JP3988181B2

JP3988181B2 - Tube fitting

Info

Publication number: JP3988181B2
Application number: JP2002071803A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 俊博熊谷
Original assignee: Sumitomo Riko Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Riko Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-15
Filing date: 2002-03-15
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-15
Also published as: JP2003269677A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば自動車のエアブレーキの配管に用いられる、挿入された樹脂製のチューブの引き戻し操作によってチューブを接続することができる事前組立式のチューブ継手に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
挿入された樹脂製のチューブの引き戻し操作によってチューブを接続することができる事前組立式のチューブ継手としては、特開２００１−４０８４号公報に記載されたものが知られている。このチューブ継手を図９を参照して説明すると、チューブ継手Ａは，軸方向一方側端から軸方向他方側に向かって順次段階的に小径になる内径を持つ、第１の穴Ｂ、第２の穴Ｃ及び第３の穴Ｄを備えた軸穴を有する筒状の本体部Ｅを具備し、第３の穴ＤはチューブＦの軸方向他方側端部Ｇを密着状態で押嵌可能なように形成され、第２の穴Ｃには環状の弾性シール部材Ｈが嵌め付けられている。第１の穴Ｂには筒状のホルダーＩが固着されていて、このホルダーＩの内周面の軸方向一方側は、軸と平行にストレートに延びる案内内周面Ｊとして形成され、ホルダーＩの内周面の案内内周面Ｊよりも軸方向他方側には、この案内内周面Ｊと隣接して軸方向他方側に向かうにつれ、漸次大径となる規制凹テーパ内周面Ｋが形成されている。ホルダーＩ内には筒状の締付け部材Ｌが配置されていて、この締付け部材Ｌは、軸方向一方側に、チューブＦを挿入できるように、かつ、ホルダーＩの案内内周面Ｊと摺動できるように形成された筒状の基部Ｍを備え、基部Ｍの軸方向他方側に、周方向に間隔を隔てて切欠きＮを設けることにより形成された複数の弾性変形可能なアーム部Ｏを有していて、各アーム部Ｏの自由端には締付け部Ｐが一体的に形成されている。締付け部Ｐは、径方向外方に突出して規制凹テーパ内周面Ｋに当接するように形成された頭部Ｑと、求心方向内方あるいは径方向内方に突出してチューブＦよりも小径の先端内径を有する爪部Ｒとを備えている。
【０００３】
このように構成されたチューブ継手ＡにチューブＦを接続するには、まず、チューブＦの軸方向他方側端部Ｇを締付け部材Ｌ及び弾性シール部材Ｈに挿通して本体部Ｅの第３の穴Ｄ内に押し嵌める。そしてチューブＦを軸方向一方側に少し引き戻すと、締付け部材ＬがチューブＦとともに軸方向一方側に移動し、締付け部材Ｌの頭部Ｑが規制凹テーパ内周面Ｋに当接してこの規制凹テーパ内周面Ｋ上を摺動することにより求心方向に変位し、図１０に示すように爪部ＲがチューブＦの外周面に噛み込む。このようにしてチューブＦがチューブ継手Ａに接続されることとなる。
【０００４】
そして、チューブＦをチューブ継手Ａから引き抜いて取り外すには、チューブＦをチューブ継手Ａに再び押し込んでから基部Ｍを軸方向他方側に押圧することにより締付け部材Ｌを軸方向他方側に押し込む。締付け部材Ｌが軸方向他方側に押し込まれると、締付け部材Ｌの頭部Ｑがリリース部としての環状のリブＳに案内されて径方向外方に変位し、爪部ＲのチューブＦ外周面への抜け止め接触が解除されて、チューブＦをチューブ継手Ａから引き抜くことができる。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、チューブＦをチューブ継手Ａに接続したときでも、ホルダーＩの案内内周面Ｊと締付け部材Ｌの基部Ｍとの間、および締付け部材Ｌの基部Ｍ内周面とチューブＦの外周面との間にはクリアランスが存在している。したがって、チューブ継手Ａ内に水分が浸入する可能性があるが、浸入した水分が締付け部Ｐに付着すると、締付け部Ｐが腐食して爪部Ｒの十分な突起性が消失し、あるいは、外気温の低下時に水分が凍結して体積を増やし、締付け部Ｐを径方向外側に変位させてしまい、チューブＦの抜け止め機能が低下するおそれがある。特に、流体圧が作用していない時に加えられた振動等により、締付け部材Ｌが軸方向他方側にずれて、頭部Ｑと規制凹テーパ内周面Ｋとの係合が解除されてしまった場合に水分が凍結すると、抜け止め機能の消失の可能性が比較的高い。そこで、筒状部と、チューブ挿通孔を有する環状部とから構成されたキャップを用いてホルダーＩとチューブＦとの間を覆っておくことが好ましい。しかしながら、図９に示すような構造を有する型のチューブ継手では、締付け部材の基部の軸方向一方側がホルダーから突出しているので、ホルダーの軸方向一方側端から軸方向一方側に筒状部が突出して延びるようにキャップを構成する必要があり、例えば全体が弾性材製のキャップを用いる場合には、キャップが変形しやすいものとなってしまう。したがって、チューブの外径よりも小径に形成されているチューブ挿通孔にチューブをスムーズに挿通させて本体部内に押し込むことができなかったり、チューブ挿入時にキャップに無理な変形が生じてチューブに対する密封機能が低下するおそれがある。
【０００６】
また、このようなチューブ継手は締付け部材の軸方向一方側端に衝撃力が加わりやすい構造となっている。そして、例えば、キャップが取り付けられていないチューブ継手を落とすなどにより締付け部材の軸方向一方側端に衝撃力が加わって、締付け部材の頭部側が、軸方向他方側に位置するリリース部に衝撃的に当接すると、爪部が破損したり、リリース部を傷付けたりして継手機能が損なわれるおそれがある。
【０００７】
そこで本発明は、不注意な取り扱い等により簡単に継手機能が損なわれるといったことがなく、しかもチューブの接続が容易で、かつ密封性に優れたチューブ継手の提供を目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この目的を達成するための本発明のチューブ継手は、挿入された樹脂製のチューブの引き戻し操作によって前記チューブを接続することができる事前組立式のチューブ継手であって、軸方向一方側端から軸方向他方側に向かって順次段階的に小径になる内径を持つ、軸方向に延びる第１の穴、第２の穴及び第３の穴を備えた軸穴を有し、前記第３の穴が前記チューブの軸方向他方側端部を密着状態で押嵌可能であるように形成された筒状の本体部と；この本体部の前記第２の穴内に押嵌された環状の弾性シール部材と；内周面と外周面とを有し、前記内周面は、軸方向一方側に軸と平行にストレートに延びる案内内周面を備え、前記案内内周面より軸方向他方側にこの案内内周面と隣接して軸方向他方側に向かうにつれて漸次大径となる規制凹テーパ内周面を備えていて、前記規制凹テーパ内周面の軸方向他方側に環状凹部が形成されるように、少なくとも前記外周面の軸方向他方側端部を前記本体部の前記第１の穴内に固着させた筒状のホルダーと；前記ホルダーの前記案内内周面と摺動可能になした外周面をもつ、前記案内内周面の内径よりやや小さい外径を有する軸方向一方側の筒状の基部と、この基部から軸方向他方側に向かって延びる、周方向に間隔を隔てた切欠きを設けることにより形成された複数の弾性変形可能なアーム部と、それぞれの前記アーム部の自由端に一体に設けられて環状に配置された、径方向外方に突出して前記ホルダーの前記規制凹テーパ内周面に当接する頭部、及びこの頭部から求心方向内方に突出した、挿入される前記チューブの外径より小径の先端内径を有する爪部を備えた締付け部と、を設けてなり、前記締付け部が前記環状凹部内に軸方向に移動可能に収容される筒状の締付け部材と；を備え、前記チューブの軸方向他方側端部を、前記締付け部材及び前記弾性シール部材よりも軸方向他方側へ挿通させて前記本体部の前記第３の穴内に挿嵌したときに、前記チューブの軸方向他方側の外周面と前記第２の穴の内周面間が前記弾性シール部材でシールされ；前記チューブが軸方向一方側に少し引き戻されたときに、前記締付け部材が前記チューブと一緒に軸方向一方側に移動させられ、前記締付け部材の前記頭部が前記ホルダーの前記規制凹テーパ内周面に当接するとともに前記頭部が前記規制凹テーパ内周面に沿って求心方向に移動し、前記爪部が前記チューブの軸方向他方側の外周面に噛み込んで前記チューブを接続し；かつ、前記基部の軸方向一方側端部が軸方向他方側に押されると、前記頭部が、前記締付け部の軸方向他方側に配置されているリリース部に押し付けられて径方向外方に案内され、前記爪部が前記チューブの外周面と非接触状態となって前記チューブの引き抜きが可能となる；ように構成されていて、前記締付け部材の前記基部は、前記ホルダーの軸方向一方側端から突出しないように、あるいは、軸方向一方側端が、前記ホルダーの軸方向一方側端から軸方向他方側に位置するように形成され、前記ホルダーには、前記ホルダーと前記チューブとの間を覆うキャップが取り外し可能に取り付けられている、といったことを基本的構成要件としている。
【０００９】
本発明では、締付け部材の基部が、ホルダーの軸方向一方側端から突出しないように、あるいは、締付け部材の基部の軸方向一方側端が、前記ホルダーの軸方向一方側端から軸方向他方側に位置するように形成されている。したがって、例えば、キャップが取り付けられていないチューブ継手をチューブ挿入側から床に落下させても、締付け部材が直接床と衝突して本体部内に押し込まれ、リリース部と衝撃的に当接するといったことがない。
【００１０】
本発明ではまた、ホルダーに取り外し可能にキャップを取り付けておき、チューブが接続されたときに、ホルダーとチューブとの間がこのキャップによって覆われて密封されるように構成しているが、締付け部材の基部はホルダーの軸方向一方側端から突出していないので、キャップがホルダーによって安定して支持された構造を採用することができ、その結果、十分な密封性とともに本体部へのスムーズなチューブ挿入性を確保しておくことが可能となる。
【００１１】
より具体的には、キャップを、ホルダーの軸方向一方側の外周面に密封的に嵌め付けられた筒状部と、ホルダーの軸方向一方側端面と接触して又はホルダーの軸方向一方側端面との間にほとんど隙間が生じない状態で径方向内方に延び、あるいは広がり、中央部にチューブ挿通孔が形成された、筒状部の軸方向一方側端部に一体的に設けられている環状部と、を備えるものとしておき、チューブの軸方向他方側端部をキャップのチューブ挿通孔から通過させて本体部の第３の穴内に挿嵌したときに、チューブの外周面にチューブ挿通孔が密封的に押し付けられて接触しているように構成する。このようなキャップ取付構造では、チューブをチューブ挿通孔に挿通したとき、環状部がホルダーの軸方向他方側端面に支持されて大きく変形しないので、チューブの本体部内への挿入に支障が生じるといったことがなく、また、チューブに対する密封状態が不十分となってしまうことが防止される。
【００１２】
本発明では、筒状部及び環状部全体を弾性材料で形成することができるが、このようなキャップ構造の採用によりキャップを比較的安価に製造することができる。しかしながら、キャップのホルダーへの取り付け及び取り外しの容易性、及びチューブ挿通孔にチューブを挿通するときの環状部の無理な変形をより効果的に防止するためには、筒状部を、硬質の本体基部と、この本体基部に設けられ、ホルダーの軸方向他方側の外周面に密封的に押し付けられて接触している軟質の弾性取付部と、を備えたものとし、環状部を、本体基部の軸方向一方側端部に一体的に設けられた硬質の本体環状部と、この本体環状部の内周部に設けられ、チューブ挿通孔を構成する軟質の弾性シール部と、を備えたものとして構成する。このようなキャップ構造では、密封部分のみが軟質の弾性材で形成されているので、取り扱い性及び非変形性に優れ、しかも密着密封機能が低下するといったものでもない。
【００１３】
締付け部材の締付け部の軸方向他方側には、チューブを引き抜き可能とするために、締付け部材を軸方向他方側に押圧して押し込んだときに、締付け部の頭部を径方向外方に案内して変位させ、爪部をチューブの外周面と接触しない状態にするリリース部を構成しておく必要がある。そして、このリリース部を例えば環状のリブを設けることにより構成すると、部品点数が多くなってチューブ継手の製造コストが増加する。したがって、環状の弾性シール部材をリリース部として利用し、締付け部材が軸方向他方側に押し込まれたときに、締付け部材の頭部が弾性シール部材に当接して径方向外方に案内され移動するように構成することが好ましい。ところで、締付け部材の頭部に、径方向に又はほぼ径方向に延びる軸方向他方側端面と、この軸方向他方側端面の径方向内端から軸方向一方側に向かって径方向内方に延びる押し広げ内面と、を形成しておき、基部の軸方向一方側端部が押されて締付け部材が軸方向他方側に押し込まれたとき、頭部の軸方向他方側端面が弾性シール部材に当接して弾性シール部材を押し広げ内面の径方向内方に入り込むように変形させるといったように構成すれば、締付け部材の頭部を径方向外方に移動させて変位させることが可能となる。しかしながらこの場合に、弾性シール部材の径方向外側部分が軸方向一方側に膨らむように変形できる十分なスペースが設けられていたり、頭部の径方向内方に弾性シール部材が入り込みにくかったりすると、頭部を径方向外方に少なくともスムーズには移動させることができない。そこで、基部の軸方向一方側端部が押されると、頭部の軸方向他方側端面の径方向外端が第２の穴の内周面に接近した状態で、軸方向他方側端面の径方向内端部が弾性シール部材の径方向中央部に当接し、弾性シール部材を押し広げ内面の径方向内方に入り込んで変形させるといったように構成しておくのが得策である。頭部の軸方向一方側端面が弾性シール部材の径方向外側半分をほぼ全体的に覆うように位置するので弾性シール部材は押し広げ内面の径方向内方に入り込むように変形する。弾性シール部材は通常、断面円形に形成される。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。
【００１５】
図１は本発明に係るチューブ継手の断面図、図２は本発明に係るチューブ継手に用いる締付け部材の半断面図、図３は本発明に係るチューブ継手のキャップ部分の詳細を示す断面図である。
【００１６】
チューブ継手１は、自動車のエアブレーキの配管接続に使用されるものであり、筒状の金属製本体部３と、この本体部３の軸方向一方側端部に固着された筒状の金属製ホルダー５と、本体部３内に配置されたゴム製Ｏリング７（弾性シール部材）と、本体部３内の軸方向他方側に固定された金属製挿入筒部材９と、ホルダー５内に軸方向へ摺動可能に配置された筒状の金属製締付け部材１１と、ホルダー５の軸方向一方側に取り付けられた環状のキャップ１３と、から構成されている。
【００１７】
黄銅、ステンレス等の金属材料製である本体部３の軸方向他方側端部の外周面には、例えばホースの先端部に固定された接続具がねじ付けされる雄ねじ部１５が形成され、また、本体部３の内周側の軸穴は、軸方向一方側端部に形成された、軸と平行に短く延びる大径の第１の穴１７と、第１の穴１７の軸方向他方側にこの第１の穴１７と隣接して形成された、第１の穴１７よりも小径の、軸と平行に延びる第２の穴１９と、第２の穴１９の軸方向他方側にこの第２の穴１９と隣接して形成された、第２の穴１９よりも小径の、軸と平行に延びる第３の穴２１と、第３の穴２１の軸方向他方側にこの第３の穴２１と隣接して形成された、すなわち、本体部３の軸方向他方側端部に形成された、第３の穴２１よりも小径の、軸と平行に延びる第４の穴２３と、から構成されている。第２の穴１９及び第３の穴２１の軸方向長さはほぼ同一に形成され、かつ、第１の穴１７よりも長く形成されていて、第４の穴２３の軸方向長さは第２の穴１９及び第３の穴２１よりも長く形成されているが、第４の穴２３の軸方向一方側は多少大径の嵌付け部２５として構成されている。また、第３の穴２１は第２の穴１９よりも十分小径に形成されている。なお、本体部３には耐熱性の樹脂、例えばガラス繊維強化ナイロン等の強化プラスチックを用いることもできる。
【００１８】
本体部３に形成された第４の穴２３の嵌付け部２５内には、薄肉円筒形に形成された挿入筒部材９の軸方向他方側端部が、嵌付け部２５の軸方向他方側端の段差面に軸方向他方側端面が当接するようにきつく嵌め付けられて固定されていて、この筒状部材９は、ホルダー５の軸方向一方側端よりも多少軸方向他方側の位置まで延びている。嵌付け部２５に固定された筒状部材９の軸方向他方側端部は、外周面を多少大径に形成した厚肉の基端部２７として構成されていて、この基端部２７の軸方向長さは嵌付け部２５の軸方向長さとほぼ同一に形成され、第３の穴２１と筒状部材９との間には、第３の穴２１の軸方向他方側端の段差面及び基端部２７の軸方向一方側端の段差面を軸方向他方側端の平面状の環状当接面２９とする環状の嵌込み部３１が構成されている。筒状部材９の基端部２７の厚さは、嵌付け部２５の軸方向他方側端の段差面の幅とほぼ同一に形成されているので、本体部３内には、筒状部材９の内周面と第４の穴２３の軸方向他方側とにより、段差のないほぼ円筒内面状の連続したエア通路が構成されている。
【００１９】
本体部３に形成された第２の穴１９内には、内周側が第３の穴２１よりも径方向内方に突出するように、Ｏリング７が押し込まれて嵌め付けられている。Ｏリング７は例えばＮＢＲ又はＥＰＤＭで形成することができる。
【００２０】
本体部３に固着された、黄銅、ステンレス等の金属材料製のホルダー５の外周面は、軸方向他方側端部に形成された、軸と平行に延びる大径部３３と、大径部３３の軸方向一方側にこの大径部３３と隣接して形成された、すなわち軸方向中間部に形成された、軸方向一方側に向かって縮径するテーパ状部３５と、テーパ状部３５の軸方向一方側にこのテーパ状部３５と隣接して形成された、すなわち軸方向一方側端部に形成された、概略、軸と平行に延びる小径部３７と、から構成されていて、小径部３７の軸方向一方側は多少大径の係合部３９として形成されている。なお、ホルダー５には耐熱性の樹脂、例えばガラス繊維強化ナイロン等の強化プラスチックを用いることもできる。
【００２１】
ホルダー５の内周面は、軸方向一方側に形成された、軸と平行にストレートに延びる案内内周面４１と、案内内周面４１の軸方向他方側に、この案内内周面４１と短い連絡面を介して隣接して形成された、軸方向他方側に向かうにつれて漸次緩やかに大径となって拡径する規制凹テーパ内周面４３と、から構成されていて、規制凹テーパ内周面４３とＯリング７との間には環状凹部４５が構成されている。
【００２２】
ホルダー５は、環状の軸方向他方側端面が第１の穴１７の軸方向他方側端の環状段差面に当接するように、軸方向他方側端部を第１の穴１７内に嵌め付け、外周面の大径部３３をこの第１の穴１７内に固着することによって本体部３に取り付けられているが、ホルダー５を強固に本体部３に取り付けるために、本体部３の軸方向一方側端部がホルダー３の外周面のテーパ状部３５に沿うように径方向内側にかしめられている。ホルダー５の環状の軸方向他方側端面の幅は、第１の穴１７の軸方向他方側端の環状段差面の幅とほぼ等しいように形成されているので、ホルダー５の規制凹テーパ内周面４３の軸方向他方側端は、第２の穴１９の内周面の軸方向一方側端と接続されている。
【００２３】
ホルダー５内に摺動可能に配置された締付け部材１１は、軸と平行に延びる筒状本体４７を有し、この筒状本体４７の軸方向一方側端部は、外周面が多少大径に、しかしホルダー５の案内内周面４１の内径よりやや小さい外径を有するように形成されて、この外周面４９がホルダー５の案内内周面４１と摺動する筒状の基部５１として構成されている。筒状本体４７の基部５１よりも軸方向他方側には、軸方向他方側端から基部５１近傍まで、軸方向に延びる切欠き５３が周方向に等間隔で複数本設けられていて、筒状本体４７の基部５１よりも軸方向他方側は、この切欠き５３の形成により、共通の根元部５５を有し、基部５１から軸方向他方側に延びる、周方向に分離された弾性変形可能な複数のアーム部５７として構成されている。アーム部５７は、外周面又は外面が基部５１の外周面４９よりも小径に形成されて基部５１から軸方向他方側に長く延びる薄肉部５９と、外面が軸方向他方側に向かって緩やかに径方向外方に延びるように形成された軸方向他方側端部の隣接延部６１と、から構成されていて、隣接延部６１のテーパ状の外面の軸方向他方側端は、基部５１の外周面４９よりも若干径方向外方に位置している。締付け部材１１には銅合金等が用いられている。
【００２４】
それぞれのアーム部５７の軸方向他方側の自由端、あるいは隣接延部６１の軸方向他方側端には締付け部６３が一体的に設けられていて、この締付け部６３は、径方向外方に突出する頭部６５と、この頭部６５の径方向内側の軸方向一方側位置から求心方向内方に、あるいは径方向内方に突出した爪部６７とから構成されている。頭部６５は、隣接延部６１の外面の軸方向他方側端から径方向外方に延びる段差端面６９を軸方向一方側端に有し、この段差端面６９の径方向外端から軸方向他方側に向かって緩やかに、すなわちホルダー５の規制凹テーパ内周面４３とほぼ同一のテーパ角度で径方向外方に延びる当接面７１と、この当接面７１の軸方向他方側端から軸と平行に軸方向他方側に短く延びる軸方向面７３とから形成された外面を備えていて、軸方向面７３の軸方向他方側端から径方向内方に比較的長く延びる軸方向他方側端面７５を有している。軸方向面７３、あるいは軸方向他方側端面７５の径方向外端は、第２の穴１９の内周面と僅かな隙間が形成されるように位置していて、軸方向他方側端面７５の径方向内端の径方向位置は、Ｏリング７（つぶれていないＯリング７）の径方向中央部と一致している。頭部６５はまた、軸方向他方側端面７５の径方向内端から軸方向一方側に向かって、径方向内方に緩やかに傾斜して延びる押し広げ内面７７を備えているが、この押し広げ内面７７は、当接面７１とほぼ同一のテーパ角度を有している。
【００２５】
爪部６７は、アーム部５７の内面の軸方向他方側端から軸方向他方側に向かって求心方向内方に僅かに傾斜して延びる軸方向一方側面７９と、この軸方向一方側面７９の軸方向他方側端から径方向外方に向かって僅かに軸方向他方側に傾斜して延び、径方向外端が押し広げ面７７の軸方向一方側端と接続される軸方向他方側面８１とから形成された内面を有していて、環状に配置された締付け部６３の爪部６７の先端内径、すなわち軸方向一方側面７９と軸方向他方側面８１との接続部内径が本体部３の第３の穴２１よりも小径となるように構成されている。
【００２６】
締付け部材１１の基部５１から薄肉部５９までの軸方向長さは、ホルダー５の案内内周面４１の軸方向長さよりも若干短いように形成されている。締付け部材１１が最も軸方向一方側に移動したときには、隣接延部６１が案内内周面４１内に嵌り込むが（隣接延部６１全部が嵌り込むわけではない）、ここでも基部５１はホルダー５から軸方向一方側に、すなわち、ホルダー５の軸方向一方側端面８３から軸方向一方側に突出しないように構成されている。
【００２７】
ホルダー５の軸方向一方側に取り付けられた環状のキャップ１３は、全体がゴム等の弾性材料で形成されているが、このキャップ１３は、筒状部８５と、中央部にチューブ挿通孔８７を有し、筒状部８５の軸方向一方側端部に一体的に設けられた環状部８９とから構成され、筒状部８５の内周面の軸方向他方側端部には、径方向内方に多少突出する環状突部９１を一体的に備えていて、この環状突部９１が、ホルダー５の外周面のテーパ状部３５と係合部３９との間に押し付けられ、係合部３９と係合して抜け止め状態となるように、筒状部８５がホルダー５の小径部３７に密着して密封的に嵌め付けられ、環状部８９の外周側がホルダー５の軸方向一方側端面８３と接触するように、ホルダー５に取り付けられている。環状部８９のチューブ挿通孔８７の軸方向一方側端部は、締付け部材１１の筒状本体４７の内径とほぼ同一のあるいは若干小さい内径を有して軸と平行に多少延びる導入内周面９３として形成され、チューブ挿通孔８７の軸方向中間部は、軸方向他方側に向かって径方向内側に延びる案内テーパ面９５として形成されていて、チューブ挿通孔８７の軸方向他方側は、締付け部材１１の筒状本体４７の内径よりも小径の内径を有して軸と平行に延びるシール内周面９７として形成されている。
【００２８】
図４及び図５はチューブ継手１にチューブを挿入して接続する過程を説明する図であり、図４はチューブ継手１にチューブを挿入した状態を示す断面図、図５は挿入したチューブを引き戻してチューブ継手１にチューブを接続した状態を示す断面図である。
【００２９】
チューブ継手１に接続されるチューブ９９は、ナイロン１１、ナイロン１２等の樹脂材料により形成されていて、このチューブ９９をチューブ継手１に接続するには、チューブ９９の軸方向他方側端部１０１をキャップ１３のチューブ挿通孔８７に挿通し、締付け部材１１と筒状部材９との間に挿入する。チューブ９９の軸方向他方側端部１０１は、チューブ挿通孔８７の少なくとも案内テーパ面９５及びシール内周面９７を押し広げてキャップ１３のチューブ挿通孔８７を通過するが、キャップ１３の環状部８９の外周側がホルダー５の軸方向一方側端面８３に当接して支持されるので、チューブ９９の挿入作業をそれほど慎重に行わなくても、チューブ挿通孔８７にめくれなどの無理な変形は生じない。
【００３０】
締付け部材１１の筒状本体４７の内径はチューブ９９の外径とほぼ同一に形成されているが、爪部６７の先端内径はチューブ９９の外径よりも小さく形成され、爪部６７の先端はチューブ９９の挿入路内に突出しているので、爪部６７は挿入されたチューブ９９の軸方向他方側端と接触する。したがって、締付け部材１１は爪部６７の接触によりチューブ９９に押されて、又は引きずられて軸方向他方側に移動する。しかしながら、爪部６７の軸方向他方側面７９は緩やかなテーパ面に形成されているので、締付け部材１１の頭部６５が環状凹部４５内を軸方向他方側に移動し、軸方向他方側端面７５がＯリング７に当接して締付け部材１１の軸方向他方側への移動が阻止されると、軸方向他方側に押されて進行しているチューブ９９の軸方向他方側端は、爪部６７、したがって頭部６５を径方向外方に押しやって変位させ、この爪部６７、そしてＯリング７を通過して、環状当接面２９と当接するまで進行し、チューブ９９の軸方向他方側端部１０１は環状の嵌込み部３１内に嵌り込む。この状態では、爪部６７はアーム部５７の弾性復帰力によりチューブ９９の外周面に弱く押し付けられている。締付け部材１１のアーム部５７の薄肉部５９とホルダー５の案内内周面４１との間には適当な隙間が形成されているので、頭部６５の径方向外方への変位はスムーズに行われる。
【００３１】
次に、チューブ９９を軸方向一方側に多少引き戻す。爪部６７はチューブ９９の外周面に弱く接触している程度であるが、爪部６７の軸方向他方側面８１はほぼ径方向に又は径方向に接近して延びているので、爪部６７がチューブ９９の外周面に係合して、締付け部材１１はチューブ９９に引きずられ、チューブ９９とともに確実に軸方向一方側に移動する。そして、締付け部材１１の頭部６５の当接面７１がホルダー５の規制凹テーパ内周面４３に当接すると、頭部６５、したがって爪部６７は規制凹テーパ内周面４３に沿って求心方向に、あるいは軸方向一方側に向かい径方向内方に移動するので、爪部６７はチューブ９９の外周面に噛み込み、チューブ９９が抜け止め状態でチューブ継手１に接続されることとなる。ここでは、アーム部５７の隣接延部６１の軸方向一方側端部が、案内内周面４１とチューブ９９の外周面と間に多少きつく嵌り込んでいる。その後、使用時において、チューブ継手１に空気圧が作用すると、チューブ９９は軸方向一方側に大きな力で引っ張られ、チューブ９９は軸方向一方側に変位するが、頭部６５も規制凹テーパ内周面４３に沿って径方向内方に移動し、爪部６７がチューブ９９に強く噛み込む。また、アーム部５７の隣接延部６１が案内内周面４１とチューブ９９の外周面と間に圧入され、くさび作用を行うので、チューブ９９は一層強固に抜け止めされ、チューブ９９が引き抜かれるといったことはない。
【００３２】
アーム部５７の隣接延部６１の、案内内周面４１とチューブ９９外周面との間への圧入はまた、爪部６７のみがチューブ９９に強く押し付けられてチューブ９９が食いちぎられるといったことを防止している。さらに、使用時にチューブ９９に曲げ力が作用しても、隣接延部６１が頭部６５の根元に生じるこじりを抑制するので、爪部６７全体でチューブ９９を周方向に均一に止着でき、チューブ９９が外れるのを効果的に防止できる。そして、自動車のエンジンルームの温度が変化してチューブ９９が拡径したり元に戻ったりするチューブ９９に作用する温度変化に対する劣化に対しても、常にチューブ９９を周方向に均一に強固に止着することができ、効果的な抜け止めを長期にわたって期待できる。
【００３３】
図６はチューブ継手１に接続したチューブ９９を引き抜く場合を説明する図、図７はリリースツールを示す斜視図である。
【００３４】
チューブ継手１に接続したチューブ９９を引き抜くには、爪部６７をチューブ９９と非接触状態に、あるいはチューブ９９に対して実質的な引き抜き阻止力を作用させない状態にする必要がある。したがって、まず、チューブ９９を、軸方向他方側端部１０１の軸方向他方側端面が環状当接面２９と当接するまでチューブ継手１内に押し込む。そうすると、爪部６７のチューブ９９への噛み込みは解除され、爪部６７はアーム部５７の弾性復帰力によりチューブ９９の外周面に弱く押し付けられた状態となる。ここでは、頭部６５の軸方向他方側端面７５の径方向内端部がＯリング７（押しつぶされているＯリング７）の径方向中央部に当接する状態となっていて、頭部６５の軸方向面７３、あるいは軸方向他方側端面７５の径方向外端は、第２の穴１９の内周面と、極めて僅かな隙間が形成されるように位置している。したがって、締付け部材１１をさらに軸方向他方側に押圧し、頭部６５の軸方向他方側端面７５をＯリング７に強く押し付ければ、Ｏリング７の径方向外側部分は、締付け部材１１の軸方向他方側端面７５に遮られて軸方向一方側に大きく膨らむように変形できないので、Ｏリング７は頭部６５の押し広げ内面７７の内側にもぐりこむように変形する。締付け部材１１の頭部６５は押し広げ内面７７の内側にもぐりこんだＯリング７部分によって押されることもあり、径方向外方にスムーズに移動して変移し、その結果、爪部６５はチューブ９９から離れた状態となる。
【００３５】
ここで、締付け部材１１をＯリング７に押し付けた状態を維持してチューブ９９を軸方向一方側に引っ張れば、チューブ継手１からチューブ９９をスムーズに引き抜くことができる。締付け部材１１のＯリング７への押し付けには、リリースツール１０３を使用する。図７に示されたリリースツール１０３は断面ほぼ半円形のほぼ半円筒体に形成され、断面１８０度を越える円弧状の外周面又は外面１０５と、断面半円状の内周面又は内面１０７とを有していて、内面１０７の径はチューブ９９の外径よりも若干大きく形成されている。リリースツール１０３の軸方向他方側端部には、外面１０５と内面１０７との間にほぼ半円状の溝１０９が設けられていて、径方向外側で軸方向他方側に突出する、断面１８０度を越えた円弧状の外壁部１１１が形成され、径方向内側で軸方向他方側に突出する、断面半円状の内壁部１１３が形成されている。溝１０９の外壁面又は外壁部１１１の内面（内周面）の径はホルダー５の係合部３９の径又は外径よりも若干大きく形成され、溝１０９の内壁面又は内壁部１１３の外面（外周面）の径はホルダー５の軸方向一方側端部の内径よりも若干小さく形成されているので、溝１０９の幅はホルダー５の軸方向一方側端部の厚さよりも若干大きく形成されている。また、内壁部１１３の厚さはチューブ９９の外周面とホルダー５の軸方向一方側端部の案内内周面４１との隙間よりも若干小さく形成されている。外壁部１１１は内壁部１１３よりも長く軸方向他方側に突出し、また、リリースツール１０３の開口部１１５はチューブ９９の外径よりも広く構成されている。
【００３６】
リリースツール１０３を用いるには、まず、キャップ１３をホルダー５から取り外し、チューブ９９の軸方向他方側に移動させる。次ぎに、リリースツール１０３を開口部１１５からチューブ９９の外周面に嵌め付け、チューブ９９の外周面上をスライドさせてホルダー５側に移動させる。そして、外壁部１１１がホルダー５の係合部３９に嵌り、内壁部１１３がホルダー５の軸方向一方側端部の案内内周面４１とチューブ９９との間に入り込んで、この内壁部１１３の軸方向他方側端が締付け部材１１の軸方向一方側端を押圧し、締付け部材１１がＯリング７に押し付けられるように、リリースツール１０３をホルダー５側に押し付ける。リリースツール１０３の外壁部１１１は断面１８０度を越える円弧状に形成されているので、外壁部１１１がホルダー５から径方向に外れるといったことはなく、チューブ引き抜き作業中にリリースツール１０３が簡単に外れてしまうといったことが防止される。内壁部１１３の突出長さは、溝１０９の底面１１７がホルダー５の軸方向一方側端面８３に当接するまでリリースツール１０３をホルダー５側に押し付けたときに、締付け部材１１を押し込みすぎてＯリング７を傷付けてしまうといったことがないように設定される。
【００３７】
図８は別の構成のキャップを用いたチューブ継手の断面図である。
【００３８】
チューブ継手１１９は、チューブ継手１のキャップの構成を変更したものであるので、チューブ継手１と同一の構成部分は説明を省略する。キャップ１２１は、筒状部１２３と、中央部にチューブ挿通孔１２５が形成され、筒状部１２３の軸方向一方側端部に一体的に設けられた環状部１２７とから構成されている。筒状部１２３は、硬質のプラスチック製本体基部１２９と、この本体基部１２９の軸方向他方側端面の内周に形成された環状の凹部１３１内に径方向外周側が一体的に固定され、径方向内周側が本体基部１２９の内周面１３３よりも径方向内側に突出したゴム製の弾性取付部１３５と、から構成され、環状部１２７は、本体基部１２９の軸方向一方側端部に、この本体基部１２９と同一の硬質プラスチック材料で一体的に形成された環状基部１３７と、この環状基部１３７の内周面１３９に外周面が固定されたゴム製の弾性シール部１４１とから構成されている。弾性シール部１４１の内周面はチューブ挿通孔１２５を構成する。環状基部１３７の内周面１３９は、軸方向一方側に面する環状段差面１４３が形成されるように、軸方向一方側の大径部と軸方向他方側の小径部とから構成されているので、この内周面１３９に固定された弾性シール部１４１は、軸方向他方側への押圧に対して大きな取付け強度を有している。本体基部１２９及び環状基部１３７はＰＰ又はＰＥで形成することができ、弾性取付部１３５及び弾性シール部１４１は、本体基部１２９及び環状基部１３７と２色一体成形するので、ＰＰ又はＰＥとの接着性に優れた熱可塑性ゴムを用いることが好ましい。
【００３９】
キャップ１２１は、弾性取付部１３５が、ホルダー５の外周面のテーパ状部３５と係合部３９との間に押し付けられ、係合部３９と係合して抜け止め状態となるように、筒状部１２３がホルダー５の小径部３７に嵌め付けられ、環状基部１３７がホルダー５の軸方向一方側端面８３と接触するように、ホルダー５に取り付けられている。弾性シール部１４１のチューブ挿通孔１２５の軸方向一方側端部は、締付け部材１１の筒状本体４７の内径とほぼ同一のあるいは筒状本体４７の内径より若干小径の内径を有して軸と平行に延びる導入内周面１４５として形成され、チューブ挿通孔１２５の軸方向中間部は、軸方向他方側に向かって径方向内側に延びる案内テーパ面１４７として形成されていて、チューブ挿通孔１２５の軸方向他方側端部は、締付け部材１１の筒状本体４７の内径よりも小径の内径を有して軸と平行に延びるシール内周面１４９として形成されている。
【００４０】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明のチューブ継手では、チューブの挿入性を損なうことなく継手内部への水分の浸入を効果的に防止でき、かつ、不注意等により継手機能が簡単に損傷してしまうといったこともない。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係るチューブ継手の断面図である。
【図２】本発明に係るチューブ継手に用いる締付け部材の半断面図である。
【図３】本発明に係るチューブ継手のキャップ部分の詳細を示す断面図である。
【図４】チューブ継手にチューブを挿入して接続する過程を説明する図であり、チューブ継手にチューブを挿入した状態を示す断面図である。
【図５】チューブ継手にチューブを挿入して接続する過程を説明する図であり、挿入したチューブを引き戻してチューブ継手にチューブを接続した状態を示す断面図である。
【図６】チューブ継手に接続したチューブを引き抜く場合を説明する図である。
【図７】リリースツールを示す斜視図である。
【図８】別の構成のキャップを用いたチューブ継手の断面図である
【図９】従来のチューブ継手の構成を示す断面図である。
【図１０】従来のチューブ継手にチューブを接続した状態を示す断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１、１１９チューブ継手
３本体部
５ホルダー
７Ｏリング（弾性シール部材）
１１締付け部材
１３、１２１キャップ
１７第１の穴
１９第２の穴
２１第３の穴
４１案内内周面
４３規制凹テーパ内周面
４５環状凹部
４９基部の外周面
５１基部
５３切欠き
５７アーム部
６３締付け部
６５頭部
６７爪部
８３ホルダーの軸方向一方側端面
９９チューブ
１０１チューブの軸方向他方側端部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pre-assembled tube joint that can be connected to a tube by pulling back an inserted resin tube, which is used, for example, for piping of an air brake of an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a pre-assembled tube joint capable of connecting a tube by pulling back an inserted resin tube, one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-4084 is known. The tube joint A will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The tube joint A has first and second holes B and 2 having inner diameters that gradually become smaller in diameter from one axial end toward the other axial end. A cylindrical body portion E having a shaft hole with a third hole D and a third hole D, and the third hole D can be fitted into the axially other side end G of the tube F in a close contact state. An annular elastic seal member H is fitted in the second hole C. A cylindrical holder I is fixed to the first hole B, and one side in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface of the holder I is formed as a guide inner peripheral surface J extending straight in parallel with the axis. On the other side in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface of the guide inner peripheral surface J, there is a regulation concave tapered inner peripheral surface K that gradually becomes larger in diameter as it is adjacent to the guide inner peripheral surface J toward the other side in the axial direction. Is formed. A cylindrical tightening member L is arranged in the holder I, and this tightening member L slides on the guide inner peripheral surface J of the holder I so that the tube F can be inserted on one side in the axial direction. A plurality of elastically deformable arm portions O formed by providing a cylindrical base portion M formed so as to be able to be provided, and providing notches N at intervals in the circumferential direction on the other axial side of the base portion M. The fastening portion P is integrally formed at the free end of each arm portion O. The tightening portion P has a head Q formed so as to protrude radially outward and abut against the inner surface K of the concave concave taper, and protrudes inward in the centripetal direction or radially inward and has a smaller diameter than the tube F. And a claw portion R having a tip inner diameter.
[0003]
In order to connect the tube F to the tube joint A configured as described above, first, the axially other side end portion G of the tube F is inserted into the tightening member L and the elastic seal member H, and the third portion of the main body portion E is inserted. Press fit into hole D. When the tube F is pulled back slightly to the one side in the axial direction, the tightening member L moves to the one side in the axial direction together with the tube F, and the head Q of the tightening member L comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface K of the restriction concave taper. By sliding on the taper inner peripheral surface K, it is displaced in the centripetal direction, and the claw portion R bites into the outer peripheral surface of the tube F as shown in FIG. In this way, the tube F is connected to the tube joint A.
[0004]
Then, in order to pull out the tube F from the tube joint A and remove it, the tube F is pushed into the tube joint A again, and then the base M is pressed to the other side in the axial direction to push the fastening member L into the other side in the axial direction. When the tightening member L is pushed to the other side in the axial direction, the head Q of the tightening member L is guided by the annular rib S as the release portion and displaced radially outward, and the outer surface of the claw portion R toward the tube F outer peripheral surface. , And the tube F can be pulled out from the tube joint A.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, even when the tube F is connected to the tube joint A, between the guide inner peripheral surface J of the holder I and the base M of the tightening member L, the base M inner peripheral surface of the tightening member L, and the outer peripheral surface of the tube F. There is a clearance between them. Accordingly, there is a possibility that moisture may enter the tube joint A. However, if the infiltrated moisture adheres to the tightening portion P, the tightening portion P corrodes and the sufficient projecting property of the claw portion R disappears, or the outer When the temperature drops, the water freezes to increase the volume, displace the tightening portion P radially outward, and the function of preventing the tube F from dropping may be lowered. In particular, due to vibrations applied when no fluid pressure is applied, the fastening member L is displaced to the other side in the axial direction, and the engagement between the head Q and the inner surface K of the concave concave taper is released. In this case, if the water freezes, the possibility of loss of the retaining function is relatively high. Therefore, it is preferable to cover the space between the holder I and the tube F using a cap formed of a cylindrical portion and an annular portion having a tube insertion hole. However, in the tube joint of the type having the structure as shown in FIG. 9, since the one axial side of the base of the tightening member protrudes from the holder, the cylindrical portion extends from the one axial end of the holder to the one axial side. The cap needs to be configured to protrude and extend. For example, when a cap made entirely of an elastic material is used, the cap is likely to be deformed. Therefore, the tube cannot be smoothly inserted into the tube insertion hole that is smaller than the outer diameter of the tube and pushed into the main body, or the cap is deformed unreasonably when the tube is inserted, thus sealing the tube. May decrease.
[0006]
Further, such a tube joint has a structure in which an impact force is easily applied to one end in the axial direction of the fastening member. Then, for example, an impact force is applied to one end in the axial direction of the tightening member by dropping a tube joint to which a cap is not attached, and the head side of the tightening member is shocked to the release portion located on the other side in the axial direction. If it comes into contact, the claw part may be damaged or the release part may be damaged, and the joint function may be impaired.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tube joint that does not easily impair the joint function due to careless handling or the like, is easy to connect tubes, and has excellent sealing performance.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the tube joint of the present invention is a pre-assembled tube joint capable of connecting the tube by a pulling back operation of the inserted resin tube, and is connected to the shaft from one end in the axial direction. A shaft hole provided with a first hole extending in the axial direction, a second hole, and a third hole, having an inner diameter that gradually decreases in diameter toward the other side in the direction, the third hole being A tubular main body formed to be able to press-fit the other axial end of the tube in a close contact state; an annular elastic seal member press-fitted into the second hole of the main body; An inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, the inner peripheral surface including a guide inner peripheral surface extending straight in parallel with the shaft on one side in the axial direction, and the guide on the other side in the axial direction from the guide inner peripheral surface. Regulation that gradually increases in diameter toward the other side in the axial direction adjacent to the inner peripheral surface A taper inner peripheral surface is provided, and at least the other axial end of the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction on the other side in the axial direction is formed on the other side in the axial direction of the regulating concave taper inner peripheral surface. A cylindrical holder fixed in the hole; and an axially one side having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the guide inner peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface being slidable with the guide inner peripheral surface of the holder A plurality of elastically deformable arm portions formed by providing circumferentially spaced notches extending from the base portion toward the other side in the axial direction, and each of the arm portions. A head that is integrally provided at the free end of the holder and that is annularly disposed and protrudes radially outward to abut against the inner surface of the restriction concave taper of the holder, and protrudes inward in the centripetal direction from the head. Smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the tube to be inserted A fastening portion provided with a claw portion having a tip inner diameter, and a tubular fastening member in which the fastening portion is accommodated in the annular recess so as to be movable in the axial direction. When the other end portion in the direction is inserted into the third hole of the main body portion through the other side in the axial direction than the fastening member and the elastic seal member, the outer periphery on the other side in the axial direction of the tube Between the surface and the inner peripheral surface of the second hole is sealed by the elastic sealing member; when the tube is pulled back slightly to the one axial side, the clamping member is moved to the one axial side together with the tube. And the head of the tightening member abuts against the inner surface of the restriction concave taper of the holder and the head moves in the centripetal direction along the inner surface of the restriction concave taper. The other axial side of the tube The tube is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the base portion, and when the one axial end of the base is pushed to the other axial side, the head is disposed on the other axial side of the tightening portion. It is configured such that the tube is pulled out by being pressed against the release portion being guided radially outward and the pawl portion is in non-contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube; The base of the member isIt is formed so as not to protrude from one end in the axial direction of the holder, or one end in the axial direction is located on the other side in the axial direction from one end in the axial direction of the holder,A cap that covers between the holder and the tube is detachably attached to the holder.Is a basic component requirement.
[0009]
In the present invention, the base of the tightening member should not protrude from one end of the holder in the axial direction.Alternatively, the one axial end of the base of the tightening member is positioned on the other axial side from the one axial end of the holder.Is formed. Therefore, for example, even when a tube joint without a cap attached is dropped onto the floor from the tube insertion side, the tightening member directly collides with the floor and is pushed into the main body, so that it comes into contact with the release portion impactively. Absent.
[0010]
In the present invention, a cap is detachably attached to the holder, and when the tube is connected, the space between the holder and the tube is covered and sealed by the cap. Since the base of the holder does not protrude from one end in the axial direction of the holder, it is possible to adopt a structure in which the cap is stably supported by the holder, and as a result, smooth tube insertion into the main body with sufficient sealing performance It becomes possible to ensure the property.
[0011]
More specifically, the cap is hermetically fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the holder on one side in the axial direction, and is in contact with the one end surface in the axial direction of the holder or the one end surface in the axial direction of the holder. And extending inward in the radial direction with almost no gap between them, and a tube insertion hole is formed in the center, and is provided integrally at one axial end of the cylindrical portion An annular portion, and the tube insertion hole on the outer peripheral surface of the tube when the other axial end of the tube is passed through the tube insertion hole of the cap and inserted into the third hole of the main body. Are configured to be pressed and contacted hermetically. In such a cap mounting structure, when the tube is inserted into the tube insertion hole, the annular portion is supported by the other end surface in the axial direction of the holder and is not greatly deformed, so that the insertion into the main body portion of the tube is hindered. In addition, the sealed state of the tube is prevented from becoming insufficient.
[0012]
In the present invention, the entire cylindrical portion and the annular portion can be formed of an elastic material, but the cap can be manufactured relatively inexpensively by employing such a cap structure. However, in order to more effectively prevent the cap from being attached to and detached from the holder and to prevent the annular portion from being excessively deformed when the tube is inserted into the tube insertion hole, the cylindrical portion is made of a rigid main body. A base, and a soft elastic mounting portion that is provided on the base of the main body and is hermetically pressed against and contacted with the outer peripheral surface on the other side in the axial direction of the holder. A rigid main body annular portion integrally provided at one end in the axial direction, and a soft elastic seal portion provided on the inner peripheral portion of the main body annular portion and constituting a tube insertion hole. Constitute. In such a cap structure, since only the sealing portion is formed of a soft elastic material, the handling property and the non-deformability are excellent, and the tight sealing function is not deteriorated.
[0013]
In order to enable the tube to be pulled out on the other side in the axial direction of the tightening part of the tightening member, the head of the tightening part is guided radially outward when the tightening member is pressed and pushed into the other side in the axial direction. Therefore, it is necessary to configure a release portion that is displaced so that the claw portion is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube. And if this release part is comprised by providing an annular rib, for example, the number of parts will increase and the manufacturing cost of a tube joint will increase. Therefore, when the annular elastic seal member is used as the release portion and the tightening member is pushed in the other axial direction, the head of the tightening member abuts the elastic seal member and is guided radially outward to move. It is preferable to configure as described above. By the way, on the head of the tightening member, the other end surface in the radial direction extending in the radial direction or substantially in the radial direction, and extending radially inward from the radial inner end of the other axial end surface toward the one axial side. The inner surface of the head is formed, and when the end on one side in the axial direction of the base is pushed and the tightening member is pushed in on the other side in the axial direction, the end on the other side in the axial direction of the head contacts the elastic seal member. If the elastic seal member is expanded so as to be in contact and deformed so as to enter radially inward of the inner surface, the head of the tightening member can be displaced by moving radially outward. However, in this case, if a sufficient space that can be deformed so that the radially outer portion of the elastic seal member swells in one axial direction is provided, or if the elastic seal member is difficult to enter radially inward of the head, The head cannot be moved radially outwards at least smoothly. Therefore, when the axial one side end of the base is pushed, the diameter of the axial other side end surface with the radial outer end of the axial other side end surface of the head approaching the inner peripheral surface of the second hole. It is a good idea that the inner end in the direction abuts against the central portion in the radial direction of the elastic seal member so that the elastic seal member is spread and enters inward in the radial direction of the inner surface to be deformed. Since the end surface on one side in the axial direction of the head is positioned so as to almost entirely cover the radially outer half of the elastic seal member, the elastic seal member is expanded and deformed so as to enter the radially inner side of the inner surface. The elastic seal member is usually formed in a circular cross section.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a tube joint according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a half sectional view of a fastening member used in the tube joint according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing details of a cap portion of the tube joint according to the present invention. is there.
[0016]
The tube joint 1 is used for pipe connection of an air brake of an automobile, and has a cylindrical metal main body 3 and a cylindrical metal fixed to one end of the main body 3 in the axial direction. A holder 5, a rubber O-ring 7 (elastic seal member) disposed in the main body 3, a metal insertion tube member 9 fixed on the other axial side in the main body 3, and a shaft in the holder 5 It is comprised from the cylindrical metal fastening member 11 arrange | positioned so that sliding to a direction is possible, and the cyclic | annular cap 13 attached to the axial direction one side of the holder 5. As shown in FIG.
[0017]
On the outer peripheral surface of the other end portion in the axial direction of the main body portion 3 made of a metal material such as brass or stainless steel, a male screw portion 15 to which a connector fixed to the tip portion of the hose is screwed, for example, is formed. The shaft hole on the inner peripheral side of the main body portion 3 is formed at one end portion in the axial direction, and has a first hole 17 having a large diameter that extends short in parallel with the shaft, and the other axial direction side of the first hole 17. The second hole 19 formed adjacent to the first hole 17 and having a smaller diameter than the first hole 17 and extending in parallel with the axis, and the second hole 19 on the other side in the axial direction. The third hole 21 formed adjacent to the second hole 19 and having a smaller diameter than the second hole 19 and extending in parallel with the axis, and the third hole 21 on the other axial side of the third hole 21. Formed adjacent to 21, that is, formed at the other axial end of the main body 3 and having a smaller diameter than the third hole 21 and extending parallel to the axis. And the holes 23, and a. The second hole 19 and the third hole 21 have substantially the same axial length, and are longer than the first hole 17, and the fourth hole 23 has the axial length of the first hole 17. Although it is formed longer than the second hole 19 and the third hole 21, one side in the axial direction of the fourth hole 23 is configured as a fitting portion 25 having a slightly larger diameter. Further, the third hole 21 is formed with a sufficiently smaller diameter than the second hole 19. The main body 3 may be made of heat-resistant resin, for example, reinforced plastic such as glass fiber reinforced nylon.
[0018]
In the fitting part 25 of the fourth hole 23 formed in the main body part 3, the other axial end of the insertion tube member 9 formed in a thin cylindrical shape is the other axial side of the fitting part 25. The cylindrical member 9 is fixed so that the end surface on the other side in the axial direction comes into contact with the stepped surface of the end, and the cylindrical member 9 is located somewhat to the position on the other side in the axial direction from the one end in the axial direction of the holder 5. It extends. The other end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical member 9 fixed to the fitting portion 25 is configured as a thick base end portion 27 having a slightly larger outer peripheral surface, and the shaft of the base end portion 27 is formed. The length in the direction is formed substantially the same as the length in the axial direction of the fitting portion 25, and a step surface at the other end in the axial direction of the third hole 21 and the third hole 21 and the cylindrical member 9 An annular fitting portion 31 is formed in which the stepped surface at one end in the axial direction of the base end portion 27 is a planar annular contact surface 29 at the other end in the axial direction. Since the thickness of the base end portion 27 of the cylindrical member 9 is formed substantially the same as the width of the stepped surface at the other end in the axial direction of the fitting portion 25, the cylindrical member 9 is included in the main body portion 3. The inner peripheral surface and the other axial side of the fourth hole 23 form a continuous air passage having a substantially cylindrical inner surface without a step.
[0019]
The O-ring 7 is pushed into and fitted in the second hole 19 formed in the main body 3 so that the inner peripheral side protrudes inward in the radial direction from the third hole 21. The O-ring 7 can be formed of NBR or EPDM, for example.
[0020]
The outer peripheral surface of the holder 5 made of a metal material such as brass or stainless steel, which is fixed to the main body 3, is formed at the other end portion in the axial direction and has a large diameter portion 33 extending in parallel with the shaft, and a large diameter portion 33. Of the tapered portion 35 formed adjacent to the large-diameter portion 33 on one side of the shaft, that is, formed in the intermediate portion in the axial direction, and having a diameter reduced toward the one side in the axial direction. The small-diameter portion is formed of a small-diameter portion 37 that is formed adjacent to the tapered portion 35 on one side in the axial direction, that is, formed on the one-side end portion in the axial direction, roughly extending in parallel with the axis. One side in the axial direction of 37 is formed as an engagement portion 39 having a slightly larger diameter. The holder 5 may be made of heat-resistant resin, for example, reinforced plastic such as glass fiber reinforced nylon.
[0021]
The inner peripheral surface of the holder 5 is formed on one side in the axial direction, and extends on the other side in the axial direction of the guide inner peripheral surface 41. A regulation concave taper inner peripheral surface 43 formed adjacent to each other via a short connecting surface and gradually increasing in diameter toward the other side in the axial direction, and the inside of the regulation concave taper. An annular recess 45 is formed between the peripheral surface 43 and the O-ring 7.
[0022]
The holder 5 is fitted with the other end in the axial direction in the first hole 17 such that the end surface on the other axial end of the ring contacts the annular step surface on the other end in the axial direction of the first hole 17. The large-diameter portion 33 on the outer peripheral surface is fixed to the main body portion 3 by being fixed in the first hole 17. In order to firmly attach the holder 5 to the main body portion 3, The side end portion is caulked radially inward along the tapered portion 35 on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 3. Since the width of the annular axial other side end surface of the holder 5 is formed to be substantially equal to the width of the annular stepped surface of the first axial end of the first hole 17, The other end in the axial direction of the surface 43 is connected to one end in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface of the second hole 19.
[0023]
The fastening member 11 slidably disposed in the holder 5 has a cylindrical main body 47 extending in parallel with the shaft, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body 47 has a slightly larger outer peripheral surface. However, the outer peripheral surface 49 is formed as a cylindrical base 51 that slides on the guide inner peripheral surface 41 of the holder 5 and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the guide inner peripheral surface 41 of the holder 5. ing. A plurality of notches 53 extending in the axial direction are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction from the other end in the axial direction to the vicinity of the base 51 on the other side in the axial direction from the base 51 of the cylindrical main body 47. The other side in the axial direction of the base part 51 of the main body 47 has a common root part 55 due to the formation of the notch 53 and extends from the base part 51 to the other side in the axial direction and can be elastically deformed separated in the circumferential direction. A plurality of arm portions 57 are configured. The arm portion 57 has an outer peripheral surface or an outer surface having a smaller diameter than the outer peripheral surface 49 of the base portion 51 and extending from the base portion 51 to the other side in the axial direction, and a thin portion 59 whose outer surface gradually decreases in diameter toward the other side in the axial direction. And an adjacent extension 61 at the other end in the axial direction formed so as to extend outward in the direction, and the other end in the axial direction of the tapered outer surface of the adjacent extension 61 is the outer periphery of the base 51. It is located slightly outward in the radial direction from the surface 49. A copper alloy or the like is used for the tightening member 11.
[0024]
A fastening portion 63 is integrally provided at the free end on the other axial side of each arm portion 57 or the other axial end of the adjacent extending portion 61, and the fastening portion 63 is radially outward. The head 65 protrudes and a claw portion 67 protrudes inward in the centripetal direction or radially inward from the axially inner side position of the head 65 in the radial direction. The head 65 has a step end surface 69 extending radially outward from the other axial end of the outer surface of the adjacent extension 61 at the one axial end, and the other axial end from the radial outer end of the step end surface 69. A contact surface 71 that extends radially outward at a taper angle that is gentle toward the side, that is, substantially the same taper angle as the inner surface 43 of the restriction concave taper of the holder 5, and the shaft from the other end in the axial direction of the contact surface 71. And an axially facing surface 73 that extends short in the axially other side in parallel to the axially opposite side end surface in the axially extending direction from the axially other side end of the axially facing surface 73 relatively long inward in the radial direction. 75. The radially outer end of the axial surface 73 or the other axial end surface 75 is positioned so as to form a slight gap with the inner peripheral surface of the second hole 19. The radial position of the radially inner end coincides with the central portion in the radial direction of the O-ring 7 (unbroken O-ring 7). The head 65 also includes a flared inner surface 77 extending gently inward in the radial direction from the radially inner end of the other axial end surface 75 toward the one axial side. The inner surface 77 has substantially the same taper angle as the contact surface 71.
[0025]
The claw portion 67 includes an axial one side surface 79 extending slightly inward in the centripetal direction from the other axial end of the inner surface of the arm portion 57 toward the other axial side, and an axis of the one axial side surface 79. From the other side end 81 in the radial direction, extending from the other side end in the radial direction slightly inclined toward the other side in the axial direction, and the other side in the axial direction 81 connected to the one side end in the axial direction of the spreading surface 77 The inner diameter of the claw portion 67 of the tightening portion 63 that is formed in an annular shape, that is, the inner diameter of the connecting portion between the one axial side surface 79 and the other axial side surface 81 is the third inner diameter of the main body 3. It is comprised so that it may become a diameter smaller than the hole 21 of this.
[0026]
The axial length from the base 51 to the thin portion 59 of the fastening member 11 is formed to be slightly shorter than the axial length of the guide inner peripheral surface 41 of the holder 5. When the tightening member 11 moves to the one side in the most axial direction, the adjacent extending portion 61 is fitted into the guide inner peripheral surface 41 (not all the adjacent extending portions 61 are fitted). It is comprised so that it may not protrude from the axial direction one side from the axial direction one side end surface 83 of the holder 5 from the axial direction one side.
[0027]
The annular cap 13 attached to one side in the axial direction of the holder 5 is entirely formed of an elastic material such as rubber. The cap 13 has a cylindrical portion 85 and a tube insertion hole 87 in the central portion. And an annular portion 89 integrally provided at one end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 85, and the radially inner end of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 85 is radially inward. An annular protrusion 91 that protrudes somewhat toward the side is integrally provided, and this annular protrusion 91 is pressed between the tapered portion 35 and the engaging portion 39 on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 5, and the engaging portion 39 So that the cylindrical portion 85 is tightly fitted in close contact with the small-diameter portion 37 of the holder 5 and the outer peripheral side of the annular portion 89 is the one end surface 83 in the axial direction of the holder 5. It is attached to the holder 5 so as to come into contact with. One end in the axial direction of the tube insertion hole 87 of the annular portion 89 has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 47 of the fastening member 11 and extends somewhat parallel to the shaft. The axial intermediate portion of the tube insertion hole 87 is formed as a guide tapered surface 95 extending radially inward toward the other axial side, and the other axial side of the tube insertion hole 87 is a tightening member. 11 is formed as a seal inner peripheral surface 97 having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 47 and extending parallel to the shaft.
[0028]
4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a process of inserting and connecting a tube to the tube joint 1, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the tube is inserted into the tube joint 1, and FIG. 5 is a drawing back of the inserted tube. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which connected the tube to the tube coupling 1. FIG.
[0029]
The tube 99 connected to the tube joint 1 is formed of a resin material such as nylon 11 or nylon 12, and in order to connect the tube 99 to the tube joint 1, the other end 101 in the axial direction of the tube 99 is used. The tube 13 is inserted through the tube insertion hole 87 of the cap 13 and inserted between the tightening member 11 and the cylindrical member 9. The other end 101 in the axial direction of the tube 99 extends through at least the guide taper surface 95 and the seal inner peripheral surface 97 of the tube insertion hole 87 and passes through the tube insertion hole 87 of the cap 13. Since the outer peripheral side of the tube 5 is in contact with and supported by the one end face 83 in the axial direction of the holder 5, the tube insertion hole 87 is not excessively deformed without being inserted with great care.
[0030]
The inner diameter of the cylindrical body 47 of the tightening member 11 is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube 99, but the tip inner diameter of the claw portion 67 is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 99, and the tip of the claw portion 67 is Since it protrudes into the insertion path of the tube 99, the claw portion 67 comes into contact with the other axial end of the inserted tube 99. Therefore, the tightening member 11 is pushed or pulled by the tube 99 by the contact of the claw portion 67 and moves to the other side in the axial direction. However, since the other side surface 79 in the axial direction of the claw portion 67 is formed as a gently tapered surface, the head 65 of the fastening member 11 moves to the other side in the axial direction in the annular recess 45 and the other end surface 75 in the other axial direction. Is in contact with the O-ring 7 and the movement of the tightening member 11 to the other side in the axial direction is prevented, the end on the other side in the axial direction of the tube 99 that is pushed to the other side in the axial direction is in the claw portion 67. Therefore, the head 65 is displaced by pushing it outward in the radial direction, passes through the claw 67 and the O-ring 7, and advances until it contacts the annular contact surface 29. The part 101 is fitted into the annular fitting part 31. In this state, the claw portion 67 is weakly pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99 by the elastic restoring force of the arm portion 57. Since an appropriate gap is formed between the thin portion 59 of the arm portion 57 of the tightening member 11 and the guide inner peripheral surface 41 of the holder 5, the head 65 is smoothly displaced radially outward. Is called.
[0031]
Next, the tube 99 is slightly pulled back to one side in the axial direction. The claw portion 67 is only slightly in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99, but the other side surface 81 in the axial direction of the claw portion 67 extends substantially in the radial direction or close to the radial direction. Engaging with the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99, the tightening member 11 is dragged by the tube 99 and reliably moves to the one side in the axial direction together with the tube 99. When the abutment surface 71 of the head 65 of the tightening member 11 abuts the restriction concave taper inner peripheral surface 43 of the holder 5, the head 65, and thus the claw 67, is centripetal along the restriction concave taper inner peripheral surface 43. The claw portion 67 is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99 and is connected to the tube joint 1 in a state where the tube 99 is prevented from coming off. Here, the axially one side end portion of the adjacent extension portion 61 of the arm portion 57 is slightly fitted between the guide inner peripheral surface 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99. Thereafter, when air pressure acts on the tube joint 1 in use, the tube 99 is pulled with a large force on one side in the axial direction, and the tube 99 is displaced on the one side in the axial direction. The claw portion 67 is strongly bitten into the tube 99 by moving inward in the radial direction along the surface 43. Further, since the adjacent extension 61 of the arm portion 57 is press-fitted between the guide inner peripheral surface 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99 and performs a wedge action, the tube 99 is more securely prevented from being pulled out and the tube 99 is pulled out. There is nothing.
[0032]
The press-fitting of the adjacent extension portion 61 of the arm portion 57 between the guide inner peripheral surface 41 and the tube 99 outer peripheral surface also indicates that only the claw portion 67 is strongly pressed against the tube 99 and the tube 99 is bitten. It is preventing. Furthermore, even if a bending force acts on the tube 99 during use, the adjacent extension 61 suppresses the twisting generated at the base of the head 65, so that the tube 99 can be uniformly fixed in the circumferential direction with the entire claw 67, It is possible to effectively prevent the tube 99 from coming off. And even if the temperature of the engine room of the automobile changes and the tube 99 expands or returns, the tube 99 is always firmly and uniformly stopped in the circumferential direction. It can be worn and expected to be effective for a long time.
[0033]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a case where the tube 99 connected to the tube joint 1 is pulled out, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a release tool.
[0034]
In order to pull out the tube 99 connected to the tube joint 1, the claw portion 67 needs to be in a non-contact state with the tube 99 or in a state in which a substantial pull-out preventing force does not act on the tube 99. Therefore, first, the tube 99 is pushed into the tube joint 1 until the axially other side end surface of the axially other side end portion 101 comes into contact with the annular contact surface 29. If it does so, the nail | claw part 67 will be bit | engaged in the tube 99, and the nail | claw part 67 will be in the state pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99 weakly by the elastic restoring force of the arm part 57. FIG. Here, the radially inner end of the axially other end surface 75 of the head 65 is in contact with the radial center of the O-ring 7 (the crushed O-ring 7). The radially outer end of the axial surface 73 or the other axial end surface 75 is positioned so as to form a very small gap with the inner peripheral surface of the second hole 19. Therefore, if the tightening member 11 is further pressed to the other side in the axial direction, and the end surface 75 on the other side in the axial direction of the head 65 is strongly pressed against the O-ring 7, the radially outer portion of the O-ring 7 becomes the axis of the tightening member 11. The O-ring 7 is deformed so as to be recessed into the inner surface 77 of the flared head portion 65 because the O-ring 7 cannot be deformed so as to be largely swelled to the one side in the axial direction. The head portion 65 of the tightening member 11 may be pushed by the O-ring 7 portion that is squeezed into the inside of the inner surface 77 and moves smoothly outward in the radial direction. As a result, the claw portion 65 is moved to the tube 99. It will be in the state away from.
[0035]
Here, if the tube 99 is pulled to one side in the axial direction while maintaining the state in which the tightening member 11 is pressed against the O-ring 7, the tube 99 can be smoothly pulled out from the tube joint 1. A release tool 103 is used to press the tightening member 11 against the O-ring 7. The release tool 103 shown in FIG. 7 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical body having a substantially semicircular cross section, and has an arcuate outer peripheral surface or outer surface 105 having a cross section of 180 degrees and a semicircular cross section inner peripheral surface or inner surface 107. The inner surface 107 has a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tube 99. A substantially semicircular groove 109 is provided between the outer surface 105 and the inner surface 107 at the other end portion in the axial direction of the release tool 103, and protrudes to the other axial direction side in the radial direction. An arc-shaped outer wall portion 111 is formed, and an inner wall portion 113 having a semicircular cross section that protrudes radially inward and on the other side in the axial direction is formed. The diameter of the outer wall surface of the groove 109 or the inner surface (inner peripheral surface) of the outer wall portion 111 is formed slightly larger than the diameter or outer diameter of the engaging portion 39 of the holder 5, and the inner wall surface of the groove 109 or the outer surface of the inner wall portion 113 ( Since the diameter of the outer peripheral surface is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the one end portion in the axial direction of the holder 5, the width of the groove 109 is slightly larger than the thickness of the one end portion in the axial direction of the holder 5. Yes. Further, the thickness of the inner wall 113 is slightly smaller than the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99 and the guide inner peripheral surface 41 at one end in the axial direction of the holder 5. The outer wall portion 111 is longer than the inner wall portion 113 and protrudes to the other side in the axial direction, and the opening 115 of the release tool 103 is configured to be wider than the outer diameter of the tube 99.
[0036]
To use the release tool 103, first, the cap 13 is removed from the holder 5 and moved to the other axial side of the tube 99. Next, the release tool 103 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99 from the opening 115, and is moved on the outer peripheral surface of the tube 99 to the holder 5 side. Then, the outer wall portion 111 fits into the engaging portion 39 of the holder 5, and the inner wall portion 113 enters between the guide inner peripheral surface 41 and the tube 99 at one end in the axial direction of the holder 5. The release tool 103 is pressed against the holder 5 so that the other end in the axial direction presses one end in the axial direction of the tightening member 11 and the tightening member 11 is pressed against the O-ring 7. Since the outer wall portion 111 of the release tool 103 is formed in an arc shape having a cross section exceeding 180 degrees, the outer wall portion 111 does not come off from the holder 5 in the radial direction, and the release tool 103 can be easily detached during the tube drawing operation. Is prevented. The protruding length of the inner wall 113 is such that when the release tool 103 is pressed against the holder 5 until the bottom surface 117 of the groove 109 abuts against the one end face 83 in the axial direction of the holder 5, the tightening member 11 is pushed too far into the O-ring. 7 is set so that 7 is not damaged.
[0037]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a tube joint using a cap having another configuration.
[0038]
Since the tube joint 119 is obtained by changing the configuration of the cap of the tube joint 1, the description of the same components as the tube joint 1 is omitted. The cap 121 includes a cylindrical portion 123 and an annular portion 127 in which a tube insertion hole 125 is formed in the central portion and is integrally provided at one end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 123. The cylindrical portion 123 has a radially outer peripheral side integrally fixed in a rigid plastic main body base 129 and an annular recess 131 formed on the inner periphery of the other axial end surface of the main body base 129. A rubber elastic mounting portion 135 whose inner peripheral side protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface 133 of the main body base portion 129, and the annular portion 127 is formed at one end of the main body base portion 129 in the axial direction. The main body base portion 129 includes an annular base portion 137 integrally formed of the same hard plastic material, and a rubber elastic seal portion 141 having an outer peripheral surface fixed to an inner peripheral surface 139 of the annular base portion 137. . The inner peripheral surface of the elastic seal portion 141 constitutes a tube insertion hole 125. The inner peripheral surface 139 of the annular base portion 137 is composed of a large diameter portion on one side in the axial direction and a small diameter portion on the other side in the axial direction so that an annular stepped surface 143 facing one side in the axial direction is formed. Therefore, the elastic seal portion 141 fixed to the inner peripheral surface 139 has a large mounting strength against pressing toward the other side in the axial direction. The main body base portion 129 and the annular base portion 137 can be formed of PP or PE, and the elastic mounting portion 135 and the elastic seal portion 141 are integrally formed with the main body base portion 129 and the annular base portion 137 in two colors, so that they are bonded to PP or PE. It is preferable to use a thermoplastic rubber having excellent properties.
[0039]
The cap 121 is cylindrical so that the elastic mounting portion 135 is pressed between the tapered portion 35 and the engaging portion 39 on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 5 and is engaged with the engaging portion 39 to be in a retaining state. The shaped portion 123 is fitted to the small diameter portion 37 of the holder 5, and the annular base portion 137 is attached to the holder 5 so as to contact the one end surface 83 in the axial direction of the holder 5. One end in the axial direction of the tube insertion hole 125 of the elastic seal portion 141 has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the cylindrical main body 47 of the fastening member 11 or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical main body 47. It is formed as an introduction inner peripheral surface 145 extending in parallel, and an axial intermediate portion of the tube insertion hole 125 is formed as a guide taper surface 147 extending radially inward toward the other axial side. The other end portion in the axial direction is formed as a seal inner peripheral surface 149 having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical main body 47 of the fastening member 11 and extending in parallel with the shaft.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the tube joint of the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent moisture from entering the joint without impairing the tube insertability, and the joint function is easily damaged due to carelessness. There is no such thing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tube joint according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a half sectional view of a tightening member used for a tube joint according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing details of a cap portion of a tube joint according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of inserting and connecting a tube to the tube joint, and is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the tube is inserted into the tube joint.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of inserting and connecting a tube to a tube joint, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the inserted tube is pulled back and the tube is connected to the tube joint.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where a tube connected to a tube joint is pulled out.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a release tool.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a tube joint using a cap having another configuration.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional tube joint.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a tube is connected to a conventional tube joint.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 119 Tube fitting
3 Body
5 Holder
7 O-ring (elastic seal member)
11 Tightening member
13, 121 cap
17 First hole
19 Second hole
21 3rd hole
41 Guidance inner surface
43 Restriction concave taper inner peripheral surface
45 annular recess
49 Outer peripheral surface of base
51 base
53 Notch
57 Arm
63 Tightening part
65 head
67 Claw
83 One end face in the axial direction of the holder
99 tubes
101 End of tube on the other side in the axial direction

Claims

A pre-assembled tube joint capable of connecting the tube by a pull-back operation of the inserted resin tube,
A shaft hole having a first hole extending in the axial direction, a second hole, and a third hole having an inner diameter that gradually decreases in diameter from one end in the axial direction toward the other side in the axial direction. A cylindrical main body formed such that the third hole can be fitted into the other axial end of the tube in a close contact state;
An annular elastic seal member pressed into the second hole of the main body;
An inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, the inner peripheral surface having a guide inner peripheral surface that extends straight in parallel with the shaft on one side in the axial direction, and the guide inner surface on the other side in the axial direction from the guide inner peripheral surface. A regulation concave taper inner circumferential surface that gradually increases in diameter toward the other side in the axial direction adjacent to the circumferential surface is provided, and an annular recess is formed on the other axial side of the regulation concave taper inner circumferential surface. A cylindrical holder in which at least the other axial end of the outer peripheral surface is fixed in the first hole of the main body;
A cylindrical base portion on one axial side having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the guide inner peripheral surface, having an outer peripheral surface slidable with the guide inner peripheral surface of the holder, and an axial direction from the base portion A plurality of elastically deformable arm portions formed by providing circumferentially spaced notches extending toward the other side, and annularly arranged integrally with the free ends of the respective arm portions A head that protrudes radially outward and contacts the inner circumferential surface of the restriction concave taper of the holder, and a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the inserted tube that protrudes inward in the centripetal direction from the head. A tightening portion having a claw portion having a tip inner diameter, and a tubular tightening member that is accommodated in the annular recess so as to be movable in the axial direction.
The axial direction of the tube when the axially other side end portion of the tube is inserted into the third hole of the main body portion through the axial direction other side than the tightening member and the elastic seal member. A gap between the outer peripheral surface on the other side and the inner peripheral surface of the second hole is sealed with the elastic seal member;
When the tube is pulled back slightly to the one side in the axial direction, the fastening member is moved to the one side in the axial direction together with the tube, and the head of the fastening member is moved to the inner circumference of the restriction concave taper of the holder. And the head moves in the centripetal direction along the inner surface of the restriction concave taper, and the claw portion engages with the outer peripheral surface on the other axial side of the tube to connect the tube;
And when the one axial end of the base is pushed to the other axial side, the head is pushed radially outward by being pressed against the release part arranged on the other axial side of the tightening part. is guided, wherein the claw portion is possible withdrawal of the outer peripheral surface and the tube in a non-contact state of the tube; configured to,
The base portion of the tightening member is formed such that one end in the axial direction is located on the other side in the axial direction from one end in the axial direction of the holder ,
Said holder includes a cap that covers between said holder and said tube is attached, et al is removably, said cap, and sealingly fitted Tagged cylindrical portion on the outer peripheral surface of one axial side of the holder The cylindrical portion is integrally provided at one end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, which extends inward in the radial direction in contact with the end surface on the one axial direction of the holder and has a tube insertion hole formed in the center portion. An annular portion, and
When the other axial end of the tube is passed through the tube insertion hole of the cap and inserted into the third hole of the main body, the tube insertion hole is sealed to the outer peripheral surface of the tube. A tube joint, wherein the tube joint is configured to be pressed and contacted .

The tube joint according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portion and the annular portion are formed of an elastic material.

The cylindrical portion includes a hard main body base, and a soft elastic mounting portion that is provided on the main body base and is pressed in contact with the outer peripheral surface on the other side in the axial direction of the holder and is in contact therewith, The annular portion is a hard main body annular portion integrally provided at one end portion in the axial direction of the main body base portion, and a soft main body that is provided in an inner peripheral portion of the main body annular portion and constitutes the tube insertion hole. The tube joint according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic seal portion.

The head portion of the tightening member extends radially inward from a radially inner end of the other axial end surface in the radial direction or substantially radially extending from a radially inner end of the axially other side end surface. An inner surface, and the release portion is configured by the elastic seal member that is press-fitted in the second hole, and one end portion in the axial direction of the base portion of the tightening member is the other in the axial direction. When pushed to the side, the radially inner end of the other end surface in the axial direction is in a state where the radially outer end of the other axial end surface of the head approaches the inner peripheral surface of the second hole. The elastic seal member is brought into contact with the central portion in the radial direction of the elastic seal member, and the elastic seal member is deformed so as to enter the inside in the radial direction of the flared inner surface by the contact of the other axial end surface with the elastic seal member. The head is guided radially outward, and the claw portion is The outer peripheral surface and is configured to be a non-contact state, claim 1, wherein the tube fitting and wherein the the cube.