JP5934489B2 - Piping joint structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a joint structure for piping used in a container in which a liquid such as a beverage is accommodated.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a beer server that supplies compressed gas such as carbon dioxide gas into a beer container and pours beer using the compressed gas pressure is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In Patent Document 1, a mounting body (probe tube) having a beer outlet path is rotatably provided at the mouth of the beer container, and a siphon tube extends into the beer container at the lower side of the beer outlet path of the mounting body. In addition, a beer server having a configuration in which a male screw type joint is attached to the end of the beer outlet side of the beer outlet, and the beer outlet is connected to the joint via a beer outlet tube is disclosed. .

JP 2001-146299 A

However, in Patent Document 1 described above, beer is poured out by repeatedly rotating and using a beer pouring part provided in a mounting body (probe tube) with respect to a beer container at the time of use. At this time, since the connection between the probe pipe and the joint forming the beer lead-out path is a screw-in type, the screw of the joint is loosened by the vibration caused by the rotation of the probe pipe, and in the case of a beer server, the beer (contents) is There was a problem of spilling from the connection between the probe tube and the joint.
In addition, when the probe tube is made of metal, there is room for improvement in that point because the cost of processing the screw is high.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to prevent the contents in the pipe from spilling out from the connecting portion by making the connecting portion between the pipe and the joint member a structure that does not loosen. An object is to provide a joint structure for piping that can be prevented.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a joint structure for piping that can reduce the processing cost because it is not a screw-type connection structure.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
A pipe joint structure according to the present invention is a pipe joint structure for connecting a pipe and a joint member having a flow path communicating with the pipe in the pipe axial direction. A coupling recess for fitting the coupling end, which is one end of the joint member, is provided, and penetrates in a linearly continuous manner from one part of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe to the other part on both sides of the pipe shaft. A pair of through-holes that are arranged in parallel with a space between each other are provided, and these through-holes are arranged at a distance smaller than the diameter dimension of the connecting end, and the connecting end is arranged along the outer periphery. An outer peripheral groove extending over the entire circumference is provided, and one of the pair of insertion portions of a U-shaped or U-shaped fastener is inserted into each of the pair of through holes, The inner circumferential surface of the connecting recess at the central portion in the length direction Opening for passing is formed, and in a state where the insertion portion is inserted, the direction of the outer surface the insert ends of the insertion portion away from each other, between the inner surface of the through hole, the through hole A gap is formed over the entire length, and the fastener is made of an elastic member biased in a direction in which the insertion portions are close to each other, and the insertion portion is fitted into the connection recess in a state where the insertion portion is inserted into the through hole. is engaged to a portion of the outer peripheral groove of the coupling member engaged is characterized in Rukoto.

  According to the joint structure for piping according to the present invention, the insertion portion of the U-shaped or U-shaped fastener is also engaged with a part of the outer peripheral groove of the joint member while being inserted into the through hole of the pipe. Therefore, the movement of the joint member in the pipe axis direction is restricted, and the drop-out from the pipe can be prevented. At this time, the coupling end (outer peripheral groove) of the joint member is sandwiched by the elastic force of the fastener inserted in the through hole, and the fastener is only in contact with the outer peripheral groove by the frictional force. The insertion portion of the fastener can be rotated in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential groove against the force. As a result, the pipe and the joint member are relatively rotatable around the pipe axis, and are easy to use when applied to a beverage server (such as a beer server) often used by rotating a beverage container or a joint member. Is preferred.

  Moreover, according to the joint structure for piping according to the present invention, the fastener is engaged with the outer peripheral groove of the joint member, presses the outer peripheral groove portion by elastic force, and is clamped by the frictional force. Even if vibration is applied with rotation, loosening does not occur as in the case of a screw-in type joint. Therefore, there is no gap due to looseness between the joint member and the pipe, and the liquid flowing through the pipe can be prevented from leaking out or spilling out from the joint portion.

  In addition, as described above, the fastener is clamped by the elastic force with respect to the joint member and is not fixed by the fixing means, so that it is easy to pull out the fastener. In other words, by pulling out the fastener, the joint member can be easily detached from the pipe, so the joint member can be frequently removed and cleaned, improving hygiene and ensuring a clean state. can do. Therefore, this joint structure for piping can be used for beverages, and is particularly suitable for a beer server that easily affects the flavor unless attention is paid to hygiene.

  Furthermore, since it is not a screw-in type joint structure as in the prior art, even if the pipe is made of metal, it is not necessary to process the screw, so that the processing cost can be reduced. .

Moreover, in the joint structure for piping according to the present invention, the fastener is preferably made of resin.
Thus, there exists an advantage by which shaping | molding of a fastener becomes easy by making a fastener into resin which can be elastically deformed.

Moreover, in the joint structure for piping according to the present invention, it is preferable that the insertion portion of the fastener has a curved portion that protrudes in a direction in which the insertion portions are separated from each other at a portion that engages with a part of the outer circumferential groove. .
In this case, the bent portion of the fastener is inserted into the through hole in a state of being engaged along the outer peripheral groove of the pipe, and the contact area of both the fastener and the outer peripheral groove in the bent portion is sufficiently ensured. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the joint member from falling off the pipe.

Moreover, in the joint structure for piping according to the present invention, the piping is preferably used in a beer server in which a probe tube is used.
In this case, as described above, since the joint structure for piping of the present invention can rotate the joint member around the pipe axial direction with respect to the pipe, it is suitable for a beer server that is used by frequently rotating the spout. In this case, the probe tube can be inserted into a beer container and used.

  According to the joint structure for piping according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the contents in the pipe from spilling out from the connection portion by making the connection portion between the pipe and the joint member a structure that is not loosened. In addition, since the connection structure is not screwed, it is possible to reduce the processing cost.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the joint structure for piping by embodiment of this invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, it is a figure which shows the state before inserting a clip. It is an enlarged side view which shows the connection end of a coupling member. It is the figure which showed typically an example which used the probe pipe | tube for the beer server. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the clip by the modification of this embodiment. It is a top view of the clip shown in FIG. It is a figure of the state which inserted the clip shown in FIG. 7 in the coupling member, Comprising: It is a figure corresponding to FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a joint structure for piping according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pipe joint structure T of the present embodiment is attached to, for example, a mouth portion of a container (not shown) in which a liquid content is accommodated, and can be inserted into the container. Piping), a joint member 2 having a flow path 21 connected to the probe tube 1 on the side opposite to the container and communicating with the probe tube 1, and the probe tube 1 and the joint member 2 are rotatably connected. And a clip 3 (fastener).

  Note that the probe tube 1 and the joint member 2 described above are arranged in a state in which their respective central axes are positioned on a common axis. In this embodiment, this common axis is referred to as a pipe axis O, and the probe tube 1 is mounted on the container with the axial direction O directed in the vertical direction. In the probe tube 1, the joint member 2 side along the pipe axis O direction is mounted. The right side in FIG. 1 is called the upper side, and the probe tube 1 side (left side in FIG. 1) is called the lower side. A direction perpendicular to the pipe axis O is referred to as a radial direction, and a direction around the pipe axis O is referred to as a circumferential direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the probe tube 1 is a cylindrical member in which the flow path 11 of the liquid content is provided along the direction of the pipe axis O, and is flowed to the inner peripheral portion of the upper end portion 1 a. A connecting recess 12 having a diameter larger than that of the path 11 and fitting the lower end (connecting end 22) of the joint member 2 is provided. That is, a step is formed between the flow path 11 and the connection recess 12, and the contact recess 12 a is provided on the lower surface (bottom surface) of the connection recess 12.
A pair of upper ends 1a of the probe tube 1 having the connecting recesses 12 are arranged on both sides of the pipe axis O so as to penetrate from one portion of the outer peripheral surface of the probe tube 1 toward the other portion and are spaced from each other. Through-holes 13A and 13B are provided. The through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are spaced apart from each other by a smaller dimension than the diameter of the connecting end 22, and are connected to the connecting recess 12 on the sides facing each other.

  The joint member 2 is fitted in such a manner that one end of the connection end 22 bent in an L-shape is rotatable about the direction of the pipe axis O with respect to the connection recess 12 of the probe tube 1. A pouring body 4 for pouring the liquid contents in the container to the outside through the flow paths 11 and 21 of the probe tube 1 and the joint member 2 is mounted. The pouring body 4 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted coaxially with respect to the mouth portion 23, and its axial direction C is a direction orthogonal to the piping axis O.

  The connecting end 22 is provided with an outer peripheral groove 24 extending along the entire outer peripheral surface (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 1, the position of the outer peripheral groove 24 in the direction of the pipe axis O is the position of the through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B in a state where the lower end surface 22 a of the connection end 22 is in contact with the contact surface 12 a of the connection recess 12. Is consistent with An O-ring 25 is provided below the outer peripheral groove 24, and the inner peripheral surface of the connecting recess 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting end 22 are in fluid-tight contact.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the clip 3 is formed in a U shape or a U shape, and the insertion portions 3 a and 3 b extending substantially parallel to the same direction are close to each other (the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3). This is an elastically deformable resin member that is biased by the insertion portion 3a, 3b so that each of the insertion portions 3a, 3b can be inserted into the pair of through holes 13A, 13B of the probe tube 1. In this inserted state, the clip 3 is engaged with the outer peripheral groove 24 of the connection end 22 of the joint member 2 in which the pair of insertion portions 3a and 3b are fitted in the connection recess 12, and the elastic force of the insertion portions 3a and 3b. Sandwiches the bottom 24a of the outer circumferential groove 24.

Next, the effect | action of the joint structure for piping comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the outer peripheral groove of the joint member 2 in a state where the insertion portions 3 a and 3 b of the U-shaped or U-shaped clip 3 are inserted into the through holes 13 A and 13 B of the probe tube 1. Since part of 24 is also engaged, the movement of the joint member 2 in the direction of the pipe axis O is restricted, and the drop-off from the probe tube 1 can be prevented.
At this time, the coupling end 22 (outer peripheral groove 24) of the joint member 2 is sandwiched by the elastic force of the clip 3 inserted into the through holes 13A and 13B, and the clip 3 comes into contact with the outer peripheral groove 24 by frictional force. Therefore, the insertion portions 3 a and 3 b of the clip 3 can rotate in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential groove 24 against the frictional force. As a result, the probe tube 1 and the joint member 2 are relatively rotatable about the pipe axis O, and a beverage server (beer server (a figure to be described later)) that is often used by rotating the beverage container or the joint member 2 is used. 5)) and the like, it is easy to use and suitable.

  Moreover, since the clip 3 is engaged with the outer peripheral groove 24 of the joint member 2, the portion of the outer peripheral groove 24 is pressed by the elastic force and is held by the frictional force, vibration is applied as the joint member 2 rotates. However, the loosening does not occur as in the case of a screw-in type joint. Therefore, there is no gap due to looseness between the joint member 2 and the probe tube 1, and it is possible to prevent liquid flowing through the flow path 11 of the probe tube 1 from leaking out or spilling out from the joint portion. it can.

  Further, since the clip 3 is sandwiched by the elastic force with respect to the joint member 2 and is not fixed by the fixing means, it is easy to pull out the clip 3. That is, by pulling out the clip 3, the joint member 2 can be easily detached from the probe tube 1, so that the joint member 2 can be frequently removed and washed, improving hygiene and cleanliness. Can be ensured. Therefore, this pipe joint structure T can be used for beverages, and is particularly suitable for the beer server that is liable to affect the flavor unless attention is paid to hygiene.

  Furthermore, since it is not a screw-in type joint structure as in the prior art, even if the probe tube 1 is made of metal, it is not necessary to process the screw, thereby reducing the processing cost. Can do.

In addition, there is an advantage that the clip 3 can be easily formed by making the clip 3 elastically deformable.
Furthermore, as described above, the pipe joint structure T is rotatable with respect to the probe pipe 1 with the joint member 2 being rotatable about the direction of the pipe axis O. Therefore, the pipe joint structure T is suitable for a beer server that is used by frequently rotating the spout. Yes, the probe tube 1 can be inserted into a beer container and used as in the present embodiment.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows a beer server which is an example using the probe tube 1, and the base end portion 14 of the probe tube 1 with the piping axis O oriented in the vertical direction is connected to the center of the top plate of the beer barrel 5. The beer server 6 is provided via the hose 7 on the extraction body 4 of the joint member 2 connected to the probe tube 1 and connected to the probe tube 1, and the beer in the beer barrel 5 is distributed to the probe tube 1 and the hose 7. It is configured to be poured out from the pouring cock 62 to a mug or the like through the flow path 61 arranged in the beer server 6. In the beer server 6, the flow path 61 is disposed inside the box-shaped server main body 60, and the downstream end of the hose 7 is connected to the upstream end 61 a of the flow path 61. The pouring cock 62 is connected to the mouth 60a where the downstream end 61b is located. Further, a receiving tray 63 for receiving beer dripping from the pouring cock 62 is provided at a position below the pouring cock 62 of the server body 60.

As described above, in the joint structure for piping according to the present embodiment, the connection portion between the probe tube 1 and the joint member 2 is structured so as not to loosen, so that the contents in the probe tube 1 spill out from the connection portion. Can be prevented.
In addition, since the connection structure is not screwed, it is possible to reduce the processing cost.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in this embodiment, the probe pipe 1 is employed as the pipe, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coupling member 2 can be connected to a female fitting attached to a hydraulic hose. is there. Further, the shape of the joint member 2 is not limited to the one bent into an L shape, and a linear or T-shaped joint member may be employed.
Moreover, although the resin-made clip 3 is employ | adopted in this embodiment, the member of other elastic members, such as rubber | gum, for example, and metal materials may be sufficient.

Further, in the present embodiment, the clip 3 having the insertion portions 3a and 3b having a shape extending substantially in parallel in the same direction is employed, but the shape is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the insertion portions 3 a and 3 b are separated from each other at a portion of the pair of insertion portions 3 a and 3 b that engage with a part of the outer peripheral groove 24 of the joint member 2. It is also possible to provide a clip (fastener) 3 </ b> A having a convex curved portion 3 c, 3 c.
In this case, the curved portion 3c of the clip 3A is inserted into the through holes 13A and 13B in a state of being engaged along the outer peripheral groove 24 of the probe tube 1, and both the clip 3A and the outer peripheral groove 24 contact at the curved portion. Since the area is sufficiently secured, it is possible to more reliably prevent the joint member 2 from falling off the probe tube 1.

  Furthermore, the configuration of the through holes 13A and 13B such as the position, cross-sectional shape, and hole diameter, and the configuration of the depth and position of the outer circumferential groove 24, depending on conditions such as the shape, diameter, and use of the piping and joint members. Can be changed as appropriate.

  In addition, it is possible to appropriately replace the constituent elements in the above-described embodiments with well-known constituent elements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 Probe tube (pipe)
2 Joint member 3, 3A Clip (fastener)
3a, 3b Insertion part 3c Bending part 11 Flow path 12 Connection recess 12a Contact surface 13A, 13B Through hole 21 Flow path 22 Connection end 23 Port 24 Peripheral groove O Piping shaft T Piping joint structure

Claims (4)

A pipe joint structure for connecting a pipe and a joint member having a flow path communicating with the pipe in the pipe axial direction,
The pipe is provided with a connection recess for fitting a connection end, which is one end of the joint member, in the tip thereof, and from one part of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe to the other part on both sides of the pipe shaft. Provided with a pair of through holes that are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other in a linearly continuous state,
These through holes are arranged at a distance smaller than the diameter of the connecting end,
The connection end is provided with an outer circumferential groove extending over the entire circumference along the outer circumference,
One of the pair of insertion portions of the U-shaped or U-shaped fastener is inserted into each of the pair of through holes,
Each through hole is formed with an opening communicating with the inner peripheral surface of the connecting recess at the center portion in the length direction, and the insertion portions of the insertion portion are separated from each other in a state where the insertion portion is inserted. A gap is formed between the outer surface on the direction side and the inner surface of the through hole, over the entire length of the through hole,
The fastener is made of an elastic member that is biased in a direction in which the insertion portions are close to each other, and the insertion member is inserted into the through hole. pipe joint structure characterized that you have been engaged in a part of the peripheral groove.   The pipe joint structure according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is made of resin.   The insertion part of the said fastener has a curved part which protrudes in the direction which the said insertion parts mutually space in the site | part engaged with a part of said outer periphery groove | channel. Joint structure for piping.   The pipe joint structure according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is used in a beer server that is a probe pipe.

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