JP7364191B2 - Connector with pulsation absorption function - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an L-shaped connector with a pulsation absorbing function, and more particularly to an L-shaped connector with a pulsation absorbing function suitable for use in connecting fuel piping and the like.

Patent Document 1 discloses an L-shaped connector with a pulsation absorbing function in which a pulsation absorber for absorbing fluid pulsations is disposed inside a connector main body into which a pipe is inserted. The pulsation absorber is positioned by an absorber holding member inserted into the connector body through the opening into which the pipe is inserted. Specifically, a concave part provided at one end of the pulsation absorber fits into a convex part formed on the inner surface of the connector main body, and a concave part provided at the other end of the pulsation absorber fits into the distal end of the absorber holding member. The pulsation absorber is positioned by fitting into the recessed portion.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-157649

By the way, when the wall thickness of the pulsation absorber is reduced in order to improve the pulsation absorption ability of the pulsation absorber, the amount of deformation of the pulsation absorber increases. When the amount of deformation of the pulsation absorber becomes large, in the case of Patent Document 1, the recess on one end of the pulsation absorber comes off from the convex part of the connector body, and the recess on the other end of the pulsation absorber stops holding the absorber. There is a possibility that the pulsation absorber may become dislocated from the tip of the member, causing the pulsation absorber to be misaligned, and not be able to return to its original position.

An object of the present invention is to provide a connector with a pulsation absorbing function that can prevent displacement of a pulsation absorber.

The present invention provides a connector main body having a first opening into which a pipe is inserted and a second opening opposite to the first opening, the connector main body being provided on a side surface of the connector main body and communicating with the inside of the connector main body. a pulsation absorber disposed inside the connector main body from the second opening to absorb fluid pulsation, and a cap portion to seal the second opening; The pulsation absorber has a columnar protrusion extending from an end surface on the cap side toward the cap, and a recess into which the protrusion fits is formed on an inner surface of the cap. and a flange portion is provided at the tip of the protrusion, a disc-shaped disc having a slit that fits into the center of the protrusion and disposed between the end surface and the flange. The connector has a member, the width of the slit is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange, and the peripheral edge of the disc member is sandwiched between the connector main body and the cap.

According to the present invention, the peripheral edge portion of the disk member is sandwiched between the connector main body portion and the cap portion, thereby fixing the disk member. The disc member is disposed between the end surface of the pulsation absorber on the cap side and the flange on the tip side of the protrusion, and the width of the slit is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange, so the pulsation is reduced. Even if the absorber is greatly deformed, the protrusion of the pulsation absorber will not come off the disc member. As a result, the position of the pulsation absorber is reliably maintained, so that displacement of the pulsation absorber can be prevented.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector. It is an exploded perspective view of a balloon and a disc member. FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of a balloon and a disc member.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Connector configuration)
The connector (connector with pulsation absorption function) in this embodiment is used for piping connection in a fuel piping system for supplying fuel (fuel oil such as gasoline) to an injector (fuel injection device, not shown), for example. It is a connector.

As shown in FIG. 1, which is a perspective view of the connector 100, and FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional view of the connector 100, the connector 100 is an L-shaped connector. The connector 100 includes a connector main body part 1 as a female joint part into which the pipe 50 is inserted, a male joint part (joint part) 2, and a cap part 3.

The connector main body 1 has a first opening 1a into which the pipe 50 is inserted, and a second opening 1b facing the first opening 1a. The male joint part 2 is provided on the side surface of the connector body part 1 and has a flow path 2a that communicates with the inside of the connector body part 1. For example, a fuel hose (not shown) is connected to the male joint portion 2 .

The connector main body portion 1 is an integrally molded product, and is integrally molded, for example, by injection molding. The same applies to the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2, and the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 are integrally molded, for example, by injection molding. In addition, in this embodiment, the connector main body part 1 and the male joint part 2 are integrally molded, but it is not necessary that the connector main body part 1 and the male joint part 2 are integrally molded. 1 and the male joint part 2 may be molded separately and then joined together.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 are orthogonal, but the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 do not need to be orthogonal; for example, the connector main body 1 and the The angle formed with the male joint part 2 may be 45 degrees. In other words, the above-mentioned "L-shape" does not only include the angle between the connector body 1 and the male joint 2 of 90 degrees, but also various angles such as 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees. This also includes things that form an angle.

The cap portion 3 is made of resin and seals the second opening 1b.

The connector 100 also includes a retainer 4. The retainer 4 is a component for fixing the pipe 50 to the connector body 1. The pipe 50 is fixed (locked) to the connector main body 1 by engaging the spool portion 50a, which is an annular convex portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 50, with the retainer 4.

Here, high pressure (fuel pressure) is constantly applied to the flow path 2a of the male joint portion 2 through which fuel flows, the inside of the connector body 1, and the flow path 50b of the pipe 50 by a fuel pump (not shown). The state will be as follows. When fuel is injected from the injector, the pressure decreases, and when the injector valve closes, the pressure increases. This repetition causes the pressure to fluctuate, and this pressure fluctuation causes fuel (fluid) pulsation.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector 100 includes a balloon (pulsation absorber) 5. The balloon 5 is a hollow elastic body made of resin, rubber, or the like. The balloon 5 is placed inside the connector body 1 from the second opening 1b and absorbs the pulsation of the fuel (fluid). Fluctuations in fuel pressure are alleviated by the balloon 5, thereby suppressing pulsation of the fuel.

The balloon 5 of this embodiment is formed with a bellows that expands and contracts along the direction in which the pipe 50 is inserted. The outer diameter Dm of the balloon 5 (see FIG. 3A) is larger than the outer diameter Dp of the pipe 50.

Here, in the balloon 5, the wall thickness of the portion forming the bellows is made thinner than the wall thickness of both ends of the balloon 5 in the insertion direction of the pipe 50. This makes it easier for the balloon 5 to expand and contract, thereby improving the pulsation absorbing ability of the balloon 5.

In this embodiment, the wall thickness of the portion of the balloon 5 that forms the bellows is 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less, preferably 50 μm or more and 400 μm or less. This allows the balloon 5 to expand and contract more easily, so that the responsiveness and bending durability of the balloon 5 can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 3A, which is an exploded perspective view of the balloon 5 and the disc member 6, the balloon 5 has a columnar protrusion 5a. As shown in FIG. 2, the projection 5a extends toward the cap 3 from the end surface on the cap 3 side (right side in the figure). A recess 3a into which the protrusion 5a fits is formed on the inner surface of the cap portion 3. The disc member 6 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a flange portion 5b is provided at the tip of the protrusion 5a. The outer diameter of the flange portion 5b is larger than the outer diameter of the projection portion 5a. Moreover, the connector 100 has a disc-shaped disc member 6. The disc member 6 has a slit 6a that fits into the center of the protrusion 5a. The width of the slit 6a is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the projection 5a, and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 5b.

As shown in FIG. 3B, which is an assembled perspective view of the balloon 5 and the disc member 6, the disc member 6 is attached to the balloon 5 by fitting the slit 6a of the disc member 6 into the center of the projection 5a. . In this state, the balloon 5 is placed inside the connector main body 1, as shown in FIG. Thereby, the disc member 6 is arranged between the end surface of the balloon 5 on the cap part 3 side (the right side in the figure) and the flange part 5b.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the second opening 1b is sealed with the cap part 3, the peripheral edge of the disc member 6 is sandwiched between the connector main body part 1 and the cap part 3.

In this way, the peripheral edge of the disc member 6 is sandwiched between the connector main body part 1 and the cap part 3, so that the disc member 6 is fixed. The disc member 6 is disposed between the end surface of the balloon 5 on the cap portion 3 side and the flange portion 5b on the tip side of the projection portion 5a, and the width of the slit 6a is larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion 5b. Since the projection portion 5a of the balloon 5 is also small, even if the balloon 5 is greatly deformed, the protrusion portion 5a of the balloon 5 will not come off from the disk member 6. As a result, the position of the balloon 5 is reliably maintained, so that displacement of the balloon 5 can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the disc member 6 has a cylindrical portion 6b. The cylindrical portion 6b extends from the center of the disc member 6 toward the cap portion 3 (toward the right in the figure). The slit 6a side of the cylindrical portion 6b is open. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the slit 6a is fitted into the center of the protrusion 5a, the cylindrical part 6b accommodates the protrusion 5a inside.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the second opening 1b is sealed with the cap part 3, the flange part 5b of the balloon 5 is sandwiched between the cap part 3 and the cylindrical part 6b.

In this way, the flange portion 5b is sandwiched between the cap portion 3 and the cylindrical portion 6b. This restricts the movement of the balloon 5 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 5a, making it possible to further prevent displacement of the balloon 5.

(How to assemble the connector)
Next, a method for assembling the connector 100 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the slit 6a of the disc member 6 is fitted into the center of the protrusion 5a. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the balloon 5 to which the disc member 6 is attached is inserted into the inside of the connector body 1 through the second opening 1b of the connector body 1.

Next, the second opening 1b is sealed with the cap portion 3. Then, the peripheral edge portion of the disc member 6 is sandwiched between the connector main body portion 1 and the cap portion 3. Thereafter, the O-ring 7, the annular spacer 8, the O-ring 7, and the annular spacer 9 are inserted into the connector body 1 from the first opening 1a in this order. In this embodiment, two O-rings 7 are inserted into the connector body 1, but the number of O-rings 7 is not limited to this.

(effect)
As described above, according to the connector 100 according to the present embodiment, the peripheral edge of the disc member 6 is sandwiched between the connector main body part 1 and the cap part 3, so that the disc member 6 is fixed. . The disc member 6 is disposed between the end surface of the balloon 5 on the cap portion 3 side and the flange portion 5b on the tip side of the projection portion 5a, and the width of the slit 6a is larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion 5b. Since the projection portion 5a of the balloon 5 is also small, even if the balloon 5 is greatly deformed, the protrusion portion 5a of the balloon 5 will not come off from the disk member 6. As a result, the position of the balloon 5 is reliably maintained, so that displacement of the balloon 5 can be prevented.

Further, the flange portion 5b is sandwiched between the cap portion 3 and the cylindrical portion 6b. This restricts the movement of the balloon 5 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 5a, making it possible to further prevent displacement of the balloon 5.

Further, in the balloon 5, the wall thickness of the portion forming the bellows is made thinner than the wall thickness of both ends of the balloon 5 in the insertion direction of the pipe 50. This makes it easier for the balloon 5 to expand and contract, thereby improving the pulsation absorbing ability of the balloon 5.

Further, in the balloon 5, the wall thickness of the portion forming the bellows is 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less, preferably 50 μm or more and 400 μm or less. This allows the balloon 5 to expand and contract more easily, so that the responsiveness and bending durability of the balloon 5 can be improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely illustrative examples and do not particularly limit the present invention, and the design of the specific configuration can be changed as appropriate. Further, the functions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention are merely a list of the most preferable functions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the functions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the invention. It is not limited to what has been done.

For example, the male joint portion 2 of the connector 100 may be formed into a flange joint or the like.

Furthermore, the use of the connector 100 is not limited to connecting fuel piping and the like. For example, the connector 100 may be used to connect a pipe through which water flows. The balloon 5 can suppress the pulsation of water, and can also prevent the connector 100 and the pipes connected thereto from cracking when the water freezes. Furthermore, the connector 100 may be used to connect piping through which compressed air flows, and in this application, pulsation of compressed air can be suppressed.

1 Connector body part 1a First opening 1b Second opening 2 Male joint part (joint part)
2a Channel 3 Cap portion 3a Recessed portion 4 Retainer 5 Balloon (pulsation absorber)
5a Projection part 5b Flange part 6 Disk member 6a Slit 6b Cylindrical part 7 O-ring 8,9 Spacer 50 Pipe 50a Spool part 50b Channel 100 Connector

Claims (4)

a connector body having a first opening into which a pipe is inserted; and a second opening opposite to the first opening;
a joint portion provided on a side surface of the connector body portion and having a flow path communicating with the inside of the connector body portion;
a pulsation absorber disposed inside the connector main body from the second opening and absorbing fluid pulsations;
a cap portion that seals the second opening;
has
The pulsation absorber has a columnar projection extending from an end face on the cap side toward the cap,
A recess into which the protrusion fits is formed on the inner surface of the cap,
A flange portion is provided at the tip of the protrusion,
a disc-shaped disc member having a slit that fits into the center of the protrusion and disposed between the end face and the flange;
The width of the slit is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion,
A connector with a pulsation absorbing function, wherein a peripheral edge of the disc member is sandwiched between the connector main body and the cap. The disc member has a cylindrical part that extends from a central part toward the cap part, houses the protrusion part therein, and is open on the slit side;
The connector with a pulsation absorption function according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion is sandwiched between the cap portion and the cylindrical portion. The pulsation absorber is formed with a bellows that expands and contracts along the insertion direction of the pipe,
The pulsation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the pulsation absorber, a wall thickness of a portion forming the bellows is thinner than a wall thickness of both ends of the pulsation absorber in the insertion direction of the pipe. Connector with absorption function. 4. The connector with a pulsation absorbing function according to claim 3, wherein in the pulsation absorber, a wall thickness of a portion forming the bellows is 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

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