JP4179919B2

JP4179919B2 - Pipe fitting

Info

Publication number: JP4179919B2
Application number: JP2003124154A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 賢司水川; 知広中村; 潤福山; 智史井上
Original assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co Ltd; Inoue Sudare Co Ltd; Higashio Mech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co Ltd; Inoue Sudare Co Ltd; Higashio Mech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-28
Filing date: 2003-04-28
Publication date: 2008-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-28
Also published as: JP2004324858A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、管継手に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、例えば、給水・給湯用のパイプを接続するための管継手としては、継手本体内へパイプの端部を挿入し、その後、袋ナットを作業工具にて締付けてゆくことで、係止リングの係止爪を、パイプの端部に食い込ませて、軸心方向に引き抜けないように接続する構造のものが知られている（例えば、特許文献１，特許文献２参照）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開平１０−１９１７６号公報
【特許文献２】
特開平７−２２４９７８号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、このような従来の管継手では、配管現場に於て、作業者がレンチ等の作業工具をもって、管継手の上記袋ナットを回転させて締付ける作業を必要としていた。給水・給湯用の配管では多数の管継手が使用され、各々の管継手の袋ナットを、作業工具をもって締付ける上述の作業は、熟練及び時間を、要するという問題がある。さらに、狭小な空間での上記作業工具を用いての締付け作業は極めて困難な場合があり、また、高所作業の場合も難しい作業となっていた。
【０００５】
そこで、本発明の第１の目的は、配管現場での作業工具の使用を不要として、単純にパイプの端部を継手に差込めば、直ちに接続作業が完了できる、作業性に優れた管継手を提供することにある。第２の目的は、パイプの端部をスムースに差込むことを実現した管継手を提供することにある。第３の目的は、一旦差込まれたパイプが所定小寸法だけ抜けると自動的に強固に引抜けを阻止し、その後は、微小なストローク分だけ、パイプの端部と継手が相対的に可動として強固に接続できる管継手を提供することにある。第４の目的は、パイプと継手との接続作業の確認を容易かつ確実に行ない得るようにすることにある。第５の目的は、被接続パイプが金属内層を有する導電性パイプである場合に、その外層のプラスチック層を破らないようにしながらも強固な引抜け阻止力を発揮する管継手を提供することにある。第６の目的は、流体の密封性に優れ、かつ、安定して長期間にわたってこの密封性を維持できるパッキンを有する管継手を提供することにある。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上述の目的を達成するために、本発明に係る管継手は、被接続パイプの端部が差込まれる円形凹溝を軸心外方向へ開口状として有する管継手に於て、上記円形凹溝は、差込まれた上記パイプの上記端部に食い込むための係止爪を有する係止リングを軸心方向と径方向に小寸法移動可能に収容する収容ポケット部を、備え、かつ、該収容ポケット部は上記円形凹溝の外周側に形成され、しかも、上記係止リングが上記収容ポケット部内にて上記小寸法移動するのを抑制するように該係止リングを弾発的に常時押圧する弾性材質のがたつき防止リングを上記収容ポケット部内に備えている。
【０００７】
また、被接続パイプの端部が差込まれる円形凹溝を軸心外方向へ開口状として有する管継手に於て、上記円形凹溝は、差込まれた上記パイプの上記端部に食い込むための係止爪を有する係止リングを軸心方向と径方向に小寸法移動可能に収容する収容ポケット部を、備え、かつ、該収容ポケット部は上記円形凹溝の外周側に形成され、しかも、上記係止リングが上記収容ポケット部内にて上記小寸法移動するのを抑制するように該係止リングを弾発的に常時押圧する弾性材質のがたつき防止リングを上記収容ポケット部内に備え、さらに、上記係止リングは上記軸心外方向へ縮径するテーパ状外周面部を有すると共に、ストレート内周面部を有し、かつ、上記収容ポケット部には上記ストレート内周面部に接触して上記係止リングの姿勢を保つための保持円筒部が設けられ、しかも、上記収容ポケット部は上記係止リングの上記テーパ状外周面部が圧縮可能なテーパ内面部を軸心外方向の端部寄りに備えている。
【０００８】
また、上記係止リングが上記パイプの上記端部に食い込んだ状態で上記パイプと共に上記軸心外方向へ引抜かれて上記係止リングの上記テーパ状外周面部が上記テーパ内面部に圧接した圧接状態で、上記保持円筒部の外端に、上記係止リングの内端が近接乃至当接して上記係止リングが上記軸心方向に移動するのを規制するように構成し、上記保持円筒部の上記外端をもって軸心方向動き規制手段を形成したものである。
また、上記係止リングが上記収容ポケット部内にて上記小寸法移動するのを抑制するように上記係止リングを弾発的に常時押圧する弾性材質のがたつき防止リングを上記収容ポケット部内に備えている。
また、係止リングは、上記軸心外方向の端部に、上記パイプに食い込むための係止爪を一条のみ有する。
【０００９】
また、上記パイプは、金属内層と、その内外に積層されたプラスチック内層・プラスチック外層から成り、係止リングは、上記軸心外方向の端部に、上記パイプに食い込むための係止爪を一条のみ有し、さらに、該一条の係止爪は複数の切欠部によって断続状に分断され、かつ、上記係止爪の高さ寸法は、上記プラスチック外層の厚さ寸法よりも小さく設定されている。
また、上記円形凹溝の奥部近傍を包囲形成する外壁部位を、透明として、差込まれた上記パイプの端部を、外部から目視可能としている。
さらに、上記パイプの端部の正規差込位置を示す目印として梨地帯を上記外壁部位の外周面に形成した。
【００１０】
また、被接続パイプの端部が差込まれる円形凹溝を軸心外方向へ開口状として有し、かつ、該円形凹溝の内周面側を構成する挿入筒部を備えた管継手に於て、上記挿入筒部にシール溝を凹設し、さらに、横断面丸山型シール突条と、該シール突条よりも軸心外方向に配設されて該軸心外方向へ縮径するパイプ先端ガイド用勾配面を有するガイド突条とを、二山型として一体に有するパッキンを、上記シール溝に装着した。
また、上記パッキンはその自由状態で、軸心方向幅寸法が径方向厚さ寸法の 2.5倍〜４倍の偏平横断面に設定し、かつ、該パッキンの内周面に小凹溝を形成すると共に、上記シール溝の底面には、上記小凹溝に係合する係止小凸条を突設して、上記パッキンの軸心方向移動を阻止するように構成した。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図示の実施の形態に基づき、本発明を詳説する。
【００１２】
図１〜図７は、本発明に係る管継手の実施の一形態であって、パイプＰの未接続状態（図１）から順次接続作業順に示して、さらに、接続状態とした後に流体圧力又は（温度変化に伴う）パイプ伸縮等によって接続状態が順次変化する状態を、順に示した縦断面図である。
【００１３】
この管継手２及びパイプＰから成る配管構造体は、例えば、冷温水が流れる給水給湯用として使用される。また、パイプＰは、アルミニウム等の厚さ寸法Ｔ₆ が約 0.2mm〜 0.5mmの金属内層６と、その内外に積層された架橋ＰＥ樹脂やポリブデン等のプラスチック内層７・プラスチック外層８から成る。
プラスチック内層７の厚さ寸法Ｔ₇ は約 0.8mm〜 2.0mmであり、プラスチック外層８の厚さ寸法Ｔ₈ は約 0.4mm〜 1.0mmである。このようにプラスチック内層７と金属内層６とプラスチック外層８が内から外へ順に積層され、相互に接着剤等で一体化されている。
【００１４】
図１〜図７に於ては管継手２はその一部のみを示し、残部は図示省略しているが、この残部には、例えば雄ネジ部と六角頭部を有して、全体がニップル型の管継手の場合、また、この残部には、図示の一部と同じ形状・構造の部分を有するソケット型の場合、あるいは、全体がエルボ型やチーズ型の場合等、種々の形状・構造の場合がありえるが、少なくとも、その一部には、図１〜図７に示すようなパイプ接続端部構造を具備している。即ち、本発明の管継手２は、そのパイプ接続端部構造として、まず、被接続パイプＰの端部１が差込まれる円形凹溝３を軸心外方向Ａへ開口状として有する。具体的には、例えば、金属製継手本体４の一部分としての突出状に形成された挿入筒部５と、筒状カバー部材９と、キャップ部材10等をもって、上記パイプ接続端部構造が構成され、かつ、前記円形凹溝３が形成されている。
【００１５】
図13に、この円形凹溝３の縦断面（上半分）を簡略化して示す。２点鎖線11よりも上方は、後述の収容ポケット部３Ａである。つまり、この円形凹溝３は、係止リング12を、（図１〜図５で分かるように、）軸心方向Ｌと径方向Ｒに小寸法移動可能に収容する収容ポケット部３Ａを、備え、この収容ポケット部３Ａは円形凹溝３の外周側（かつ開口端寄り）に形成されている。
係止リング12は、差込まれたパイプＰの端部１の外周面───プラスチック外層８───に食い込むための係止爪13を有する。
【００１６】
しかも、図１のパイプ未挿入状態（挿入前の状態）で、係止リング12が収容ポケット部３Ａ内にて、軸心方向Ｌと径方向Ｒに小寸法移動すること───がたつくこと───を抑制するように、がたつき防止リング14を収容ポケット部３Ａ内に内装する。このがたつき防止リング14は、横断面長方形の全体円環状であり、ゴム又は（軟質）プラスチック等の弾性材質のものを使用し、収容ポケット部３Ａの局部的にやや大径となっている部位の内面に、がたつき防止リング14を密に嵌合させ、係止リング12の外周面に圧接させて、係止リング12を弾発的に常時、径方向Ｒの内方、かつ、軸心方向Ｌの内方（図１の左方）へ、押圧する。係止リング12は青銅等から成り、弾発力の弱い材質とする。
【００１７】
さらに詳しく説明すると、上記係止リング12は、図９と図10（Ｂ）及び図１〜図７に示すように、軸心外方向Ａへ縮径するテーパ状外周面部15を有する外方半体部16と、ストレート内周面部18を有する内方半体部（スカート部）17と、から成る。かつ、図９のように円周一箇所に切断部19を有して、全体は、自由状態ではＣ型で、使用状態（例えば図11の状態）では略円環状となるように上記切断部19は十分小さくなる。
【００１８】
係止リング12の外方半体部16は、内周面20が軸心と平行なストレート状であって、段差部21を介して、この内周面20よりも僅かに大径のストレート内周面部18に、連続する。また、係止リング12（外方半体部16）の軸心外方向Ａの端部に、パイプＰに食い込むための係止爪13を一条のみ有する。つまり、（従来のように）複数条形成することなく、一条のみの係止爪13として、集中的に一条のこの係止爪13をパイプＰの外周面に強力に食い込ませる構造とした。この係止爪13の横断面形状は、軸心方向Ｌの内方へ傾斜した小三角形乃至鈎形である。また、外方半体部16の横断面形状は７°≦θ₁ ≦20°の角度を外方先端に有する略三角形状である。
【００１９】
さらに、この一条の係止爪13は複数の切欠部22…によって断続状に分断され、かつ、この係止爪13の高さ寸法Ｈ₁₃───内周面20を基準として計測した高さ寸法───は、図11に示す如く、パイプＰのプラスチック外層８の厚さ寸法Ｔ₈ よりも小さく設定され、図11のように最も食い込んだ状態においても、厚さ寸法Ｔ₀ の残肉が、係止爪13の最先端縁部と、金属内層６との間に、存在するように構成される。しかも、係止爪13が上記切欠部22を有することで、図11のように係止爪13が最も食い込んだ状態で、プラスチック外層８は軸心方向Ｌに連結する複数本の小連結リブが形成され、これによって、図12の説明図に示す如くプラスチック外層８の端部８ａが、スッポリと短筒状に引き抜けることを防止している。例えば、温度が80℃以上の湯（水）がパイプＰ内を流れると、プラスチック外層８の内面と、金属内層６の外面の間の接着剤が軟化し、図12に示すように、端部８ａが短筒状に引き抜ける虞れがあるが、本発明では、Ｈ₁₃＜Ｔ₈ なる関係を満たすことで、厚さ寸法Ｔ₀ の薄肉円筒層を残し、かつ、複数の（多数の）切欠部22によって、連結リブがプラスチック外層８に形成され、図12に示したような上記引き抜けを、有効に防止している。しかも、図11のように、厚さ寸法Ｔ₀ の残肉層が、最も食い込んだ係止爪13の最先端部と、金属内層６との間に、形成されることにより、金属内層６と係止爪13の間に電気が流れる状態を防ぎ、これによって、電蝕を防止する。
【００２０】
内方半体部（スカート部）17は、ストレート外周面部24を有し、前記ストレート内周面部18と共に、薄肉円筒状であり、内周面部18は前記段差部21を介して、外方半体部16の内周面20に連続し、他方、外周面部24は、段差部25を介して、外方半体部16のテーパ状外周面部15に連続する。
【００２１】
次に、収容ポケット部３Ａの内部に於て、図１〜図５の各状態で、係止リング12の上記ストレート内周面部18に接触して、係止リング12の姿勢───特に軸心に直交する平面上に係止リング12が位置するような正常な姿勢───を保持円筒部23が、設けられている（図13では判り易いようにこの保持円筒部23を斜線にて図示した）。
【００２２】
さらに、収容ポケット部３Ａは、係止リング12のテーパ状外周面部15が圧接可能なテーパ内面部26を、軸心外方向Ａの端部寄りに備えている。テーパ内面部26の傾斜角度θ₂ （図10参照）は、７°〜20°に設定し、前記係止爪13の角度θ₁ に略等しく設定するが、望ましくは、僅かに（ 0.5°〜 1.5°）大に設定する。つまり、
0.5°≦（θ₂ −θ₁ ）≦ 1.5°
のように設定することで、一条の先端（外端）の係止爪13が、テーパ内面部26にて絞られて、確実にパイプＰの外周面に食い込むこととなる。図例では、このテーパ内面部26は、（金属製の）キャップ部材10に形成されている。
【００２３】
次に、図１，図２，図３，図４，図５と順次パイプＰが管継手２の円形凹溝３内へ挿入されて（差し込まれて）、接続作業が完了した（図５に示した）接続状態に於て、流体圧力が作用し、又は、温度変化によってパイプＰが熱膨張で伸縮し、若しくは外力がパイプＰ等に作用した場合、図５から図６に示すように、パイプＰが軸心外方向Ａに引き抜かれようとする。その際、係止リング12の係止爪13は、パイプＰの端部１の外周面に食い込み、パイプＰと共に係止リング12は軸心外方向Ａへ小寸法だけ移動し、保持円筒部23の外周面に外嵌状に保持されていた係止リング12の内方半体部17は、図６及び図11に示す如く、保持円筒部23から離脱し、がたつき防止リング14及びテーパ内面部26による径方向Ｒの内方への力を受けて僅かに縮径し、係止リング12の内端27が、保持円筒部23の外端23ａに、近接乃至当接する。即ち、本発明に係る管継手は、図６と図７と図11の状態に於て、係止リング12が軸心方向Ｌに移動するのを規制する軸心方向動き規制手段Ｇを具備し、この軸心方向動き規制手段Ｇは、上述した保持円筒部23の外端23ａをもって構成される。
【００２４】
言い換えると、図１の状態（又は図２〜図５の状態）に於て、係止リング12は軸心方向Ｌに小寸法移動可能であるが、その後、上記係止リング12がパイプＰの上記端部１に食い込んだ状態で上記パイプＰと共に上記軸心外方向Ａへ引抜かれて上記係止リング12の上記テーパ状外周面部15が上記テーパ内面部26に圧接した圧接状態で、上記保持円筒部23の外端23ａに、上記係止リング12の内端27が近接乃至当接して上記係止リング12が上記軸心方向Ｌに移動するのを規制するように構成し、上記保持円筒部23の上記外端23ａをもって軸心方向動き規制手段Ｇを形成している。
【００２５】
次に、円形凹溝３の内周面側を構成する挿入筒部５に、シール溝28を凹設し、このシール溝28にゴム等の弾性材のパッキン29を装着し、円形凹溝３へ差し込まれてくるパイプＰの内周面に、このパッキン29を密に圧接して、流体を密封する。図14に示すように、パッキン29はその自由状態（未装着状態）で、軸心方向幅寸法Ｗが径方向厚さ寸法Ｔ₂₉の 2.5倍〜４倍の偏平（細長）横断面形状に設定する。
【００２６】
そして、シール溝28の横断面形状も偏平（細長）横断面形状として、このシール溝28に、弾性的に拡径しつつパッキン29を外嵌して装着する。パッキン29の内周面29ａには、（軸心方向Ｌの略中央近傍に）小凹溝30を形成し、他方、シール溝28の底面（径方向底面）28ａには、この小凹溝30に係合する係止小凸条31を突設して、パッキン29の軸心方向移動を阻止するように構成されている。
【００２７】
さらに、このパッキン29は、横断面丸山型シール突条32を軸心方向Ｌの内方寄り又は中央近傍に配設し、かつ、このシール突条32よりも軸心外方向Ａにガイド突条33を有し、上記シール突条32とガイド突条33にて二山型に形成される。
図例では、ガイド突条33は軸心外方向Ａへ縮径するパイプ先端ガイド用勾配面34を有し、略三角山型であると共に、軸心外方向Ａの端部に配設されている。
【００２８】
上述のように、 2.5×Ｔ₂₉≦Ｗ≦ 4.0×Ｔ₂₉に設定した理由は、Ｗ＜ 2.5×Ｔ₂₉の場合には、シール突条32とガイド突条33の２条を配置することが難しくなり、かつ、パイプＰを差込時に、パッキン29が捩れて、横断面に於て正常姿勢を維持することが困難となる。逆に、 4.0×Ｔ₂₉＜Ｗの場合、不必要に幅寸法Ｗが過大となり、シール溝28の切削加工の工数も掛かり、円形凹溝３も余分に深くせねばならない。
【００２９】
次に、円形凹溝３の中間及び奥部近傍にわたって包囲形成する外壁部位35───具体的には前記筒状カバー部材９───を、透明の合成樹脂として、差込まれたパイプＰの端部１を、外部から目視可能とする。なお、外壁部位35を「透明」とするとは、無色透明及び（有色の）半透明を含むものと定義する。さらに、（後述の）図５に於て、パイプＰの端部１の正規差込位置を示す目印として、上記筒状カバー部材９等の外壁部位35の外周面に梨地帯36を形成する（図８参照）。この梨地帯36は、例えば、プラスチックの射出成型金型のキャビティの内面に、微細な凹凸模様を施して、射出成型時に形成できる。
【００３０】
ところで、上述の構成につき、図１〜図11に於て、具体的な部品等と共にさらに詳しく説明する。金属製継手本体４は青銅等の金属製で挿入筒部５を有し、この挿入筒部５の先端外周面はアール状37として、パイプＰの孔部38に挿入し易い。そして、この挿入筒部５の中間にシール溝28が凹設され、例えば、シール溝28の深さ寸法は、底壁肉厚寸法Ｔ₂₈の80％〜 100％の値に設定し、シール溝28の形状を偏平状（細長）矩形とすると共に、底壁部39の強度を最小限有し、かつ、挿入筒部５の孔部５ａを可能な限り大きくして流体の通過抵抗を小さくする構成である。挿入筒部５の基端寄りに雄ネジ部40を形成し、その雄ネジ部40の先端側に段付部41を形成し、この段付部41が、円形凹溝３の軸心方向Ｌの奥面を形成する。挿入筒部５の基端は段付部42をもって終り、この段付部42は、六角頭部やエルボ中間部やティー中間部等の継手中間膨出部の一部分である。
【００３１】
筒状カバー部材９は、透明な合成樹脂から成り、基端内周面に雌ネジ部43を有し、上記雄ネジ部40と着脱自在に螺着される。段付部42にこの筒状カバー部材９の基端面が圧接状として、上記螺着の状態となる。雌ネジ部43の終わる先端側の段付部44が、前記段付部41と対応する軸心方向Ｌの位置として、円形凹溝３の奥面を形成する。この段付部44から、平滑なパイプ挿入孔面部45が形成され、筒状カバー部材９の孔部の大半を占めている。
【００３２】
保持円筒部23の内周面は、上記パイプ挿入孔面部45と、（同一内径寸法として）連続面状に続いている。さらに、この保持円筒部23の外周面側に、小ポケット部46が、軸心外方向Ａへ開口状に形成されていて、この小ポケット部46内へ係止リング12の内方半体部（スカート部）17が収納可能である（図１〜図５参照）。小段差47を介して、がたつき防止リング14が摺動可能に嵌着される開口孔部48が形成される。筒状カバー部材９の外周面には、その軸心方向Ｌの中間に大径部49が形成され、段付部50を介して雄ネジ部51が形成されている。
【００３３】
キャップ部材10は、青銅等の金属製であり、図８に示す如く、外周面は（六角や二面取りとしないで）円形として、一旦管継手として組立てた状態のままで、（現場ではスパナ等の作業工具にて回転させずに、）パイプＰを差込めば組立作業が可能であることを、表している。
このキャップ部材10は、先端面52からアール部53を介してテーパ内面部26に連続的に孔部が形成される。テーパ内面部26は、軸心外方向Ａへ次第に縮径状である。段付部54を介して大径孔部を形成して、この大径孔部には、雌ネジ部55が形成され、この雌ネジ部55を、上記雄ネジ部51に螺着して、キャップ部材10を筒状カバー部材９に取付ける。その際、図１に示すように、係止リング12、がたつき防止リング14を予め組付けた後に、キャップ部材10を筒状カバー部材９に固着（螺着）する。
【００３４】
このように、係止リング12を軸心方向Ｌと径方向Ｒに小寸法移動可能に収容する収容ポケット部３Ａは、筒状カバー部材９とキャップ部材10にて形成される。なお、所望により、具体的な構成部品の個数を増減したり、形状を変更したり、部品の分割位置を変更する等を行うことは自由である。
【００３５】
次に、配管接続作業及び作動（作用）について説明する。
まず、図１の左半分に示すように、本願発明の管継手は工場等で予め組立てられた状態にある。即ち、パッキン29はシール溝28に嵌着され、好ましくは接着剤にて位置ずれ防止を図っておく。そして、係止リング12とがたつき防止リング14は図１のように収容ポケット部３Ａに収納しておく。つまり、係止リング12の内方半体部（スカート部）17を、保持円筒部23の外周面に外嵌状として保持し、かつ、ゴム等の弾性材から成るがたつき防止リング14は、開口孔部48に嵌着され、係止リング12を内径方向に、かつ、軸心方向Ｌの内方へも、弾性的に常時押圧して、係止リング12が収容ポケット部３Ａ内で小寸法移動する（がたつく）ことを有効に抑制し、しかも、係止リング12の係止爪13が、管継手軸心56に対して、偏心しないように、かつ、軸心56に対する直交平面上に係止爪13が存在するように（倒れないように）、保持している。
【００３６】
この状態の管継手２に対し、パイプＰの端部１を、円形凹溝３内へ挿入（差込）すると、図２に示すように、まず、係止リング12の係止爪13に軽く接触しながら、かつ、挿入筒部５の外周面に摺接しながら、円形凹溝３に内方（奥方）へ進み、パッキン29の勾配面34にてパイプＰの先端内周縁部をガイドしつつ、パッキン29は、図３のように圧縮弾性変形し、さらに、パイプＰが挿入されると、パッキン29のシール突条32を圧縮弾性変形して、図４の状態となる。図１では、シール溝28とパッキン29の軸心方向Ｌの両端に存在した空隙部57，57は、図４の状態では無くなる（又は僅少となる）。
【００３７】
さらに、パイプＰを挿入（差込）してゆくと、図５に示すように、円形凹溝３の奥面に、パイプＰの最先端面58が当接する（突き当たる）。透明な筒状カバー部材９を通して、このようにパイプＰの最先端面58がどの位置まで挿入されたか、目視できる。特に、梨地帯36にて、図５のように、最先端面58が十分に挿入されたかを容易に確認可能である。このとき、係止リング12の係止爪13は、パイプＰの外周面には十分に食い込んではいない。
【００３８】
その後、図５から図６・図11に示すように、流体圧（水圧）を受けたり、温度の変動により、軸心外方向ＡへパイプＰの端部１が僅かに移動する（引抜かれる）と、係止リング12はパイプＰの端部１と共に引きづられ、内方半体部（スカート部）17が保持円筒部23から外れて（離脱して）、しかも、テーパ状外周面部15がテーパ内面部26に圧接して、係止リング12は内径方向へ強く押圧され、係止爪13は、パイプＰのプラスチック外層８に食い込み、引き抜きが阻止される（図11参照）。梨地帯36は、このときのパイプＰの最先端面58の位置を確認するのに好適な対応する位置に配置しておく。
【００３９】
その後、パイプＰが熱膨張したり、外力が作用すると、図６から図７に示すように、パイプＰの端部１が、円形凹溝３の奥方へ押込まれ（挿入され）、円形凹溝３の奥面に最先端面58が当接した状態となる。ところで、図６と図11に示した状態では、既に、保持円筒部23の外端23ａに、係止リング12の内端27が近接乃至当接して、係止リング12が軸心方向Ｌに移動することが規制されている───軸心方向動き規制手段Ｇの作用にて規制されている。従って、図６から図７に変化する際にも、係止リング12は軸心方向Ｌへは移動せず、パイプＰのみが奥方へ挿入されて（差込まれて）ゆく。
【００４０】
その後、流体圧力の変動、温度の昇降変動、外力の作用等が発生した場合、図７の状態では強力に係止爪13がパイプＰの外周面に食い込んでいるため、（上述の図５から図６のようには）パイプＰは容易に引き抜けず、強力に接続保持される───本発明では、拘束保持状態という。
【００４１】
係止リング12の三角山型の係止爪13の高さ寸法Ｈ₁₃は、パイプＰのプラスチック外層８の厚さ寸法Ｔ₈ よりも小さく設定され、かつ、複数の切欠部22によって係止爪13は断続状であるので、図12に示したような問題が有効に防止できる。つまり、プラスチック外層８の所定長さの端部８ａが、金属内層６から、すぽっとずり抜ける問題を防止できる。言い換えると、切欠部22の存在によって、プラスチック外層８が完全に輪切りされることがなく、切欠部22にてプラスチックのリブとして連結状を保つので、端部８ａが分離することがないのである。なお、図９に於て、切断部19は、図６，図７，図11の状態では、僅小乃至接触するように、閉じて、係止リング12は略全閉ループ状（環状）を呈している。
なお、パイプＰとしては、外周面が少なくともプラスチックであれば十分であり、金属層と外層プラスチックの二層のものや、プラスチックのみから成るものであっても、自由である。
【００４２】
【発明の効果】
本発明は上述の構成により、次のような著大な効果を奏する。
【００４３】
（請求項１，２，３によれば、）従来の袋ナットの締付け作業が不要であり、単に、パイプＰを円形凹溝３へ挿入すれば、直ちにパイプ接続作業は完了する。
そして、がたつき防止リング14によって、係止リング12が収容ポケット部３Ａ内で正常な位置でかつ正しい姿勢に保持され、軸心56に対して真円状態にあり、かつ、軸心56と直交する平面上に位置していて、パイプＰの端部１の挿入時に、係止リング12の円周の一部分に衝突して、挿入が難しくなるといった問題を防ぎ、極めてスムースに挿入が可能であり、しかも、挿入した後に、僅かに引抜けようとすると、直ちに係止リング12の係止爪13がパイプＰの外周面に食い込んで、その引抜けを阻止できる。
【００４４】
（請求項２，３によれば、）係止リング12のストレート内周面部18が保持円筒部23によって正常な姿勢・寸法に保持されているので、パイプＰを一層スムースに挿入可能となる。しかも、最も深く、円形凹溝３の奥面（奥部）までパイプＰを一旦挿入した後に、パイプＰが引抜ける方向に僅かに動けば、係止リング12のテーパ状外周面部15が、テーパ内面部26に圧接しつつ絞られて、強力に係止爪13がパイプＰの外周面に食い込んで、引抜けを直ちに阻止できる。
【００４５】
（請求項３によれば、）軸心方向動き規制手段Ｇは簡単な保持円筒部23の外端23ａをもって構成したので、コンパクトでかつ作動もスムースである。しかも、この軸心方向動き規制手段Ｇによって、接続直後は小寸法だけはパイプＰが移動可能（図５と図６参照）であったものが、その後は、軸心方向Ｌにほとんど動かないように強固にパイプＰを掴持（係止）できる（図７参照）。つまり、ストローク可能代（寸法）が、その後の流体圧力変動や熱膨張や外力によってパイプＰが小寸法移動すれば、自動的に減少して、強固にパイプＰに対する管継手２の移動を阻止することができる。従って、本発明の管継手は、パイプ接続作業が容易であると共に強力な接続状態（拘束接続状態）を自動的に行ない得る。
【００４６】
（請求項４によれば、）がたつき防止リング14を収容ポケット部３Ａ内に備えているので、パイプＰの挿入前の状態下で、係止リング12が正常な姿勢で、かつ正常な寸法・位置を維持し、パイプＰの端部１を、（係止リング12に円周上で部分的に衝突せずに）スムースに挿入作業を行ない得る。
【００４７】
（請求項５，６によれば、）係止爪13を一条（単数体）のみとしたことで、食い込み面圧力が高まり、確実にパイプＰの外周面に、強力に食い込む。これによって、引抜阻止力は極めて大とすることができる。
（請求項６によれば、）図12にて既に説明したように、プラスチック外層８が輪切りされて端部８ａが引抜けることを防止できる。しかも、電蝕を防止できる。
【００４８】
（請求項７，８によれば、）パイプＰの挿入された端部１を外部から目視して、円形凹溝３の正規の深さまで挿入されたか（差込まれたか）否かを容易に確認して、接続作業完了時の確認・検査が容易となる。
（請求項８によれば、）梨地帯36は加工が容易であり、また、所定の幅寸法を有するのでパイプＰの最先端面58の複数の正規位置を表示することもできる。
【００４９】
（請求項９によれば、）パッキン29は、丸山型シール突条32とガイド突条33とを二山型に一体に有するので、パイプＰの挿入時に捩れることもなく、正常な姿勢を保持できる。しかも、パイプ先端ガイド用勾配面34を有するガイド突条33によって、スムースにパイプ先端を、誘導しつつ、パッキン29自体は圧縮弾性変形する。挿入後は、丸山型シール突条32によって、高い密封性（シール性）を発揮する。
【００５０】
（請求項10によれば、）2.5 ×Ｔ₂₉≦Ｗ≦ 4.0×Ｔ₂₉として偏平横断面としたことで、浅いシール溝28で済み、挿入筒部５を肉薄として、挿入筒部５の孔部５ａの流路断面を大きく確保できる。しかも、パッキン29は捩れにくくなって、安定姿勢をシール溝28内にて維持できる。しかも、係止小凸条31と小凹溝30の係止によって、軸心方向Ｌへパッキン29が位置ずれすることを防止して、安定したシール性（密封性）を確保できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の一形態を示す未接続状態の断面説明図である。
【図２】パイプを挿入しつつある第１段階を示す断面図である。
【図３】パイプを挿入しつつある第２段階を示す断面図である。
【図４】パイプを挿入しつつある第３段階を示す断面図である。
【図５】パイプ挿入完了状態の断面図である。
【図６】小寸法だけパイプが引き抜かれた状態を示す断面図である。
【図７】再びパイプが奥方へ押込まれた状態を示す断面図である。
【図８】透明な筒状カバー部材を主として説明する外観正面図である。
【図９】係止リングの説明図であって、（Ａ）は斜視説明図、（Ｂ）は正面説明図である。
【図１０】要部の部品の断面説明図である。
【図１１】要部拡大作用説明断面図である。
【図１２】不具合を説明する斜視図である。
【図１３】円形凹溝の概略説明図である。
【図１４】パッキンの断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１端部
２管継手
３円形凹溝
３Ａ収容ポケット部
５挿入筒部
６金属内層
７プラスチック内層
８プラスチック外層
９筒状カバー部材
10 キャップ部材
12 係止リング
13 係止爪
14 がたつき防止リング
15 テーパ状外周面部
18 ストレート内周面部
22 切欠部
23 保持円筒部
23ａ外端
26 テーパ内面部
27 内端
28 シール溝
28ａ底面
29 パッキン
29ａ内周面
30 小凹溝
31 係止小凸条
32 シール突条
33 ガイド突条
34 勾配面
35 外壁部位
36 梨地帯
Ａ軸心外方向
Ｇ軸心方向動き規制手段
Ｌ軸心方向
Ｐパイプ
Ｒ径方向
Ｔ₀ 厚さ寸法
Ｔ₈ 厚さ寸法
Ｔ₂₉ 厚さ寸法
Ｗ幅寸法[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pipe joint.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, as a pipe joint for connecting a pipe for water supply or hot water supply, the end of the pipe is inserted into the joint body, and then the cap nut is tightened with a work tool, thereby locking the ring. In the known structure, the engaging claws are bitten into the end of the pipe and connected so as not to be pulled out in the axial direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-19176
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-224978
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional pipe joint, an operator needs to rotate and tighten the cap nut of the pipe joint with a work tool such as a wrench at the piping site. Many pipe joints are used in piping for water supply and hot water supply, and the above-described operation of tightening the cap nut of each pipe joint with a work tool has a problem of requiring skill and time. Furthermore, the tightening work using the above-mentioned work tool in a narrow space may be extremely difficult, and it is also a difficult work in the case of high place work.
[0005]
Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for using a work tool at the piping site, and to simply complete the connection work by simply inserting the end of the pipe into the joint. Is to provide. The second object is to provide a pipe joint that can smoothly insert the end of a pipe. The third purpose is to automatically and firmly prevent the pipe from being pulled out once the pipe has been inserted by a predetermined small dimension, and thereafter the pipe end and the joint are relatively movable by a minute stroke. It is to provide a pipe joint that can be firmly connected. The fourth object is to enable easy and reliable confirmation of the connection work between the pipe and the joint. A fifth object is to provide a pipe joint that exerts a strong pull-out preventing force while preventing the outer plastic layer from being broken when the connected pipe is a conductive pipe having a metal inner layer. is there. A sixth object is to provide a pipe joint having a packing that is excellent in fluid tightness and can stably maintain this tightness over a long period of time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, a pipe joint according to the present invention is a pipe joint having a circular groove into which an end of a connected pipe is inserted as an opening in an axially outward direction. Comprises an accommodating pocket for accommodating a locking ring having a locking claw for biting into the end of the inserted pipe so as to be movable in a small dimension in the axial direction and in the radial direction, and The pocket portion is formed on the outer peripheral side of the circular groove, and the locking ring is constantly and elastically pressed so as to suppress the small movement of the locking ring within the receiving pocket portion. An anti-rattle ring made of an elastic material is provided in the accommodation pocket portion.
[0007]
In addition, in a pipe joint having a circular concave groove into which an end portion of a connected pipe is inserted as an opening in the axial direction, the circular concave groove bites into the end portion of the inserted pipe. A receiving pocket for receiving a locking ring having a locking claw so as to be movable in a small dimension in the axial direction and in the radial direction, and the receiving pocket is formed on the outer peripheral side of the circular groove. Further, the storage pocket portion is provided with an anti-rattle ring made of an elastic material that elastically presses the locking ring constantly so as to suppress the small movement of the locking ring in the storage pocket portion. In addition, the locking ring has a tapered outer peripheral surface portion whose diameter is reduced in the outer direction of the axial center, a straight inner peripheral surface portion, and the accommodation pocket portion is in contact with the straight inner peripheral surface portion. Maintain the position of the locking ring. Cylindrical holding portion is provided for, moreover, the receiving pocket portion the tapered outer peripheral surface of the locking ring is provided with a tapered inner surface portion compressible towards the end portions of the axial epicardial direction.
[0008]
In addition, the locking ring is pulled out with the pipe in the axial direction in a state where the locking ring bites into the end of the pipe, and the tapered outer peripheral surface portion of the locking ring is in pressure contact with the tapered inner surface portion. And the inner end of the locking ring approaches or abuts the outer end of the holding cylindrical portion to restrict the locking ring from moving in the axial direction. An axial direction movement restricting means is formed with the outer end.
In addition, an anti-rattle ring made of an elastic material that constantly and constantly presses the locking ring so as to suppress the small movement of the locking ring in the storage pocket portion is provided in the storage pocket portion. I have.
Further, the locking ring has only one locking claw for biting into the pipe at the end portion in the axial direction.
[0009]
The pipe includes a metal inner layer and a plastic inner layer and a plastic outer layer laminated on the inside and outside of the metal. The locking ring has a locking claw for biting into the pipe at an end portion in the axial direction. Furthermore, the one-line locking claw is intermittently divided by a plurality of notches, and the height dimension of the locking claw is set smaller than the thickness dimension of the plastic outer layer. .
Moreover, the outer wall part surrounding and forming the back part vicinity of the said circular ditch | groove is made transparent, and the edge part of the said inserted pipe is visible from the outside.
Further, a pear zone was formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion as a mark indicating the normal insertion position of the end portion of the pipe.
[0010]
In addition, a pipe joint having a circular groove into which the end of the pipe to be connected is inserted as an opening outward in the axial direction, and having an insertion cylinder part constituting the inner peripheral surface side of the circular groove. In this case, a seal groove is provided in the insertion tube portion, and further, a cross-sectionally rounded seal ridge, and a seal ridge that is disposed in a direction outside the axial center and is reduced in diameter toward the axial direction. A packing that integrally has a guide protrusion having a slope for pipe tip guide as a double shape was mounted in the seal groove.
In the free state, the packing is set in a flat cross section whose axial direction width dimension is 2.5 to 4 times the radial thickness dimension, and a small groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the packing. At the same time, the bottom surface of the seal groove is provided with a small protruding protrusion that engages with the small groove to prevent the packing from moving in the axial direction.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiment.
[0012]
FIGS. 1-7 is one Embodiment of the pipe joint which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It shows from the unconnected state (FIG. 1) of the pipe P in order of a connection operation | work order, and also after making it a connection state, fluid pressure or It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed in order the state in which a connection state changes sequentially by pipe expansion-contraction etc. (with a temperature change).
[0013]
The piping structure composed of the pipe joint 2 and the pipe P is used, for example, for hot water supply or hot water flow through which cold / hot water flows. The pipe P has a thickness dimension T such as aluminum. ₆ Is composed of a metal inner layer 6 of about 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, a plastic inner layer 7 and a plastic outer layer 8 such as cross-linked PE resin and polybudene laminated inside and outside thereof.
Thickness dimension T of plastic inner layer 7 ₇ Is about 0.8 mm to 2.0 mm, and the thickness dimension T of the plastic outer layer 8 ₈ Is about 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm. Thus, the plastic inner layer 7, the metal inner layer 6, and the plastic outer layer 8 are laminated in order from the inside to the outside, and are integrated with each other by an adhesive or the like.
[0014]
In FIG. 1 to FIG. 7, only a part of the pipe joint 2 is shown, and the remaining part is not shown, but this remaining part has, for example, a male screw part and a hexagonal head, and the whole is a nipple. In the case of a pipe fitting of a mold, and in the remaining part, various shapes and structures such as a socket type having the same shape and structure as a part of the figure, or an elbow type or a cheese type as a whole However, at least a part thereof has a pipe connection end structure as shown in FIGS. That is, the pipe joint 2 of the present invention has, as its pipe connection end structure, first, a circular concave groove 3 into which the end 1 of the connected pipe P is inserted as an opening in the axial direction A. Specifically, for example, the pipe connection end structure is constituted by the insertion cylinder part 5 formed in a protruding shape as a part of the metal joint body 4, the cylindrical cover member 9, the cap member 10 and the like. And the said circular groove 3 is formed.
[0015]
FIG. 13 shows a simplified vertical cross section (upper half) of the circular groove 3. Above the two-dot chain line 11 is a storage pocket 3A described later. In other words, the circular concave groove 3 includes an accommodation pocket 3A for accommodating the locking ring 12 so as to be movable in a small dimension in the axial direction L and the radial direction R (as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 5). The accommodation pocket portion 3A is formed on the outer peripheral side (and close to the opening end) of the circular groove 3.
The locking ring 12 has a locking claw 13 for biting into the outer peripheral surface of the end 1 of the inserted pipe P—the plastic outer layer 8.
[0016]
In addition, when the pipe is not inserted in FIG. 1 (before insertion), the locking ring 12 moves in the axial direction L and the radial direction R within the accommodation pocket 3A by a small dimension. An anti-rattle ring 14 is provided in the storage pocket 3A so as to suppress ──. The rattling prevention ring 14 has an overall annular shape with a rectangular cross section, and is made of an elastic material such as rubber or (soft) plastic, and has a slightly larger diameter locally in the accommodation pocket portion 3A. The backlash prevention ring 14 is closely fitted to the inner surface of the part, and is brought into pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the locking ring 12, so that the locking ring 12 is elastically always inward in the radial direction R, and Press inward in the axial direction L (left side in FIG. 1). The locking ring 12 is made of bronze or the like and is made of a material having a low elasticity.
[0017]
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10B and FIGS. 1 to 7, the locking ring 12 has an outer half having a tapered outer peripheral surface portion 15 whose diameter is reduced in the axial direction A. It consists of a body part 16 and an inner half part (skirt part) 17 having a straight inner peripheral surface part 18. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the cutting portion 19 is provided at one place on the circumference, and the whole is C-shaped in a free state and is substantially annular in a use state (for example, the state of FIG. 11). Is small enough.
[0018]
The outer half body portion 16 of the locking ring 12 has a straight shape in which the inner peripheral surface 20 is parallel to the shaft center, and the straight inner portion is slightly larger in diameter than the inner peripheral surface 20 through the step portion 21. It continues to the peripheral surface portion 18. Further, the locking ring 12 (outer half body portion 16) has only one locking claw 13 for biting into the pipe P at the end portion in the axial center outward direction A. That is, a structure in which a single piece of the locking claw 13 is intensively bitten into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P as a single locking claw 13 without forming a plurality of pieces (as in the prior art). The cross-sectional shape of the locking claw 13 is a small triangle or a saddle shape inclined inward in the axial direction L. The cross-sectional shape of the outer half part 16 is 7 ° ≦ θ ₁ A substantially triangular shape having an angle of ≦ 20 ° at the outer tip.
[0019]
Further, the one-line locking claw 13 is divided intermittently by a plurality of cutout portions 22... And the height dimension H of the locking claw 13. ₁₃ ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— As shown in FIG. ₈ The thickness dimension T is set to be smaller than the thickness dimension T even in the most indented state as shown in FIG. ₀ Is formed between the leading edge of the locking claw 13 and the metal inner layer 6. In addition, since the latching claw 13 has the notch 22, the plastic outer layer 8 has a plurality of small coupling ribs that are coupled in the axial direction L in a state where the latching claw 13 is most bitten as shown in FIG. Thus, as shown in the explanatory view of FIG. 12, the end 8a of the plastic outer layer 8 is prevented from being pulled out into a short tube shape. For example, when hot water (water) having a temperature of 80 ° C. or higher flows through the pipe P, the adhesive between the inner surface of the plastic outer layer 8 and the outer surface of the metal inner layer 6 is softened, and as shown in FIG. Although 8a may be pulled out into a short cylinder shape, in the present invention, H ₁₃ <T ₈ By satisfying the relationship, the thickness dimension T ₀ The connecting ribs are formed in the plastic outer layer 8 by a plurality of (many) cutouts 22 so as to effectively prevent the pull-out as shown in FIG. Moreover, as shown in FIG. ₀ Is formed between the innermost layer 6 and the metal inner layer 6 to prevent a state in which electricity flows between the inner metal layer 6 and the locking claw 13. This prevents electric corrosion.
[0020]
The inner half body portion (skirt portion) 17 has a straight outer peripheral surface portion 24 and is formed into a thin cylindrical shape together with the straight inner peripheral surface portion 18, and the inner peripheral surface portion 18 passes through the stepped portion 21 to the outer half portion. The outer peripheral surface portion 24 continues to the tapered outer peripheral surface portion 15 of the outer half body portion 16 through the step portion 25, while the outer peripheral surface portion 24 continues to the inner peripheral surface 20 of the body portion 16.
[0021]
Next, inside the accommodation pocket portion 3A, in each state of FIGS. 1 to 5, the locking ring 12 is brought into contact with the straight inner peripheral surface portion 18 in the respective states shown in FIGS. The holding cylinder 23 is provided with a normal posture in which the locking ring 12 is positioned on a plane perpendicular to the center (this is shown in FIG. 13 with an oblique line so that it can be easily understood. Illustrated).
[0022]
Further, the accommodating pocket 3A is provided with a tapered inner surface portion 26 to which the tapered outer peripheral surface portion 15 of the locking ring 12 can be pressed, close to the end portion in the axial direction A. Inclination angle θ of taper inner surface portion 26 ₂ (See FIG. 10) is set to 7 ° to 20 °, and the angle θ of the locking claw 13 ₁ However, it is desirable to set it slightly larger (0.5 ° to 1.5 °). That means
0.5 ° ≦ (θ ₂ −θ ₁ ) ≦ 1.5 °
By setting as described above, the locking claw 13 at the leading end (outer end) of one strip is squeezed by the tapered inner surface portion 26 and surely bites into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P. In the illustrated example, the tapered inner surface portion 26 is formed on the cap member 10 (made of metal).
[0023]
Next, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are sequentially inserted into (inserted into) the circular groove 3 of the pipe joint 2 to complete the connection operation (see FIG. 5). In the connected state, when fluid pressure acts, or when the pipe P expands or contracts due to thermal expansion due to temperature change, or external force acts on the pipe P or the like, as shown in FIGS. The pipe P is about to be pulled out in the axial direction A. At that time, the locking claw 13 of the locking ring 12 bites into the outer peripheral surface of the end 1 of the pipe P, and the locking ring 12 moves together with the pipe P in the axial direction A by a small dimension, and the holding cylindrical portion 23 As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the inner half body portion 17 of the locking ring 12 held on the outer peripheral surface of the engagement ring 12 is detached from the holding cylindrical portion 23, and the anti-rattle ring 14 and the taper. The inner diameter 27 is slightly reduced in diameter in response to the inward force in the radial direction R by the inner surface portion 26, and the inner end 27 of the locking ring 12 approaches or contacts the outer end 23 a of the holding cylindrical portion 23. That is, the pipe joint according to the present invention includes axial direction movement restricting means G for restricting the locking ring 12 from moving in the axial direction L in the states of FIGS. The axial direction movement restricting means G is constituted by the outer end 23a of the holding cylindrical portion 23 described above.
[0024]
In other words, in the state of FIG. 1 (or the state of FIGS. 2 to 5), the locking ring 12 can be moved in a small dimension in the axial direction L. In the pressure contact state in which the tapered outer peripheral surface portion 15 of the locking ring 12 is in pressure contact with the tapered inner surface portion 26 by being pulled out in the axial direction A together with the pipe P in a state of biting into the end portion 1. An inner end 27 of the locking ring 12 approaches or abuts on an outer end 23a of the cylindrical portion 23 to restrict the locking ring 12 from moving in the axial direction L, and the holding cylinder The outer end 23a of the portion 23 forms the axial direction movement restricting means G.
[0025]
Next, a seal groove 28 is provided in the insertion tube portion 5 constituting the inner peripheral surface side of the circular groove 3, and a packing 29 made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to the seal groove 28. The packing 29 is brought into close pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pipe P inserted into the pipe to seal the fluid. As shown in FIG. 14, the packing 29 is in its free state (unmounted state), and the axial width dimension W is the radial thickness dimension T. ₂₉ Is set to a flat (elongated) cross-sectional shape of 2.5 to 4 times.
[0026]
Then, the cross-sectional shape of the seal groove 28 is also a flat (elongated) cross-sectional shape, and the packing 29 is externally fitted to the seal groove 28 while elastically expanding the diameter. A small groove 30 is formed in the inner peripheral surface 29a of the packing 29 (near the approximate center in the axial direction L), while the small groove 30 is formed in the bottom surface (radial bottom surface) 28a of the seal groove 28. A small protruding protrusion 31 that engages with the protrusion 29 is provided so as to prevent the packing 29 from moving in the axial direction.
[0027]
Further, this packing 29 has a round cross-section type sealing ridge 32 arranged inward or near the center in the axial direction L, and the guide ridge in the axial direction A beyond the sealing ridge 32. 33, and the seal protrusion 32 and the guide protrusion 33 are formed in a double shape.
In the illustrated example, the guide protrusion 33 has a pipe tip guide inclined surface 34 that is reduced in the axial direction A, is substantially triangular, and is disposed at the end of the axial direction A. Yes.
[0028]
As mentioned above, 2.5 x T ₂₉ ≦ W ≦ 4.0 × T ₂₉ The reason for setting is W <2.5 × T ₂₉ In this case, it becomes difficult to dispose the two strips of the seal projection 32 and the guide projection 33, and when the pipe P is inserted, the packing 29 is twisted to maintain the normal posture in the cross section. It becomes difficult. Conversely, 4.0 × T ₂₉ In the case of <W, the width dimension W becomes unnecessarily excessive, the man-hours for cutting the sealing groove 28 are also increased, and the circular concave groove 3 must be made excessively deep.
[0029]
Next, the outer wall portion 35 that surrounds the middle of the circular groove 3 and the vicinity of the inner portion of the circular groove 3—specifically, the cylindrical cover member 9—is inserted into the inserted pipe P as a transparent synthetic resin. The end portion 1 of this is visible from the outside. Note that “transparent” of the outer wall portion 35 is defined as including colorless and transparent and (colored) translucent. Further, in FIG. 5 (described later), as a mark indicating the normal insertion position of the end 1 of the pipe P, a pear zone 36 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall portion 35 such as the cylindrical cover member 9 ( (See FIG. 8). The pear zone 36 can be formed at the time of injection molding by giving a fine uneven pattern on the inner surface of the cavity of a plastic injection mold, for example.
[0030]
By the way, the above-described configuration will be described in more detail with specific parts and the like in FIGS. The metal joint body 4 is made of metal such as bronze and has an insertion cylinder portion 5. The distal end outer peripheral surface of the insertion cylinder portion 5 is rounded 37 and can be easily inserted into the hole 38 of the pipe P. A seal groove 28 is recessed in the middle of the insertion tube portion 5. For example, the depth dimension of the seal groove 28 is the bottom wall thickness dimension T. ₂₈ 80% to 100%, the shape of the seal groove 28 is a flat (elongated) rectangle, the strength of the bottom wall 39 is minimized, and the hole 5a of the insertion cylinder 5 Is as large as possible to reduce the fluid passage resistance. A male screw portion 40 is formed near the proximal end of the insertion tube portion 5, and a stepped portion 41 is formed on the distal end side of the male screw portion 40, and this stepped portion 41 is formed in the axial direction L of the circular groove 3. Form the back of the. The proximal end of the insertion tube portion 5 ends with a stepped portion 42, which is a part of a joint intermediate bulging portion such as a hexagonal head, an elbow intermediate portion, or a tee intermediate portion.
[0031]
The cylindrical cover member 9 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, has a female screw portion 43 on the inner peripheral surface of the base end, and is detachably screwed to the male screw portion 40. The base end surface of the cylindrical cover member 9 is pressed into the stepped portion 42 and is in a screwed state. A stepped portion 44 on the distal end side where the female screw portion 43 ends forms the inner surface of the circular groove 3 as a position in the axial direction L corresponding to the stepped portion 41. A smooth pipe insertion hole surface 45 is formed from the stepped portion 44 and occupies most of the hole of the cylindrical cover member 9.
[0032]
The inner peripheral surface of the holding cylindrical portion 23 continues to the pipe insertion hole surface portion 45 in a continuous surface shape (with the same inner diameter dimension). Further, a small pocket portion 46 is formed in the outer peripheral surface side of the holding cylindrical portion 23 so as to open in the axial direction A, and the inner half portion of the locking ring 12 is inserted into the small pocket portion 46. (Skirt portion) 17 can be stored (see FIGS. 1 to 5). Through the small step 47, an opening hole portion 48 in which the anti-rattle ring 14 is slidably fitted is formed. On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical cover member 9, a large-diameter portion 49 is formed in the middle of the axial direction L, and a male screw portion 51 is formed via a stepped portion 50.
[0033]
The cap member 10 is made of metal such as bronze, and as shown in FIG. 8, the outer peripheral surface is circular (not hexagonal or double chamfered) and remains in a state where it is once assembled as a pipe joint (such as a spanner on the site). This means that the assembly work can be performed by inserting the pipe P) without rotating the work tool.
In the cap member 10, a hole is continuously formed in the tapered inner surface portion 26 from the front end surface 52 through the rounded portion 53. The tapered inner surface portion 26 is gradually reduced in diameter in the axial direction A. A large-diameter hole portion is formed through the stepped portion 54, and a female screw portion 55 is formed in the large-diameter hole portion, and this female screw portion 55 is screwed to the male screw portion 51, The cap member 10 is attached to the cylindrical cover member 9. At that time, as shown in FIG. 1, after the locking ring 12 and the rattling prevention ring 14 are assembled in advance, the cap member 10 is fixed (screwed) to the cylindrical cover member 9.
[0034]
Thus, the accommodation pocket portion 3A for accommodating the locking ring 12 so as to be movable in a small dimension in the axial direction L and the radial direction R is formed by the cylindrical cover member 9 and the cap member 10. If desired, it is possible to increase or decrease the number of specific components, change the shape, change the division position of the components, and the like.
[0035]
Next, piping connection work and operation (action) will be described.
First, as shown in the left half of FIG. 1, the pipe joint of the present invention is in a state assembled in advance at a factory or the like. In other words, the packing 29 is fitted in the seal groove 28, and is preferably prevented from being displaced by an adhesive. The locking ring 12 and the anti-rattle ring 14 are stored in the storage pocket 3A as shown in FIG. That is, the inner half portion (skirt portion) 17 of the locking ring 12 is held as an outer fitting shape on the outer peripheral surface of the holding cylindrical portion 23, and the rattling prevention ring 14 made of an elastic material such as rubber is used. The locking ring 12 is fitted into the opening hole 48 and is always elastically pressed in the inner diameter direction and inward in the axial direction L, so that the locking ring 12 is received in the housing pocket 3A. It is possible to effectively suppress small size movement (rattle), and to prevent the locking claw 13 of the locking ring 12 from being eccentric with respect to the pipe joint axis 56 and on a plane orthogonal to the axis 56. Is held so that the locking claw 13 exists (so as not to fall down).
[0036]
When the end portion 1 of the pipe P is inserted (inserted) into the circular concave groove 3 with respect to the pipe joint 2 in this state, first, as shown in FIG. While making contact and sliding on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion cylinder 5, the circular groove 3 advances inward (backward) and guides the inner peripheral edge of the end of the pipe P with the inclined surface 34 of the packing 29. The packing 29 is compressed and elastically deformed as shown in FIG. 3, and further, when the pipe P is inserted, the seal protrusion 32 of the packing 29 is compressed and elastically deformed to be in the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the gaps 57, 57 existing at both ends in the axial direction L of the seal groove 28 and the packing 29 are not (or become small) in the state of FIG. 4.
[0037]
Further, when the pipe P is inserted (inserted), as shown in FIG. 5, the foremost surface 58 of the pipe P abuts (buts against) the inner surface of the circular concave groove 3. Through the transparent cylindrical cover member 9, it is possible to visually check how far the leading end surface 58 of the pipe P has been inserted. In particular, in the pear zone 36, as shown in FIG. 5, it can be easily confirmed whether or not the most advanced surface 58 has been sufficiently inserted. At this time, the locking claw 13 of the locking ring 12 does not sufficiently bite into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.
[0038]
Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6 and FIG. 11, the end portion 1 of the pipe P slightly moves (pulled out) in the axial direction A due to fluid pressure (water pressure) or due to temperature fluctuations. Then, the locking ring 12 is pulled together with the end portion 1 of the pipe P, the inner half body portion (skirt portion) 17 is detached (detached) from the holding cylindrical portion 23, and the tapered outer peripheral surface portion 15 is The locking ring 12 is pressed strongly against the tapered inner surface portion 26 in the inner diameter direction, and the locking claw 13 bites into the plastic outer layer 8 of the pipe P and is prevented from being pulled out (see FIG. 11). The pear zone 36 is arranged at a corresponding position suitable for confirming the position of the most distal surface 58 of the pipe P at this time.
[0039]
Thereafter, when the pipe P is thermally expanded or an external force is applied, the end portion 1 of the pipe P is pushed into (inserted into) the circular groove 3 as shown in FIGS. 3 is in a state in which the most advanced surface 58 is in contact with the back surface of 3. By the way, in the state shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the inner end 27 of the locking ring 12 has already approached or contacted the outer end 23a of the holding cylindrical portion 23, and the locking ring 12 has moved in the axial direction L. It is restricted by the movement of the movement of the axial direction movement restriction means G. Therefore, also when changing from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, the locking ring 12 does not move in the axial direction L, and only the pipe P is inserted (inserted) into the back.
[0040]
Thereafter, when fluid pressure fluctuation, temperature rise / fall fluctuation, external force action, etc. occur, the locking claw 13 is strongly biting into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P in the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the pipe P is not easily pulled out and is strongly connected and held.
[0041]
The height H of the triangular claw 13 of the locking ring 12 ₁₃ Is the thickness dimension T of the plastic outer layer 8 of the pipe P ₈ Since the locking claw 13 is intermittently formed by the plurality of cutout portions 22, the problem shown in FIG. 12 can be effectively prevented. That is, it is possible to prevent the end 8 a having a predetermined length of the plastic outer layer 8 from slipping out of the metal inner layer 6. In other words, the presence of the notch 22 prevents the plastic outer layer 8 from being completely cut into rings, and maintains the connection as plastic ribs at the notch 22, so that the end 8a is not separated. In FIG. 9, the cutting portion 19 is closed so as to be slightly or in contact with the state shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 11, and the locking ring 12 has a substantially fully closed loop shape (annular shape). ing.
In addition, as the pipe P, it is sufficient that the outer peripheral surface is at least plastic, and it is free even if it is made of two layers of a metal layer and an outer layer plastic or made of only plastic.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following remarkable effects by the above-described configuration.
[0043]
(According to claims 1, 2, 3) The conventional cap nut tightening operation is unnecessary, and the pipe connection operation is completed immediately by simply inserting the pipe P into the circular groove 3.
Then, the locking ring 12 is held in a normal position and in a correct posture in the accommodation pocket portion 3A by the anti-rattle ring 14 and is in a perfect circle with respect to the shaft center 56. It is located on an orthogonal plane and prevents the problem that it becomes difficult to insert by colliding with a part of the circumference of the locking ring 12 when the end 1 of the pipe P is inserted, and can be inserted very smoothly. In addition, if it is attempted to be pulled out slightly after being inserted, the locking claw 13 of the locking ring 12 immediately bites into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P and can be prevented from being pulled out.
[0044]
(According to claims 2 and 3) Since the straight inner peripheral surface portion 18 of the locking ring 12 is held in a normal posture and dimension by the holding cylindrical portion 23, the pipe P can be inserted more smoothly. In addition, if the pipe P is slightly moved in the direction in which the pipe P is pulled out after being once inserted to the deepest (back) of the circular groove 3, the tapered outer peripheral surface 15 of the locking ring 12 is tapered. The locking claw 13 is squeezed while being pressed against the inner surface portion 26, so that the locking claw 13 can bite into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P and can immediately be prevented from being pulled out.
[0045]
(According to claim 3) Since the axial direction movement restricting means G is constituted by the outer end 23a of the simple holding cylindrical portion 23, it is compact and the operation is smooth. Moreover, by this axial direction movement restricting means G, the pipe P can be moved only by a small dimension immediately after connection (see FIGS. 5 and 6), but after that, it hardly moves in the axial direction L. The pipe P can be firmly held (locked) (see FIG. 7). That is, the stroke allowance (dimension) is automatically reduced if the pipe P moves by a small dimension due to subsequent fluid pressure fluctuations, thermal expansion, or external force, and firmly prevents the fitting 2 from moving relative to the pipe P. be able to. Therefore, the pipe joint of the present invention can easily perform a pipe connection work and can automatically perform a strong connection state (restraint connection state).
[0046]
(According to claim 4) Since the anti-rattle ring 14 is provided in the accommodation pocket 3A, the locking ring 12 is in a normal posture and in a normal state before the pipe P is inserted. The size and position can be maintained, and the end portion 1 of the pipe P can be smoothly inserted (without partially colliding with the locking ring 12 on the circumference).
[0047]
(According to claims 5 and 6) Since the locking claw 13 is only one line (singular), the biting surface pressure is increased, and the pipe P is surely bitten into the outer peripheral surface. As a result, the pull-out preventing force can be made extremely large.
(According to claim 6) As already explained in FIG. 12, it is possible to prevent the plastic outer layer 8 from being cut and the end portion 8a from being pulled out. Moreover, electric corrosion can be prevented.
[0048]
(According to claims 7 and 8) It is easy to determine whether or not the end portion 1 into which the pipe P has been inserted is visually observed from the outside to have been inserted to the normal depth of the circular groove 3 (inserted). Confirmation and inspection at the completion of connection work are facilitated.
(According to claim 8) The pear zone 36 is easy to process, and since it has a predetermined width dimension, it is also possible to display a plurality of normal positions of the foremost surface 58 of the pipe P.
[0049]
(According to claim 9) Since the packing 29 has the round mountain type seal protrusion 32 and the guide protrusion 33 integrally in a double mountain shape, it does not twist when the pipe P is inserted, and has a normal posture. Can hold. Moreover, the packing 29 itself compressively elastically deforms while guiding the pipe tip smoothly by the guide protrusion 33 having the pipe tip guide inclined surface 34. After insertion, the Maruyama-type seal protrusion 32 exhibits high sealing performance (sealability).
[0050]
(According to claim 10) 2.5 × T ₂₉ ≦ W ≦ 4.0 × T ₂₉ As a flat cross section, the shallow seal groove 28 is sufficient, and the insertion cylinder part 5 can be thinned to ensure a large flow path cross section of the hole 5a of the insertion cylinder part 5. In addition, the packing 29 is difficult to twist, and a stable posture can be maintained in the seal groove 28. In addition, the locking of the locking small ridges 31 and the small concave grooves 30 prevents the packing 29 from being displaced in the axial direction L, thereby ensuring a stable sealing performance (sealing performance).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of an unconnected state showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a first stage in which a pipe is being inserted.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a second stage in which a pipe is being inserted.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a third stage in which a pipe is being inserted.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe insertion completed state.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a pipe is pulled out by a small dimension.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the pipe is pushed back again.
FIG. 8 is an external front view mainly illustrating a transparent cylindrical cover member.
9A and 9B are explanatory views of a locking ring, where FIG. 9A is a perspective explanatory view, and FIG. 9B is a front explanatory view.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a main part.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a main part expansion action.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view for explaining a problem.
FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a circular groove.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a packing.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 end
2 Pipe fitting
3 circular grooves
3A storage pocket
5 Insertion cylinder
6 Metal inner layer
7 Plastic inner layer
8 Plastic outer layer
9 Cylindrical cover member
10 Cap member
12 Locking ring
13 Locking claw
14 Anti-rattle ring
15 Tapered outer peripheral surface
18 Straight inner peripheral surface
22 Notch
23 Holding cylinder
23a Outer end
26 Taper inner surface
27 Inner edge
28 Seal groove
28a Bottom
29 Packing
29a Inner peripheral surface
30 Small groove
31 Small protrusion
32 Seal protrusion
33 Guide protrusion
34 Inclined surface
35 Exterior wall part
36 Pear Zone
A Off-axis direction
G Axial direction movement restriction means
L Axial direction
P pipe
R radial direction
T ₀ Thickness dimension
T ₈ Thickness dimension
T ₂₉ Thickness dimension
W width dimension

Claims

In the pipe joint having the circular groove (3) into which the end (1) of the connected pipe (P) is inserted as an opening in the axial direction (A), the circular groove (3) is: The locking ring (12) having a locking claw (13) for biting into the end (1) of the inserted pipe (P) is small in the axial direction (L) and the radial direction (R). An accommodation pocket (3A) for movably accommodating is provided, the accommodation pocket (3A) is formed on the outer peripheral side of the circular groove (3), and the locking ring (12) is An anti-rattle ring (14) made of an elastic material that constantly and constantly presses the locking ring (12) so as to suppress the small dimension movement in the accommodation pocket (3A) is provided in the accommodation pocket. A pipe joint provided in the portion (3A).

In the pipe joint having the circular groove (3) into which the end (1) of the connected pipe (P) is inserted as an opening in the axial direction (A), the circular groove (3) is: The locking ring (12) having a locking claw (13) for biting into the end (1) of the inserted pipe (P) is small in the axial direction (L) and the radial direction (R). An accommodation pocket (3A) for movably accommodating is provided, the accommodation pocket (3A) is formed on the outer peripheral side of the circular groove (3), and the locking ring (12) is An anti-rattle ring (14) made of an elastic material that constantly and constantly presses the locking ring (12) so as to suppress the small dimension movement in the accommodation pocket (3A) is provided in the accommodation pocket. The locking ring (12) is provided in the portion (3A), and the locking ring (12) has a tapered outer peripheral surface portion (1 5) and a straight inner peripheral surface portion (18), and the accommodation pocket portion (3A) comes into contact with the straight inner peripheral surface portion (18) so that the locking ring (12) is in a posture. A holding cylindrical part (23) for holding is provided, and the receiving pocket part (3A) has a tapered inner surface part (26) that can compress the tapered outer peripheral surface part (15) of the locking ring (12). A pipe joint provided near the end in the axially outward direction (A).

In the pipe joint having the circular groove (3) into which the end (1) of the connected pipe (P) is inserted as an opening in the axial direction (A), the circular groove (3) is: The locking ring (12) having a locking claw (13) for biting into the end (1) of the inserted pipe (P) is small in the axial direction (L) and the radial direction (R). An accommodation pocket portion (3A) for movably accommodating is provided, the accommodation pocket portion (3A) is formed on the outer peripheral side of the circular concave groove (3), and the locking ring (12) is the axial center In addition to having a tapered outer peripheral surface portion (15) whose diameter decreases in the outer direction (A), it has a straight inner peripheral surface portion (18), and the accommodation pocket portion (3A) has the straight inner peripheral surface portion (18). Is provided with a holding cylindrical portion (23) for maintaining the posture of the locking ring (12) in contact with the storage pocket portion ( 3A) includes a tapered inner surface portion (26) that can compress the tapered outer peripheral surface portion (15) of the locking ring (12) near the end portion in the axial direction (A), and the locking ring (12 ) Is pulled out in the axial direction (A) together with the pipe (P) with the end (1) of the pipe (P) biting into the end (1), and the tapered outer peripheral surface of the locking ring (12). (15) is in pressure contact with the tapered inner surface portion (26), and the inner end (27) of the locking ring (12) is close to or contacted with the outer end (23a) of the holding cylindrical portion (23). It is configured to restrict the movement of the locking ring (12) in the axial direction (L) in contact with the outer ring (23a) of the holding cylindrical portion (23), and the axial movement control means A pipe joint characterized by forming (G).

A rattling of an elastic material that constantly and resiliently presses the locking ring (12) so as to prevent the small movement of the locking ring (12) in the accommodation pocket (3A). The pipe joint according to claim 3, wherein a prevention ring (14) is provided in the accommodation pocket (3A).

The locking ring (12) has only one locking claw (13) for biting into the pipe (P) at an end in the axial direction (A). Pipe fittings.

The pipe (P) is composed of a metal inner layer (6) and a plastic inner layer (7) and a plastic outer layer (8) laminated on the inner and outer sides thereof, and the locking ring (12) is arranged in the axial direction outside (A). There is only a single locking claw (13) for biting into the pipe (P) at the end of the pipe, and the single locking claw (13) is intermittently divided by a plurality of notches (22). It is, and the height of the detent pawl ₍₁₃₎ (H 13) is claim is set to be smaller than the thickness of the plastic outer layer _{(8) (T 8) 1,2,3} , The pipe joint according to 4 or 5.

The outer wall portion (35) surrounding and forming the vicinity of the back of the circular concave groove (3) is transparent, and the end (1) of the inserted pipe (P) is visible from the outside. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

The outer wall portion (35) surrounding and forming the vicinity of the back of the circular concave groove (3) is transparent, and the end (1) of the inserted pipe (P) is visible from the outside. The pear zone (36) is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the said outer wall part (35) as a mark which shows the normal insertion position of the edge part (1) of the said pipe (P), The 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. The pipe joint according to 6.

The circular groove (3) into which the end (1) of the pipe (P) to be connected is inserted has an opening in the axial direction (A), and the inner peripheral surface of the circular groove (3) In the pipe joint provided with the insertion cylinder part (5) constituting the side, a sealing groove (28) is provided in the insertion cylinder part (5), and further, a round cross-section type seal protrusion (32) The guide ridge (33) having a pipe tip guide slope surface (34) disposed in the axially outward direction (A) relative to the seal ridge (32) and having a diameter reduced in the axially outward direction (A). ), And a seal (29) integrally formed as a double-threaded type, and the seal groove (28) is mounted.

It said packing (29) thereof in a free state, is set into a flat cross-section of 2.5 to 4 times the axial width dimension (W) is radial thickness (T _29), and, said gasket (29) A small groove (30) is formed on the inner peripheral surface (29a) of the sealing groove (28), and a bottom surface (28a) of the seal groove (28) is engaged with a small protruding groove (engaged with the small groove (30)). The pipe joint according to claim 9, wherein 31) is provided so as to prevent axial movement of the packing (29).