JP3975734B2 - Piping connection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for connecting two pipes with a sealing function, and more particularly to a technique with improved durability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a device that connects two pipes with sealing properties (liquid tightness), one pipe has a sealing function with a strong fastening force, but the other pipe is connected by a one-touch insertion operation. There is a connection device called a quick connector which can obtain a sealing function and a retaining function at the same time.
[0003]
That is, the connector is provided with an O-ring, and when the other pipe is inserted, the outer peripheral surface of the pipe is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring and has a sealing function, and is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. A claw engaging structure that engages with the engaging portion has a retaining function.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
This can connect two pipes with a simple sealing function, but the pipe inserted in the O-ring is easy to rotate around the axis relative to the O-ring. The inner peripheral surface may be worn and the sealing performance may be deteriorated.
For this reason, in the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-269088, two surfaces (two surface widths) parallel to the cylindrical outer wall of the quick connector are formed, and the two surface widths are prevented from being rotated by a counter plate. Thus, a clip for clamping is provided, and a bent portion of the pipe inserted and connected into the connector is engaged with a notch formed in the clip, thereby preventing relative rotation between the connector and the pipe.
[0005]
However, in this structure, the anti-rotation function by the width of the two surfaces and the counter plate is weak, and if the fit is tightened to increase the function, the reliability and insertion workability deteriorate.
As another method, there is a method in which the body portion of the connector is held by a C-clip. However, in this method, long-term functional guarantee cannot be obtained due to wear of the clip portion during use.
[0006]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe connecting device that ensures a long-term sealing function while ensuring simple operability. And
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this reason, the invention according to claim 1
Two pipes are connected to one pipe with a sealing function with a strong fastening force, and the other pipe is inserted into the end of the pipe by inserting the pipe end. A connector that has an inner peripheral surface that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe and has a sealing function and has a retaining function by a claw engaging structure that engages with an engaging portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe;
The outer wall of the connector is fitted and held, and a cover for fitting and holding two pipe portions extending in directions different from the direction in which the other pipe end is connected to the connector;
It is characterized by comprising.
[0008]
In this way, the operability of the pipe connection to the connector can be performed as easily as before, and the two pipe portions extending in a direction different from the other pipe connection direction inserted inside the annular seal member are respectively covered. With the configuration in which the two pipes are fitted and held, the relative rotation of the two pipes can be surely stopped, wear of the O-ring is prevented, and a long-term sealing function is guaranteed.
[0009]
Further, since the connector is bent to have a connection portion, the straight end portion of the one pipe can be inserted into the connector and connected. The connection of the one pipe to the connector requires a large force in order to give a large fastening force. Therefore, connecting the straight end is easier to operate than connecting the bent end.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 2
The three holding portions of the cover that fit and hold the outer wall of the connector and the two pipe portions are open on the same side and can be fitted from the same direction.
According to the invention of claim 2 ,
First, two pipes can be connected to the connector, and can be easily fitted and held in the cover from the same direction by a one-touch operation.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 3
A positioning mechanism for normally fitting the cover and the connector only at a predetermined position is provided.
According to the invention of claim 3 ,
Since the cover and the connector are normally fitted only at a predetermined position, it is possible to prevent the cover and the connector from being poorly attached in the half-fitted state.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a pipe connection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of a basic embodiment, in which first pipes 2 and 3 are connected to a connector 1 and the outer wall of the connector 1 is fitted to each end of the first pipes 2 and 3. A holding cover 4 is attached.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 1 is formed in an L-shape, and is formed with a connection portion 1 </ b> B that is bent in a direction different from the main body portion 1 </ b> A and has a plurality of step portions on the outer peripheral surface. The end of the first pipe 2 is connected by fitting its inner side into the connector connecting part 1B. A strong fastening force acts on the connecting portion due to the elastic deformation of the first pipe 2 and has a sufficient sealing property (liquid tightness).
[0014]
In the main body 1A of the connector 1, two O-rings 11 and 12 constituting an annular seal member are mounted, and a claw engaging member 13 formed of a separate member is mounted on the opening side. The tip of the claw engaging member 13 in the main body 1A is formed with flexibility so as to be deformable in the radial direction.
The second pipe 3 is formed by bending the end 3a at a substantially right angle. When the end 3a is inserted into the main body 1A of the connector 1 and pushed in, the outer peripheral surface of the end 3a is the two. The O-rings 11 and 12 are in close contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the O-rings 11 and 12 while being elastically deformed, and the claw portions at the tips of the claw engaging members 13 are engaged with the peripheral projections 3b formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end portions 3a. It will be retained.
[0015]
The cover 4 includes a central portion 4A that fits the main body portion 1A of the connector 1 and a C clip portion that extends from one end portion of the central portion 4A in a direction perpendicular to the end portion of the first pipe 2. The arm 4B formed at the tip 4a and a pair of projecting parts 4b and 4c projecting in parallel from the extended part of the other end of the central part 4A, with the bent part of the second pipe 3 interposed therebetween. And a leg portion 4C. Here, the central portion 4A engages with a stepped surface 14 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 1A of the connector 1 and a stepped surface 31 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second pipe 3. Two opposing engaging surfaces 41, 42 are formed. The distance between the engagement surfaces 41 and 42 is set to be slightly smaller than the distance between the stepped surfaces 14 and 21 in a state where the second pipe 2 is connected to the main body portion 1A. 42 and the stepped surfaces 14 and 21 are tightly fitted (see FIG. 3).
[0016]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the central part 4A, the C clip part 4a, and the leg part 4C of the cover 4 are opened on the same side (the front side in the figure), whereby the first pipe 11 and the second pipe 4C are opened. While the pipe 12 is connected to the connector 1, it can be pushed into the center part 4A, the C clip part 4a, and the leg part 4C of the cover 4 from the same direction to be fitted.
[0017]
In this way, the connection can be performed with the same simple operation as in the prior art, and the cover 4 holds the connector 1 and the two pipes 2 and 3 in a direction different from the insertion direction to the O-rings 11 and 12. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent relative rotation around the axes of the O-rings 11 and 12, thereby preventing wear of the O-rings 11 and 12 and ensuring a long-term sealing function. it can.
[0018]
Further, by positioning by the engagement between the engagement surfaces 41 and 42 and the stepped surfaces 14 and 21, the respective parts are fitted only at correct predetermined positions, and poor connection due to half-fitting is prevented. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent a seal failure due to the connection failure.
5 and 6 show an example in which the pipe connecting device is used for connecting a fuel hose (between the vehicle body and the engine) 5 and an underfloor fuel pipe 6 in an automobile engine room. Here, the fuel hose 5 is connected to the connecting portion 1B of the connector 1 as the first piping, and the underfloor fuel piping 6 is inserted and connected to the main body 1A of the connector 1 as the second piping. Here, the rotational force is transmitted from the fuel hose 5 to the connector 1 due to the vibration of the engine, but the anti-rotation function by the present apparatus exhibits an effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a pipe connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a pipe connection state.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a pipe connection state to the connector according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining a function of preventing a half-fitted state between the cover and the connector according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a single cover according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the pipe connection device of the embodiment is applied to a fuel pipe connection part of an automobile.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 1A Main-body part 1B Connection part 2 1st piping 3 2nd piping 3a End part 3c Circumferential protrusion 4 Cover 4A Center part 4B Arm part 4C Leg part 4a C clip part 4b, 4c Projection part 5 Fuel hose 6 Underfloor fuel Piping 11, 12 O-ring 13 Claw engaging member 14, 31, 41, 42 Engaging surface

Claims (3)

Two pipes are connected to one pipe with a sealing function with a strong fastening force, and the other pipe is inserted into the end of the pipe by inserting the pipe end. The inner peripheral surface is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe and has a sealing function and is connected with a retaining function by a claw engagement structure that engages with an engaging portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe , and A connector having a connection portion that bends in a direction different from the connection direction of the other pipe and connects the one pipe ;
The outer wall of the connector is fitted and held, and a cover for fitting and holding two pipe portions extending in directions different from the direction in which the other pipe end is connected to the connector;
A pipe connection device characterized by comprising: Of the cover, the outer wall and the holding portion of the three holding fitted and two pipes portion of the connector, according to claim 1, wherein the same side is opened can be fitted in the same direction The pipe connection device described in 1. The pipe connection device according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning mechanism that allows the cover and the connector to normally fit only at a predetermined position.

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