JP3425482B2 - Pipe fittings - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector for connecting pipes (including hoses). [0002] Conventionally, a union joint is well known as a joint for connecting pipes. The union joint is composed of a union screw attached to one pipe, a union flange attached to the other pipe, and a union nut connecting the two, and the connection and separation of the pipe is performed by using a union screw and union collar. Is performed by rotating the union nut in a state where the union nuts are opposed to each other. [0003] However, in the case of such a screw type, the rotation operation of the union nut is cumbersome, and the work of connection and disconnection is troublesome. This is particularly problematic in places where only a small working space is available, for example in the engine compartment of a car. Also,
For this reason, it has been pointed out that a worker tends to be tired. The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe connector having excellent workability. [0005] In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, two pipes each having a locking portion recessed near each opposing end are connected. A connecting part of a pipe, which is formed so that the pipe can be inserted therein, and a part of which is provided with a flexible deformable claw part which is releasably engaged with the locking part, and has a radially inward face at both opening edges. To
A body which is protruding form, is expanded and shrink deformation capable fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the body Rutotomoni, the length of the body
When formed in substantially the same width, by tightening the portion corresponding to the pawl portion with the elastic force, is composed of a fastener for holding and the locking portion and the claw portion in engagement, said frettage
In the natural state before the tightening force of the fastener acts on the body
Indicates that the opening edges of the main body expand outwardly in a trumpet shape
And in the natural state,
The claw part is loosely engaged with an inner part of the locking part.
However, if tightening with the fasteners
The inward bending deformation is performed, and the claw portion and the locking portion
Are more deeply engaged . According to the first aspect of the present invention, when connecting a pipe, the pipe is inserted into the main body, and the claws of the main body are adapted to the engaging portions of the pipe. In such a state,
Since the tightening force of the tightening tool attached to the main body acts on the claw portion, the engagement state with the locking portion is maintained by this,
The pipe is connected in a retaining state. The effects of the present invention are as follows. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the clip fitted to the outer periphery of the fastener tightens the corresponding portion of the locking portion to hold the pipe, and when the pipe is removed, the fastener is expanded and deformed. By doing so, the engagement between the locking portion and the claw portion can be released, so that the work of connecting and disconnecting the pipe can be easily performed. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which pipes P1 and P2 to be connected have the same diameter. An annular groove 1 (locking portion) is formed to be recessed over the entire circumference at a connection-side end of the pipes P1 and P2, that is, at a position separated by a predetermined distance from an opening edge. The connector body 2 is formed of a synthetic resin material, and is composed of an inner cylinder 3 and an outer cylinder 4 which is arranged concentrically with the inner cylinder 3 and is formed slightly longer than the inner cylinder 3. It is formed in a heavy cylindrical shape. The inner cylinder 3 and the outer cylinder 4
The central portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 3 and the central portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 4 are connected via an annular connection piece 5. An annular insertion groove 6 that can be inserted between the cylinders 3 and 4 with the ends of the pipes P1 and P2 almost in close contact with each other.
Are held back-to-back, and O-rings 7 as sealing materials are fitted into the bottoms of both insertion grooves 6. As shown in FIG. 1, when the connector body 2 is interposed between the two pipes P1 and P2 to be connected, the inner cylinder 3 has both end edges inside the portion corresponding to the annular groove 1. It is formed in such a length as to be located. A fluid passage 8 penetrates the inner cylinder 3 along the axis, and both opening edges of the fluid passage 8 are tapered chamfered 9 along the entire circumference, so that the fluid passage resistance is reduced. Is smaller. The outer cylinder 4 has radially inwardly protruding claw edges 10 (claw portions) at both opening edges thereof.
The two annular grooves 1 are formed so as to be engageable with each other.
In the natural state, the opening edges of the outer cylinder 4 are each formed so as to slightly expand outwardly in a trumpet shape, and both opening edges have notches of a predetermined length along the axial direction. A pair of grooves 15 are formed on the left and right at symmetrical positions.
As a result, the opening edge of the outer cylinder 4, that is, the claw edge 10 can be bent inward and deformed. Thus, as described later, in a natural state before the tightening force of the clip 11 (the tightening device) acts on the connecting device main body 2, the claw rim 10 is formed inside the annular groove 1 (on the side close to the opening edges of the pipes P1 and P2). ) But only loosely engages the clip 11
When the tightening is performed, the inward bending deformation is forcibly performed, and the claw edge 10 and the annular groove 1 are more deeply engaged with each other, and the pipes P1 and P2 are drawn together with this deformation. O-ring 7 by pipe edge
Is compressed. The clip 11 is formed by bending a thin plate made of spring steel into an annular shape, and as shown in FIG.
It is formed to have substantially the same width as the length of the outer cylinder 4. In addition, the clip 11 is formed so as to be able to bend and deform in the diameter reducing direction, and has an inner diameter sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 4 in a natural state. When the connector body 2 is tightened by the clip 11, a spring force that exerts a resilient force sufficient to bring the engagement between the claw edge 10 and the annular groove 1 into the above-described state. Is set. In order to facilitate the operation of increasing the diameter of the clip 11, operation knobs 1 are provided at both ends of the clip 11.
2 are standing upright. That is, one end of the clip 11 has a narrow one-leg shape, and the other end has a groove for receiving the one-leg portion. This allows the clip 11 to tighten the connector body 2 almost uniformly along almost the entire circumference. Further, the clip 11 is formed with a pair of triangular windows facing each other. This is a known device for applying a tightening force substantially uniformly along the circumferential direction. Although not shown, a holder is attached to both knob pieces so as to straddle them when they are approached, and the clip 11 is normally held in an expanded state by this holder. It is in a state where it can be loosely fitted. Next, the operation and effect of the above embodiment will be specifically described. The opposite ends of the pipes P1, P2 to be connected are inserted into the insertion grooves 6 of the connector body 2, respectively. At this time, the clip 11 is held in an expanded state by a holder (not shown) and is fitted to the outside of the connector main body 2. Therefore, the tightening force of the clip 11 does not act on the connector main body 2. Rim 10
The portion loosely engages the end of the annular groove 1 as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. As a result, the connector main body 2 is in a temporarily fixed state where it does not easily fall off the pipe. Thereafter, when the holder (not shown) is pulled out from both the grip pieces 12 of the clip 11, the clip 11 returns to a natural state by its own elastic force. Works. As a result, the claw edge portion 10 of the outer cylinder 4 in the connector body 2 is forcibly bent and deformed inward, and both claw edges 10 are deeply engaged with the corresponding annular grooves 1, respectively. At the same time, since the pipes P1 and P2 are drawn together, the pipe edge compresses the O-ring 7, so that the seal therebetween is also performed. Thus, the connection between the pipes P1 and P2 is made. In this embodiment, the joint between the pipes P1 and P2 is automatically made only by releasing the clip 11, and thereafter, the connection is made. The work can be performed very easily and smoothly. When the pipe is to be pulled out and removed, the tabs 12 of the connector body 2 are disengaged from the annular groove 1 by expanding the clip 11 with a suitable tool (such as pliers). The pipes P1 and P2 can be relatively easily pulled out of the connector main body 2 because the pipes P1 and P2 are returned to the loosely engaged state. In other words, in this example, no screwing is performed, and the claw edge 10 of the connector main body 2 is engaged with the pipe side, and the clip 11 is used to maintain this engaged state. -The dissociation work is simple, which contributes to the reduction of worker fatigue. Further, in the first embodiment, since both ends of the fluid passage 8 are expanded in a trumpet shape, the resistance of the passing fluid is made as small as possible, and the effect of suppressing the pressure loss is obtained. [0017] Figures 4 and 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention, different pipe of the first reference example size P3, P
4 for connection. In this case, the locking projections 20a, 20b are provided on the outer peripheral surface near the opening edge of any of the pipes.
(Locking portions) are formed to project annularly, respectively. On the other hand, as in the first embodiment, the connecting member main body 2 is formed of a synthetic resin material into a cylindrical shape, and its outer diameter is set slightly larger than the inner diameter of the large-diameter pipe P3. In addition, the inner diameter is set slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the small diameter side pipe P4. Split grooves 13 are respectively formed from both end edges of the connector main body 2 along the axial direction over a predetermined length, and thereby both ends of the connector main body 2 can be deformed. A claw edge 21 is formed in an annular shape on an outer peripheral surface of an end of the connecting member main body 2 on a side to be fitted into the large-diameter pipe P3, and a locking projection of the large-diameter pipe P3 is formed. The groove can be engaged with the groove on the back side of the edge 20a. Further, an end portion of the small-diameter pipe P4 which is fitted into the small-diameter pipe P4 is bulged to the outer peripheral side so that the locking groove 14 is formed in an annular shape on the inner peripheral surface. Can be engaged. Although the clip 11 has substantially the same structure as that of the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the clip 11 is formed to have a width that allows only a portion (bulging portion) corresponding to the locking groove 14 in the connector body 2 to be fitted. Have been. The first reference example is formed as described above. In this reference example, the pipes are connected as follows. First, one end of the connector main body 2 is inserted into the large diameter pipe P3. In this case, after the connector main body 2 is inserted while being deformed, the back side of the locking projection 20a of the pipe P3 (see FIG. The groove described above)
Is engaged with the claw edge 21. Next, the small-diameter-side pipe P4 is inserted from the opposite end of the connector body 2. Also in this case, the connector main body 2 is inserted while being deformed in a concave shape. When the connector main body 2 is inserted to a predetermined depth, the locking groove 14 and the locking projection 20b loosely engage with each other. While the above operation is being performed, the clip 11 is held in an expanded state by a holder (not shown) and is loosely fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member main body 2 so as not to be easily dropped. When the holder is pulled out in a state where the connection has been made, the diameter of the clip 11 is reduced by its own elasticity, and the clip 11 is tightened. by this,
Since the engagement state between the locking groove 14 and the claw edge 21 is maintained,
The pipe is connected via the connector body 2. Since the large-diameter pipe P3 is held only by the elastic force between the concave groove and the claw edge with the connecting member main body 2, the large-diameter pipe P3 has a relatively low fluid pressure passing through the pipe. Suitable for use. Needless to say, another clip may be used here to increase the locking force. [0023] 6 to 9 show a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, first the to be connected one of the reference example, of the second pipe P5, P6, the first pipe P5 its A flange edge 30 as an engaging portion is formed to protrude on the outer periphery at a position separated by a predetermined length from the end edge. Second pipe P6
Is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the first pipe P5, but has a small-diameter portion 31 formed at the tip end thereof, which can be inserted into the first pipe P5 to a depth position reaching the flange edge 30. Further, a flange edge 30 is formed so as to protrude from the outer periphery of the second pipe P6 at a position slightly away from the end of the small-diameter portion 31, similarly to the first pipe P5. Further, O-rings 32 for sealing are fitted on the two pipes P5 and P6 at appropriate distances from the flange edge 30 at the distal ends thereof. The connector body 2 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material, and is formed in a cylindrical shape which can be fitted to both pipes P5 and P6. In addition, a pair of mounting grooves 34 on one side for mounting retaining members 33 for retaining the pipe with respect to the pipe are opened at positions near both opening edges of the connector body 2.
Each mounting groove 34 is open over a predetermined angle range along the circumferential direction, and these deep portions are further extended symmetrically outward in the circumferential direction, respectively, and serve as latch portions 34 a for latching the holding member 33. ing. Latch 34a
In (2), the latching surfaces 34b are formed at both end edges, so that the projecting pieces 33b extended to both ends of the holding member 33 can be locked. The holding member 33 is made of a synthetic resin, and is entirely formed so as to be fitted into the mounting grooves 34 without any gap. The holding member 33 is formed in an arc shape in accordance with the curvature of the connecting member main body 2, and at both ends of the base 33 a, as described above, the projecting pieces 33 b are respectively extended outward, and the projecting pieces 33 b are formed. Is formed with a mounting edge 33d which can be locked on the locking surface 34b of the locking portion 34a. When the holding member 33 is fitted and fitted in the mounting groove 34, the lower part of the base 33a projects into the inside of the connecting member main body. Then, on the surface on the side facing the pipe at the time of inserting the pipes P5 and P6 in the protruding portion, the entire holding member 33 is radially outward with the insertion of the pipes P5 and P6, that is, in the direction of pushing out from the mounting groove. A guide surface 35 for displacing is formed. This guide surface 35 has a base 33a.
Is formed along the lower edge of the tapered shape, and is formed in a tapered shape expanding outward. On the other hand, an unlocking claw 36 whose tip is bent in a hook shape is provided at the center of the outer peripheral surface of the base 33a.
Is standing up. The unlocking pawl 36 is used to forcibly lift the holding member 33 from the mounting groove 34 in the removing direction by the clip 11 described below when removing the pipe. The clip 11 (fastener) has basically the same construction as that of the first embodiment described above, and is disposed at both ends of the connector body 2 and is outside the holding member 33 forming a set. It is attached so that it is pressed down. The difference of the clip 11 in this reference example from the other is that the insertion hole 3 is formed in a portion of each holding member 33 corresponding to the unlock claw 36.
7 has been established. The insertion hole 37 communicates with the escape portion 37a and the narrow portion 3 formed to be slightly narrower.
7b. The relief portion 37a has an opening width that allows the unlock claw 36 to be fitted as it is,
The narrow portion 37b can be introduced from the release portion 37a by releasing the unlock claw 36 as the clip is expanded in diameter, and the opening width of the narrow portion 37b is retained by hooking the unlock claw 36 as the diameter expanding operation proceeds. The member 33 can be pulled up. Next, the operation and effect of the second embodiment will be described. When the clip 11 is attached to the connector main body 2, first, the first pipe P5 is inserted from one end of the connector main body 2. The flange edge 30 of the first pipe P5 contacts the guide surfaces 35 of the corresponding two holding members 33. If the first pipe P5 is further inserted as it is, the flange edge 30 of the first pipe P5 slides along the slope of the guide surface 35, so that both holding members 33 receive a force in the direction of being pushed radially outward. . During this time, since the clip is reduced in diameter by its own elastic force and the two holding members 33 are tightened, the two holding members 33 are displaced while pushing up the clip 11. At this time, since the diameter of the clip is expanded, the unlocking claw 36 is temporarily retracted from the escape portion 37a to the narrow portion 37b in the insertion hole 37. Then, further insertion is made,
When the flange edge 30 passes through the guide surface 35, the two holding members 33 are displaced by the elastic restoring force of the clip 11. As a result, the flange edge 30 engages with the base 33a of the holding member 33. In this case, the base 33a and the flange edge 30 engage with each other on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the pipes P5 and P6, and thus the stopper is prevented. It can surely resist the force in the direction. As a result, the first pipe P5 is held in a state in which the first pipe P5 is securely prevented from coming off with respect to the connector body 2. Thereafter, the second pipe P6 is inserted from the other end of the connector body 2 so that the entire small-diameter portion 31 becomes the first pipe P6.
5. Insert it to the depth where it will immerse. During this time, the two holding members 3 are moved along with the passage of the flange edge 30 in the same manner as described above.
After pushing 3 radially, it engages elastically with it.
Thus, the second pipe P6 is held in a retaining state with respect to the connector main body 2, and as a result, the first and second pipes P6
5 and P6 are jointed via the connection tool main body 2. When the two pipes P5 and P6 are separated from each other, the user grips the two tab pieces 12 of the clip 11 on the side corresponding to the second pipe P6 to expand the diameter of the clip 11. As the diameter of the clip 11 increases, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, the unlocking pawl 36 shifts from the relief portion 37a to the narrow portion 37b, and at the same time, the narrow portion 37b hooks the bent portion at the tip of the unlocking pawl 36 and lifts it. 33 is forcibly retracted radially outward from the connector body. For this reason, the second pipe can be extracted as it is. Then, if the same operation is performed on the first pipe P5 side, the first pipe P5 can also be pulled out from the connector main body 2, whereby the two pipes are separated from each other. As described above, according to the second embodiment, the connection of the pipes is automatically performed only by performing the operation of inserting the pipes into the connector body 2, so that the work can be performed more quickly than in the other embodiments. It can be performed smoothly. In addition, when performing the extraction, only the grip operation of the clip is sufficient, and in this case, the smoothness of the operation is not hindered at all. The present invention can be variously modified,
The following modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [0034] Although illustrated, the case of nor any connection pipe cross, as shown in FIG. 11, it is also possible to apply to those which connect the flexible hose H made of rubber material to the pipe P is there. In this case, a hose connecting portion 40 extends to one end of the connector main body 2, and a plurality of projecting edges 41 for preventing the hose from coming off project therefrom. Others are the same as the second reference example. [0035] In order to enable what Re simple mounting and removal is also has been so tightened the connector body by the spring force of the clip, in particular like a rubber band in the absence of such requirements You may be made to tighten using.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main body and a pipe. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a locking operation by a clip. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state of the first reference example. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main body and a pipe. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state of the second reference example. 8 is a side sectional view of the same FIG. 9 is a plan view of the same FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a relationship between an unclip claw and an insertion hole FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another modification example ... annular groove (locking portion) 2 ... connector body 11 ... clip (tightening tool) 33 ... holding member 35 ... guide surfaces P1 to P6 ... pipe

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Utility Model Hei 1-65490 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Hei 3-75392 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16L 37/10 F16L 37/04 F16L 37/22 F16L 21/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claim 1] A pipe connector for connecting two pipes each having a locking portion recessed near each opposing end, Insert pipe capable formed and detachably engaging deflection deformable claws RyoHiraku with the locking portion in a part thereof
A body formed protruding radially inward to the rim, Rutoto be expanded and shrink deformation capable fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the body
In addition, by forming a portion having substantially the same width as the length of the main body and tightening a portion corresponding to the claw portion with elastic force,
A fastening device for holding the claw portion and the locking portion in an engaged state , wherein a natural force before the tightening force of the fastening device acts on the main body.
In the state, the opening edge of the main body is a trumpet shape outward.
Is formed so as to expand in the natural state.
Then, the claw portion is loosely engaged with the inner portion of the locking portion.
However, if tightening by the tightening tool is performed
Is forcibly deformed inward, and the claw portion and the
A pipe connector characterized by being further engaged with a locking portion .