JP6027415B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector used for connection of fluid piping, and more particularly to a connector capable of quickly and reliably performing piping connection of a water heater or the like.

In general, a connector used for connecting a fluid pipe has a configuration in which a female side pipe (connector housing) and a male side pipe (male member) can be engaged and released by operating a coupling member (lock member). .
For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a connector (pipe connecting device) includes a pipe joint having a flange portion at an end, a male side pipe having a distal end annular groove and a proximal end side annular groove, an O-ring, and a pipe coupling And a pipe coupling member from the side to the flange portion of the pipe joint after fitting the O-ring into the annular groove at the tip of the male pipe inserted with the inner pipe and connecting it to the pipe joint. Insert and join. At the time of release, the pipe coupling member is pulled out to the side (Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-223301 A

However, in the case of the conventional patent document 1, after inserting the male side pipe (male member) into the female side pipe joint (connector housing), it is necessary to fit the pipe coupling member (lock member) from the side. The operation is complicated and the work is difficult in a narrow space.
In addition, at least a space for fitting the pipe coupling member (lock member) from the side is necessary. Furthermore, it is necessary to keep a distance from other adjacent components, which is not suitable when close arrangement is required.

  The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-described inconveniences, and is a connector comprising a connector housing, a male member, and a lock member, and the male member is engaged with a part of the lock member. The connector housing includes an engagement step portion that engages with a part of the lock member and restricts the lowering of the lock member, and a side window. The lock member is temporarily mounted in the connector housing. When the engaging member is engaged with the engaging step formed on the outer periphery and a part of the engaging member enters the connector housing and the male member is inserted into the connector housing, a part of the locking member is expanded and engaged by the tip of the male member. Since the engagement with the stepped portion is released and restored, the male member descends along the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the male member and locks the connector housing and the male member. In and is intended to provide an easy connector to the work of.

The present invention has the following contents.
(1) To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a substantially cylindrical connector housing having a male member attached to one end, a male member having one end inserted into the connector housing, the connector housing, and the male member. The male member is provided with an annular engaging groove that engages with a part of the locking member in the vicinity of the tip, and the connector housing A locking member guide wall for guiding sliding of the locking member; an engagement step portion for engaging a part of the locking member to limit the lowering of the locking member; and a side window, wherein the locking member includes the connector Engage with an engaging step formed on the outer periphery of the connector housing in a temporarily assembled state with the housing, and part of the male member enters the connector housing from the side window, and the male member is connected to the connector housing. When inserted into the connector housing, a part of the lock member that has entered the connector housing is expanded by the male member tip, and the engagement with the engaging step portion is released and restored, so that the outer peripheral surface of the male member tip is restored. And is lowered into the engaging groove of the male member to lock the connector housing and the male member.
(2) In addition, the lock member includes a guide member extending downward from the top, the lower end of the guide member abuts on the outer periphery of the distal end of the inserted male member, and the male member is attached to the connector housing. It is characterized in that the locking member is prevented from descending on the way.
(3) The connector housing is provided with a guide cylinder having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the male member at one end, and a connecting cylinder having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the male member inside the guide cylinder, The guide tube is characterized in that a side window is formed in which a part of the lock member enters and falls into an engagement groove formed in the male member.
(4) A top wall provided with a guide groove in which a part of the guide member is loosely fitted at the center is disposed at the top of the guide cylinder so as to face the lock member guide wall with a predetermined interval, A lock member is mounted between the top wall and the lock member guide wall.
(5) The lock member includes a substantially inverted S-shaped guide member extending downward from the top, a first elastic leg portion and a second elastic leg portion arranged to face each other on both sides, A first elastic leg portion and a connecting portion connecting the free end portions of the second elastic leg portion, and the first elastic leg portion is formed with a contact portion facing the entry direction of the male member. Features.
(6) An annular seal groove is formed on the outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip of the connection tube, and by inserting a seal member into the seal groove, watertightness with the male member inserted through the outer periphery of the connection tube Characteristic and airtightness is maintained.

  According to the present invention, a substantially cylindrical connector housing having a male member attached to one end, a male member having one end inserted into the connector housing, and the connector housing and the male member can be engaged and released. The male member has an annular engagement groove with which a part of the lock member engages in the vicinity of the tip, and the connector housing guides the sliding of the lock member. A locking member guide wall that engages with a part of the locking member and restricts the lowering of the locking member, and a side window, and the locking member is in a temporarily assembled state with the connector housing. When engaging with an engaging step formed on the outer periphery of the connector housing, a part thereof enters the connector housing from the side window, and the male member is inserted into the connector housing. A part of the lock member that has entered the connector housing is expanded by the tip of the male member, and the engagement with the engagement step portion is released and restored, and then lowered along the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the male member. Since the connector housing and the male member are lowered into the engagement groove of the male member, the male housing can be connected only by inserting the male member, the operation is easy, and the workability is good even in a narrow space.

  In addition, the lock member includes a guide member extending downward from the top, the lower end of the guide member abuts on the outer periphery of the distal end of the male member into which the male member is inserted, and the male member is locked in the middle of the connector housing. Since the member is prevented from descending, the lock member does not hinder the entry of the male member. Therefore, the male member can be reliably connected.

  The connector housing includes a guide cylinder having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the male member at one end, and a connecting cylinder having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the male member on the inner side of the guide cylinder. Since a part of the lock member enters the cylinder and a side window is formed that falls into the engagement groove formed in the male member, the connecting cylinder is directly inserted into the male member to reinforce the inner pipe or the like. Therefore, the strength of the connecting portion can be maintained. Further, even if the lock member and the connector housing are temporarily assembled, a part of the lock member enters from the side window, so there is no possibility of detachment.

  In addition, a top wall having a guide groove in which a part of the guide member is loosely fitted in the center is disposed at the top of the guide cylinder so as to face the lock member guide wall with a predetermined interval. Since the lock member is mounted between the wall and the lock member guide wall, the lock member in the temporarily assembled state and the locked state can be protected.

  The locking member includes a substantially inverted S-shaped guide member extending downward from the top, a first elastic leg portion and a second elastic leg portion disposed opposite to each other on both sides, and the first An elastic leg portion and a connecting portion connecting the free end portions of the second elastic leg portion, and the first elastic leg portion is formed with a contact portion facing the entry direction of the male member. The lock member is prevented from descending during the loading of the member, and the lock member does not hinder the entry of the male member. Also, simply by inserting the male member into the connector housing, the engagement with the engagement step portion is released, the lock member is lowered and falls into the engagement groove of the male member, and the connector housing and the male member are locked. Can do.

  Further, an annular seal groove is formed on the outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip of the connection tube, and by inserting a seal member into the seal groove, water tightness with a male member inserted through the outer periphery of the connection tube Since airtightness is maintained, water leakage and gas leakage can be completely prevented and safety can be ensured.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a separated state of a connector showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the connector being inserted. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a coupling state of the connector. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a coupled state of the connector. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connector housing constituting the connector. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the connector housing. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector housing. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lock member constituting the connector. FIG. 9 is a side view of the locking member. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the lock member. FIG. 11 is a front view of the lock member. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA showing the lifted state of the lock member in FIG. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line BB showing the released state in which the lock member in FIG. 3 is lifted. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line B-B showing the locked state in which the locking member in FIG. 3 is lowered.

  The connector according to the present invention includes a connector housing, a male member, and a lock member, and the male member includes an annular engagement groove with which a part of the lock member is engaged, and the connector housing engages with a part of the lock member. An engagement step portion for restricting the lowering of the lock member and a side window, and the lock member is engaged with an engagement step portion formed on the outer periphery of the connector housing in a temporarily assembled state, and a part thereof. When the male member is inserted into the connector housing and the male member is inserted into the connector housing, a part of the locking member is expanded by the distal end of the male member, and the engagement with the engagement step portion is released and restored. The connector descends along the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the male member and locks the connector housing and the male member. Therefore, it is possible to provide a connector that is easy to connect and easy to work in a narrow space.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a separated state of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the insertion of the connector of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a side view showing a connected state of the connector, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a coupled state of connectors. Here, the connector 10 engages the substantially cylindrical connector housing 12 with the male member 11 attached at one end, the male member 11 with one end inserted into the connector housing 12, and the connector housing 12 and the male member 11. The male member 11 includes an annular engagement groove 14 that engages with a part of the lock member 13 in the vicinity of the tip 11a, and the connector housing 12 is formed of the lock member 13. A lock member guide wall 15 that guides sliding, an engagement step portion 16 that engages with a part of the lock member 13 to limit the lowering of the lock member 13, and a pair of left and right side windows 17 are provided. 13 is engaged with an engaging step 16 formed on the outer periphery of the connector housing 12 in a temporarily assembled state with the connector housing 12 and a part thereof enters the connector housing from the side window 17. When the male member 11 is inserted into the connector housing, a part of the lock member 13 that has entered the connector housing is expanded by the male member tip 11a, and the engagement with the engagement step portion 16 is released and restored. By doing so, it descends along the outer peripheral surface of the male member tip, falls into the engaging groove 14 of the male member 11, and locks the connector housing 12 and the male member 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the male member 11 has a cylindrical shape made of, for example, synthetic resin, and the tip 11a is formed in a frustoconical shape, and the lock member 13 is engaged with the outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip 11a. A mating annular engaging groove 14 is formed.

  5 to 7, the connector housing 12 has a guide cylinder 18 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the male member 11 at one end, and a connection having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the male member 11 inside the guide cylinder 18. The cylinder 19 is provided concentrically. In addition, a pair of side windows 17 are formed on both side surfaces of the guide cylinder 18 so that the first elastic legs 27 that are a part of the lock member 13 enter and fall into the engaging grooves 14 formed in the male member 11. ing. Further, the connector housing 12 engages with a lock member guide wall 15 that guides the sliding of the lock member 13 perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and a part of the lock member 13 to limit the lowering of the lock member 13. Engagement steps 16 are provided on the left and right sides. The connector housing 12 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

  A top wall 21 provided with a guide groove 20 in which a part of the guide member 26 of the lock member 13 is loosely fitted in the center is arranged on the top of the guide cylinder 18 so as to face the lock member guide wall 15 with a predetermined interval. Then, the lock member 13 is mounted between the top wall 21 and the lock member guide wall 15. A skylight 30 into which the guide member 26 is inserted is formed at the top of the guide cylinder 18. Further, a locking wall 24 to which the lock member 13 is locked is provided at the edge of the side window 17 formed on the guide tube 18 on the lock member guide wall 15 side. The locking wall 24 is provided with wedge-shaped protrusions 24a in the radial direction to prevent the locked locking member 13 from falling off. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the protrusion 24 a is formed in a substantially wedge shape in cross section that includes a slope that is gently inclined downward and a slope that is steeply inclined away from the connector housing 12. ing.

  The connecting tube 19 is provided on the extension of the inner diameter of the connector housing 12, and an annular seal groove 22 is formed on the outer periphery near the tip, and an O-ring 23 that is a seal member is fitted into the seal groove 22. Thus, it is possible to maintain water tightness and air tightness with the male member 11 inserted through the outer periphery of the connection tube 19. The seal member is not limited to the O-ring, and may be another seal member such as a V ring or an X ring.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the lock member 13 includes a substantially reverse S-shaped guide member 26 that extends downward from the front surface of the flat top portion 25, and first elastic legs that are disposed opposite to each other on both sides. Part 27 and a second elastic leg part 28 and a connecting part 29 connecting the first elastic leg part 27 and the free end part of the second elastic leg part 28, for example, by pressing a metal elastic plate It is integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 11, the lower end of the guide member 26 extends below a virtual inscribed circle L formed by the curved first elastic leg 27 and second elastic leg 28. Further, a predetermined gap h is formed between the first elastic leg portion 27 and the second elastic leg portion 28, and the gap is hed to the locking wall 24 of the connector housing 12. Further, the first elastic leg portion 27 has an abutting portion 27a that is widened so as to face the entry direction of the male member 11, and the abutting portion 27a has a notch portion 27b at the center. Therefore, the male member 11 can be easily entered. In addition, the contact part 27a may be a chamfered shape, a curved surface shape, or the like in addition to the outwardly expanded shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the connecting portion 29 is integrally formed substantially vertically with respect to the free ends of the first elastic leg portion 27 and the second elastic leg portion 28, and is arranged in a letter C shape in front view. Has been. For this reason, when attaching the lock member 13 to the connector housing 12, it can carry out smoothly. The lock member 13 may be a metal or synthetic resin plate.

The operation of the connector 10 configured as described above will be described.
First, the lock member 13 is attached between the lock member guide wall 15 and the top wall 21 of the connector housing 12 from above and temporarily assembled. In the attaching procedure, the lock member 13 is disposed between the lock member guide wall 15 and the top wall 21 so that the locking wall 24 is positioned in the gap between the first elastic leg portion 27 and the second elastic leg portion 28. To release. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, in the lock member 13, the tip end portion 28 a of the second elastic leg portion 28 is locked to the engagement step portion 16, and a gap ΔH is formed between the top portion 25 and the top wall 21 of the lock member 13. Stop with. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, a part of the first elastic leg portion 27 is located inside the virtual outer circumference circle R of the male member 11 indicated by a broken line from the side window 17 of the guide cylinder 18.

In this state, when the male member 11 is mounted from the guide tube 18 of the connector housing 12 as shown in FIG. 1, the tapered tip 11a advances while expanding the first elastic leg 27 in the outer peripheral direction. . If the 1st elastic leg part 27 is pushed open, the 2nd elastic leg part 28 connected with the connection part 29 will also be expanded, and the latching with the engagement step part 16 will be cancelled | released as shown in FIG. At this time, the 1st elastic leg part 27 is set so that it may contact in the vicinity of the largest shaft diameter of the front-end | tip 11a of the inserted male member. For this reason, when the engagement between the engagement step portion 16 and the second elastic leg portion 28 is released, the first elastic leg portion 27 and the second elastic leg portion 28 are restored while integrally releasing the urging force. To do. Thereby, the lock member 13 descends along the maximum outer peripheral surface of the distal end 11a of the male member.
However, if the locking member 13 is lowered before the male member 11 is completely inserted into the connector housing 12, the first elastic leg 27 does not engage with the engaging groove 14 well, so that as shown in FIG. The lower end of the member 26 enters from the skylight 30 and comes into contact with the tip 11a of the male member 11 to prevent the lock member 13 from descending. When the male member 11 is completely inserted into the connector housing 12, the lock member 13 is lowered along the maximum outer peripheral surface of the tip 11a by the restoring force, and the first elastic leg 27 is formed as shown in FIGS. The side window 17 engages with the engagement groove 14 of the male member 11 and locks. Similarly, the guide member 26 engages with the engagement groove 14 of the male member 11. In a state where the first elastic leg 27 is engaged with the engagement groove 14, the O-ring 23 is positioned between the inner periphery of the male member 11 and the outer periphery of the connection tube 19 of the connector housing 12 as shown in FIG. 4. When pressed, it can retain water tightness and air tightness.

When releasing the engagement between the male member 11 and the connector housing 12, when the lock member 13 is lifted by the tip of the driver or the like, the temporary engagement state shown in FIGS. 14 is disengaged and the male member 11 can be pulled out. The second elastic leg portion 28 of the raised lock member 13 engages with the engagement step portion 16 and returns to the standby state.
3 and 4, in the locked state, the upper surface of the lock member 13 is located between the lock member guide wall 15 and the top wall 21, and there is no protrusion, thereby preventing the release by unintended external force. Can do.
Thus, in the present invention, the male member 11 can be automatically locked only by inserting it into the connector housing 12. In addition, inadvertent release can be prevented to ensure safety, and there is no projecting portion, and connection work can be performed even in a narrow place.

  The connector of the present invention can be used as a fluid piping connector for water piping, water piping for hot and cold water supply, and air piping such as gas and compressed air.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connector 11 Male member 11a Tip 12 Connector housing 13 Lock member 14 Engagement groove 15 Lock member guide wall 16 Engagement step part 17 Side window 18 Guide cylinder 19 Connection cylinder 20 Guide groove 21 Top wall 22 Seal groove 23 O-ring (seal Element)
24 Locking Wall 24a Projection 25 Top 26 Guide Member 27 First Elastic Leg 27a Abutting 27b Notch 28 Second Elastic Leg 28a Tip 29 Connecting Portion 30 Skylight

Claims (6)

A substantially cylindrical connector housing having a male member attached to one end, a male member having one end inserted into the connector housing, and a lock member capable of engaging and releasing the connector housing and the male member. A connector,
The male member includes an annular engagement groove that engages with a part of the lock member in the vicinity of the tip, and the connector housing includes a lock member guide wall that guides the sliding of the lock member, and one of the lock members. An engagement step portion that engages with the portion to limit the lowering of the lock member, and a side window, and the lock member is disposed opposite to each other on a guide member that extends downward from the top portion. The first elastic leg portion and the second elastic leg portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first elastic leg portion and the free end portion of the second elastic leg portion, wherein the first elastic leg portion is the male member. A contact portion is formed facing the entry direction of
The locking member engages with an engaging step formed on the outer periphery of the connector housing in a temporarily assembled state with the connector housing, and part of the locking member enters the connector housing from the side window,
When the male member is inserted into the connector housing, a part of the lock member that has entered the connector housing is expanded by the distal end of the male member, and the engagement with the engagement step portion is released and restored. The connector is lowered along the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the male member, falls into the engagement groove of the male member, and locks the connector housing and the male member. The lock member includes a guide member extending downward from the top,
2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the guide member abuts on the outer periphery of the distal end of the male member into which the guide member is inserted, and the male member prevents the lock member from being lowered while the male member is mounted on the connector housing. . The connector housing includes a guide cylinder having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the male member at one end, and a connection cylinder having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the male member inside the guide cylinder,
The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a side window is formed in the guide tube so that a part of the lock member enters and falls into an engagement groove formed in the male member. A top wall provided with a guide groove in which a part of the guide member is loosely fitted at the center is disposed at the top of the guide cylinder so as to face the lock member guide wall at a predetermined interval.
The connector according to claim 3, wherein a lock member is mounted between the top wall and the lock member guide wall. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide member is formed in an approximately S-shaped cross section .   An annular seal groove is formed on the outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip of the connection tube, and by inserting a seal member into the seal groove, watertightness and airtightness with a male member inserted through the outer periphery of the connection tube The connector according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the connector retains the property.

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