JP3231287B2 - Connection hose end structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drain hose configured to discharge water droplets stored in a drain pan provided in an indoor air conditioner to the outside via a drain hose connected to a drain pipe of the drain pan. Connection side end structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional drain hoses include, for example, those shown in FIGS. This comprises a hose body 21 having a foam layer 20 inside, and a hose body 2
The main constituent members are a connecting portion 22 of a soft resin fixed to one end of the first connecting portion 1 and a metal O-shaped ring 23 held on the outer surface of the connecting portion 22 to prevent the connecting portion 22 from spreading. As a drain hose 24. Therefore, the connection portion 22 of the drain hose 24 having the O-ring 23 is simply fitted to the discharge pipe 2 of the drain pan 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the drain hose 24 and the discharge pipe 2 are sealed. Being able to connect quickly. The outer diameter of the connecting portion 22 is increased by fitting the connecting portion 22 to the discharge pipe 2, and the O-shaped ring 23 is similarly expanded by the outer diameter.
The O-ring 23 exerts an elastic restoring force to return to the original position, so that the connection portion 22 is fastened to the discharge pipe 2. Reference numeral 25 shown in FIG.
2 is a heat insulating material for covering a part of the outer surface.

According to the above configuration, although the connecting portion 22 is tightened by the O-shaped ring 23, the tightening force is such that the connecting portion 22 is not deformed.
2 cannot be sufficiently suppressed from expanding due to heat, and the diameter of the connecting portion 22 is unnecessarily expanded with use over a long period of time. In some cases, it may deviate from 2 and early improvement has been desired. In addition, since the connecting portion 22 is formed of a particularly soft resin so as to have a sealing function, the connecting portion 22 tends to expand more due to heat, and the above-mentioned inconvenience is remarkable. there were. In order to avoid the above-mentioned inconvenience, it is conceivable to fix the connecting portion 22 and the discharge pipe 2 using an adhesive or the like. In practice, it is difficult to implement.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention is intended to solve the problem that the connection work can be performed quickly while the drain hose comes off from the discharge pipe. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable drain hose connection structure that can be reliably avoided over a period of time.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a drain hose connected to a drain pipe of an indoor air conditioner by externally fitting a water droplet received by the drain pan provided in the indoor air conditioner. And can be discharged to the outside through
In order to form an annular recess at the connection end of the drain hose, project the connection end toward the radially outward side of the drain hose, accommodate a sealant in the recess, and project the protrusion for forming the recess. In order to reduce the diameter of the projecting portion whose diameter can be freely reduced, the projecting portion is elastically deformable to tighten the projecting portion from the outside and has a property of restoring the original shape. Then, the protrusion for forming the concave portion is externally fitted to the discharge pipe in a state where the diameter of the protrusion for forming the concave portion is reduced by the fastening tool. Accordingly, if the projection (the end on the connection side) for forming the concave portion is externally fitted to the discharge pipe with the diameter reduced by the fastening tool, the diameter of the projection is increased. As a result, the restoring force of the fastener increases, and the tightening force for reducing the diameter of the protrusion increases. In addition, by simply fitting the projection (connection end) of the drain hose to the drain pipe of the drain pan, the sealing material accommodated in the recess comes into contact with the drain pipe to perform reliable sealing. be able to.

A notch is formed along at least one circumferential portion of the connection-side end portion of the protrusion for forming the recess along the connection axis end of the drain hose, thereby reducing the protrusion. You may comprise so that diameter may be adjusted freely. With this configuration, it is possible to smoothly (easily) reduce the diameter of the protrusion by the width of the notch, that is, the gap in the pipe diameter direction.

[0007] Further, by forming a protruding portion which protrudes radially outward in at least one circumferential position of the connection-side end portion of the drain hose at the protruding portion for forming the concave portion, the protruding portion is formed. The portion may be configured to be freely reduced in diameter. With this configuration, when the tightening operation is performed by the tightening tool, the inner surface of the raised portion is operated on the side closer to the surface, in other words, the raised portion is folded, but the raised portion is compared with the notch. Forcibly performing the folding operation requires a large operation force. However, a cutting step required for forming the notch is not required, and a configuration in which the raised portion can be integrally formed is advantageous in terms of manufacturing.

By making the thickness of the raised portion smaller than the thickness of the other portions, the operating force for forcibly folding the raised portion can be reduced as much as possible. Can be approximated to the required diameter reduction operation force.

A first wall portion projecting outward from the drain hose in a radial direction of the drain hose and serving as a receiving portion for receiving one end of the sealing material in the longitudinal direction of the hose;
A second wall extending from the outer end of the first wall in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction and serving as a receiving portion for receiving the outer surface in the thickness direction of the sealing material; and a free end of the second wall. And a third wall portion which extends radially inward from the portion and serves as a receiving portion for receiving the other end of the sealing material in the longitudinal direction of the hose. , The third
By extending the rim in the direction perpendicular to the radial direction from the radially inner end of the wall, the sealing material can be reliably accommodated and held by the three walls, but FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, even when the external force P acts on the drain hose 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the extended edge 6D having a large contact area immediately contacts the discharge pipe 2 (see FIG. 1). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 6 of the drain hose 3 from being deformed into an outwardly expanding shape.

[0010] The fastener may be constituted by an O-shaped ring engaged in an annular groove formed on the outer surface of the projection for forming the recess. If configured with an O-shaped ring in this way,
The pressing force by the O-ring can be made uniform at any part of the outer surface of the protrusion in the circumferential direction. Further, the annular groove can reliably prevent the O-shaped ring from moving in the tube axis direction.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a drain hose 3 connected to a drain pipe 2 of a drain pan 1 for discharging water droplets stored in a drain pan 1 provided in an indoor air conditioner. ing. A heat insulating tube 4 is mounted on the outer surface of the drain hose 3, but the heat insulating tube 4 may be omitted. In addition, this heat insulating tube 4
Is fixed to the drain hose 3 by a binding band B. The drain hose 3 is made of a synthetic resin (preferably a heat-resistant synthetic resin), and has a corrugated hose body 5 having an annular convex portion 5A and an annular concave portion 5B alternately. Are integrally formed with the ends 6, 7 formed integrally at both ends. One end 6 of these ends is a connection side end connected to the discharge pipe 2, and the other end 7 is connected to another hose (not shown) to connect the hose. Although provided to be extendable, the other end 7 may be omitted. Further, the shape of the hose body 5 may be, for example, a shape in which a convex portion and a concave portion are formed in a spiral shape, or a straight shape instead of a waveform, other than the shape shown in the figure. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the hose body 5 may be any shape such as an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal shape, in addition to the circular shape. In addition, in the figure, the drain pan 1 is written on the left side of the discharge pipe 2 and the drain hose 3, but actually, the drain pan 1 is located at the uppermost position, and the left side is upward in the figure, Although the right side is downward, the drain pan 1
Is written on the left side of the discharge pipe 2 and the drain hose 3.

The connection-side end 6 is formed as a projection for forming an annular recess 10 for accommodating an annular sealing material 9 made of an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin. ing. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the projecting portion 6 for forming the concave portion extends from one end of the annular portion 8 extending to one end of the hose main body 5 and having a diameter larger than that of the concave portion 5B of the hose main body 5. A first wall portion 6A which projects radially outward and serves as a receiving portion for receiving one end surface 9A of the sealing material 9, and extends from an outer end portion of the first wall portion 6A in a direction orthogonal to the radial direction. A second wall 6B which is provided and serves as a receiving portion for receiving the outer surface 9B in the thickness direction of the sealing material 9;
A third wall portion 6C, which extends radially inward from the free end portion B and serves as a receiving portion for receiving the other end surface 9C of the sealing member 9 in the longitudinal direction of the hose, has a substantially U-shaped cross section. An opening formed by an inner surface 6d of the rim 6D, the rim 6D extending in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction from a radially inner end of the third wall portion. By inserting the seal material 9 into the hose through the portion, the seal material 9 is accommodated in the concave portion 10. 9F shown in the figure is
An inclined surface formed on one side of the fitting direction of the sealing material 9, that is, on the drain pan 1 side, so that a part of the sealing material 9 does not protrude to the connection side of the drain hose 3, and furthermore, the back side. With the inclined surface 9F protruding toward the inner diameter side, the sealing action of the sealing material 9 is gradually exerted without being suddenly exerted at the inlet portion,
The seal failure near the entrance is prevented from occurring. The discharge pipe 2 has a tapered surface 2A having a smaller diameter toward the end on the drain hose 3 side,
When one end of the drain hose 3 is fitted to the discharge pipe 2, the sealing material 9 is compressed and deformed toward the end of the drain hose 3 so that the sealing performance is improved. May be a straight pipe.

As shown in FIG. 2, an annular projecting portion 9T is formed integrally on the outer surface of the sealing member 9 at a substantially central portion thereof in the axial direction of the tube axis, and an auxiliary recess 10A into which the projecting portion 9T enters. Is formed at a substantially central portion of the second wall portion 6B in the tube axis direction, so that the central portion projects outward.
H is formed. Therefore, the sealing material 9 is inserted into the recess 10.
Of the auxiliary recess 10A.
By entering the inside, the locking action of both can be exerted, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the sealing material 9 from coming out of the recess 10 through the opening 6d of the lip 6D. In order to form a groove 6M in which an O-shaped ring 11 described later is locked on the outer surface of the connection side portion of the second wall portion 6B, two projecting portions 6E protruding outward from the second wall portion 6B. , 6F are formed in the groove 6M so that the O-type ring 11 does not come off from the drain hose 3.
The mold ring 11 is locked and held. The two protrusions 6
The drain hose 3 is connected to the discharge pipe 2 by forming an end recess 10B protruding outward from the recess 10 on the inner surface of the projection 6E on the connection end side of the connection ends E and 6F. In the connected state, the connection-side end of the sealing material 9 can be largely inserted into the inside of the end-side concave portion 10B, so that the sealing material 9 can be more reliably prevented from coming off the drain hose 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), one of the protrusions for forming the concave portion, that is, one of the end portions of the connection side end portion 6 in the circumferential direction is arranged in the pipe axis direction. Notch 6 along
By forming K, the projecting portion, that is, the connection-side end portion 6 is configured to be freely reduced in diameter. In order to reduce the diameter of the connection-side end portion 6 whose diameter can be freely reduced, the connection-side end portion 6 is tightened from the outside, and is elastically deformable and has a property of restoring the original shape. By attaching the mold ring 11 and fitting the O-shaped ring 11 to the discharge pipe 2 with the diameter of the connection-side end 6 reduced, the pressing action of the tapered surface 2A of the discharge pipe 2 is performed. As a result, the diameter of the connection-side end 6 is gradually increased, and the elastic restoring force of the O-ring 11 is increased by the amount of the diameter-expansion operation, so that the tightening force of the O-ring 11 with respect to the connection-side end 6 is increased. So that it can be done. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the connection side end 6 is connected to the discharge pipe 2.
The outer diameter dimension B1 of the connection side end 6 and the radial dimension A1 of the notch 6K before external fitting are reduced by the O-shaped ring 11, and in this state, as shown in FIG. Of the connection side end 6 by the pressing action of the tapered surface 2A of the
By making the dimension B2 larger than the outer diameter dimension B1 and the dimension A2 larger than the radial dimension A1 of the notch 6K, the O-shaped ring 11 is expanded, and the O-shaped ring 11 It increases the elastic restoring force. or,
The O-ring 11 may be made of a metal or any other material that is elastically deformable, has a property of restoring its original shape, and is not easily deformed by heat. It may be composed of a material. Also, the O-shaped ring 11 has a state in which both end faces come into contact with each other when the wire is formed in an annular shape, so that even when the diameter of the O-shaped ring 11 is expanded, a large gap is formed between the both end faces. Although it is prevented from occurring, it may be formed in a C shape in which a small gap is generated between both end faces. Also, O-shaped ring 11
May be any shape such as a semicircle or a square in addition to a circular cross section. Also, instead of the O-shaped ring 11, 1
It may be a spiral coil spring with more than a winding.
Also, two or more O-rings 11 may be provided to further increase the elastic restoring force. The dimension A1 in the radial direction of the notch 6K and the dimension C1 in the tube axis direction can be appropriately changed depending on the diameter of the connection-side end 6, and the like.
The number of K can be appropriately changed depending on the diameter of the connection side end 6 and the like, but the shape retaining performance of the connection side end 6 decreases as the number of the notches 6K increases.

FIG. 4 (A) and FIG. 4 (B)
5 (a) and 5 (b).
In other words, an inverted U-shaped protuberance that protrudes radially outward along the tube axis direction from one of the protruding portions for forming the concave portion, that is, one of the end-side portions of the connection-side end portion 6 in the circumferential direction. Part 6G
Is formed so that the connection-side end 6 can be reduced in diameter. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the O-shaped ring 11 is in a state where both ends thereof are in contact with outer surfaces located on both sides of the top in the outer circumferential direction of the raised portion 6G (preferably in a state of contact). (It may be in non-contact state)
Is mounted on the connection side end 6 so that the inner surface 6g of the raised portion 6G is operated toward the approaching side, in other words, the raised portion 6G is folded around the top portion, thereby forming the connection side end. The outer diameter B1 of the connection-side end 6 and the radial dimension A1 of the raised portion 6G before the portion 6 is fitted to the discharge pipe 2 are reduced by the O-shaped ring 11, and in this state, FIG. ), The outer diameter B of the connection-side end 6 due to the pressing action of the tapered surface 2A of the discharge pipe 2.
By setting the dimension B2 larger than 1 and the dimension A2 larger than the radial dimension A1 of the raised portion 6G,
The diameter of the O-shaped ring 11 is expanded to increase the elastic restoring force of the O-shaped ring 11. The O-shaped ring 1
1 is made of any material that can be elastically deformed, has the property of restoring to its original shape, and is not easily deformed by heat. You may. The O-shaped ring 11 is prevented from moving toward the connection end by the contact portion 6E, and is prevented from moving toward the main body hose by the connection end 6h of the protruding portion 6H (FIG. 5B). (See Reference). The length of the protruding portion 6G in the tube axis direction, that is, the position of the main body hose side end 6L of the protruding portion 6G (see FIG. 5B) can be appropriately changed depending on the diameter and wall thickness of the tube. Also, FIG.
As shown in the figure, by forming the thickness N1 of the raised portion 6G smaller than the thickness N2 of the other connection side end portion 6, the operating force for forcibly folding the raised portion 6G is reduced as much as possible. It is possible to approach the diameter reducing operation force required in the case of the notch 6K. In addition to forming the raised portion 6G in an inverted U-shape, the raised portion 6G may be formed in any shape such as an inverted V-shaped or M-shaped or a bellows type having an elastic portion. Not only one place but also two or more places may be provided.

The inner surface 6 of the rim 6D of the drain hose 3
Although the diameter of the rim 6D is set so that d is in contact with the tapered surface 2A of the discharge pipe 2, the inner surface 6d of the rim 6D of the drain hose 3 and the taper of the discharge pipe 2 are set. Edge 6D so that a gap is generated between
May be set.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the protrusion for forming the concave portion is externally fitted to the discharge pipe in a state where the diameter of the protrusion is reduced by the tightening tool, so that the protrusion is tightened by an amount corresponding to the operation of increasing the diameter. The restoring force of the tool increases, and the tightening force for reducing the diameter of the protruding portion increases, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the drain hose from coming off the discharge pipe due to thermal expansion for a long period of time. Moreover, simply by fitting the connection side end of the drain hose to the drain pipe of the drain pan, the sealing material accommodated in the concave portion comes into contact with the drain pipe, and quick and reliable sealing can be performed. Also, by forming the recess for accommodating the sealing material integrally with the drain hose, the two parts are formed separately, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing and assembling work as compared with those in which the two members are assembled. can do.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the protrusion is configured to be reduced in diameter by the notch formed along the tube axis direction, so that the protrusion has a width corresponding to the width of the notch, that is, a gap in the pipe diameter direction. Can be smoothly (easy) reduced diameter operation,
This is optimal as a configuration for effectively applying a tightening force to the protrusion to prevent the drain hose from coming off the discharge pipe due to thermal expansion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the protrusion is configured to be able to be reduced in diameter by the protrusion protruding radially outward, so that the inner surface of the protrusion is operated toward the approaching side, in other words, the protrusion. Is folded to tighten the protruding portion. Then, compared with the case of the notch, a large operation force for forcibly folding the raised portion is required, but a cutting step required when forming the notch becomes unnecessary. This is advantageous in terms of manufacturing.

According to the fourth aspect, by making the thickness of the raised portion smaller than the thickness of the other portions, the operating force for forcibly folding the raised portion can be reduced as much as possible. In addition, it is possible to approach the diameter reducing operation force required in the case of the notch, and it is possible to exhibit almost the same effect as the case of the notch.

According to the fifth aspect, while the sealing material can be reliably held and held by the three walls, even when the external force P acts on the drain hose as shown in FIG. The rim having a large contact area immediately contacts the discharge pipe, preventing the drain hose from expanding outwardly, and adding to the restoring force of the coil spring only by considering the shape. Thus, the drain hose can be prevented from being deformed, and the drain hose can be made harder to come off from the discharge pipe against external force.

According to the sixth aspect, the fastener is locked in an annular groove formed on the outer surface of the projection for forming the concave portion.
With the use of the mold ring, the pressing force of the O-type ring can be made uniform at any part of the outer surface of the protrusion in the circumferential direction. Further, the annular groove can reliably prevent the O-shaped ring from moving in the tube axis direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a state in which a drain hose is externally fitted to a discharge pipe.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state immediately before a sealing material is inserted into a drain hose.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a connection end of a drain hose, wherein (a) shows a state immediately before fitting to the discharge pipe, and (b) shows a state fitting to the discharge pipe. I have.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a connection-side end of a drain hose of another shape, wherein (a) shows a state immediately before fitting to the discharge pipe, and (b) shows a state immediately before fitting to the discharge pipe. The state is shown.

FIG. 5A is a front view of the connection side end of the drain hose when FIG. 4A is viewed from the right, and FIG. 5B is such that the raised portion of FIG. 4A is positioned upward. The side view in the state where the connection side end of the drain hose was rotated 45 degrees around the pipe axis.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional drain hose, (a) is a side view in which a part of the drain hose is sectioned, and (b) is a front view of the drain hose from which a heat insulating material is removed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drain pan 2 Discharge pipe 2A Tapered surface 3 Drain hose 4 Heat insulation tube 5 Hose main body 5A Convex part 5B Concave part 6 Connection side end part (projection part for concave part formation) 6A First wall part 6B Second wall part 6C Third wall Part 6D Edge 6E, 6F Contact part 6G Rise 6H Projection 6K Notch 6L Hose body side end 6M Groove 6g Inner surface 6d Inner surface (opening) 6h Connection end 7 End connection 8 Ring 9 Seal material 9A One end surface 9B Outer surface 9C The other end surface 9F Inclined surface 10 Recess 10A Auxiliary concave 10B End side concave 11 O-shaped ring (clamping tool) 20 Foaming layer 21 Hose body 22 Hose body 23 O-shaped ring 24 Drain hose 25 Heat insulation Material A1, A2, B1, B2, C1
Dimension N1, N2 Thickness B Cable tie

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A structure in which a water drop received by a drain pan provided in an indoor air conditioner can be discharged to the outside via a drain hose connected to and connected to a drain pipe of the drain pan, and a connection side of the drain hose. In order to form an annular concave portion at the end portion, the connection side end portion is protruded radially outward of the connection side portion, a sealing material is accommodated in the concave portion, and the protrusion for forming the concave portion is reduced in diameter. In order to reduce the diameter of the projecting portion whose diameter can be freely reduced, the projecting portion is elastically deformable to be tightened from the outside, and a fastener having a property of restoring the original shape is attached. A connection side end structure of the drain hose, wherein the protrusion for forming the recess is externally fitted to the discharge pipe in a state where the diameter of the protrusion is reduced. 2. A notch is formed along at least one circumferential position of a portion of the protrusion for forming the concave portion on the connection side end portion side of the drain hose, along a pipe axis direction.
2. The connection-side end structure of a drain hose according to claim 1, wherein said projecting portion is configured to be freely reduced in diameter. 3. A protruding portion that protrudes radially outwardly is formed in at least one circumferential portion of the connection-side end portion of the drain hose of the protruding portion for forming the concave portion. 2. The connection-side end structure of a drain hose according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the portion is freely reduced. 4. The connection-side end structure of a drain hose according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the raised portion is smaller than the thickness of other portions. 5. A first wall portion, which is formed as a receiving portion for projecting radially outward of the drain hose and receiving one end of the sealing material in the longitudinal direction of the hose, wherein the projection portion for forming the concave portion is provided. A second wall extending from the outer end of the first wall in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction and serving as a receiving portion for receiving the outer surface in the thickness direction of the sealing material; and a free end of the second wall. A substantially U-shaped annular portion extending from the inner side in the radial direction, and a third wall portion serving as a receiving portion that receives the other end of the sealing material in the longitudinal direction of the hose, The connection end structure of a drain hose according to claim 1, wherein a rim extends in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction from a radially inner end of the third wall. 6. The drain hose connection side end structure according to claim 1, wherein said fastener is an O-shaped ring which is engaged with an annular groove formed on an outer surface of said projection for forming said recess.