlet and passes through the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the flow control section and the outer peripheral edge of the water absorption pipe or the drain pipe. It is sucked into the water absorption pipe. Then, by sliding along the axial direction, the gap size between the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate control unit and the outer peripheral edge of the tip of the water absorption pipe or drainage pipe increases or decreases, and the amount of water flowing into the water tank into the water absorption pipe is adjusted. Is done.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a structure is adopted in which the portion can be divided in the axial direction in the vicinity of the water inlet.

According to this configuration, the water inlet that is most easily contaminated can be easily cleaned. That is, when the pipe joint is divided, the vicinity of the water inlet is opened, so that the water inlet can be cleaned from this opening, and the cleaning of the water inlet is simplified.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a configuration is provided in which the slide assisting ridges are provided along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surfaces of the both ends.

According to this structure, since the inner peripheral surfaces of the both ends are provided with the ridges, the contact area between the inner peripheral surfaces of the both ends and the outer peripheral surfaces of the water absorption pipe and the drainage pipe is reduced. Since it is provided along the axial direction, sliding in the axial direction becomes extremely easy.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a pipe joint (1) according to the present invention. This pipe joint (1) is manufactured from a synthetic resin such as polypropylene.

First, the pipe joint (1) will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, FIG.
The same components as those in FIG. 8 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the same figure, (36) is a biological filtration mechanism (26)
A drain pipe for discharging the water (W1) purified in step (1), and is vertically provided to the casing (28). Also, (3
5) is a water absorption pipe that sucks water and conveys it to the physical filtration mechanism (21), which is suspended from the filtration material tank (23) via a water supply pipe (33) and a pump chamber (32). These drainage pipe (36) and water absorption pipe (35)
Is formed by cutting the middle of the above-mentioned connecting pipe (34). And drainage pipe (3
The tip of (6) and the tip of the water absorption pipe (35) are connected in a separated state by the pipe joint (1) according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pipe joint (1) is formed in a tubular shape, the upper end (4) being a water absorbing pipe (35), and the lower end (5) being a drain pipe. It is attached to (36).

Hereinafter, the structure of the pipe joint (1) will be described in detail.

The inner diameter of the upper end (4) is
5) The diameter is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of 5), and the water absorption pipe (35) can be inserted in a substantially liquid-tight state, and the water absorption pipe (35) can slide along the axis (c) direction. Is set so that it can be inserted into Similarly, the inner diameter of the lower end portion (5) is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the drain pipe (36), so that the drain pipe (36) can be inserted in a substantially liquid-tight state, and the axis ( The drain pipe (36) is set so as to be slidable along the direction c).

Then, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), on the inner peripheral surfaces of these upper and lower end portions (4) and (5), there are provided four slide assisting ridges (10) along the direction of the axis (c). Are arranged at equal intervals to facilitate sliding of the pipe joint (1) in the direction of the axis (c). The projecting amount of the slide assisting ridges (10) is preferably 0.05 to 0.4 mm. If it is less than 0.05 mm, the desired effect cannot be obtained,
If it exceeds 0 and 4 mm, it will be difficult to secure a liquid-tight state, and the water (W0) in the water tank will be
Is likely to flow in. Usually the protrusion amount is 0.2
mm. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the slide assisting ridges (10) are exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

The intermediate part (6) has a water absorbing part (7) located on the lower end part (5) side, and a flow control part (8) connected to the water absorbing part (7). As shown in FIG. 2, the water absorbing portion (7) has a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the drain pipe (36), and has a plurality of lateral suction holes for sucking water (W0) from a water tank on its peripheral surface. A slit-shaped water inlet (9) ... was established,
The water (W0) in the water tank can flow into the interior through the water inlets (9). The flow rate adjusting unit (8)
The inner peripheral surface is formed in a tapered shape, and the water absorbing portion (7)
The inner diameter gradually decreases as the distance from the
By sliding the pipe joint (1) along the direction of the axis (c), the size of the gap (g) between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral edge of the tip of the drain pipe (36) can be increased or decreased.

The pipe joint (1) having such a structure is
As shown in FIG. 3, near the upper side of the water inlets (9)... Can be divided along the axis (c) direction. That is, the pipe joint (1) comprises a lower component (3) constituting a lower portion of the pipe joint and having the water inlets (9)... On its peripheral surface, and an upper component (2) constituting an upper portion of the pipe joint. And a fitting cylinder (1) protruding from the upper end surface of the lower component (3).
The upper and lower structural members (2) and (3) are integrated by fitting 1) from the lower end of the upper structural member (2) so as to be fittable in a liquid-tight state on the inner peripheral edge of the lower end. Thus, a pipe joint (1) is formed.

When the pipe joint (1) having the above structure is mounted on a filtration device, the connecting pipe (34) is cut in advance with a plastic saw or the like to cut the water absorbing pipe (35).
The lower end (5) of the pipe joint (1) is inserted into the outer end of the drain pipe (36) while the tip of the drain pipe (36) is slightly separated from both ends. Then, the upper end portion (4) of the pipe joint (1) is inserted into the distal end portion of the water absorption pipe (35) so as to be externally fitted. Then, the pipe joint (1) is slid to dispose the flow rate adjusting section (8) at the position of the pipe separating section (h).

When mounted in this way, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), water (W0) in the water tank containing suspended matter in water flows in through the water inlets (9). The water passes through the gap (g) between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral edge of the tip of the drain pipe (36), and is sucked into the water absorbing pipe (35) together with the water (W1) of the drain pipe (36). When the pipe joint (1) is slid downward (arrow A) from this state, as shown in FIG. 2B, the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate adjusting section (8) and the outer peripheral edge of the distal end of the drain pipe (36). Since the gap (g) with the part is narrowed, the amount of inflow of water (W0) in the water tank flowing from the water inlet (9) is reduced. On the other hand, by sliding the pipe joint (1) upward, a gap (g) between the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate adjusting section (8) and the outer peripheral edge of the tip of the drainage pipe (36) is widened, and the water (W0) ) Inflow increases. By sliding the pipe joint (1) up and down in this way, the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate control unit (8) and the drain pipe (36)
The size of the gap (g) with the outer peripheral edge of the tip changes, so that the mixing ratio between the inflow of water (W0) in the water tank and the inflow of water (W1) in the drain pipe (36) can be changed. .

On the other hand, during maintenance of the water tank (T), the pipe joint (1) was largely slid toward the water absorption pipe (35) or the drain pipe (36) to expose the pipe separation part (h). Thereafter, the septic tank (37) is lifted to open the water tank (T). Then, maintenance such as cleaning of the water tank (T) is performed. When cleaning the pipe joint (1), the upper component (2)
And the lower component (3), it is possible to easily clean the water inlets (9) that are most likely to become dirty.

The gradient of the taper of the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate adjusting section (8) depends on the size of the water tank (T) and the pumping mechanism (P).
The setting can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the pumping capacity and the like. For example, if the slope of the taper is made large, the inflow of water (W0) into the water tank can be increased.

Further, the flow rate adjusting portion (8) is not limited to forming the inner peripheral surface into a tapered shape. For example, FIG.
As shown in (5), the flow rate adjusting portion (8 ') may be formed in such a manner that it is narrowed down in an arc shape. According to this, precise flow rate adjustment can be performed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the flow rate adjusting portion (8 '') may be formed in a form which bulges outward in an arc shape. According to this, the mixing ratio of the water (W0) in the water tank and the water (W1) in the drain pipe can be greatly changed with a small slide amount.

In the pipe joint (1) having the above structure, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the lower end (5) is a drain pipe (36) and the upper end (4) is a water absorbing pipe (3).
Although it is mounted in 5), it may be mounted upside down. In this case, the water (W
0) flows in from the water inlets (9)...
The water is sucked into the water-absorbing pipe through a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the water-absorbing pipe and the outer peripheral edge of the water-absorbing pipe. However, it is preferable to mount as in the above embodiment. This is because, according to the above embodiment, the water inlets (9)...
When the pumping mechanism (P) stops operating for some reason or stops its operation for maintenance, the floating substance in the water (9) ... The cleaning can be prevented from passing through the drainage pipe (36) and entering the troublesome casing (28) from the distal end.

Further, the flow rate adjusting section (8) of the above embodiment.
Is one in which the inner diameter is gradually changed as the distance from the water absorbing portion (7) is increased. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inner diameter is gradually changed as the distance from the water absorbing portion (7) is increased (not shown). It may be.

Further, in the pipe joint (1) according to the first aspect, as shown in FIG. 7, the inner diameter of the intermediate portion (6) is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the upper and lower ends (4) and (5). It may be a diameter. In this case, by sliding the pipe joint (1) up and down, the water suction port (9) is closed by the outer peripheral surface of the water suction pipe (35) or the drain pipe (36), and the opening area thereof is reduced (FIG. (B)) Alternatively, the water inlet (9), which was closed on the outer peripheral surface of the water absorption pipe (35) or the drain pipe (36), is opened to increase the opening area (FIG. (A)), and the water tank is closed. The amount of inflow of water (W0) can be adjusted.

[0036]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the drainage pipe suspended from the filtration mechanism installed at the bottom of the water tank and the water absorption pipe suspended from the filtration mechanism installed at the upper part of the water tank. And a tubular pipe joint of an aquarium fish tank filtration device for connecting the distal ends thereof in a separated state, wherein the inner diameter of both ends is substantially the same as the outer diameter of each pipe, and along the axial direction. Each pipe is set to be slidable, and it is equipped with a water suction port on the peripheral surface of the middle part in the axial direction for sucking water from the water tank, so it can be a pipe joint with a simple structure, Since the number of required molds is small, and it can be manufactured with relatively simple molds,
It can be manufactured at low cost. Also, at the time of initial setting, one end of this pipe joint is inserted into one of the water absorption pipe and the drainage pipe in an externally fitted state, and the other end is inserted into the other pipe in an externally fitted state. Therefore, it is not necessary to strictly set the distance between the distal end portions of the water absorption pipe and the drain pipe unlike the related art, and the mounting operation can be easily performed. Furthermore, during maintenance of the water tank, the pipe joint can be slid to either one of the water absorption pipe and the drain pipe to expose the pipe separation portion, and then the septic tank can be lifted. Maintenance work can be performed easily.

Further, the pipe joint connecting the water absorption pipe and the drainage pipe allows water in a water tank containing suspended matter to flow into the water absorption pipe through the water suction port. By sliding the pipe joint along the axial direction, the amount of water flowing into the water tank is adjusted. For example, closing the water intake port with the outer peripheral surface of the water absorption pipe or drainage pipe to reduce its opening area, or opening the water absorption port closed with the outer peripheral surface of the water absorption pipe or drainage pipe to increase its opening area. Or
The inflow of water into the aquarium can be adjusted.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the intermediate portion has the water inlet and is formed to have an inner diameter larger than the pipe diameter. The intermediate portion is connected to the water absorbing portion, and the inner diameter is gradually reduced or moved away from the water absorbing portion. Since it has a flow rate adjusting portion that is gradually increased, the water of the water tank containing the suspended matter in the water flows in from the water inlet, and the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate adjusting portion and the outer peripheral edge of the tip of the water absorption pipe or the drainage pipe. Can be sucked into the water-absorbing pipe. And, by sliding along the axial direction, the gap dimension between the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate control unit and the outer peripheral edge of the tip of the water absorption pipe or drainage pipe increases or decreases, and the amount of water flowing into the water tank is adjusted. Can be.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the pipe joint can be divided in the axial direction in the vicinity of the water intake port. Therefore, when this pipe joint is divided, the vicinity of the water intake port is opened, and the water intake port is cleaned. It's easy to do.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the slide assisting ridges are provided along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surfaces of the both ends, when the pipe joint is slid along the axial direction, the sliding ends of the both ends are provided. The contact area between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surfaces of the water absorption pipe and the drainage pipe is reduced, and the sliding operation in the axial direction can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of a pipe joint according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, and a partially enlarged view thereof.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pipe joint.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the pipe joint is divided.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing states (a) and (b) before and after sliding the pipe joint.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an ornamental fish tank equipped with the pipe joint.

FIG. 6 shows two modified examples (a) and (b) of the pipe joint.
FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing another embodiment of the pipe joint according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an ornamental fish tank to which the pipe joint according to the present invention is attached.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a conventional pipe joint.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pipe joint 2 ... Upper constituent member 3 ... Lower constituent member 4 ... Upper end part 5 ... Lower end part 6 ... Intermediate part 7 ... Water absorption part 8 ... Flow control part 9 ... Water absorption opening 10 ... Sliding auxiliary convex part 11 ... Fitting Cylinder g: gap h: pipe separation c: pipe axis T: water tank W0: water in tank W1: water in drainage pipe U: top filtration mechanism B: bottom filtration mechanism 35: water absorption pipe 36: drainage pipe

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A filtration mechanism (B) installed at the bottom of a water tank.
For an aquarium fish tank that connects a drainage pipe (36) suspended from the water tank and a water absorption pipe (35) suspended from a filtration mechanism (U) installed on the upper part of the water tank in such a manner that the tips are separated from each other. A tubular pipe joint (1) of a filtration device, wherein the inner diameter of both ends (4) and (5) is substantially the same as the outer diameter of each pipe (35) (36), and each pipe extends along the axial direction. (35)
(36) is set to be slidable and insertable,
A tubular pipe joint for an ornamental fish tank filtering device, comprising a water suction port (9) for sucking water from a water tank on a peripheral surface of an axially intermediate portion (6). 2. The water supply port (9), wherein the intermediate portion (6) is provided with:
A water absorbing portion (7) having a larger inner diameter than the pipe diameter; and a flow control portion (8) connected to the water absorbing portion (7) and having an inner diameter gradually reduced or gradually increased as the distance from the water absorbing portion (7) increases. The tubular pipe joint of the filter device for an ornamental fish tank according to claim 1, comprising: 3. A tubular pipe joint for an aquarium fish tank filtration device according to claim 1, wherein the filter can be divided in the axial direction in the vicinity of the water inlet (9). 4. The ornamental fish according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of each of the end portions (4) and (5) is provided with a ridge (10) for assisting sliding along an axial direction. Cylindrical pipe joint for water tank filtration equipment.