JP4379678B2 - Socket for fluid line connection - Google Patents

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to a socket attached to a fluid conduit on a compressed air supply source side such as a compressor in order to detachably connect a plug attached to a fluid conduit on an air machine side such as an air motor or a nailing machine. .
[Background]
[0002]
In the assembly process of automobiles and home appliances, various tools using compressed air as a drive source are used. For example, a bolt or nut tightening tool, a tool for positioning a member to be assembled, or the like. In these tools, a plurality of types of tools are prepared according to parts such as bolts to be tightened, and each tool has an independent fluid conduit. Each tool is appropriately selected by an assembly line operator and used in connection with a fluid conduit carrying compressed air.
[0003]
A socket is attached to the end of a fluid conduit that carries fluid from a source such as compressed air, and a plug is attached to the end of the fluid conduit that supplies compressed fluid to the tool. The operator uses the selected tool by attaching / detaching the socket to / from the plug. Patent document 1 discloses the socket for hose connection used in order to supply compressed air to air machines, such as an air motor and a nailing machine. This socket is provided with a cylindrical protector made of a soft material around the movable end of the hose, and by continuously forming a thick part and a thin part on the outer peripheral surface of this protector, it is difficult to slip and easy to grasp It is the socket for hose connection characterized by these. Patent Document 2 discloses a pipe joint that can automatically lock a sleeve for operating a locker that has advanced to improve operability.
[Prior Art]
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-213673 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-249280 A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0005]
When connecting and disconnecting the fluid conduit on the air machine side such as an air motor or nailing machine and the fluid line on the pressurized fluid supply source side such as a compressor, the assembly line worker manually fits the socket and the plug. The socket removed from the plug is released around the worker along with the fluid conduit connected to the socket so that the worker can quickly move on to the next task. Usually thrown. At this time, the thrown socket may collide with the product being assembled and damage the outer surface of the product. In addition, when an operation member for separating the plug connected to the socket protrudes outward from the socket, a finger or an object may touch the operation member during work, and the socket and the plug may be accidentally separated. There is.
An object of the present invention is to provide a socket for connecting a fluid pipe line that can prevent damage to a product and can prevent damage to the socket itself.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0006]
The socket of the present invention is a cylinder that constitutes the main body of the socket in a socket that is attached to a fluid conduit that supplies compressed air so that a plug attached to the fluid conduit on the pneumatic machine side can be detachably connected. A through-hole that connects the inner cavity and the outer surface of the cylinder is formed at the distal end of the cylinder, and a spherical body that locks the plug is disposed in the through-hole so as to be able to protrude and retract with respect to the inner cavity. An annular member that covers at least the outer surface of the tip of the cylinder and the through hole is attached to the outer surface of the tip of the cylinder, and an operation member for plug separation is disposed at a position adjacent to the annular member of the outer surface of the cylinder. Attached so as to be reciprocating toward the annular member, the outer peripheral surface and the tip surface of the annular member are continuously covered with a protective layer made of a relatively flexible material, and the outer surface of the protective layer is The socket is configured to protrude outwardly from the components other than the protective layer, and the distal end portion of the plug separating operation member has the annular member and the sphere when the plug is attached to the socket. And when the plug is separated from the socket, it is retracted from between the annular member and the sphere.
[0007]
In the socket of the present invention, an annular member that covers at least the outer surface of the tip of the cylinder and the through hole is attached to the outer surface of the tip of the cylinder constituting the main body of the socket, and the outer peripheral surface and the tip of the annular member are attached to the socket. While covering with a protective layer, it comprised so that the outer surface of a protective layer might protrude outward rather than components other than the protective layer of a socket. Thereby, the possibility that components other than the protective layer of the socket may collide with an article or the like can be reduced. In addition, since the annular member is configured to cover at least the outer surface of the front end portion of the cylinder and the through hole, the front end portion of the cylinder is protected by the annular member and the sphere disposed in the through hole is also protected. The That is, the functional component of the socket can be reliably protected by the annular member. Further, the plug separating operation member is attached at a position adjacent to the annular member, and the tip of the plug separating operation member is made to enter between the annular member and the sphere, and the withdrawal of the sphere is regulated by retreating. The plug locking function is protected by the annular member. Since the annular member is not a component directly related to the function of the socket, even if the annular member is damaged, the function of the socket is not impaired.
[0008]
An annular member can be rotatably mounted on the tip of the socket of the present invention, and a protective layer can be formed on the outer surface of the annular member. By the rotation of the annular member, the impact when the socket collides with a product or the like can be more effectively mitigated. The formation part of the protective layer is preferably the outer peripheral surface of the annular member and the front end surface of the annular member, and the protective layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular member and the protective layer formed on the front end surface of the annular member are: It is desirable that it is continuous at the periphery of the annular member. When the socket collides with a product, etc., the edge of the outer peripheral surface of the annular member and the outer edge of the front end surface of the annular member are most likely to collide with the product, etc. This is because there is a high possibility of giving power.
[0009]
The protective layer used in the present invention is formed of a relatively flexible material such as synthetic resin or synthetic rubber, and a cylindrical member is formed from these materials, and the cylindrical member is attached to the tip of the socket. Can be configured. The protective layer can also be formed by baking synthetic rubber on the outer surface of the tip of the socket. The protective layer is formed so as to cover the outer surface of the front end portion of the socket. More specifically, the protective layer is formed so as to cover the entire side surface of the front end portion of the socket and the outer edge portion of the front end surface of the socket. It is desirable. A fluid conduit such as a hose made of a flexible material is connected to the rear end of the socket (this end is hereinafter referred to as a base end). The socket moves in an arc while curving the fluid conduit. As a result, the tip edge of the side surface of the tip of the socket and the peripheral edge of the tip of the socket are most likely to collide with the product, etc., and give the greatest impact force when colliding with the product, etc. Because it becomes.
Protective layer formed on the front end surface of the socket, always, it is desirable that projects outward from the components other than the protective layer of the socket. If the component other than the protective layer protrudes from the tip of the socket when the socket tip collides with the product, etc., the socket component collides with the product, etc. before the protective layer, resulting in damage to the product, etc. This is because the components of the socket itself may be damaged. For the same reason, it is preferable that the protective layer formed on the side surface of the tip of the socket always protrudes outward from the components other than the protective layer of the socket.
【The invention's effect】
[0010]
According to the socket of the present invention, it is possible to prevent damage to articles and products that the socket collides with, it is possible to prevent damage to the functional parts of the socket, and further, protection of the lock function of the plug, etc. The intrinsic function of the socket can be protected.
[0011]
In addition, if the annular member is rotatably attached to the tip of the socket of the present invention and a protective layer is formed on the outer surface of the annular member, the rotation of the annular member causes an impact when the socket collides with a product or the like. Ru can be more effectively relaxed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a socket of the present invention, and is a side view of a state in which a plug is detached from a socket.
FIG. 2 is a half cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a plug that is detachably fitted into the socket of FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the socket taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the plug is detached from the socket.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0013]
Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention to explain. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body of the socket 1 is configured by screwing and integrating a female thread portion 3 of the front cylinder 2 and a male thread portion 5 of the rear cylinder 4. A washer 6 is disposed between the front cylinder 2 and the rear cylinder 4, and the washer 6 is sandwiched and fixed between the cylinders 2 and 4 . The washer 6 is positioned along the inner peripheral surface of the lumens 7 and 8 in the middle of the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2 and the lumen 8 of the rear cylinder 4 .
[0014]
A cylinder 9 is formed at the center of the washer 6, a spring receiver 10 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the washer 6 on the inner cavity 7 side, and a valve seat is formed on the inner surface of the end of the washer 6 on the inner cavity 8 side. Part 11 is formed. The front cylinder 2, the rear cylinder 4, and the washer 6 are each formed of a metal material and are firmly fastened and integrated with each other so as to maintain an airtight state.
[0015]
A hollow valve body 12 is inserted into the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2 before the front cylinder 2 is fastened to the rear cylinder 4, and the valve body 12 is when the front cylinder 2 and the rear cylinder 4 are fastened. The closed end portion 13 is inserted into the cylinder portion 9 of the washer 6 and assembled. At this time, a compression coil spring 14 is interposed between the spring receiver 10 of the washer 6 and the valve body 12.
[0016]
The valve body 12 is slidably supported along the lumen 7 by the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2 and the cylinder portion 9 of the washer 11. Four air passages 120 are formed on the side surface of the valve body 12, and these air passages 120 communicate with a main passage 15 formed inside the valve body 12. The side surface of the closed end 13 of the valve element 12 O-ring 16 is mounted, O-ring 16 is seated available-the valve seat portion 11 of the washer 6. An O-ring 17 is attached to the side surface of the valve body 12, and the O-ring 17 is slidably pressed onto the cylinder portion 9 of the washer 6. Further, an annular packing 18 made of an elastic material is fitted inside the valve body 12, and an air passage 19 is opened at the center of the packing 18. A guide surface 20 that is widened in a tapered shape is formed at the open end of the main passage 15 of the valve body 12 to facilitate the insertion of the engagement end 22 of the plug 21 shown in FIG.
[0017]
Four through holes 23 are formed at the front end portion of the front cylinder 2, and spheres 24 for locking the plugs 21 are inserted into the through holes 23, respectively. Through-holes 23, respectively, are prevented from having a tapered side surface that is reduced in diameter into the lumen 7 direction of the front cylinder 2, thereby sphere 24 falls into the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2. The state of FIG. 3 shows a state where the plug 21 is detached from the socket 1 .
[0018]
A plug separating operation member 25 made of an annular synthetic resin material is slidably mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the front cylinder 2, and engages with a sphere 24 on the inner periphery of the distal end portion of the plug separating operation member 25. A tapered surface 26 is formed. The tapered surface 26 expands in the direction of the distal end portion of the plug separating operation member 25. A compression coil spring 27 is interposed between the plug separating operation member 25 and the front cylinder 2, and the tapered surface 26 of the plug separating operation member 25 is in the state of FIG. 3 where the plug 21 is detached from the socket 1. The elastic force of the compression coil spring 27 always makes contact with the spherical body 24 and elastically biases the spherical body 24 in the direction of the valve body 12.
[0019]
An annular member 29 that is prevented from coming off by a stop ring 28 is attached to the outer periphery of the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2. The annular member 29 is rotatable around the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2. The stop ring 28 is fitted into an annular groove 30 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 200 . As shown in FIG. 3, an annular step portion is formed between the tip portion 200 and the through hole 23 on the outer peripheral surface of the front cylinder 2. An annular stepped portion (not shown) is formed on the plug separating operation member 25 side of the annular member 29 so as to contact the stepped portion. The annular member 29 is also prevented from coming off in the direction of the rear cylinder 4 by contacting these stepped portions. As shown in FIG. 3, a central through hole into which the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2 is inserted is formed in the central portion of the annular member 29, and the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2 is formed inside the central through hole. To position. In other words, the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2 does not protrude outside the annular member 29. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the end surface of the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2 and the front end surface of the annular member 29 (referred to as the left end surface in FIG. 3) are located in the same plane. The annular member 29 also extends in the direction of the plug separating operation member 25 along the outer surface of the front cylinder 2 and is rotatably engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the plug separating operation member 25. Further, the plug separating operation member 25 is engaged with the annular member 29 so as to reciprocate in the left-right direction in FIG. The annular member 29 covers the through-hole 23 formed in the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2, extends to the outer peripheral surface of the plug separation operation member 25, and is interposed between the annular member 29 and the plug separation operation member 25. A space communicating with the through hole 23 is defined. This space forms a space for accommodating the sphere 24 in cooperation with the through hole 23.
[0020]
A protective layer 31 is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the annular member 29 and the tip end surface of the annular member 29. The protective layer 31 is formed of a relatively flexible material such as synthetic resin or synthetic rubber, and can be formed by baking these materials on the outer surface of the annular member 29. The protective layer 31 may also be formed by forming a cylindrical member in advance with a relatively flexible material such as synthetic resin or synthetic rubber and fitting the cylindrical member to the outer periphery of the annular member 29. it can. The material and thickness of the protective layer 31 are appropriately determined in consideration of the buffer capacity of the protective layer 31. It is desirable that the components of the socket 1 such as the plug separating operation member 25 are configured so as not to protrude outward from the protective layer 31. Further, it is desirable that the components of the socket 1 such as the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2 are configured not to protrude forward beyond the protective layer 31. When the components of the socket 1 projects outwardly and forwardly of the protective layer 31, as well as cushioning function of the protective layer 31 is impaired, Ri that the name also damage the components of the socket 1, thus plug separation This is because the operation member 25 collides with an article in the vicinity of the work place and moves in the direction of the rear cylinder 4 to cause a situation where the plug 21 is detached from the socket 1 . Therefore, when forming the protective layer 31, it is necessary to select the thickness and position so that the components of the socket 1 do not protrude outward and forward from the protective layer 31.
[0021]
A fluid line connecting member 32 for connecting a hose or the like ( not shown) for supplying compressed air is rotatably attached to the rear end portion of the rear cylinder 4 of the socket 1. The fluid line connecting member 32 constitutes the proximal end portion of the socket 1. A plurality of spheres 33 are interposed in the fitting portion between the fluid pipe connection member 32 and the rear cylinder 4, and the fluid pipe connection member 32 is rotatably supported by the rear cylinder 4 by these spheres 33. At the same time, it is retained from the rear cylinder 4 and is retained. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 34 indicates a sphere insertion hole formed in the rear cylinder 4, and 35 indicates a hexagon socket set screw screwed into the sphere insertion hole 34. In the figure, reference numeral 36 denotes a sealing O-ring.
[0022]
The plug 21 shown in FIG. 2 is formed with a threaded portion 37 to which a fluid conduit (not shown) on the pneumatic machine side such as a tool is connected. A groove 39 is provided. The annular wall surfaces 390 and 391 of the annular groove 39 are formed by tapered surfaces that expand toward the outer peripheral surface of the plug 21. The engagement end 22 of the plug 21 is inserted into the inner cavity 7 of the front cylinder 2 from the tip of the socket 1, and further inserted along the guide surface 20 of the valve body 12 to a position where it is pressed against the packing 18, and then compressed. When the valve body 12 is pushed in against the elastic force of the coil spring 14, the engagement between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 12 and the spherical body 24 is released. As a result, the plug separating operation member 25 moves forward toward the annular member 29 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 27. As described above, since the space communicating with the through hole 23 is formed between the annular member 29 and the plug separating operation member 25, the distal end portion of the plug separating operation member 25 enters this space. , it spheres 24 to protrude into the lumen 7 of the front cylinder 2 by the tapered surface 26, engages the annular groove 39 of the sphere 24 Gapu lug 21. As a result, the socket 1 is connected to the plug 21 and is prevented from coming off, and the main passage 15 of the valve body 12 and the inner cavity 8 of the rear cylinder 4 communicate with each other via the air passage 120. As a result, the compressed fluid is supplied to the tool or the like. Further, in order to remove the socket 1 from the plug 21, the plug separating operation member 25 is moved in the direction of the rear cylinder 4 against the elastic force of the compression coil spring 27, and the tapered surface 26 of the plug separating operation member 25 is moved. Is retracted to the position of FIG. As a result, the sphere 24 that has been pushed into the lumen 7 by the plug separating operation member 25 until now can be accommodated in the through hole 23. When the plug 21 is pulled out from the socket 1 in this state, the spherical body 24 is pushed out of the inner cavity 7 by the annular wall surface 390 of the plug 21 and is accommodated in the through hole 23. At the same time, the valve body 12 is moved in the direction of the front end portion 200 of the front cylinder 2 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 14, and the O-ring 16 of the valve body 12 is seated on the valve seat portion 11 of the washer 6. While the passage 120 is closed, the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 12 overlaps the through hole 23 and closes a part of the opening of the through hole 23. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the sphere 24 is held between the outer surface of the valve body 12 and the tapered surface 26 of the plug separating operation member 25 so as not to protrude into the inner cavity 7 of the front cylinder 2. Is done .
[0023]
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Socket 2 Front cylinder 4 Back cylinder 6 Washer 12 Valve body 21 Plug 28 Stop ring 29 Annular member 31 Protective layer 32 Fluid line connection member

Claims (3)

In a socket attached to a fluid conduit for supplying compressed air so that a plug attached to a fluid conduit on the air machine side can be detachably connected to the tip of a cylinder constituting the socket body, A through-hole that connects the inner cavity and the outer surface of the cylinder is formed, and a spherical body that locks the plug is disposed in the through-hole so as to be able to protrude and retract with respect to the inner cavity, and the outer surface of the tip of the cylinder An annular member that covers at least the outer surface of the tip of the cylinder and the through-hole is attached to the cylinder, and the plug separating operation member is directed toward the annular member at a position adjacent to the annular member on the outer surface of the cylinder. The outer circumferential surface and the front end surface of the annular member are continuously covered with a protective layer made of a relatively flexible material, and the outer surface of the protective layer is the outer surface of the socket. The plug separating operation member is configured to protrude outward from the components other than the layer, and the plug is attached to the socket so that the distal end portion of the plug separating operation member regulates the appearance of the sphere with respect to the lumen. The socket is characterized in that when it enters between the annular member and the sphere, and when the plug is separated from the socket, it exits between the annular member and the sphere. The socket according to claim 1, wherein the annular member is fixed to an outer surface of a tip portion of the cylinder. 3. The socket according to claim 1, wherein the annular member is rotatably attached to an outer surface of a tip portion of the cylinder.

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