JP3604238B2 - Joint equipment for flexible pipes - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a joint device for a flexible pipe used for a gas pipe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a flexible pipe joint device used for a gas pipe has a configuration as shown in FIG.
[0003]
That is, the cylindrical main body 51 is screwed to the gas pipe 52, and a contact surface 53 is formed inside the cylindrical main body 51. A push ring 54 is screwed into the cylindrical main body 51, and a retainer 55 is fitted on the inner periphery thereof.
[0004]
A flexible tube 56 is inserted into the push ring 54 in a state where the jacket 57 has been peeled off by a predetermined number of peaks (usually four peaks), and the distal end of the flexible tube 56 extends from the inner end of the retainer 55 into the cylindrical main body 51. At a predetermined amount (one mountain).
[0005]
The retainer 55 is formed in a ring shape, and a plurality of elastic protrusions 58 are formed on the inner end thereof. Metal inserts 59 are embedded in the respective elastic protruding pieces 58, and the inserts 59 are formed with claw portions 60 that engage with valleys on the outer periphery of the flexible tube 56.
[0006]
The joint device for a flexible pipe thus configured is conventionally provided with a seal ring 61 having a circular cross section for preventing gas from leaking to the outside of the joint. A sealing groove 62 for tightly fitting the seal ring 61 when the push ring 54 is screwed is formed at the end of the cylindrical main body 51 on the female screw portion 51a side.
[0007]
In the joint device for a flexible pipe configured as described above, the push ring 54 is screwed in a state where the distal end of the flexible tube 56 projects by one peak, so that the projecting end of the flexible tube 56 is It is crushed between the portion 60 and the contact surface 53 of the tubular main body 51 and is brought into close contact with the contact surface 53. Further, the cross section of the seal ring 61 is deformed in the sealing groove 62 to prevent gas leakage.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-mentioned conventional joint device for a flexible pipe, when the push ring 54 is screwed and the gas pipe 52 and the flexible pipe 56 are connected, the protruding end of the flexible pipe 56 is formed into a cylindrical shape with the claw 60 of the retainer 55. There is a case where the crushing between the contact surface 53 of the main body 51 and the contact surface 53 is not performed well.
[0009]
In this case, the gas tends to leak to the outside from the sealing groove 62 through the threaded portion of the male screw portion 54a and the female screw portion 51a and the space between the inserts 59. Since the seal ring 61 is deformed and sealed, the gas is prevented from leaking from the sealing groove 62 to the outside, and the gas pipe 52 and the flexible pipe 56 are connected. Gas leak cannot be detected. However, if the seal ring 61 gradually deteriorates due to long-term use and cracks or the like occur, there is a problem that gas leaks out of the portion, which is dangerous.
[0010]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a joint device for a flexible pipe that can detect gas leakage even when a pipe body and a flexible pipe are connected.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a tubular body having one side attached to a gas pipe body and a push ring attached to the tubular body from the other side, and can be joined to a flexible pipe inserted into the push ring. In the flexible pipe joint device configured as described above, the push ring is composed of a small-diameter portion inserted into the tubular main body from the other side and a large-diameter portion connected to the small-diameter portion, and the tubular main body and the push ring are formed. An annular body is crimped between the butt end faces of the large-diameter portion to prevent water from entering from outside and to allow gas leaking from the flexible pipe into the cylindrical body and the inside of the push ring to escape from the end faces to the outside. It was done. The annular body is made of a nonwoven fabric.
[0012]
Further, the annular body is constituted by a washer fitted to the small diameter portion of the push ring and a nonwoven fabric laminated on one side or both sides of the washer.
The annular body communicates with a fitting portion between the cylindrical main body and the small-diameter portion of the push ring, and has a rubber-made annular member formed on the surface with a gas leakage detecting recess along the radial direction of the small-diameter portion. And a nonwoven fabric laminated on one side or both sides of the member.
[0013]
Further, the annular body is formed from an open-cell synthetic resin, or the annular body is formed from a washer that fits over the small-diameter portion of the push ring, and an open-cell synthetic resin stacked on one or both sides of the washer. It is configured.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the joint device for a flexible pipe according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a tubular body (gas pipe) 13 and a tubular main body 11 interposed between a flexible pipe 38, The cylindrical main body 11 is screwed to the tube 13 at a male screw portion 12 on one end outer circumference, and a female screw portion 14 is formed on the other end inner circumference.
[0015]
An annular contact surface 15 is formed at a central portion in the cylindrical main body 11, and a seal ring 17 is fitted in a groove 16 formed on the outer periphery thereof.
A tapered surface 18 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body 11 between the female screw portion 14 and the groove portion 16, and the inner diameter thereof is gradually reduced toward the groove portion 16.
[0016]
A cylindrical push ring 19 is provided for pressing the distal end of a tube body 39 described below against the contact surface 15, and a screw thread is formed around the small diameter portion 19 </ b> B of the push ring 19 on the female screw portion 14 of the tubular body 11. A male screw portion 20 is formed, and a retainer 26 for pressing the distal end portion of the tube body 39 toward the contact surface 15 is disposed at an inner end portion thereof. A locking groove 21 for locking the annular locking projection 29 is formed, an inner circumferential groove 22 is formed on the inner circumference of the large diameter portion 19A of the press ring 19, and a packing 23 is fitted into the inner circumferential groove 22. Have been.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the retainer 26 has a fitting portion 27 formed of a synthetic resin in a ring shape, and a plurality (four pieces) formed by projecting separately at the inner end of the fitting portion 27. ), The engaging protrusion 29 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 27, and the engaging protrusion 29 is engaged with the engaging groove 21, so that the retainer 26 presses the press ring. 19 is locked and held on the outer periphery of the inner end.
[0018]
Inserts 30 made of a metal plate as shown in FIG. 4 are embedded in each elastic protruding piece 28 of the retainer 26, and a claw portion 31 is formed at the inner end of the insert 30 so as to protrude toward the center. The inserts 30 are integrally formed so as to be expandable by thin plate-like connecting pieces 33 so as to be arranged in a substantially cylindrical shape via the slits 32, and a groove 34 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of each insert 30. Have been.
[0019]
When the retainer 26 is formed, the synthetic resin is injected from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of each insert 30 through the slit 32 of the insert 30, and is further inserted and hardened into each groove 34 from the insert 30. 30 is retained in the elastic protruding piece 28 so as not to come off. Therefore, resin layers 35 are formed on both side edges of each slit 32.
[0020]
The inner end surface of the elastic protruding piece 28 of the retainer 26 serves as a joint surface 36 with the inner end surface of the press ring 19. When the retainer 26 is fitted on the outer periphery of the inner end portion of the press ring 19, this joint surface 36 is joined to the inner end face of the press ring 19.
[0021]
Slits 37 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of each elastic protruding piece 28 of the retainer 26 so as to extend in the axial direction at predetermined intervals, and by the formation of this slit 37, each elastic protruding piece 28 is elastically deformed in the expanding direction. Is easy.
[0022]
A ring for preventing water from entering from outside and for allowing gas leaking from the flexible pipe 38 to escape from between the end faces to the outside, between the end faces where the cylindrical body 11 and the large diameter portion 19A of the push ring 19 abut. The body 25 is crimped, and the annular body 25 is formed by a washer 45 that is fitted to the small-diameter portion 19B of the press ring 19 on the large-diameter portion 19A side, and a nonwoven fabric 46 that is stacked on the cylindrical body 11 side of the washer 45. It is configured.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a gas leak detecting slit 47 is formed in the middle of the washer 45, and the gas leak detecting slit 47 and the female screw portion 14 of the cylindrical main body 11 are interposed with the pressing ring via a nonwoven fabric 46. It is in communication with a threaded portion of the male screw 19 with the male screw portion 20.
[0024]
The flexible pipe 38 is composed of a bellows-shaped pipe main body 39 made of metal and a synthetic resin jacket 40 coated on the outer periphery of the pipe main body 39. The flexible tube 38 is inserted into the push ring 19 in a state where the outer cover 40 is peeled off by a number (for four peaks).
[0025]
At this time, the claw portion 31 of the retainer 26 is engaged with a predetermined valley on the outer periphery of the tube main body 39, and the end of the tube main body 39 is inserted into the cylindrical main body 11 from the inner end of the retainer 26 by a predetermined amount (2 Mountains).
[0026]
2 is used when the push ring 19 is screwed to the tubular main body 11 by being interposed between the large diameter portion 19A of the push ring 19 and the end face of the tubular main body 11. The spacer 41 is formed of a synthetic resin to have a predetermined thickness, and a fitting recess and a pair of elastic holding pieces (not shown) are formed below the spacer 41.
[0027]
The fitting of the spacer 41 restricts the screwing position of the push ring 19 to the cylindrical body 11 to a predetermined position. In this state, when the flexible tube 38 is inserted into the push ring 19, the end of the tube body 39 The portion can be reliably projected from the inner end of the retainer 26 by two ridges.
[0028]
The operation of the flexible pipe joint device configured as described above will be described. First, when the flexible pipe 38 is connected to the tubular main body 11, the retainer 26 is attached to the inner end of the push ring 19. At this time, by attaching the retainer 26 to the outer periphery of the inner end of the pressing ring 19 while expanding each elastic protruding piece 28 of the retainer 26 against its elastic force, the work of attaching the retainer 26 is facilitated. Can be done.
[0029]
Thereafter, the spacer 41 is fitted around the outer periphery of the press ring 19 against the elastic force of the pair of elastic holding pieces. In this state, when the male screw portion 20 of the push ring 19 is screwed into the female screw portion 14 of the tubular main body 11, the push ring 19 is screwed into the tubular main body 11 to a predetermined position regulated by the spacer 41. .
[0030]
On the other hand, for the flexible pipe 38, the jacket 40 is peeled off from the end of the pipe body 39 by a predetermined number of peaks (for four peaks) in advance. In this state, when the flexible pipe 38 is inserted into the press ring 19, the respective elastic projections 28 of the retainer 26 are expanded and deformed against the elastic force, and the claw portions 31 of the respective inserts 30 are fixed to the outer periphery of the pipe main body 39. And engages with a predetermined valley. Then, an end of the tube main body 39 projects from the inner end of the retainer 26 into the cylindrical main body 11 by a predetermined amount (two peaks).
[0031]
At this time, since the retainer 26 is fitted on the outer periphery of the inner end portion of the push ring 19, each elastic protrusion 28 of the retainer 26 is easily elastically deformed in the expanding direction. Further, since a pair of slits 37 are formed on the outer periphery of each elastic protruding piece 28, the expansion deformation of the elastic protruding piece 28 is further facilitated. For this reason, even if the number of divisions of the elastic projection piece 28 is small, the flexible tube 38 can be easily inserted into the press ring 19. Therefore, the structure of the retainer 26 can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0032]
Further, since the elastic protruding pieces 28 of the retainer 26 are easily elastically deformed in the expanding direction, even if the length of the elastic protruding pieces 28 is shortened, it becomes difficult to insert the flexible pipe 38 into the push ring 19. Never. Therefore, the length of the entire joint device in the axial direction can be reduced, and the entire joint device can be formed small.
[0033]
Thereafter, the spacer 41 is removed from the outer periphery of the press ring 19, and the annular body 25 in which the washer 45 and the nonwoven fabric 46 are overlapped is fitted to the large-diameter portion 19A side of the small-diameter portion 19B of the press ring 19, and the press ring 19 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The main body 11 is screwed. Then, each elastic protruding piece 28 of the retainer 26 engages with the tapered surface 18 in the cylindrical main body 11, and is deformed in the diameter reducing direction against its own elastic force.
[0034]
Further, as the pressing ring 19 is screwed, the protruding end of the tube main body 39 is crushed between the claw portion 31 of the insert 30 and the contact surface 15 of the cylindrical main body 11, and the end face of the crushed portion is formed in the cylindrical main body. The outer peripheral edge of the crushed portion is in close contact with the seal ring 17 in the tubular main body 11.
[0035]
On the other hand, the annular body 25 is pressed (the nonwoven fabric 46 is compressed) between the butted end faces of the cylindrical main body 11 and the large-diameter portion 19A of the press ring 19, and a part of the nonwoven fabric 46 of the annular body 25 detects gas leakage of the washer 45. Into the slit 47 for use.
[0036]
In some cases, the outer peripheral edge of the crushed portion may not be in good contact with the seal ring 17 in the tubular main body 11. At this time, gas is supplied from the slit 37 of the retainer 26 through the female screw portion 14 of the tubular main body 11. Through the threaded portion of the push ring 19 and the male screw portion 20 to leak out of the cylindrical main body 11.
[0037]
In such a case, since the cross section of the conventional seal ring is circular, the gas is prevented from leaking to the outside from the sealing groove, and the gas pipe and the flexible pipe are connected. However, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the gas leaked out due to the fact that the outer peripheral edge of the crushed portion is not in good contact with the seal ring 17 in the tubular main body 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Due to (internal pressure), it penetrates through the nonwoven fabric 46 and leaks out of the tubular main body 11.
[0038]
However, if the fastening force is large and the non-woven fabric 46 is excessively compressed, the gas may not leak out. However, even in such a case, the gas leak detecting slit 47 is formed in the washer 45. Since the gas leak detecting slit 47 relaxes the non-woven fabric 46 from being excessively compressed, the gas leaks outside through the gas leak detecting slit 47.
[0039]
Therefore, when the pipe 13 and the flexible pipe 38 are connected, gas leakage can be immediately detected, and a safe joint can be provided.
When the apparatus is used in a vertical direction along the wall of a house, water drops fall from the edge of the large-diameter portion 19A of the push ring 19 to the cylindrical main body 11 side. Water hardly permeates from the butt portion between the end face of the cylindrical body 11 and the end face of the cylindrical main body 11, but even if it is attempted to do so, the butt end face between the cylindrical main body 11 and the large diameter portion 19 A of the press ring 19. The annular body 25 is crimped in between, the non-woven fabric 46 enters the slit 47 for gas leak detection, and the water pressure of the water to be penetrated is not large. Intrusion can be prevented.
[0040]
By the way, in order to attach the flexible tube 38, there is a case where a fixture (not shown) such as a nail or a screw is inserted into the outer cover 40, and in this case, if the fixture reaches the pipe body 39 temporarily. The gas does not leak because the jacket 40 is made of synthetic resin, but the gas leaks from the damaged portion because the pipe body 39 is made of metal.
[0041]
A part of the gas leaked from the pipe main body 39 reaches the inner peripheral groove portion 22 through the gap between the press ring 19 and the outer cover 40, but is prevented from leaking to the outside by the packing 23.
[0042]
However, a part of the leaked gas passes through the slit 32 of the insert 30, the slit 37 of the retainer 26, and the threaded portion of the cylindrical body 11 and the pressing ring 19, and in the same manner as described above, the cylindrical body 11 Leaks to the outside. Therefore, even when the pipe body 39 is damaged when the flexible pipe 38 is attached, gas leakage can be detected.
[0043]
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent water from entering from outside between the abutting end faces of the cylindrical main body 11 and the large diameter portion 19A of the press ring 19, and to prevent leakage from the flexible pipe 38. An annular body 25 for allowing the released gas to escape to the outside from between the end faces is press-fitted, and a washer 45 for externally fitting the annular body 25 to the large-diameter portion 19A side of the small-diameter portion 19B of the press ring 19; A gas leak detection slit 47 is formed in the middle of the washer 45, and the gas leak detection slit 47 is formed with the female screw portion 14 of the cylindrical body 11 in the middle of the washer 45. Since the compressed nonwoven fabric 46 is relaxed by the gas leak detecting slit 47, the gas is externally passed through the gas leak detecting slit 47. What Therefore, it is possible to immediately detect a gas leak without being involved in long-term or short-term use and even when the tube 13 and the flexible tube 38 are connected, thereby providing a safe joint. Can be.
[0044]
In this embodiment, the washer 45 and the nonwoven fabric 46 are overlapped to form the annular body 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this. ) (For example, open-celled polyethylene or open-celled polypropylene) is formed in an annular shape, and this is formed between the butted end faces of the cylindrical main body 11 and the large-diameter portion 19A of the pressing ring 19. It is used so as to be press-fitted, and is made of an open-cell synthetic resin to prevent water from entering the tubular main body 11 and to allow gas leaked from the flexible tube 38 to leak out of the tubular main body 11. Alternatively, gas leakage may be detected.
[0045]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the washer 45 and the nonwoven fabric 46 are overlapped to form the annular body 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of the nonwoven fabric 46, an open-cell synthetic resin is formed in an annular shape. May be formed so as to overlap the washer 45, and the annular body 25 may be used so as to be pressed between the butted end faces of the cylindrical main body 11 and the large-diameter portion 19A of the press ring 19, in this case. Also, the same operation and effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0046]
FIGS. 7 to 12 show another embodiment of the annular body 25. The annular body 25 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is formed by connecting the annular body 25 to the cylindrical body 11 and the small diameter portion 19B of the pressing ring 19. An annular member 42 communicating with the threaded portion and having a gas leak detecting concave portion 42a formed on the surface thereof in the radial direction of the small diameter portion 19B, and a nonwoven fabric 46 superposed on the gas leak detecting concave portion forming side of the annular member 42; It consists of.
[0047]
The gas leak detection concave portion 42a has the same width as the central insertion hole 42b of the annular member 42 and has an arc-shaped surface, and the gas leak detection concave portion 42a is Is fitted to the small-diameter portion 19B of the push ring 19 so as to be located at the position shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the above embodiment.
[0048]
The example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is such that the gas leak detecting concave portion 42a is formed in a stepped shape at intervals of 45 °, and similarly to those shown in FIGS. The nonwoven fabric 46 is overlaid, and is fitted to the small-diameter portion 19B of the push ring 19 so that the gas leak detecting concave portion 42a is located on the end face side of the butt of the cylindrical main body 11.
[0049]
In FIGS. 11 and 12, the nonwoven fabric 46 is overlapped on both sides of the washer 45 shown in the above embodiment.
In the annular body 25 configured as shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the gas leaking from the flexible pipe 38 passes through the gas leak detecting concave portion 42a or the gas leak detecting slit 47 similarly to the above embodiment. Since the gas leaks to the outside after passing through, the gas leak can be detected, and since the nonwoven fabric 46 enters the gas leak detecting concave portion 42a, water can be prevented from entering.
[0050]
The nonwoven fabric 46 may be used so as to be overlapped on both sides of the annular member 42 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, and the gas leak detecting slit 47 and the gas leak detecting concave portion 42 a extend along the radial direction of the press ring 19. It is needless to say that the shape may be, for example, a curved shape as long as the shape communicates with the threaded portion between the cylindrical main body 11 and the press ring 19.
[0051]
Further, in the above embodiment, the annular body 25 is constituted by the nonwoven fabric 46 or the nonwoven fabric 46 and the washer 45 superposed thereon, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIGS. An annular member 48 made of synthetic rubber (having a thickness of, for example, 0.3 mm) formed on the surface along the radial direction of the portion 19B and having a concave portion 48a for gas leak detection having the same width as the central insertion hole 48b is formed. A nonwoven fabric 46 (formed to a thickness of, for example, 0.3 mm) may be formed on the annular member 48 on the side where the gas leakage detecting recess is formed or on both sides. At the time of attachment, the annular member 48 is arranged on the large diameter portion 19A side of the press ring 19.
[0052]
As described above, when the annular member 48 forming the annular body 25 is made of synthetic rubber, the end face of the cylindrical main body 11 and the large-diameter portion 19A of the push ring 19 abut with the screwing of the push ring 19. When the entire annular body 25 is pressed between the end faces, a pressing force due to the elasticity of the annular member 48 acts in accordance with the width of the gap between the end faces, and the nonwoven fabric 46 is compacted in a good state to prevent water from entering. Gas can be leaked from the gas leak detecting recess 48a or from the nonwoven fabric 46 itself.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the present invention comprises a push ring attached to the cylindrical main body from the other side, comprising a small-diameter portion inserted into the cylindrical main body and a large-diameter portion connected to the small-diameter portion, Between the abutting end faces of the cylindrical body and the large-diameter portion of the push ring, while preventing water from entering from outside and crimping an annular body to allow gas leaking from the flexible tube to escape from between the end faces to the outside, When a gas leak occurs from the flexible tube, the gas leak can be immediately detected, and thus a safe joint can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall cross-sectional view of a joint device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a distal end portion of a flexible tube is crushed.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the same.
FIG. 3 is a single perspective view of the retainer.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insert alone.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the annular body.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the same.
FIG. 7 is a front view of an annular body showing another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the same.
FIG. 9 is a front view of an annular body showing another embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the same.
FIG. 11 is a front view of an annular body showing an example in which a nonwoven fabric is overlaid on both sides of a washer.
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the same.
FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the annular body according to still another embodiment, in which a nonwoven fabric is arranged on one side of an annular member.
FIG. 14 is a bottom view showing a state where nonwoven fabrics are arranged on both sides of the annular member.
FIG. 15 is an overall sectional view of a conventional coupling device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Cylindrical main body 14 Female thread part of a cylindrical main body 17 Seal ring 19 Press ring 19B Small diameter part 19A of a press ring Large diameter part 20 of a press ring 20 Male screw part 25 of a press ring Annular body 26 Retainer 38 Flexible pipe 45 Washer 46 Nonwoven fabric 47 Gas leak detection slit 48 Annular member

Claims (8)

A flexible pipe joint comprising a tubular main body having one side attached to the gas pipe body and a push ring attached to the tubular main body from the other side, and configured to be joined to a flexible pipe inserted into the push ring. In the device, the push ring is composed of a small-diameter portion inserted into the cylindrical main body from the other side and a large-diameter portion connected to the small-diameter portion. In addition, a flexible body is crimped to prevent water from entering from outside and to release gas leaking from the flexible pipe into the cylindrical body and the inside of the push ring from between the end faces to the outside. Pipe fitting device. The flexible pipe joint device according to claim 1, wherein the annular body is a nonwoven fabric. The joint device for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, wherein the annular body is constituted by a washer fitted to a small-diameter portion of the push ring and a nonwoven fabric laminated on one or both sides of the washer. An annular member communicating with a fitting portion between the cylindrical main body and the small-diameter portion of the push ring and having on its surface a gas leakage detection recess along a radial direction of the small-diameter portion; 2. The joint device for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, wherein the joint device comprises a nonwoven fabric laminated on both sides. The joint device for a flexible pipe according to claim 4, wherein the annular member is made of a rubber plate. The joint device for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, wherein the annular body comprises a rubber plate externally fitted to the small diameter portion of the push ring, and a non-woven fabric laminated on one or both sides of the rubber plate. The joint device for a flexible pipe according to claim 1, wherein the annular body is formed of an open-cell synthetic resin. 2. The flexible pipe joint device according to claim 1, wherein the annular body is composed of a washer fitted to the small-diameter portion of the push ring, and an open-cell synthetic resin laminated on one or both sides of the washer. .

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