JP3677681B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector for pipe connection.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional connector for pipe connection, as shown in FIG. 32, the connector main body 1 is provided with a retainer mounting hole 3 so as to be orthogonal to the pipe insertion hole 2, and a retainer 7 for retaining the pipe 5 is mounted. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The retainer 7 is integrated with the connector main body 1 before the pipe 5 is inserted into the connector main body 1 for convenience of handling, and the connector is transported to the insertion work site of the pipe 5 in this state. ing.
[0003]
That is, in a state where the pipe 5 is not attached to the connector main body 1, the retainer 7 is assembled at a position where the first locking portion 8 is lightly hooked with the upper surface of the connector main body 1 (temporary fixing position). In this state, the retainer 7 is in a state in which the second locking portion 9 can move between the position shown in the drawing and the position where the second locking portion 9 contacts the locking receiving surface 4. The retainer 7 is prevented from coming out of the retainer mounting hole 3 by coming into contact with the receiving surface 4.
[0004]
When inserting the pipe 5, the retainer 7 is moved to a position where the second locking portion 9 contacts the locking receiving surface 4 and the pipe 5 is inserted into the pipe insertion hole 2. After the pipe 5 is inserted, when the retainer 7 is pushed to the position shown in the drawing while the retainer 7 is bent and deformed in the direction of the arrow, the first locking portion 8 gets over the upper surface of the connector body 1 and locks with the locking receiving surface 4. For this reason, the upward release of the retainer 7 is restricted. At the same time, the bulge portion 6 of the pipe 5 is locked to the retainer 7 so that the pipe 5 can be prevented from coming off.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-132883 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the connector described above, the lower surface of the first locking portion 8 is the tapered surface 10 for locking the retainer 7 in the pushing direction when the pipe 5 is not inserted. There is a possibility that the retainer 7 may inadvertently move to a proper position when it is not inserted. Therefore, when a plurality of connectors are packaged together and transported to the pipe insertion site, the retainer 7 may be pushed to a proper position due to collision between the connectors. Then, the operation | work of returning the retainer 7 to the position of temporary fixing again becomes necessary in the pipe insertion site, and the problem that work efficiency fell occurred.
[0007]
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and provides a connector that regulates inadvertent movement of a retainer to a normal position and can reliably detect half-insertion of a pipe by the retainer. For the purpose.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a connector for inserting and connecting a pipe in which a bulge part for retaining is formed at a position near the tip of the outer peripheral surface, A connector main body in which an insertion hole into which a pipe is inserted is formed along the axial direction, and the pipe is attached to the connector main body, and the pipe is engaged with the bulge portion at a position where the pipe is inserted to the normal insertion depth. In a connector comprising a retainer capable of stopping and retaining the pipe in a retaining state, the retainer is engaged with a temporary locking position that allows insertion and removal of the pipe and the bulge portion to restrict the removal of the pipe. The retainer is provided with a detection claw that can be moved between the main locking positions and can be bent outward, and is open on the side surface of the connector body so as to communicate with the insertion hole. Said A detection hole that can be locked with the detection claw when the retainer is in the temporary locking position is provided, a restriction surface is provided in one of the detection claw and the detection hole, and a receiving surface is provided in the other. The restricting surface and the receiving surface are opposed to each other in a direction along the moving direction of the retainer from the temporary locking position to the main locking position, and both surfaces abut against each other in a face-to-face state. By fitting, the pushing operation of the retainer from the temporary locking position to the main locking position can be restricted, and the detection claw projects into the insertion hole when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. In the state where the pipe is inserted into the insertion hole at a normal depth, the pipe is brought into contact with the bulge portion and is bent and deformed so as to be pushed out of the insertion hole by the bulge portion. Contact surface contact state Release to characterized in was configured to allow movement to the main locking position from the temporary locking position of the retainer.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, at least one of the detection claw and the opening edge of the detection hole is provided with a guide surface adjacent to the restriction surface or the receiving surface. The guide surface faces the detection claw or an opening edge of the detection hole when the detection claw is pushed out from the insertion hole by the bulge portion. When the retainer is moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position after being pushed out from the insertion hole, the guide surface is in sliding contact with the detection claw or the opening edge of the detection hole. It is characterized in that it is possible to guide the detection claw from the detection hole to the outer surface of the connector body.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the detection claw is locked to the opening edge of the detection hole at the temporary locking position, and at the final locking position. It is characterized in that the operation of the retainer in the disengagement direction is restricted by engaging with the connector body other than the opening edge of the detection hole.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the side surface of the connector main body is hooked with the lock receiving portion of the retainer when the retainer is in the final locking position. It is characterized in that an auxiliary lock portion is provided for restricting movement from the main locking position to the temporary locking position.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the pipe according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the rear surface of the bulge portion is a rear opening of the insertion hole at a regular insertion depth in the insertion hole. On the other hand, the retainer can be mounted so as to cover the outer surface of the connector body, and a retaining portion is formed at the rear end of the retainer. When the retainer is moved to the main locking position, the retaining portion is located on the rear surface of the connector body in an exposed state and can be locked to the rear surface of the bulge portion.
[0013]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the pipe according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the rear surface of the bulge portion is a rear opening of the insertion hole at a regular insertion depth in the insertion hole. On the other hand, a retaining portion is formed at the rear end portion of the retainer, and the retaining portion is located with respect to the insertion hole when the retainer is in the temporary retaining position. When the pipe is allowed to be inserted / removed, and the retainer is moved to the main locking position, the retaining portion can be latched to the rear surface of the bulge portion, and the connector main body includes the retaining portion and It is characterized in that there is provided a restricting means for restricting deformation of the retaining portion in a direction in which the locking between the bulge portion and the retaining portion is released by contacting each other.
[0014]
The invention of claim 7 is the one described in claim 6, wherein the retaining portion is formed in an arch shape having an opening width larger than the outer diameter of the pipe and smaller than the outer diameter of the bulge portion, The retaining portion is located radially outward of the pipe when the retainer is held at the temporary locking position, and radially outward of the pipe when held at the final locking position. It enters into the pipe so as to straddle the outer periphery of the pipe and can be locked with the bulge part, and the retainer is moved to the full locking position behind the insertion hole. A housing portion capable of housing the retaining portion is formed integrally with the connector main body, and on the wall surface facing the retainer in a state of being held at the temporary locking position in the housing portion, The retaining portion is connected to the accommodating portion. An opening for insertion into the pipe is provided, and a pipe receiving opening that allows the insertion of the bulge formed coaxially with the insertion hole is opened on the wall facing the entry side of the pipe. The both wall surfaces in the width direction serve as pressing walls serving as the restricting means, and are characterized in that at least both side surfaces in the width direction of the retaining portion can be pressed.
[0015]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the retainer according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the retainer extends from the temporary locking position to the final locking position along a direction intersecting the axial direction of the pipe. It is characterized by being slidable.
[0016]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claims 1 and 8>
When the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the detection surface of the detection claw and the receiving surface of the detection hole face each other in the moving direction from the temporary locking position of the retainer to the final locking position. Since the restricting surface and the receiving surface are engaged with each other so as to be orthogonal to the pushing direction of the retainer, the movement of the retainer from the temporary engagement position to the final engagement position is reliably restricted. Therefore, inadvertent movement of the retainer from the temporary locking position to the final locking position is restricted.
[0017]
When the pipe is inserted to the proper position of the insertion hole, the bulge portion comes into contact with the detection claw protruding into the insertion hole. Since the detection claw is bent and deformed so as to be pushed out of the insertion hole by the bulge portion, the retainer can move from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. If the pipe does not reach the normal depth in the insertion hole, the detection claw is not pushed out by the bulge, so the retainer is moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. I can't let you. Therefore, the operator can detect the half-insertion of the pipe with this.
[0018]
Therefore, since the retainer can be moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position only after the pipe is inserted to the normal depth in the insertion hole, the pipe half-fitting detection can be reliably performed by the retainer.
[0019]
<Invention of Claim 2>
When the detection claw is pushed out of the insertion hole by the bulge portion, the state in which the regulation surface and the receiving surface face each other shifts to a state in which the guide surface faces the detection claw or the opening edge of the detection hole. In this state, when the retainer is pushed from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, the detection claw is pushed out from the detection hole to the outer surface of the connector body while the guide surface is in sliding contact with the detection claw or the opening edge of the detection hole. Since such an opening operation is guided, the retainer can be smoothly moved to the full locking position.
[0020]
<Invention of Claim 3>
The retainer is held at the temporary locking position by locking the detection claw with the opening edge of the detection hole, and the retainer is locked by engaging the detection claw with a portion other than the opening edge of the detection hole of the connector body. It is held in the stop position. In this way, the detection claw has a function of holding the pipe half inserted and holding the retainer at the temporary locking position and the main locking position, so that the structure is simpler than when a dedicated structure is provided. I can do it.
[0021]
<Invention of Claim 4>
After the pipe is inserted into the connector body, if a force in the pulling direction is applied to the pipe, a force in the releasing direction is applied to the retainer. As a result, the retainer tries to move in the releasing direction. . However, according to the invention of claim 4, the retainer is engaged with the lock receiving portion of the retainer and the auxiliary lock portion of the connector body in addition to the detection claw being locked to the portion other than the detection hole of the connector body. Since they are stopped, the holding force at the final locking position is strengthened. Therefore, it is possible to resist the force in the pulling direction of the pipe.
[0022]
<Invention of Claim 5>
After the pipe is inserted into the insertion hole to the proper depth, when the retainer is moved to the full locking position, the retaining part is located on the rear surface of the connector body and is retained on the rear surface of the bulge part, so that the pipe is retained. .
[0023]
In the conventional connector, a hole is formed in the upper surface of the connector main body, and the retainer is assembled therein from there. Therefore, there is a possibility that foreign matter may enter the connector main body from this hole. Further, if a hole is made in the upper surface of the connector body, there is a concern that the strength of the connector body may be reduced. Therefore, there is a problem that the meat must be secured within a sufficient length around the hole, and as a result, the connector main body becomes longer in the axial direction.
[0024]
However, according to the invention of claim 5, since the retainer is externally attached to the outer surface of the connector body, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter, and it is not necessary to form the connector body long in the axial direction to ensure strength. The connector body can be made smaller than the conventional one.
[0025]
<Invention of Claim 6>
After the pipe has been inserted to the normal depth, when the retainer is moved to the full locking position, the retaining portion is locked with the rear surface of the bulge portion, so that the pipe is retained.
In this state, if the pipe is forcibly pulled out, the bulge portion is pulled strongly in the pulling direction, so that the retaining portion is deformed and the locking between the retaining portion and the bulge portion may be released.
[0026]
However, according to the invention of claim 6, even if the bulge part is pulled in the pulling direction, the deformation of the retaining part in the direction in which the locking with the bulge part is released is regulated by the regulating means, Is not released. Therefore, the pipe is prevented from coming off twice by the retaining portion and the restricting means, and the retaining of the pipe is further strengthened.
[0027]
<Invention of Claim 7>
After the pipe is inserted from the pipe receiving port to the normal depth of the insertion hole, when the retainer is moved to the full locking position, the retaining part enters the accommodating part from the opening so as to straddle the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, and prevents the retaining part. The part locks with the bulge part to prevent the pipe from coming off, and the retaining part is accommodated in the accommodating part. In this state, even if the pipe is forcibly pulled in the pulling direction, both side surfaces in the width direction of the retaining portion are pressed by the retaining walls of the housing portion, so that the retaining portion is prevented from expanding and deforming in the width direction. Thus, the locking between the bulge part and the retaining part is not released.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The connector 20 shown in these drawings includes a connector main body 21 and a retainer 40.
[0029]
First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector main body 21 is provided with a hollow tube connecting portion 22 on the front side (hereinafter, the left side shown in FIG. 2 and the insertion direction of the pipe 11 described later is the front side). It can be inserted into a tube (not shown) and connected thereto. On the outer surface of the tube connecting portion 22, a plurality of flange portions 23 for preventing the tube from coming off are provided.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 2, a pipe accommodating portion 25 is provided behind the tube connecting portion 22. Inside this, an insertion hole 26 is formed along the axial center, the front end side communicates with the inside of the tube connecting portion 22 via the stepped surface 35, and the pipe 11 can be inserted from the rear opening. ing. Here, the pipe 11 will be briefly described. The pipe 11 is made of metal, and a bulge portion 12 protruding in the radial direction is provided over the entire circumference at a position near the tip. Two O-rings 27 are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 26 in the axial direction so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 26 via the spacer 28, and are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inserted pipe 11. By doing so, the seal between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 26 is performed. These O-rings 27 are prevented from coming out of the insertion holes 26 by O-ring pressers 29. When the pipe 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 at a normal depth, the front end of the pipe 11 can be brought into contact with the stepped surface 35 described above, while the rear surface of the bulge portion 12 is the rear side of the insertion hole 26. It is set to be substantially flush with the opening edge (see FIG. 11).
[0031]
The retainer 40 described above has two roles of retaining the pipe 11 and detecting half-insertion of the pipe 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the retainer 40 is formed to have a U-shaped longitudinal section with the front and bottom surfaces open, and can be mounted so as to cover the outer surface of the pipe housing portion 25.
[0032]
A through hole 41 is provided in the front portion of the upper surface of the retainer 40, and a rotating piece 41A having a substantially circular cross section is formed at the front end edge. On the other hand, at the front end of the upper surface of the pipe housing portion 25, a hooking claw 34 for hooking and locking the rotating piece 41 </ b> A is provided at a position near the boundary with the tube connecting portion 22. 40 is supported so as to be pivotable about the pivot piece 41 </ b> A with respect to the pipe housing portion 25. By the way, the retainer 40 has a temporary locking position (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that allows the insertion and removal of the pipe 11 with respect to the connector body 21 and a main locking position (see FIGS. 11 and 12) that holds the pipe 11 in a retaining manner. ).
[0033]
Next, the temporary locking structure with respect to the pipe accommodating part 25 of the retainer 40 is demonstrated. First, a pair of square-shaped detection holes 30 are provided at positions corresponding to the bulge portion 12 in a properly inserted state near the rear ends of both side surfaces of the pipe housing portion 25. A rib 33 that protrudes rearward except for the upper edge is provided at the periphery of the pipe housing portion 25, and the detection hole 30 is formed such that a part of the detection hole 30 covers the rib 33 (see FIG. 1 to FIG. 1). 3).
[0034]
At the lower opening edge of the detection hole 30, a receiving surface 31 and a guide surface 32 disposed outside the receiving surface 31 are provided adjacent to the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 9) of the pipe housing portion 25. The receiving surface 31 is formed horizontally in the drawing, that is, provided so as to be orthogonal to the pushing direction (vertical direction of the connector main body 21) from the temporary locking position of the retainer 40 to the main locking position. On the other hand, the guide surface 32 is formed in a tapered shape with a downward gradient from the outer edge of the receiving surface 31 to the outer surface of the pipe housing portion 25.
[0035]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6, a pair of detection claws 43 are provided at the rear of both side surfaces of the retainer 40. The detection claw 43 is formed so as to be able to bend by providing cuts from the lower ends of both side surfaces of the retainer 40, and the lower end side protrudes downward from the lower end of the retainer 40. Further, a projecting portion 44 projecting in a bowl shape toward the inside is provided at the lower end of the detection claw 43 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). When the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position, the protruding portion 44 can be fitted into the detection hole 30 in a state of protruding into the insertion hole 26. At this time, the upper surface of the protruding portion 44 is connected to the detection hole. It is caught by the upper opening edge of 30 and the upward pulling of the retainer 40 is regulated. On the other hand, the retainer 40 is also restricted from moving downward by the detection claw 43 and the detection hole 30.
[0036]
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the lower end portion of the projecting portion 44 is formed so as to be aligned with the receiving surface 31 and the guide surface 32 of the detection hole 30, and the retainer 40 is temporarily engaged. There is provided a regulating surface 45 that is formed so as to be horizontal as shown in the state where it is assembled at the stop position, and that comes into contact with the receiving surface 31 in a contact state. Therefore, when the protruding portion 44 is fitted into the detection hole 30, the regulating surface 45 and the receiving surface 31 face each other in the direction along the pushing direction from the temporary locking position of the retainer 40 to the main locking position, and the surface contact state. The movement of the retainer 40 to the main locking position can be restricted by abutting each other. Further, in the state where the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position, the rear opening of the insertion hole 26 is opened, so that the pipe 11 can be inserted into the insertion hole 26.
[0037]
Next, the structure for releasing the temporarily locked state will be described. Since the detection hole 30 corresponds to the insertion position of the bulge portion 12 in the state of being properly inserted as described above, the detection hole 30 enters the insertion hole 26 in a state where the retainer 40 is held at the temporary locking position. The protruding portion 44 can also correspond to the bulge portion 12.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 10, a tapered guide surface 46 is formed from the regulation surface 45 of the protrusion 44 to the tip of the protrusion 44. On the other hand, the guide surface 32 is also provided on the lower opening edge of the detection hole 30 as described above. The guide surfaces 32 and 46 are in a relationship of facing each other and contacting each other when the contact state between the regulation surface 45 and the receiving surface 31 is released. Therefore, when the retainer 40 is pushed downward in this state, the guide surfaces 32 and 46 are brought into sliding contact with each other, whereby the push-opening operation of the detection claw 43 is guided. Thus, the projecting portion 44 is pushed out from the detection hole 30 to the outer surface of the pipe housing portion 25 and can be smoothly moved to the main locking position.
[0039]
On the contrary, if the pipe 11 is not inserted to the normal depth in the insertion hole 26, the detection claw 43 is not pushed open by the bulge part 12, and the contact state between the regulating surface 45 and the receiving surface 31 is not. Since it is not released, the retainer 40 cannot be moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. Therefore, the retainer 40 can reliably detect the half insertion of the pipe 11.
[0040]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a guide surface 47 having an inward gradient that guides the bulge portion 12 into the insertion hole 26 is provided at the rear end portion of the protruding portion 44.
[0041]
Next, the main locking structure of the retainer 40 will be described. A locking portion 36 is provided at a position below the both side surfaces of the pipe housing portion 25 and corresponding to the detection claw 43 of the retainer 40 moved to the full locking position, and the upper surface of the protruding portion 44 of the detection claw 43. However, by locking with the locking portion 36, it is possible to restrict the retainer 40 in the disengagement direction. Further, when the inner surface side of the upper surface of the retainer 40 comes into contact with the upper surface of the pipe housing portion 25, the downward movement of the retainer 40 is restricted.
[0042]
Further, a hook-like auxiliary lock portion 37 is provided on the upper surface of the rear side of the pipe housing portion 25 so as to project. A lock receiving portion 42 is formed through the upper surface of the retainer 40. In a state where the retainer 40 is moved to the main locking position, the front edge of the opening edge of the lock receiving portion 42 is caught by the auxiliary lock portion 37, so that the retainer 40 can be regulated in the disengagement direction. . Therefore, the retainer 40 is held at the main locking position by a double locking structure including locking of the detection claw 43 and the detection hole 30 and locking by the auxiliary lock portion 37 and the lock receiving portion 42. .
[0043]
On the rear surface of the retainer 40, a retaining portion 48 for retaining the pipe 11 is provided. The retaining portion 48 includes a rear plate 49 that connects both side surfaces of the retainer 40. The rear plate 49 has an arch-shaped escape hole 50 in order to avoid interference with the pipe 11, and a pressing piece 51 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 at the front edge of the arch-shaped opening edge of the escape hole 50. It is formed to project toward. Thus, a U-shaped relief groove 52 is formed between the holding piece 51 and both side surfaces of the retainer 40. When the retainer 40 reaches the final locking position, the rib 33 described above is inserted. It has become. Further, in the state where the retainer 40 is in the main locking position, the front edge of the front end of the pressing piece 51 can be brought into contact with the rear surface of the bulge portion 12, thereby preventing the pipe 11 from coming off.
[0044]
Next, the function and effect of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. The connector 20 is transported to the pipe insertion site with the retainer 40 assembled in the temporary locking position. In the state where the retainer 40 is held at the temporary locking position, as shown in FIG. 9, the regulation surface 45 of the detection claw 43 and the receiving surface 31 of the detection hole 30 are fully locked from the temporary locking position of the retainer 40. Since the contact is made so as to be orthogonal to the pushing direction to the position, the movement in the main locking direction is reliably restricted by the restriction surface 45 and the receiving surface 31. Therefore, it is prevented that the retainer 40 is inadvertently moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position before the pipe 11 is inserted.
[0045]
When the pipe 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 with the retainer 40 held at the temporary locking position, the bulge portion 12 comes into contact with the protruding portion 44 of the retainer 40. When the bulge portion 12 is further pushed into the normal depth, the projecting portion 44 is guided to open while the guide surface 47 rubs against the bulge portion 12, the detection claw 43 is bent outward, and the projecting portion 44 is inserted into the insertion hole 26. The guide surface 32 and 46 are shifted from the state in which the regulating surface 45 and the receiving surface 31 face each other to the state in which the guide surfaces 32 and 46 face each other. Therefore, when the retainer 40 is pushed downward at this point, the guide surfaces 32 and 46 are brought into sliding contact with each other, and the protruding portion 44 is guided to be further pushed out from the detection hole 30 to the outer surface of the pipe housing portion 25. 40 moves around the rotating piece 41A while rotating from the temporary locking position toward the main locking position.
[0046]
However, if the pipe 11 is not inserted to the normal depth, the bulge portion 12 does not push the protruding portion 44 out of the insertion hole 26, and the regulating surface 45 and the receiving surface 31 are in contact with each other. Since the state remains, the retainer 40 cannot be pushed from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. Therefore, the retainer 40 can be moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position only when the pipe 11 is inserted to the normal depth. Therefore, since it is certain whether or not the retainer 40 can be pushed, the operator can reliably detect the half-inserted state of the pipe 11.
[0047]
When the retainer 40 is further pushed down and moved to the final locking position, the detection claw 43 is restored and deformed to be locked with the locking portion 36, and the upper surface of the pipe housing portion 25 and the upper surface of the retainer 40 are in contact with each other. The retainer 40 is held at the final locking position. In this full locking position, the pressing piece 51 on the rear surface of the retainer 40 is locked with the rear surface of the bulge portion 12, so that the pipe 11 is prevented from coming off.
[0048]
Further, since the auxiliary lock portion 37 and the lock receiving portion 42 are engaged with each other, the retainer 40 is held in a double engagement state at the main engagement position. Therefore, for example, when a force in the pulling direction is applied to the pipe 11 after the insertion work of the pipe 11 is completed, a force in the removal direction of the retainer 40 is applied to the retaining portion 48 of the retainer 40 via the bulge portion 12. However, since the retainer 40 is locked not only to the detection claw 43 and the detection hole 30, but also to the auxiliary lock portion 37 and the lock receiving portion 42, the holding force at the main locking position is enhanced, and the force described above is applied. Can withstand.
[0049]
Further, in the conventional connector, a hole is formed in the upper surface of the connector main body, and the retainer is assembled in the hole from there. Therefore, there is a possibility that foreign matters may enter the connector main body from the hole. Further, if a hole is made in the upper surface of the connector body, there is a concern that the strength of the connector body may be reduced. Therefore, there is a problem that the meat must be secured within a sufficient length around the hole, and as a result, the connector main body becomes longer in the axial direction.
[0050]
However, in this embodiment, since the retainer 40 is externally attached to the outer surface of the pipe housing portion 25, foreign matter can be prevented from entering, and the pipe housing portion 25 does not have to be formed long in the axial direction to ensure strength. Thus, the connector main body 21 can be reduced in size as compared with the conventional one.
[0051]
In addition, since the detection claw 43 has both a holding function at the temporary locking position and the final locking position of the retainer 40 and a half-insertion detection function of the pipe 11, the structure is compared with the case where each has a dedicated structure. It can be simplified.
[0052]
Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment, the retaining portion 48 of the retainer 40 is externally attached to the outer surface of the connector main body 21. However, in the second embodiment, the retaining portion 60 of the retainer 40 is provided in the connector main body 21. By accommodating in the accommodating portion 65, the stopper of the pipe 11 is further strengthened. The following description will focus on the parts that are different from the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given to the overlapping structures, and the description of the operation and effect relating to this will be omitted.
[0053]
First, the retainer 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, the retaining portion 60 is provided at the rear end portion of the retainer 40. The retaining portion 60 is formed with a pair of slits 62 cut in the height direction from the lower end of the retainer 40 between both side surfaces of the retainer 40, thereby enabling accommodation in the accommodating portion 65 described later. It is being conditioned.
[0054]
In the central portion in the width direction of the retaining portion 60, an escape hole 50 similar to that of the first embodiment has an opening width larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 11 and smaller than the outer diameter of the bulge portion 12, and The stopper 60 is formed in an arch shape that straddles the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 11. As shown in FIG. 19, the rear surface of the retaining portion 60 is formed in an arc shape centering on the rotating piece 41 </ b> A, while the front surface of the retaining portion 60 is a pipe with the retainer 40 in the final locking position. 11 is a vertical plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the eleventh axis. A predetermined area along the opening edge of the escape hole 50 in the front surface of the retaining portion 60 serves as a pressing surface 61 for the bulge portion 12. That is, when the retainer 40 moves to the final locking position, the retaining portion 60 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 11 so as to straddle it, and the pressing surface 61 is substantially half the circumference of the rear surface of the bulge portion 12. The pipe 11 is prevented from coming off by coming into contact with each other over the range (see FIG. 24).
[0055]
Further, a connecting portion 63 that connects both side surfaces of the retainer 40 and the retaining portion 60 is provided at the base portion of the retaining portion 60 (the upper end portion of the slit 62 described above) (FIGS. 19 and 20). The part 60 is reinforced.
[0056]
Further, the rear end edges of the both side surfaces of the retainer 40 are formed in an arc shape in accordance with the rear surface shape of the retaining portion 60 so that the rear surfaces of the retainer 40 are flush with each other. Therefore, the rear part of the both side surfaces of the retainer 40 does not protrude rearward from the rear end surface of the accommodating part 65 described later.
[0057]
Next, the structure of the accommodating portion 65 that accommodates the retaining portion 60 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the accommodating portion 65 is formed integrally with the rear end portion of the pipe accommodating portion 25 of the connector main body 21 and has a substantially rectangular frame shape. An opening 67 is provided in the upper wall of the accommodating portion 65, from which the retaining portion 60 can be accommodated. As shown in FIG. 16, a pipe receiving port 66 that is coaxial with the insertion hole 26 and has the same diameter as the rear opening of the insertion hole 26 is formed in the rear wall of the housing part 65 so as to penetrate into the housing part 65. The pipe 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 from the pipe receiving port 66 through the accommodating portion 65.
[0058]
In this embodiment, when the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position, the retaining portion 60 enters the accommodating portion 65 to a position where the lower portion of the retaining portion 60 does not hinder insertion of the bulge portion 12 (see FIG. 22), when in the fully locked position, it is completely accommodated in the accommodating portion 65, and is mounted at a position where the front surface of the retaining portion 60 contacts the rear opening edge of the insertion hole 26, that is, the rear surface of the bulge portion 12. (See FIG. 24).
[0059]
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 22, 24, and 26, in a state where the retaining portion 60 has entered the housing portion 65, the retaining portion 60 is laterally and rearward by the both side walls and the rear wall of the housing portion 65. Therefore, the both side walls and the rear wall of the accommodating portion 65 serve as a side pressing wall 68 (regulating means) and a rear pressing wall 69 (regulating means) with respect to the retaining portion 60, respectively. Yes.
[0060]
Specifically, the inner surface of the rear pressing wall 69 is formed in an arc shape similar to the rear surface of the retaining portion 60, and the retaining member 40 is retained when the retainer 40 moves from the temporary locking position to the main locking position. The rear surface of the portion 60 and the inner surface of the rear pressing wall 69 are movable while sliding. In a state in which the retainer 40 is held at the main locking position, the inner surface of the rear pressing wall 69 and the rear surface of the retaining portion 60 come into contact with each other, so that rearward deformation of the retaining portion 60 can be restricted. Further, as described above, by forming the inner surface of the rear pressing wall 69 in an arc shape, the rear pressing wall 69 and the rear surface of the retaining portion 60 can be brought into close contact with each other over the entire height range. The slight displacement of the retaining portion 60 to the rear can be restricted.
[0061]
Further, the inner surface of the side pressing wall 68 is formed so as to face both side surfaces of the retaining portion 60, and, similar to the rear pressing wall 69, when the retainer 40 moves from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. The side pressing wall 68 and both side surfaces of the retaining portion 60 are in sliding contact with each other, and when the main retaining position is reached, the side retaining walls 68 are in contact with each other to restrict deformation of the retaining portion 60 to the side. Further, slight displacement in the lateral direction can be restricted by bringing the inner surface of the side pressing wall 68 into close contact over the entire height range of the side surface of the retaining portion 60. Further, the side pressing wall 68 is adapted to enter the above-described slit 62 when the retaining portion 60 enters the accommodating portion 65.
[0062]
Further, at the upper edge of the side pressing wall 68, a recess 70 is formed at a position corresponding to the connecting portion 63 of the retaining portion 60 held in the main locking position, and does not interfere with the connecting portion 63. It is like that. The side pressing wall 68 has a die-cutting hole 71 communicating with the detection hole 30 for forming the inner surface of the rear pressing wall 69 from the substantially central portion in the height direction to the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 65. Is formed. When the retainer 40 is held in the final locking position, the die release hole 71 is closed by the rear side surface of the retainer 40 (the cover piece 64 disposed behind the detection hole 30 through a cut), and the die release hole 71 is retained. The possibility of foreign matter such as dust entering the connector main body 21 through the detection hole 30 communicating with the connector is avoided.
[0063]
In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In a state where the retainer 40 is held at the temporary locking position, the movement to the full locking position is caused by the contact between the regulation surface 45 of the detection claw 43 and the receiving surface 31 of the detection hole 30 as in the first embodiment. It is regulated. Further, in this state, the upper end portion of the side pressing wall 68 enters the slit 62, and the lower portion of the retaining portion 60 is held at a position where it slightly enters the accommodating portion 65 from the opening 67 (FIGS. 22 and 23). reference).
[0064]
In this temporary locking position, when the pipe 11 is pushed into the insertion hole 26 from the pipe receiving port 66 and inserted to a normal depth, the detection claw 43 is pushed out of the detection hole 30 by the bulge portion 12, thereby temporarily holding the retainer 40. The locking is released, and the retainer 40 can be moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position around the rotation shaft 41A.
[0065]
At this time, when the retainer 40 is pushed downward, both the side surfaces of the retaining portion 60 and the inner surface of the side pressing wall 68, the rear surface of the retaining portion 60 and the inner surface of the rear retaining wall 69 are in sliding contact with each other. It enters into the accommodating portion 65. When the detection claw 30 and the locking portion 36 are locked, and the upper surface of the pipe housing portion 25 and the upper surface of the retainer 40 come into contact with each other and the retainer 40 is locked at the main locking position, the retaining portion 60 is moved to the housing portion 65. Fully contained within. At the same time, since the pressing surface 61 of the retaining portion 60 is locked with the rear surface of the bulge portion 12, the pipe 11 is retained.
[0066]
Temporarily, when the retainer 40 is held in the main locking position and the pipe 11 is forcibly pulled out, the bulge part 12 is deformed so that the retaining part 60 is pushed sideways and rearward. There is a possibility that the locking with the bulge portion 12 is released. However, in this embodiment, since the retaining portion 60 is pressed from the side and the rear by the side pressing wall 68 and the rear pressing wall 69 of the housing portion 65, deformation in these directions is restricted, and the locking portion 60 is not pulled out. The locking between the stopper 60 and the bulge 12 is not released. Therefore, the pipe 11 is double-prevented by the retaining portion 60, the side retaining wall 68, and the rear retaining wall 69, and the retaining of the pipe 11 is further strengthened.
[0067]
In this embodiment, the retainer 40 is rotated to move from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. However, for example, it is possible to slide the retainer 40 in the vertical direction. However, in the slide type retainer, each of the retainer and the connector main body needs a guide structure for positioning the retainer at the temporary locking position of the connector body and for moving from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. It becomes. Therefore, providing these structures complicates the connector structure.
[0068]
In this respect, in the case of the rotation method, the rotation piece 41A and the hooking claw 34 as the rotation center are provided in the retainer 40 and the connector main body 21 with a simple structure. This method is adopted in the present application because the guide to the locking position can be reliably performed. Further, in the second embodiment, since the retaining portion 60 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 65 and the retaining portion 60 is pressed by the side pressing wall 68 and the rear pressing wall 69, as in the first embodiment. The wall thickness of the retaining portion can be made thinner than that in which the retaining portion 48 alone is used to retain the pipe. That is, when the retainer 40 is rotated from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, the thickness of the lower end portion of the rear surface of the retaining portion that takes the rotation trajectory of the rearmost end is reduced, thereby rotating this portion. The trajectory can be shifted forward from the first embodiment. As a result, the work space is reduced, which is effective for assembling work in a narrow space.
[0069]
<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the first and second embodiments described above, the retainer is rotated to move between the temporary locking position and the main locking position, but in this embodiment, the slide movement (linear movement) is performed. Indicates. The following description will focus on the parts different from those of the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be given to the overlapping configurations, and the description of the operations and effects related thereto will be omitted.
[0070]
A retaining portion 60 having a relief hole 50 similar to that of the second embodiment is formed at the rear end portion of the retainer 72, and the rear surface of the retaining portion 60 is a vertical surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipe 11. Is formed.
[0071]
Moreover, in this embodiment, compared with 2nd Embodiment which has a rotating shaft in the front part of the connector main body 21, the side wall 75 of the retainer 72 and the front edge of an upper wall were formed short in the axial direction. It is the length which covers only the accommodating part 65. The front end edge of the side wall 75 disposed on both sides of the accommodating portion 65 via the slit 62 extends vertically downward, and the detection claw 43 is formed at the lower end of the side wall 75 over the entire width.
[0072]
On the other hand, in the housing portion 65 of the connector main body 21, the inner surface of the rear pressing wall 73 that presses the rear surface of the retaining portion 60 is a vertical surface in the same manner as the rear surface of the retaining portion 60. Therefore, when the retainer 72 is moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, the both surfaces move while being in sliding contact with each other along the vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The movement between the position and the main locking position can be performed by sliding in the vertical direction.
[0073]
Further, in a state where the retainer 72 is mounted at the temporary locking position or the main locking position, a pair of guide ribs 74 projecting sideways are formed on both side surfaces of the connector main body 21 with the front end edge of the side wall 75 of the retainer 72. The front end edge of the side wall 75 of the retainer is slidably brought into contact with the rear end of the guide rib 74 so as to guide the downward movement of the retainer 72.
[0074]
Therefore, according to the above-described invention, when the retainer 72 is first mounted in the temporary locking position, the front end edge of the side wall 75 of the retainer 72 is positioned along the rear end edge of the guide rib 74 with respect to the connector main body 21. When the retainer 72 is positioned and the retainer 72 is pushed down as it is, the retainer 72 moves downward while the front end edge of the side wall 75 of the retainer 72 is guided by the guide rib 74. The retainer 72 is held at the temporary locking position when the retaining portion 60 slightly enters the housing portion 65 and when the regulation surface 45 of the detection claw 43 and the receiving surface 31 of the detection hole 30 come into contact with each other.
[0075]
After the pipe 11 is inserted to the normal depth in the insertion hole 26 and the retainer 72 is temporarily released from the temporarily locked state, when the retainer 72 is further pushed down, the rear surface of the retaining portion 60 and the rear retaining wall 73 and the retaining portion 60 The retainer 72 slides to the final locking position while the both side surfaces and the inner surface of the side pressing wall 68 are in sliding contact.
[0076]
Therefore, by forming the rear surface of the retaining portion 60 and the rear pressing wall 73 in a vertical surface, the retainer 72 can be moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position by sliding it up and down. Further, since the guide rib 74 is provided on the side wall 75 of the connector main body 21, the retainer 72 can be smoothly moved downward.
[0077]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
[0078]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the retainer 40 is locked at the temporary locking position and the main locking position by the detection claw 43, but may be provided separately from the detection claw.
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the guide surfaces are formed on both the detection claw and the detection hole, but may be formed on only one of them.
[0079]
(3) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the pipe 11 having a straight shape is used has been described. However, a pipe having a curved shape may be used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 31, the back end of the retainer 40 is integrally provided with a bifurcated steady rest 54, and when the retainer 40 is moved to the final locking position, the curved end of the pipe 53 is provided. It is also possible to prevent the pipe 53 from rotating after being attached to the connector 20 by fixing it so as to be sandwiched from both sides.
[0080]
(4) In the first and second embodiments described above, the auxiliary lock portion 37 is provided on the upper surface of the pipe housing portion 25 and the lock receiving portion 42 is provided on the upper surface of the retainer 40. The installation location of the lock receiving portion is not limited to this, and the auxiliary locking portion and the lock receiving portion are intentionally provided if the detecting claw 43 has sufficient locking force to hold the retainer 40 in the main locking position. It is not necessary to provide it.
[0081]
(5) In the second and third embodiments described above, the housing portion 65 is integrally formed with the connector main body 21; however, a housing portion formed separately may be attached.
(6) In the second and third embodiments described above, the retaining portion 60 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 65, and the deformation to both sides and the rear is restricted, but at least the retaining portion is not required even if the retaining portion is not accommodated. What is necessary is just to regulate the deformation to the both sides of the part.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector and a pipe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector main body.
FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the retainer.
FIG. 5 is a top view thereof.
FIG. 6 is a rear view thereof.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is attached to the connector main body at the temporary locking position.
FIG. 8 is a side view thereof.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a state where the detection claw is locked to the detection hole at the temporary locking position.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which the detection claw and the detection hole are unlocked.
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the retainer is attached to the main locking position with respect to the connector main body.
FIG. 12 is a side view thereof.
FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a state where the detection claw is locked to the connector main body at the full locking position.
14 is a rear view of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a connector and a pipe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector main body and the accommodating portion.
FIG. 17 is a top view thereof.
FIG. 18 is a rear view thereof.
FIG. 19 is a side view of the retainer.
FIG. 20 is a top view thereof.
FIG. 21 is a rear view thereof.
FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is attached to the connector main body at the temporary locking position.
FIG. 23 is a side view thereof.
FIG. 24 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the retainer is attached to the main locking position with respect to the connector main body.
FIG. 25 is a side view thereof.
FIG. 26 is a rear view thereof.
FIG. 27 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is mounted at the temporary locking position with respect to the connector main body according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view thereof.
FIG. 29 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the retainer is attached to the main locking position with respect to the connector main body.
FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view thereof.
FIG. 31 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 32 is a sectional view of a connector in a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... Pipe
12 ... Bulge club
20 ... Connector
21 ... Connector body
26 ... Insertion hole
30 ... Detection hole
31. Reception surface
32 ... Guide surface
37 ... Auxiliary lock
40, 72 ... Retainer
42. Lock receiving part
43 ... Detection claw
45 ... Regulatory aspects
46 ... Guide surface
48, 60 ... retaining part
65 ... Container
66 ... Pipe receiving port
67 ... Opening
68 ... Side holding wall (regulation means)
69, 73 ... rear pressing wall (regulating means)

Claims (8)

A connector body for inserting and connecting a pipe in which a bulge part for retaining is formed at a position near the tip of the outer peripheral surface, wherein the insertion hole into which the pipe is inserted is formed along the axial direction. And a retainer that is attached to the connector main body and is capable of retaining the pipe in a retaining state by engaging the bulge portion at a position where the pipe is inserted to a normal insertion depth with respect to the insertion hole. In
The retainer is movable between a temporary locking position that allows insertion / extraction of the pipe and a main locking position that can be locked with the bulge portion to restrict the removal of the pipe. A detection claw that can be bent outward is provided,
A side surface of the connector body is provided with a detection hole that is open to communicate with the insertion hole and can be locked with the detection claw when the retainer is in the temporary locking position.
One of the detection claw and the detection hole is provided with a restricting surface, and the other is provided with a receiving surface. The restricting surface and the receiving surface are located from the temporary locking position of the retainer to the main locking position. It is possible to regulate the push-in operation of the retainer from the temporary locking position to the main locking position by contacting both surfaces in contact with each other in the direction along the moving direction. As well as
The detection claw protrudes into the insertion hole when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, and comes into contact with the bulge when the pipe is inserted into the insertion hole at a proper depth. By bending and deforming so as to be pushed out of the insertion hole by the portion, the contact state between the restriction surface and the receiving surface is released, and the retainer moves from the temporary locking position to the main locking position. A connector characterized by enabling.   At least one of the detection claw and the opening edge of the detection hole is provided with a guide surface adjacent to the restriction surface or the receiving surface, and the guide claw is inserted into the insertion hole by the bulge portion. When it is pushed out from the inside, it faces the detection claw or the opening edge of the detection hole. When the guide surface is moved from the detection hole to the outer surface of the connector main body, the guide surface pushes the detection claw from the detection hole to the outer surface of the connector body. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector can be made.   The detection claw is locked to the opening edge of the detection hole in the temporary locking position, and is locked to a portion other than the opening edge of the detection hole in the connector body in the main locking position, The connector according to claim 1, wherein an operation of the retainer in a disengagement direction is restricted.   On the side surface of the connector main body, when the retainer is in the final locking position, the retainer is engaged with the lock receiving portion of the retainer, thereby restricting movement of the retainer from the final locking position to the temporary locking position. The connector according to claim 3, wherein an auxiliary lock portion is provided. The pipe is configured so that the rear surface of the bulge portion is substantially flush with the rear opening of the insertion hole at a regular insertion depth in the insertion hole.
On the other hand, the retainer can be mounted so as to cover the outer surface of the connector body, and a retaining portion is formed at the rear end of the retainer, and the retainer is moved to the main locking position. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining portion is positioned on the rear surface of the connector body in an exposed state and can be locked to the rear surface of the bulge portion. The pipe is configured so that the rear surface of the bulge portion is substantially flush with the rear opening of the insertion hole at a regular insertion depth in the insertion hole.
On the other hand, a retaining portion is formed at the rear end portion of the retainer. The retaining portion allows the pipe to be inserted into and removed from the insertion hole in a state where the retainer is in the temporary locking position. In the state moved to the locking position, the retaining portion can be locked to the rear surface of the bulge portion,
The connector body is provided with restricting means for restricting deformation of the retaining portion in a direction in which the locking between the bulge portion and the retaining portion is released by coming into contact with the retaining portion. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connector is characterized by that. The retaining portion is formed in an arch shape having an opening width larger than the outer diameter of the pipe and smaller than the outer diameter of the bulge portion, and the retaining portion holds the retainer at the temporary locking position. In the state where the pipe is located radially outward, and in the state where the pipe is held in the main locking position, the pipe enters from the radially outer side of the pipe toward the pipe so as to straddle the outer periphery of the pipe. And can be locked to the bulge part,
A housing part capable of housing the retaining part in a state where the retainer has moved to the final locking position is formed integrally with the connector body behind the insertion hole.
In addition, an opening for inserting the retaining portion into the housing portion is provided on the wall surface of the housing portion facing the retainer in the state of being held at the temporary locking position. A pipe receiving port that allows the insertion of the bulge portion formed coaxially with the insertion hole is opened on the wall surface on the side facing the entry side, and both wall surfaces in the width direction are holding walls serving as the regulating means. The connector according to claim 6, wherein at least both side surfaces in the width direction of the retaining portion can be pressed.   8. The retainer is configured to be slidable along a direction intersecting an axial direction of the pipe between the temporary locking position and the final locking position. Connector.

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