JP5395970B2 - Fittings and closing valves - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe joint and a closing valve.

  In a heat exchange device such as an air conditioner in which a refrigerant flows through a circulation path configured by connecting pipes between heat exchange devices, a closing valve for connecting the heat exchange device and the pipe is provided. Is provided. This closing valve includes a housing in which a flow path for refrigerant is formed, a valve function part for opening and closing the flow path, and a pipe joint (joint function part) for connecting a pipe.

  The current pipe joint is a form in which a tapered sealing surface is formed on the cylindrical joint body constituting one end of the flow path, and the diameter of the pipe is increased in the flare shape of the pipe. The deformed connection end is brought into close contact and tightened with a nut. However, the connection structure formed by the tapered seal surface and the flare-shaped connection end portion is likely to cause a refrigerant (such as chlorofluorocarbon) to leak out. Since leakage of refrigerant causes destruction of the global environment such as global warming and ozone layer destruction, measures to prevent refrigerant leakage in the heat exchange device are an important issue.

  Therefore, the applicant of the present application has proposed a valve described in Patent Document 1 as a closing valve provided with a pipe joint that drastically suppresses the amount of refrigerant leakage. This pipe joint encloses a tubular joint body part constituting one end of the flow path, a tubular fastening member screwed into the joint body part, and a pipe inserted into the fastening member and the joint body part. A metal ferrule and a diameter reducing means.

  The diameter reducing means has a tapered surface that reduces the diameter in the pipe insertion direction. When the tightening member is screwed, the ferrule is plastically deformed in the direction of diameter reduction by the taper surface, and tightly adheres to the inner periphery of the joint main body in an airtight manner. It is designed to be tightened in a form that closely contacts the shape. As described above, the structure in which the pipe is connected by reducing the diameter of the ferrule is very effective from the viewpoint of preventing leakage of the refrigerant.

JP 2005-325872 A

  In the pipe joint, the fastening member is attached to the joint body by screwing. In order to securely tighten the tightening member, the operator performs a tightening operation by fitting the tool to the joint body with one hand and fitting the tool to the tightening member with the other hand. On the other hand, the inner diameter dimension of the joint body is provided with a clearance in order to facilitate the insertion of the pipe. Therefore, after inserting the pipe into the joint body, the pipe comes out of the joint body until the tool is fitted to the joint body and the fastening member and tightening is started, and workability is reduced. There is a concern to do.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve workability.

The pipe joint of the present invention is
A tubular joint main body portion that is in communication with the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchange device, and the hollow interior is an insertion space for inserting a pipe;
A cylindrical fastening member that is attached to the joint main body portion by screwing and constitutes the insertion space;
A ferrule that seals between the inner periphery of the joint body and the outer periphery of the pipe in an airtight manner by plastic deformation by receiving axial pressing force from the tightening member screwed in the tightening direction ;
A pipe joint provided with holding means capable of holding the pipe in a retaining state by contacting the pipe inserted into the insertion space ,
The fastening member is
A cylindrical fixing member that is assembled to the joint main body by screwing and that is pressed in the tightening direction to abut against the ferrule and apply a pressing force;
It is configured to include a tightening nut that is screwed into the fixing member and applies a pressing force to the ferrule side by integrally rotating the fixing member by being given a screwing force in a tightening direction.
The holding means is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the fixing member and the tightening nut in the axial direction;
In a state where the fixing member does not apply a pressing force to the ferrule, when the tightening nut is screwed in the tightening direction while rotating relative to the fixing member, the holding means is deformed to reduce its diameter and It is characterized by being in close contact with the outer periphery .
The closing valve of the present invention is
A housing attached to the heat exchange device;
A refrigerant flow path formed in the housing;
A valve body for opening and closing the flow path;
A tubular joint body formed in the housing so as to communicate with the flow path, and a hollow interior serving as an insertion space for inserting a pipe;
A cylindrical fastening member that is attached to the joint main body portion by screwing and constitutes the insertion space;
A ferrule that seals between the inner periphery of the joint body and the outer periphery of the pipe in an airtight manner by plastic deformation by receiving axial pressing force from the tightening member screwed in the tightening direction ;
A closing valve provided with holding means capable of holding the pipe in a retaining state by contacting the pipe inserted into the insertion space ,
The fastening member is
A cylindrical fixing member that is assembled to the joint main body by screwing and that is pressed in the tightening direction to abut against the ferrule and apply a pressing force;
It is configured to include a tightening nut that is screwed into the fixing member and applies a pressing force to the ferrule side by integrally rotating the fixing member by being given a screwing force in a tightening direction.
The holding means is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the fixing member and the tightening nut in the axial direction;
In a state where the fixing member does not apply a pressing force to the ferrule, when the tightening nut is screwed in the tightening direction while rotating relative to the fixing member, the holding means is deformed to reduce its diameter and It is characterized by being in close contact with the outer periphery .

The pipe joint and the closing valve of the present invention can hold the pipe inserted into the insertion space in a retaining state by the holding means. Therefore, there is no possibility that the pipe will come out of the insertion space between the time when the pipe is inserted into the insertion space and the time when the tightening operation of the tightening member is started, and the workability is excellent.
If the elastic ring is not reduced in diameter before the pipe is inserted, the frictional resistance is reduced when the pipe is inserted, so that the workability is improved. After the pipe has been inserted, the pipe can be held in the retaining state by the elastic ring by screwing the tightening nut in the tightening direction.

Sectional drawing which covers the state which attached the separation | extension control member to the housing in the closing valve of Example 1. FIG. Sectional view showing the state where the loosened nut is restricted from being disengaged from the joint body by the disengagement restricting member Sectional view showing the state where the separation regulating member is removed from the housing Sectional view showing the state of holding the pipe inserted into the joint body Sectional view showing the pipe properly connected to the closing valve Sectional view showing how the fixing member does not loosen even when the tightening nut is loosened with the pipe connected Sectional view showing the closed valve disassembled Cross section of locking member Partial enlarged sectional view of FIG. Sectional drawing of Example 2 Sectional drawing of Example 3 Sectional drawing of Example 4 Sectional drawing of Example 5 Sectional drawing of Example 6

The pipe joint of the present invention is
The holding means may be arranged at a position facing the insertion space.
According to this structure, since the holding means is not exposed to the outer surface of the closing valve, it is protected from the interference of foreign matter.

The pipe joint of the present invention is
The tightening nut and the fixing member may be formed with detection portions that come into contact with each other when screwing of the tightening nut proceeds to a state where the elastic ring can hold the pipe. .
According to this configuration, the pipe can be reliably held by screwing the tightening nut until the detection parts come into contact with each other. Therefore, if it is determined as a work manual that the tightening nut is screwed in until the detecting parts come into contact with each other, even a non-skilled person can reliably perform the pipe holding work.

The pipe joint of the present invention is
A tapered surface is formed on the inner periphery of the joint main body, the diameter of which decreases toward the front in the insertion direction of the pipe, and abuts the tip of the pipe that is normally inserted into the insertion space.
The holding means may be arranged behind the tapered surface in the insertion direction of the pipe.
According to this configuration, the pipe that is normally inserted into the insertion space has its tip abutted against the tapered surface, and is held in a retaining state by the holding means. Since the abutting position on the tapered surface and the holding position by the holding means are spaced from each other in the pipe insertion direction, the pipe is maintained in a stable posture without being inclined with respect to the axis.

<Example 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
<Applicable object of pipe joint Ja>
The pipe joint Ja according to the first embodiment includes an outdoor unit B (a heat exchange device described in claims) provided with a compressor and a condenser, and an indoor unit (not shown) provided with an expansion valve and an evaporator. Is applied to a home air conditioner (heat exchange device) connected by a pipe P made of metal (copper or copper alloy). A circulation path is configured by the outdoor unit B, the indoor unit, and the pipe P, and refrigerant (fluorocarbon) circulates in the circulation path, whereby heat exchange is performed. The pipe joint Ja is for connecting the pipe P to the closing valve A of the outdoor unit B. The pipe joint Ja is provided integrally with the closing valve A as a joint function part constituting the closing valve A.

<Overall configuration of closing valve A>
The closing valve A is structurally provided with a valve main body 10 and a lock member 11. The closing valve A functionally includes a pipe joint Ja, a first valve function part 13 and a second valve function part 14. The pipe joint Ja can function as a single-function pipe joint by being separated from the valve function parts 13 and 14.

<Valve body 10>
The valve body 10 includes a brass housing 15, a first valve function part 13 (open / close valve), a second valve function part 14 (service valve), and a joint body part 16. Inside the housing 15, there are a flow path 17 that is bent in a substantially L shape (substantially right angle) and whose both ends are open to the outer surface of the housing 15, and a branch path 18 that communicates with the flow path 17 and opens to the outer surface of the housing 15. Is formed. The closing valve A is fixed in a form exposed on the outer surface of the outdoor unit B. One end of the flow path 17 is fixed in an airtight manner to a connecting pipe 19 of a compressor (not shown) of the outdoor unit B by means such as brazing.

  When the first valve body 20 (the valve body described in the claims) of the first valve function unit 13 is manually operated, the valve opening state that allows the refrigerant to flow in the flow path 17 and the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path 17 are regulated. It is possible to switch between closed valve states. Further, when the second valve body 21 (the valve body described in the claims) of the second valve function unit 14 is manually operated, the inside of the branch path 18 and the insertion space 23 connected thereto and the inside of the pipe P are evacuated. Can do.

<Pipe joint Ja>
The pipe joint Ja is configured to include a tubular joint body 16 and a joint function part 12. The joint function part 12 includes a tubular joint body part 16, a diameter reducing means 22 including a rear tapered surface 31, and a tubular lock member 11. The inside of the hollow of the pipe joint Ja is in a form that communicates with the end of the flow path 17 and is open to the rear end face (tip face) of the joint main body 16, and becomes an insertion space 23 for inserting the pipe P. ing. The joint body 16 is integrally formed with the housing 15 and protrudes from the outer surface of the housing 15 in a cylindrical shape.

  In the following description, the direction parallel to the insertion / extraction direction of the pipe P with respect to the pipe joint Ja (insertion space 23) is defined as the front-rear direction. The insertion / extraction direction of the pipe P is parallel to the direction in which the fastening member 32 moves while rotating. The front of the pipe P in the insertion direction with respect to the pipe joint Ja (left side in FIGS. 1 to 9) is simply referred to as “front”, and the rear in the insertion direction of the pipe P with respect to the pipe joint Ja is simply referred to as “rear”. Further, the “front-rear direction” and the “axial direction” of the pipe joint Ja (joint body portion 16) are used synonymously.

  A second male screw portion 24 is formed on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the joint main body portion 16, and a concentric circular enlarged diameter portion 25 is provided at a position in front of the second male screw portion 24 on the outer periphery of the joint main body portion 16. Is formed. The rear end surface of the enlarged diameter portion 25 is a detection receiving portion 26 that is a flat surface orthogonal to the axial direction. The rear end surface of the joint main body portion 16 is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction of the pipe P. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner peripheral edge of the flat surface (that is, the peripheral edge serving as a boundary with the rear tapered surface 31 described later) is an edge-shaped corner edge 27.

  The inner peripheral surface of the joint main body 16 has a third female screw portion 28, a front tapered surface 29 (tapered surface described in claims), and a constant diameter surface 30 in order from the front end portion toward the rear end portion. And the rear tapered surface 31. The front taper surface 29 has a tapered shape that gradually decreases in diameter toward the front. The inner diameter of the front end of the front tapered surface 29 is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe P, and the inner diameter of the rear end of the front tapered surface 29 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe P. The constant diameter surface 30 has a constant inner diameter from the front end to the rear end. The rear taper surface 31 is gradually reduced in diameter toward the front, and the inner diameter of the front end of the rear taper surface 31 is the same as the maximum inner diameter of the constant diameter surface 30 and the front taper surface 29.

<Lock member 11, tightening member 32>
The lock member 11 is configured by assembling a cylindrical tightening member 32, a cylindrical ferrule 33, and an elastic ring 34 (holding means described in claims). The tightening member 32 is composed of two parts, a fixing member 35 made of brass and a tightening nut 36 made of brass. A second female screw portion 37 is formed in a front end side region in the inner periphery of the fixing member 35. The fixing member 35 is fitted to the joint body 16 by fitting the joint body 16 to the joint body 16 coaxially from the rear and screwing the second female thread 37 into the second male thread 24.

  A first male screw portion 38 is formed at the rear end portion of the outer periphery of the fixing member 35. A pressure receiving portion 39 (detecting portion described in claims) facing the rear is formed at a position in front of the first male screw portion 38 on the outer periphery of the fixing member 35, forming a planar shape perpendicular to the axial direction. ing. A region in front of the pressure receiving portion 39 in the outer periphery of the fixing member 35 is a circumferential surface region 40. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the circumferential surface region 40 is a true circle. The circumferential surface area 40 constitutes a locking means 41 for restricting the fixing member 35 from being displaced in the direction in which the pressing to the ferrule 33 is released.

  A front end surface of the fixing member 35 (a surface facing the detection receiving portion 26 of the joint main body 16 in the axial direction) is a planar abutting portion 42 orthogonal to the axial direction. The abutting portion 42 approaches and separates from the detection receiving portion 26 in the process of screwing the fixing member 35 in the tightening direction and moving the fixing member 35 in the axial direction, and also comes into contact with the detection receiving portion 26 (surface contact). It comes to contact with.

  A locking portion 43 that projects concentrically inward over the entire circumference is formed in a region behind the second female screw portion 37 on the inner circumference of the fixing member 35. A flat pressing surface 44 facing forward is formed at a position between the second female screw portion 37 and the locking portion 43 on the inner periphery of the fixing member 35. The pressing surface 44 is perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction of the pipe P, and is positioned so as to face the pressure receiving surface 55 with the ring-shaped main body 51 of the ferrule 33 interposed therebetween when the fixing member 35 is assembled to the joint main body 16. . At the rear end portion of the inner periphery of the fixing member 35, a notched portion 45 is formed so as to be tapered toward the front and open to the rear end surface of the fixing member 35.

  A first female thread portion 46 is formed at the front end portion of the inner periphery of the tightening nut 36. A small-diameter portion 47 having an inner diameter smaller than that of the first female screw portion 46 is formed concentrically at the rear end portion of the inner periphery of the tightening nut 36. The inner diameter of the small diameter portion 47 is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pipe P. The outer periphery of the tightening nut 36 is a fitting portion 48 having a regular hexagonal shape. A tightening tool (not shown) such as a general-purpose spanner can be fitted into the fitting portion 48. The front end surface of the tightening nut 36 has a planar shape perpendicular to the axial direction, and serves as a pressing portion 49 (detecting portion described in claims) facing forward.

  The tightening nut 36 is assembled to the fixing member 35 from the rear by screwing the first female screw portion 46 into the first male screw portion 38. In the state where the tightening nut 36 and the fixing member 35 are assembled, the notch portion 45 and the small diameter portion 47 constitute a holding groove 50 that faces the inner periphery of the tightening member 32. An elastic ring 34 is attached to the holding groove 50. The elastic ring 34 is made of rubber and has an annular shape connected over the entire circumference. The inner diameter of the elastic ring 34 in a state where it is not elastically deformed is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the pipe P. That is, the inner diameter of the elastic ring 34 may be any of the same dimension as the outer diameter of the pipe P, a dimension larger than the outer diameter of the pipe P, and a dimension smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe P.

  In a state before the pipe P is connected to the pipe joint Ja, the tightening nut 36 is in the initial position as shown in FIGS. When the tightening nut 36 is in the initial position, the elastic ring 34 is not elastically deformed even if it is in contact with the notch 45 or the small diameter portion 47, or the amount of deformation is small even if elastically deformed. When the tightening nut 36 is in the initial position, there is an axial interval between the pressing portion 49 of the tightening nut 36 and the pressure receiving portion 39 of the fixing member 35, and the rear end surface of the fixing member 35 and the small diameter portion There is also a space between the front surface of 47.

<Ferrule 33>
The ferrule 33 is made of brass, and is arranged coaxially with the joint body 16 and the fastening member 32 in the hollow of the fixing member 35. Hereinafter, the form of the ferrule 33 in a state where the pipe P is not connected to the pipe joint Ja (a state where the ferrule 33 is not in contact with the pipe P) will be described. The ferrule 33 has a cylindrical shape surrounding the pipe P inserted into the pipe joint Ja (insertion space 23). The minimum inner diameter of the ferrule 33 is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe P and is substantially the same inner diameter as the constant diameter surface 30.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the ferrule 33 includes a thick ring-shaped main body 51, a cylindrical fastening portion 52 that is thinner than the ring-shaped main body 51 and extends forward from the ring-shaped main body 51, The holding portion 53 is thinner than the ring-shaped main body 51 and extends rearward from the ring-shaped main body 51. The outer peripheral part of the ring-shaped main body part 51 is expanded in steps from the outer periphery of the cylindrical fastening part 52 and the holding part 53. The front surface of the ring-shaped main body 51 is a seal surface 54 that has an angle close to a right angle to the axial direction but is reduced in diameter toward the front. The rear surface of the ring-shaped main body 51 is a pressure receiving surface 55 that is perpendicular to the axial direction.

  The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical fastening part 52 is inclined so as to reduce the diameter toward the front. The front end edge of the inner periphery of the cylindrical tightening portion 52 is a first biting portion 56. An edge-shaped second biting portion 57 that is pointed obliquely forward and inward is formed at a position behind the first biting portion 56 in the inner periphery of the cylindrical tightening portion 52. The rear end portion of the holding portion 53 is an outward projecting portion 58 that extends in a cantilever shape so as to expand radially outward in a diagonal direction. A region in front of the outward projecting portion 58 in the outer surface of the holding portion 53 is a concave portion 59 having the smallest outer diameter of the holding portion 53.

  The ferrule 33 is accommodated in the fixing member 35 from the front before the outward projection 58 is bent outward in the radial direction. In this state, when the rear end portion of the holding portion 53 is bent using a jig (not shown), the outward projecting portion 58 and the recessed portion 59 are formed, and the recessed portion 59 and the locking portion 43 are locked. The ferrule 33 and the fixing member 35 are assembled in a state in which separation in both the front and rear directions is restricted. When forming the outward projection 58, the tightening nut 36 is removed from the fixing member 35.

  The lock member 11 is assembled to the joint body 16 from the rear by screwing the second female screw portion 37 into the second male screw portion 24. The helical pitch of the second male screw part 24 and the second female screw part 37 is larger than the helical pitch of the first male screw part 38 and the first female screw part 46. In a state before the pipe P is connected to the pipe joint Ja, as shown in FIG. 3, the ferrule 33 is not deformed, and there is a gap between the detection receiving portion 26 and the abutting portion 42, and the pressure receiving portion 39 and There is a gap between the pressing portion 49 and a gap between the pressing surface 44 and the pressure receiving surface 55.

<Separation control member 60>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closing valve A has a means for preventing the fastening member 32 from being loosened and detached from the joint body 16 before the pipe P is connected to the pipe joint Ja. As described above, a separation regulating member 60 is provided. The separation regulating member 60 also has a function as a sealing member for regulating the flow of the refrigerant in the pipe joint Ja (insertion space 23). The detachment regulating member 60 can be attached to the pipe joint Ja and can be detached from the joint function part 12.

  The detachment restricting member 60 is made of brass, and is formed by integrally forming a cylindrical main body portion 61, a stopper 62, and a third male screw portion 63. A regular hexagonal fitting hole 64 opened at the rear end face is formed inside the cylindrical main body 61. The outer diameter dimension of the cylindrical main body 61 is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the ferrule 33 that is not deformed. The stopper 62 is located on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the cylindrical main body 61 and is formed in a flange shape that is concentric with the cylindrical main body 61. The outer diameter of the stopper 62 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical main body 61 and the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 47 of the tightening nut 36.

  The third male screw portion 63 is formed on the outer periphery of the front end portion of the cylindrical main body portion 61. The helical pitch of the third male screw part 63 and the third female screw part 28 is smaller than the helical pitch of the first male screw part 38 and the first female screw part 46. A region adjacent to the rear of the third male screw portion 63 in the outer periphery of the cylindrical main body portion 61 is a sealing contact portion 65 formed in a step shape in a continuous form over the entire periphery. The outer diameter of the sealing contact portion 65 is larger than the minimum inner diameter dimension of the front end of the front tapered surface 29 and the outer diameter dimension of the third male screw portion 63.

<Assembly of pipe fitting Ja>
Assembly of the pipe joint Ja in the closing valve A is performed in the following procedure. The lock member 11 is assembled from the rear side by screwing the second female screw portion 37 into the second male screw portion 24 with respect to the joint main body portion 16. At this time, the outer periphery of the fixing member 35 is picked with a finger, and screwed with only the power of the hand without using a tool. The tightening nut 36 is in the initial position. When the rotation of the fixing member 35 stops, the assembly of the lock member 11 is completed, and the lock member 11 is in a temporarily assembled state.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the temporarily assembled state, the front end of the ferrule 33 (cylindrical tightening portion 52) slightly contacts the rear tapered surface 31 of the joint body portion 16, but the ferrule 33 is hardly deformed. Further, the abutting portion 42 at the front end of the lock member 11 is positioned so as to face the detection receiving portion 26 of the joint main body portion 16 while being spaced apart rearward.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the separation regulating member 60 is assembled from the rear in the pipe joint Ja (insertion space 23). When assembling, the cylindrical main body portion 61 is inserted into the insertion space 23, the stopper 62 is picked, and the third male screw portion 63 is screwed into the third female screw portion 28 by hand force without using a tool.

  And after the contact part 65 for sealing contact | abuts to the front part taper surface 29, a hexagon wrench (illustration omitted) is fitted in the fitting hole 64, and the detachment | restoration control member 60 is further screwed in. By further screwing using this tool, the sealing contact portion 65 is in close contact with the front tapered surface 29 so as to bite in an airtight manner over the entire circumference. As a result, the gap between the inner periphery of the joint body 16 and the outer periphery of the separation restricting member 60 is sealed in an airtight manner, and the refrigerant in the flow path 17 is restricted from leaking outside through the insertion space 23. This completes the assembly of the pipe joint Ja.

  The closing valve A in which the assembly of the pipe joint Ja is completed in this way is attached to the outdoor unit B of the heat exchange device. Moreover, although the refrigerant | coolant is filled in the outdoor unit B, since the flow path 17 is closed by the 1st valve body 20, there is no possibility that the refrigerant | coolant in the outdoor unit B may leak to the pipe joint Ja side. Even if the refrigerant passes through the first valve body 20 and flows out to the pipe joint Ja side, the inside of the pipe joint Ja is sealed in an airtight manner by the sealing action of the separation regulating member 60. It does not leak into the atmosphere through the pipe joint Ja.

  In the state where the detachment regulating member 60 is assembled to the pipe joint Ja, even if the operator accidentally rotates the lock member 11 in the loosening direction (direction away from the joint body 16), as shown in FIG. Before the fixing member 35 is detached from the joint main body portion 16, the rear end (the rear surface of the small diameter portion 47) of the tightening nut 36 abuts against the stopper 62 of the separation regulating member 60. As a result, further rearward movement of the tightening nut 36 is restricted, so that the tightening nut 36 (the tightening member 32) will not be detached from the joint body 16.

  Further, in a state where the lock member 11 is in contact with the stopper 62 and the separation is restricted, when the tightening nut 36 is rotated in the loosening direction with a strong force, friction between the tightening nut 36 and the stopper 62 is caused. There is a concern that the detachment regulating member 60 may move in the loosening direction. However, since the helical pitch of the first male screw part 38 and the first female screw part 46 is larger than the helical pitch of the third male screw part 63 and the third female screw part 28, the separation regulating member 60 is rotated. Without being locked, it is locked. Thereby, the detachment of the lock member 11 and the loosening of the detachment regulating member 60 are surely prevented.

<Connection of pipe P>
When connecting the pipe P to the pipe joint Ja (joint function part 12), the separation regulating member 60 is removed from the joint body part 16 in advance as shown in FIG. Then, the operator grasps the housing 15 with one hand, grasps the pipe P with the other hand, inserts it into the insertion space 23, brings the front end of the pipe P into contact with the front tapered surface 29, and the pipe P Is set to the front stop state. Thereafter, the hand is once released from the housing 15, and the tightening nut 36 is screwed in the tightening direction (forward) with the hand. At this time, it is not necessary to use a tool. As shown in FIG. 4, the screwing is continued until the pressing portion 49 contacts the pressure receiving portion 39.

  When the tightening nut 36 is screwed in, the longitudinal dimension of the holding groove 50 is reduced, the elastic ring 34 is crushed back and forth between the notch portion 45 and the small diameter portion 47, and the inner diameter of the elastic ring 34 is reduced. Thereby, the elastic ring 34 contacts elastically with respect to the outer periphery of the pipe P over the whole periphery. By the frictional resistance resulting from this elastic contact, the pipe P is held in a state in which relative movement in the front-rear direction with respect to the lock member 11 is restricted and detachment with respect to the joint body 16 is restricted. . With respect to this work, the work manual prescribes that the tightening nut 36 is screwed until the pressing portion 49 contacts the pressure receiving portion 39. Therefore, even an unskilled person can reliably execute the operation of holding the pipe P.

  After holding the pipe P, a jig (not shown) such as a spanner is fitted to the fitting portion 48 of the tightening nut 36 and the outer surface of the housing 15, and the tightening nut 36 is moved forward (tightening direction). Rotate to. At this time, since the pressing portion 49 and the pressure receiving portion 39 are in contact with each other, the fixing member 35 rotates integrally with the tightening nut 36 even if a direct rotational force is not applied. In this way, the tightening member 32 is screwed in the tightening direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the screwing operation is performed when the abutting portion 42 abuts against the detection receiving portion 26 and the screwing of the tightening member 32 is restricted. Continue until it is done.

  In the process of screwing in the tightening member 32, the pressing surface 44 of the fixing member 35 contacts the pressure receiving surface 55 of the ferrule 33, and thereafter, the pressing surface 44 presses the pressure receiving surface 55 in the axial direction. 33 is pushed forward relative to the joint body 16. Along with this, the cylindrical fastening portion 52 is plastically deformed so as to be reduced in diameter by the inclination while sliding on the rear tapered surface 31.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the diameter of the cylindrical fastening portion 52 is reduced, the first biting portion 56 and the second biting portion 57 bite into the outer circumference of the pipe P like a wedge over the entire circumference. Regulates relative displacement in the axial direction. By this biting action, the inner periphery of the ferrule 33 and the outer periphery of the pipe P are sealed in an airtight manner at two places before and after being spaced apart in the axial direction (the length direction of the pipe P). Is locked in a restricted state.

  In addition, the front end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tightening portion 52 is in a state of being plastically deformed and tightly adheres to the rear tapered surface 31 over the entire circumference, and the corner edge portion 27 of the joint main body portion 16 is It adheres in an airtight manner to the sealing surface 54 of the ferrule 33 in a state of plastic deformation (collapse deformation) over the entire circumference. By this close contact action, the space between the outer periphery of the ferrule 33 and the inner periphery of the joint main body portion 16 is hermetically sealed at two positions in the front and rear with a space in the axial direction.

  The airtight bite state and the airtight contact state described above mean a normal seal state (normal tightening state) in which the diameter reducing means 22 correctly connects the pipe joint Ja and the pipe P. In the regular sealing state, the portions that come into contact with each other in the biting portion and the close contact portion are plastically deformed, so that leakage of the refrigerant between the pipe P and the pipe joint Ja is reliably prevented.

  Further, in the process in which the tightening member 32 is screwed in the tightening direction, the diameter reducing means 22 is in the normal sealing state immediately before the abutting portion 42 reaches the detection receiving portion 26. When the diameter-reducing means 22 shifts from an incompletely sealed state (a state in which the cylindrical tightening portion 52 does not bite into the pipe P in an airtight manner) to a normal sealing state, the operator is in a normal tightening state in appearance. You cannot see that it is. However, the operation manual stipulates that tightening of the tightening member 32 (tightening nut 36) is continued while visually checking until the abutting portion 42 abuts against the detection receiving portion 26. Therefore, even a non-skilled person can connect the pipe P so as to be in a normal sealing state by performing the tightening operation of the tightening member 32 according to the operation manual.

  After the pipe P is connected to the pipe joint Ja, if the rotational force in the loosening direction is applied to the fastening nut 36 by mistake, the fastening nut 36 rotates in the loosening direction as shown in FIG. Regarding 35, since the locking means 41 by the biting of metal is provided, it does not rotate in the loosening direction. Further, even when a general-purpose tool is fitted to the fixing member 35, the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 35 is the circular surface area 40, and the fixing member 35 is fixed by the loosening prevention means 41 by biting between metals. A rotational force cannot be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the metal biting structure that functions as the locking means 41 is a biting structure between the corner edge 27 of the joint body 16 and the seal surface 54 of the ferrule 33, and the pressure receiving surface 55 of the ferrule 33. 9 and the pressing surface 44 of the fixing member 35, the biting structure between the front tapered surface 29 of the joint body 16 and the front end of the pipe P shown in FIG. 5, and the pipe P shown in FIG. This is a biting structure between the outer periphery and the first biting part 56 and the second biting part 57 of the ferrule 33. With these biting structures, loosening of the fixing member 35 is reliably prevented.

  In the pipe joint Ja (closing valve A) of the first embodiment, a cylindrical fixing member 35 that abuts on the ferrule 33 and applies a pressing force, and a non-circular fitting portion 48 are formed on the outer periphery. A tightening nut 36 that applies a pressing force to the fixing member 35 toward the ferrule 33 by applying a screwing force, and a loosening prevention that restricts the fixing member 35 from being displaced in a direction in which the pressing to the ferrule 33 is released. Means 41 are provided. According to this pipe joint Ja, even if the tightening nut 36 rotates in the loosening direction with the pipe P connected, the fixing member 35 is displaced in the direction of releasing the pressure on the ferrule 33 by the loosening prevention means 41. It is regulated. Therefore, the sealing state by the ferrule 33 is maintained, and the reliability of the sealing performance is excellent.

  The pipe joint Ja (closing valve A) according to the first embodiment includes an elastic ring 34 as a holding means that can hold the pipe P in a retaining state by contacting the pipe P inserted into the insertion space 23. According to this configuration, the pipe P inserted into the insertion space 23 can be held in the retaining state. Therefore, there is no possibility that the pipe P will come out of the insertion space 23 between the time when the pipe P is inserted into the insertion space 23 and the time when the tightening operation of the tightening member 32 is started. Further, since the elastic ring 34 is disposed at a position facing the insertion space 23 and is not exposed to the outer surface of the pipe joint Ja (closing valve A), the elastic ring 34 is protected from the interference of foreign matter.

  In addition, the fastening member 32 is screwed into the fixing member 35 and a cylindrical fixing member 35 that abuts against the ferrule 33 to apply a pressing force, and is given a screwing force in the fastening direction, whereby the ferrule is applied to the fixing member 35. And a tightening nut 36 for applying a pressing force to the side 33. The elastic ring 34 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the fixing member 35 and the tightening nut 36 in the axial direction, and the diameter of the elastic ring 34 is reduced by screwing the tightening nut 36 in the tightening direction so as to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the pipe P. It is supposed to be. Therefore, if the elastic ring 34 is not reduced in diameter before the pipe P is inserted, the frictional resistance at the time of insertion of the pipe P is reduced, so that workability is improved. And after inserting the pipe P, if the fastening nut 36 is screwed in the tightening direction, the pipe P can be held in the retaining state by the elastic ring 34.

  Further, the inner circumference of the joint main body portion 16 has a shape that is reduced in diameter toward the front in the insertion direction of the pipe P, and a front tapered surface 29 that abuts the tip of the pipe P that is normally inserted into the insertion space 23. The elastic ring 34 is arranged behind the front tapered surface 29 in the insertion direction of the pipe P. According to this configuration, the pipe P that is normally inserted into the insertion space 23 has its tip abutted against the front taper surface 29, and is held in a retaining state by the elastic ring 34. Since the position of contact with the front tapered surface 29 and the holding position by the elastic ring 34 are spaced from each other in the insertion direction of the pipe P, the pipe P is maintained in a stable posture without being inclined with respect to the axis. .

  The closing valve A (pipe joint Ja) of the first embodiment is a detachment for restricting the detachment of the tightening member 32 from the joint body 16 in a state where the tightening member 32 does not apply a pressing force to the ferrule 33. A regulating member 60 is provided. Therefore, the fastening member 32 does not detach from the joint body 16 even when receiving an external force in the loosening direction. Further, the cylindrical main body 61 of the separation regulating member 60 is accommodated in the insertion space 23 into which the pipe P is inserted. Accordingly, the entry of foreign matter into the insertion space 23 is prevented, and the ferrule 33 is prevented from being damaged by the foreign matter. Further, since the separation regulating member 60 functions as a sealing member that prevents the refrigerant in the flow path 17 from leaking outside through the insertion space 23, the sealing member is provided separately from the separation regulating member 60. Compared to, the number of parts is reduced.

<Example 2>
In FIG. 10, the pipe joint Jb of Example 2 of this invention is shown. The elastic ring 70 (holding means described in claims) is made of rubber or synthetic resin, and the cross-sectional shape thereof is a polygon (pentagon). The thickness dimension of the elastic ring 70 (the dimension in the radial direction between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface) gradually decreases toward the rear. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic ring 70 is a wedge shape. The elastic ring 70 can also be applied when the fixing member 71 and the tightening nut 72 are an integral part.

<Example 3>
In FIG. 11, the pipe joint Jc of Example 3 of this invention is shown. The elastic ring 73 (the holding means described in the claims) is made of rubber, synthetic resin, or metal, and has a substantially C shape. The elastic ring 73 includes a ring main body 74 and a plurality of projecting pieces 75 extending in a cantilevered manner from the ring main body 74 forward (that is, in the same direction as the pipe insertion direction). The plurality of projecting pieces 75 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the projecting direction of the projecting pieces 75 is an oblique direction toward the center of the elastic ring 73. The projecting end (front end) of the projecting piece 75 is elastically contacted with the outer periphery of the pipe, whereby the pipe is held in the retaining state.

<Example 4>
In FIG. 12, the pipe joint Jd of Example 4 of this invention is shown. A guide groove portion 77 (holding means described in claims) is formed on the inner periphery of the joint main body portion 76 for guiding the front end portion of the pipe P to expand its diameter. The front end portion of the pipe P that has entered the guide groove portion 77 is plastically deformed in a flare shape, and the front end portion that is expanded in the flare shape is caught, so that the pipe P is held in a retaining state.

<Example 5>
FIG. 13 shows a pipe joint Je of Example 5 of the present invention. Whereas the pipe joint Ja of the first embodiment is applied to the closing valve A of the outdoor unit B, the pipe joint Je of the fifth embodiment is the indoor unit D (the heat exchange device described in the claims). It is a single-function type joint means attached to the. This pipe joint Je is connected to the pipe joint Ja of the closing valve A of the first embodiment via the pipe P. In the pipe joint Je, the joint function part 12, the elastic ring 34 for holding the pipe P on the joint body 16 before the fastening member 32 is tightened, and the fixing member 35 are loosened after the pipe P is connected. And a loosening prevention means 41 for avoiding the above. These all have the same structure as the closing valve A. The joint body 16 is connected to the refrigerant flow passage of the indoor unit D.

<Example 6>
In FIG. 14, the pipe joint Jf of Example 6 of this invention is shown. The pipe joint Ja of Example 1 and the pipe joint Je of Example 5 were attached to the outdoor unit B and the indoor unit D, respectively, whereas the pipe joint Jf of Example 6 was attached to the outdoor unit B. This is applied as a joint means for relaying the connected pipe P and the pipe P connected to the indoor unit D. The pipe joint Jf is configured by assembling the joint function part 12 having the same form as that of the first embodiment at the upstream end and the downstream end of the joint body part 16, respectively. And the pipe P is connected to these joint function parts 12, respectively. Also in the sixth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the pipe P can be held on the joint body 16 by the elastic ring 34 before the tightening member 32 is tightened.

  In addition, as a modification of the pipe joint Jf of the sixth embodiment, the joint main body portion 16 can be divided into a plurality of forms. As the connection form of the pipes P in this case, for example, the number of pipes P connected on the outdoor unit B side is one, the number of pipes P connected on the indoor unit D side is plural, and the pipe joint Jf is for branch piping. It can also be used as a joint means.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the first, fifth, sixth and sixth embodiments, the holding means (elastic ring) is connected over the entire circumference. However, the elastic ring may be C-shaped.
(2) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the holding means (elastic ring) is disposed so as to face the insertion space, but may be disposed outside the insertion space.
( 3 ) In Examples 1, 5, and 6, the holding means (elastic ring) is rubber, but the holding means may be made of synthetic resin or metal.
( 4 ) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, holding by the holding means (elastic ring) is realized using frictional resistance. However, the pipe may be held by biting the holding means into the pipe. .
( 5 ) In the first, fifth , and sixth embodiments, when the holding of the pipe by the holding means (elastic ring) is completed, the tightening nut comes into contact with the fixing member. However, the holding means does not hold the pipe. It is good also as a form which a clamping nut does not contact | abut to a fixing member when it completes.
( 6 ) In the above Examples 1, 5, and 6, the material of the joint body (housing), ferrule, fixing member, and tightening nut is made of brass, but at least some of these members are made of materials other than brass. It is good also as a metal (for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy).
( 7 ) In Examples 1, 5 and 6, the material of the sealing member is brass, but the sealing member may be made of a metal other than brass (for example, aluminum or aluminum alloy), or may be made of a synthetic resin. A combination of a metal member and a synthetic resin member may be used.
( 8 ) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the helical pitch between the second male screw portion and the second female screw portion is larger than the helical pitch between the first male screw portion and the first female screw portion. The magnitude relationship between the spiral pitches may be opposite to that of the first embodiment, and both spiral pitches may be the same.
( 9 ) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the helical pitch between the first male screw portion and the first female screw portion is larger than the helical pitch between the third male screw portion and the third female screw portion. The magnitude relationship between the spiral pitches may be opposite to that of the first embodiment, and both spiral pitches may be the same.
( 10 ) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the helical pitch of the second male screw portion and the second female screw portion is set larger than the helical pitch of the third male screw portion and the third female screw portion. The magnitude relationship between the spiral pitches may be opposite to that of the first embodiment, and both spiral pitches may be the same.
( 11 ) The pipe joints Jb, Jc, Jd of the above-described Examples 2, 3, and 4 are used for relaying joint means connected to the indoor unit as in Example 5 and pipes as in Example 6. It can be applied as a joint means.
<Reference example>
(1) In the first, fifth, sixth embodiments, the holding means (elastic ring) is a separate part from the fixing member and the tightening nut, but the portion of the holding means that directly contacts the pipe is tightened. You may form integrally with a nut or a fixed nut.
(2) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the holding means (elastic ring) is disposed at a position corresponding to the tightening member in the pipe insertion direction, but the elastic ring is more than the tightening member in the pipe insertion direction. You may arrange | position in the position which remove | deviated to the front or back.
(3) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the holding means (elastic ring) is provided in the tightening member. However, the holding means may be provided in the joint body. As an example, the pipe may be held by forming a groove on the inner periphery of the joint body, forming a dimple on the outer periphery of the pipe, and locking the dimple on the groove. As another example, an elastic ring may be attached to a groove formed on the inner periphery of the joint body, and the pipe may be held in a retaining state by the elastic ring.
(4) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the pipe is held in a non-contact state in a non-contact state with the ferrule. However, the pipe is brought into contact with the ferrule and the pipe is prevented from being pulled out by a frictional resistance with the ferrule. You may hold in a state.
(5) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the tightening member is composed of two parts including the tightening nut and the fixing member. However, the tightening member may be a single part.
(6) In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, when the clamping member is composed of two parts, that is, a clamping nut and a fixing member, when the ferrule is plastically deformed into a sealed state, a tool is fitted into the clamping nut. However, instead of this, a tool may be fitted to the fixing member and tightened. In this case, the tightening nut may not have a tightening function, but may have only a function of deforming the holding means (elastic ring) by reducing the diameter. If the tightening nut is not provided with a tightening function, the outer periphery of the tightening nut is not limited to a regular hexagon, but a shape such as a knurled or projecting knob is easily rotated by hand. Good.

A ... Closing valve B ... Outdoor unit (heat exchanger)
Ja ... Pipe joint P ... Pipe 15 ... Housing 16 ... Joint body 17 ... Flow path 20 ... First valve body (valve body)
21 ... Second valve element (valve element)
23 ... Insertion space 29 ... Front taper surface (taper surface)
32 ... Fastening member 33 ... Ferrule 34 ... Elastic ring (holding means)
35 ... fixing member 36 ... clamping nut 39 ... pressure receiving part (detecting part)
49 ... Pressing part (detecting part)
Ja, Jb, Jc, Jd, Je, Jf ... pipe joint 70, 73 ... elastic ring (holding means)
77 ... guide groove (holding means)

Claims (6)

A tubular joint main body portion that is in communication with the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchange device, and the hollow interior is an insertion space for inserting a pipe;
A cylindrical fastening member that is attached to the joint main body portion by screwing and constitutes the insertion space;
A ferrule that seals between the inner periphery of the joint body and the outer periphery of the pipe in an airtight manner by plastic deformation by receiving axial pressing force from the tightening member screwed in the tightening direction ;
A pipe joint provided with holding means capable of holding the pipe in a retaining state by contacting the pipe inserted into the insertion space ,
The fastening member is
A cylindrical fixing member that is assembled to the joint main body by screwing and that is pressed in the tightening direction to abut against the ferrule and apply a pressing force;
It is configured to include a tightening nut that is screwed into the fixing member and applies a pressing force to the ferrule side by integrally rotating the fixing member by being given a screwing force in a tightening direction.
The holding means is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the fixing member and the tightening nut in the axial direction;
In a state where the fixing member does not apply a pressing force to the ferrule, when the tightening nut is screwed in the tightening direction while rotating relative to the fixing member, the holding means is deformed to reduce its diameter and A pipe joint characterized by being in close contact with the outer periphery . 2. The pipe joint according to claim 1 , wherein the holding means is a rubber elastic ring connected over the entire circumference . The pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the holding means is arranged at a position facing the insertion space . The tightening nut and the fixing member are formed with detection portions that come into contact with each other when the tightening nut has been screwed into a state where the elastic ring can hold the pipe. The pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pipe joint is characterized. A tapered surface is formed on the inner periphery of the joint main body, the diameter of which decreases toward the front in the insertion direction of the pipe, and abuts the tip of the pipe that is normally inserted into the insertion space.
The pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holding means is arranged behind the tapered surface in the insertion direction of the pipe. The pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A housing having the flow path and attached to the heat exchange device;
A valve body for opening and closing the flow path,
A closing valve characterized in that the joint body is formed in the housing.

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