JP7385917B2 - Fittings with ratchet mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a joint that exhibits a reverse rotation prevention effect when two members are connected by rotating them relative to each other.

Conventionally, as a technique related to such a joint, for example, there is a technique shown in Patent Document 1 below.

This technology prevents the nut that secures the cartridge to the faucet body from loosening easily in mixer faucets in which a cartridge equipped with a valve mechanism is attached to the faucet body. and easy to take out.

Specifically, a cartridge is placed on the faucet body, and a cylindrical nut covering the cartridge is screwed into a threaded portion of the faucet body. At that time, a ring-shaped locking tool is placed in a state that is engaged with a part of the cartridge, and a plurality of locking claws formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking tool are engaged with the inner surface of the nut to secure the nut. Prevent loosening.

A plurality of inclined pawls are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the loosening stopper and are continuously arranged in a part along the circumferential direction. On the inner surface of the corresponding nut, engaging teeth that can be engaged with the inclined pawl are formed over the entire circumference.

According to this configuration, the nut of the mixing faucet will not loosen due to the locking device, the nut can be easily screwed together without using any tools, and it will not loosen even if vibrations occur. That is.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-232253

However, in the conventional technique described above, the inclined pawls formed on the locking device and the engaging teeth formed on the nut are all formed in the same shape and the same pitch. Therefore, when tightening the nut, the inclined claws and the engagement teeth that engage with each other move relative to each other in the same phase and engage at the same timing.

For this reason, the minimum unit of the rotation prevention function of the nut is, for example, the pitch between adjacent pawls in inclined pawls, and when restricting reverse rotation of the nut, a loosening allowance corresponding to the minimum pitch is generated. Therefore, even if the nut is tightened to the specified strength against the faucet body, it may loosen by one pitch, resulting in looseness in the nut or a gap between it and the faucet body. .

In addition, when the nut is fully tightened into the faucet body, if each slanted pawl does not completely engage with all the engaging teeth, the creep of the slanted pawl will cause the elasticity to deteriorate. Power may be lost. As a result, when the nut rotates in the loosening direction, the inclined pawl may not function and the nut may easily loosen.

Furthermore, in the configuration in which all the inclined pawls and engagement teeth engage as described above, there is a large increase or decrease in resistance during the tightening operation of the nut, which may impair the smoothness of the tightening operation.

As described above, there are still problems to be solved with the conventional joints, and it is desired to provide a joint with excellent locking effect.

(Characteristic configuration)
The characteristic structure of the joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to the present invention is that the first member has a first connecting portion and the second member has a second connecting portion so as to be connected by relative rotation to each other.
A plurality of members are provided on one of the first member and the second member , are arranged in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation axis of relative rotation, and have an elastic force in a direction protruding from the one member. a claw portion with a claw;
a tooth portion provided on the other of the first member and the second member, and having a plurality of teeth that engage with the claw portion and are arranged annularly at equal intervals;
At least one of the plurality of claws is in a state of completely engaging with one of the plurality of teeth, and at least one other claw is not in a state of completely engaging with one of the plurality of teeth. The feature is that it is equipped with a ratchet mechanism configured as follows.

(effect)
With this configuration, at least one of the plurality of claws is completely engaged with one of the plurality of teeth, and at least one other claw is completely engaged with the plurality of teeth formed at equal intervals. This is to prevent this from happening. For this purpose, a plurality of pawls are provided that engage the teeth at different timings when the first member and the second member are connected by relative rotation.

As a result, when the first member and the second member rotate relative to each other over a predetermined angle, such as one pitch of the teeth, the number of engagements of the claws with the teeth can be increased, and the number of engagements between the first member and the second member is increased. The relative phase of can be fixed at a fine pitch.

Furthermore, even if the elastic force of each pawl is lost due to creep or the like after the joining work between the first connecting part and the second connecting part is completed, at least one pawl will completely engage with the tooth. This prevents the connection between the two from loosening.

(Characteristic configuration)
In a joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to the present invention, it is advantageous if each of the plurality of pawls and the plurality of teeth are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

(effect)
Since each pawl has elasticity along the radial direction, each pawl applies some pressing force to the opposing tooth even when it does not completely engage the tooth. Therefore, by arranging the plurality of claws and the plurality of teeth at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, the contact force acting from the claws to the teeth is generated in a well-balanced manner around the rotation axis. Therefore, if there is play between the first connection part of the first member and the second connection part of the second member, or if the annular claw part is attached to the first member, the claw part Even if there is a possibility that a positional shift occurs between the rotation axis of the tooth and the rotation axis of the tooth, the entire claw portion is likely to be coaxially positioned with respect to the rotation axis of the tooth. Therefore, each pawl can be reliably engaged with the teeth.

Further, when the pawl portion has a large play with respect to the second member, a problem arises as to whether or not the engaged state of the pawl is stable immediately after engagement. However, by distributing the claws evenly in the circumferential direction, other claws other than the engaged claw act on the corresponding teeth, and the claws are placed on the side of the engaged claw. is energized by As a result, the distance between the teeth and the claw becomes the narrowest at the position of the engaged claw, and as a result, the engagement of the claw becomes reliable.

Note that the claw portion and tooth portion having this configuration are configured, for example, when the total number of teeth is not an integral multiple of the total number of claws.

(Characteristic configuration)
As a joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to the present invention, the plurality of teeth are formed at equal intervals from each other along the circumferential direction, and the total number of teeth Nh is an integral multiple of the total number of pawls Nt,
The angle between the teeth adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction about the rotation axis is defined as a tooth pitch Ph,
When the angle between the claws adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction about the rotation axis is defined as the claw pitch Pt,
It can be configured such that at least one of the pawl pitches Pt is not an integral multiple of the tooth pitch Ph.

(effect)
If a plurality of teeth are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and the total number of teeth is an integral multiple of the total number of pawls n, it is possible to have a configuration in which all the pawls engage with one of the teeth at the same time. It is. However, in this configuration, the configuration of the teeth and claws is specified so that at least one claw is completely engaged with the tooth, and at least one other claw is not completely engaged. .

In the case of this configuration, the number and position of the pawls can be arbitrarily set while taking care that the pawl pitch Pt between a specific pawl and another pawl adjacent thereto is not an integral multiple of the tooth pitch Ph. Therefore, the degree of freedom is increased especially in determining the shape of the first member, and a joint that is advantageous in terms of ease of manufacture and cost can be obtained.

(Characteristic configuration)
In a joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to the present invention, among the plurality of pawls, pawls that engage with the tooth portion at different timings are treated as one group, and the sequence of engagement of the pawls belonging to the group is set as one group. However, it is advantageous if the pawl that is closest to the diagonal direction of the pawl that was previously engaged is set, excluding the pawl that has already been engaged.

(effect)
The first member and the second member are joined while rotating relative to each other, but in the process of joining them, their relative positions may change to some extent, and there is a possibility that their rotational axes may deviate from each other. be. When the respective claws engage in sequence in such a state, considering the elastic force of the claws that acts on the teeth, the elastic force that acts on the teeth decreases for the claws that are deeply engaged with the teeth. Therefore, the distance between the first member and the second member may be the narrowest at the position of the engaging claw and widest at the position diagonal thereto.

Considering the elastic deformation of a pawl that engages with a tooth, the pawl undergoes the greatest elastic deformation just before it passes over one tooth, and the elastic force acting on the tooth becomes maximum. Therefore, by setting the engagement order of the pawls as in this configuration, the distance between the first member and the second member is widened at the position where the elastic deformation of the pawls is maximum, and the load on the pawls is reduced. For this reason, the movement of the claws to cross over becomes smoother, and the operating force required to connect the first member and the second member is reduced.

Here, among the plurality of claws, the number of groups of claws that engage with the tooth portions at different timings may be one or more. If there are claws belonging to another group in the diagonal direction of one claw, this configuration may not necessarily be effective, so the order of engagement of the claws in one group is defined.

(Characteristic configuration)
In the joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to the present invention, when viewed in a direction along the rotation axis, the pawl and the tooth are in contact with the tooth in a locking direction. When a straight line obtained by connecting the abutting portion and the center of swing of the pawl is defined as the pawl center line, the rotation axis is one of the two intersection angles between the tangent at the abutting portion of the tooth and the pawl center line. It is advantageous if the angle on the side of the core is small.

(effect)
The pawl of this configuration can be deformed while having an elastic force with respect to the first member, and can swing relative to the first member when riding over the tooth. At that time, a swing center is formed in the first member. When the first member rotates relative to the second member and moves in a direction in which the pawl cannot ride over the tooth, that is, in a locking direction, the pawl abuts on a predetermined position of the tooth.

In this configuration, the shapes of the pawl and teeth are defined so that the pawl engages the tooth more firmly at this time. That is, when the pawl moves in the locking direction, the state of contact of the pawl with the surface of the tooth determines whether the pawl moves in a direction that deeply engages with the tooth or moves in a direction that leaves the tooth. Therefore, the pawl center line formed on the pawl is not perpendicular to the tangent line of the tooth at the tooth abutting part, and of the two intersecting angles formed by both lines, the angle on the rotation axis side is configured to be smaller. By doing so, the pawl in contact with the tooth swings in a direction away from the rotation axis, and the engagement between the pawl and the tooth becomes firm.

Note that the center of swing in this configuration is, for example, one that is formed when a claw integrally formed on the first member moves elastically, and the other that is formed when a movable part such as a shaft is attached to the first member. This includes those formed when the pawls connected through them move.

(Characteristic configuration)
In the joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to the present invention, the claw portion includes a substantially annular claw main body having a notch in a part, and the claws provided at a plurality of locations on the claw main body. It can be configured to have

(effect)
When the claw main body has, for example, an E shape or a C shape, attachment to the first member is facilitated. For example, even if the first member is a long member, the claw portion can be attached from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first member, and the range of application of the ratchet mechanism can be expanded.

Moreover, with this configuration, one type of claw portion can be used for a plurality of joints, and parts can be shared.

Furthermore, assuming that the connection between the first member and the second member is to be separated, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which only the claw part can be damaged, such as by making the claw part of resin. Therefore, by separating the first member and the second member and then using another claw, it becomes easy to rejoin the two members.

(Characteristic configuration)
In the joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to the present invention, either a male threaded portion or a female threaded portion that can be screwed into each other is separately formed on the first member and the second member. Also good.

(effect)
By providing the ratchet mechanism of this configuration on the male threaded portion and the female threaded portion that can be screwed together, the connection state by the threaded portion can be reliably maintained, and the first member and the second member can be firmly connected. .

A perspective view showing the appearance of the joint according to the first embodiment A plan view showing how the claws and teeth of the joint engage according to the first embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the engagement mode of the claw and teeth of the joint according to the first embodiment A plan view showing how the claws and teeth of the joints engage with each other according to the second and third embodiments. A perspective view showing the appearance of a joint according to a fourth embodiment A perspective view showing the appearance of a joint according to a fifth embodiment

〔overview〕
The joint J of the present invention connects a first member J1 having a first connecting portion S1 and a second member J2 having a second connecting portion S2 while rotating them relative to each other, and at that time, the connected state is maintained. As shown, the teeth 11 and the claws 21, which are arranged separately on the first member J1 and the second member J2, engage with each other. Among these, the first member J1 has a plurality of teeth 11 arranged at regular intervals in a ring shape to form a tooth portion 1. One second member J2 is provided with a plurality of claws 21 at positions facing the plurality of teeth 11.

In this embodiment, among the parts that engage with each other, parts with a large number are called "teeth", and parts with a small number are called "claws". Either of these teeth and claws may change its position in order to engage with each other. Further, when changing the posture, various configurations such as one that deforms elastically and one that rotates via a mechanical shaft part can be adopted.

The engagement direction between the pawl 21 and the teeth 11 may be along the direction of the rotation axis X of the first member J1 and the second member J2, or may be a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X. . In this embodiment, each pawl 21 is assumed to elastically protrude and retire along a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X, and is arranged along a circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis X. form. Hereinafter, various configurations of these tooth portions 1 and claw portions 2 will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
The configuration of a joint J according to a first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Here, an example is shown in which the first member J1 and the second member J2 are members that connect water pipes, respectively. The first member J1 is formed with a female screw portion S1a as the first connection portion S1, and the second member J2 is formed with a male screw portion S2a as the second connection portion S2. Further, in the first member J1, the tooth part 1 is formed on the end side of the first member J1 with respect to the female thread part S1a, and in the second member J2, the tooth part 1 is formed on both sides of the male thread part S2a. A claw portion 2 is formed on the opposite side of the end of the second member J2.

The first member J1 and the second member J2 are molded, for example, by resin molding, and are connected to other members such as a water pipe, although not shown. The connection between the first member J1 and the water pipe and the connection between the second member J2 and the water pipe may be fixed so that they cannot rotate relative to each other, or may be connected so that they can freely rotate relative to each other. If the first member J1 and the second member J2, both of which are connected to water pipes, are connected by relative rotation, the water pipe connected to the rotating member of the first member J1 and the second member J2 is connected. Preferably, the tube rotates relative to the member.

[First member]
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the first member J1 is a cylindrical female member in this embodiment. Teeth 1 constituting a ratchet mechanism R are formed around the entire circumference on the inner surface of the opening end. A female threaded portion S1a serving as the first connecting portion S1 is formed at the back thereof. Furthermore, a flow channel A through which tap water flows is formed protrudingly at the back of the female threaded portion S1a.

[Second member]
The second member J2 is a male member having a flow channel A in the center, and a male threaded portion S2a serving as a second connecting portion S2 is formed on the outer surface of the end portion. A claw portion 2 constituting a ratchet mechanism R is provided adjacent to the base end side. In this embodiment, the claw portion 2 has a substantially annular claw main body 22 having a notch in a part thereof, and three claws 21 are formed around the main body 22, for example, at three locations.

The claw main body 22 has a C-shape or an E-shape as a whole, but as shown in FIG. 1(b), for example, as shown in FIG. It has been formed. The second member J2 has a shape corresponding to this uneven portion 3. The claw main body 22 is made of, for example, various resin materials and has elasticity. Therefore, it is also possible to easily attach it to the second member J2 from the radial direction. Note that in order to avoid mistakes in the mounting direction of the claw main body 22 with respect to the second member J2, a protrusion 4a is provided on the inner surface of the claw main body 22 at one end along the rotational axis X. Member J2 is provided with a corresponding recess. Thereby, when the attachment direction of the claw body 22 is reversed, the convex portion 4a interferes with the surface of the second member J2, and the claw body 22 is configured not to be settled in a predetermined posture.

[Ratchet mechanism]
The claw portion 2 and the tooth portion 1 constitute a ratchet mechanism R, which prevents the connection state from loosening after the first member J1 and the second member J2 are joined by relative rotation, and the first member J1 and the second member J2 are Maintain a strong connection with J2. Therefore, in the ratchet mechanism R of the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of claws 21 is in a state of complete engagement with one of the plurality of teeth 11, and at least one other claw 21 is in a state where the plurality of claws 21 is completely engaged with one of the plurality of teeth 11. It is configured so that it does not completely engage with one of the teeth 11.

That is, when the first member J1 and the second member J2 are relatively rotated and connected, a plurality of pawls 21 are provided which engage the teeth 11 at different timings. As a result, when the first member J1 and the second member J2 rotate relative to each other over a predetermined angle, such as one tooth pitch, the number of engagements of the claws 21 with the teeth 11 can be increased, and the first member J1 The relative phase between the second member J2 and the second member J2 can be fixed at a fine pitch.

Further, even if the elastic force of each pawl 21 is lost due to creep or the like after the joining work between the first member J1 and the second member J2 is completed, at least one pawl 21 is completely attached to the tooth 11. Since they are engaged, the connection between the two will not loosen.

Specifically, the plurality of claws 21 and the plurality of teeth 11 are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and the total number Nh of teeth 11 is configured not to be an integral multiple of the total number Nt of claws 21.

Thereby, when the first member J1 and the second member J2 are rotated relative to each other, each claw 21 engages with the corresponding tooth 11 at different timings. That is, while one pawl 21 rides over one tooth 11 and engages the next tooth 11, the other pawls 21 engage with their respective teeth 11. As shown in FIG. 2, when the pitch of the teeth 11 is taken as the tooth pitch Ph, and the pitch of the pawls 21 is taken as the pawl pitch Pt, the tooth pitch Ph is determined by (360 degrees/total number of teeth Nh), and the pawl pitch Pt is: (360 degrees/total number of claws Nt). Assuming that there is only one pawl 21 that engages with the tooth 11, there is a gap between the pawl 21 that is not engaged and the tooth 11 that the pawl 21 engages next. There is an angular difference that is an integer multiple of the angle (remainder after dividing).

With this configuration, while the first member J1 and the second member J2 rotate relative to each other by one pitch of the teeth 11, the other pawls 21 engage with the teeth 11, respectively, and the first member J1 and the second member The loosening prevention function with J2 is demonstrated at a finer pitch.

In addition, when joining the first member J1 and the second member J2 by relatively rotating them, for example, the joining operation is performed by relatively rotating them until the end surface J2f of the male threaded portion S2a comes into contact with the bottom surface J1f of the first member J1. Complete. Alternatively, the joining operation may be completed by bringing the base end surface J2a of the second member J2 into contact with the open end surface J1a of the first member J1. Furthermore, for example, when joining the first member J1 and the second member J2 via an elastic seal or the like, the joining operation is completed when the tightening torque of both members becomes a constant value.

Moreover, since each pawl 21 has elasticity along the radial direction, each pawl 21 applies some pressing force to the opposing tooth 11 without completely engaging with the tooth 11. Therefore, the plurality of claws 21 and the plurality of teeth 11 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, so that when one claw 21 is about to engage with the tooth 11, the other claws 21 are not yet engaged. These other pawls 21 are in a state where they apply a pressing force to the teeth 11.

As a result, if the claw main body 22 has some play with respect to the second member J2, for example, if there is play between the first connecting part S1 and the second connecting part S2, or if there is a ring-shaped Even if there is a possibility that a positional shift occurs between the rotation axis of the claw part 2 and the rotation axis X of the tooth part 1 in a configuration in which the claw part 2 is attached to the first member J1, the claw part main body 22 The whole of the tooth portion 1 is likely to be coaxially located with respect to the rotation axis X of the tooth portion 1. Therefore, each pawl 21 is reliably engaged with the tooth 11.

Furthermore, when the claw main body 22 has a large play with respect to the second member J2, a problem arises as to whether or not the engaged state of the claw 21 immediately after engagement is stable. However, since the claws 21 are arranged evenly in the circumferential direction, the other claws 21 other than the engaged claw 21 act on the corresponding tooth 11, and the claw main body 22 It is urged toward the matching claw 21 side. As a result, the distance between the tooth portion 1 and the claw body 22 becomes the narrowest at the position of the engaged claw 21, and as a result, the engagement of the claw 21 becomes reliable.

[Claw shape]
FIG. 3 shows a state in which one pawl 21 is engaged with the tooth 11. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the pawl 21 is fully engaged with the tooth 11 and is in its natural state, with no external force acting on the tooth 11. On the other hand, FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which the first member J1 and the second member J2 are about to rotate relative to each other in opposite directions, and the claw 21 is increasingly bitten into the teeth 11. Note that the state in which the pawl 21 is completely engaged with the tooth 11 means that the pawl 21 passes over one tooth 11 and protrudes in the radial direction, regardless of whether or not the end of the pawl 21 contacts the surface of the tooth 11. This refers to the state where the diameter is at its maximum.

In the state shown in FIG. 3(b), the claw 21 is elastically deformed further outward, and the tip of the claw 21 comes into contact with the wall of the tooth 11, preventing further deformation of the claw 21. This restricts reverse rotation. In order for the pawl 21 to deform outward when reverse rotation occurs in this way, it is necessary to appropriately set the shape of the pawl 21 and the abutment posture between the pawl 21 and the teeth 11.

The claw 21 has a shape protruding from the claw main body 22, and since the claw 21 is made of elastic resin or the like, it deforms with the swing center C at point C shown in FIG. 3(b). If the straight line obtained by connecting the contact portion D between the claw 21 and the tooth 11 and the swing center C is defined as the claw center line L1, when the claw main body 22 is about to rotate in the opposite direction, the line shown in FIG. 3(a) As shown, the claw 21 applies an external force F1 to the tooth 11 along the claw center line L1. This external force F1 is transmitted to the contact portion D of the tooth 11, and is decomposed into a component force F2 directed in the direction of the tangent L2 of the contact portion D and a component force F3 perpendicular to the direction of the tangent L2.

In order for the pawl 21 to displace outward during reverse rotation, the angle α formed by the direction of the tangent L2 at the contact portion D between the pawl 21 and the teeth 11 and the direction of the pawl center line L1 is not a right angle, but must be As shown in a), it is preferable that the claws 21 be brought into contact with the tangent line L2 in an outwardly extending manner. Incidentally, in FIG. 3(a), the direction of the tangent line L2 is made to coincide with the radial direction of the first member J1. Incidentally, such an angle α is set so that when the pawl 21 passes over one tooth 11, the diameter expands sufficiently to the depths of the tooth 11, and further expansion of the diameter of the pawl 21 is prevented by the wall surface of the tooth 11. The same thing can be done in any case.

The direction of this tangent line L2 may be set as appropriate, but for example, the closer the direction is perpendicular to the claw center line L1, the less likely a gap will occur between the claw 21 and the tooth 11 after the claw 21 has climbed over the tooth 11, and the reverse rotation will occur. The allowable angle becomes smaller. However, when an attempt is made to rotate in the reverse direction, there is a possibility that the pawl 21 will deform inward in the radial direction depending on the shape of the pawl 21 in its natural state, etc., increasing the possibility that the pawl 21 will rotate in the reverse direction.

On the other hand, as the direction of the claw center line L1 approaches the direction of the tangent line L2, the gap between the claw 21 and the tooth 11 becomes wider after the claw 21 passes over the tooth 11, and the allowable angle for reverse rotation becomes larger. However, when reverse rotation is attempted, the pawls 21 are reliably displaced to the outside and the engagement with the teeth 11 is increased, thereby increasing the effect of preventing reverse rotation.

[Second embodiment]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the joint J according to the second embodiment. Here, an example is shown in which a plurality of teeth 11 are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, while five claws 21 are arranged unevenly along the circumferential direction. Specifically, the total number Nh of the teeth 11 is an integral multiple of the total number Nt of the pawls 21 (5 in this embodiment), and the configuration is such that at least one pawl pitch Pt is not an integral multiple of the tooth pitch Ph. do.

A plurality of teeth 11 are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and if the total number Nh of teeth 11 is an integral multiple of the total number Nt of pawls 21, all the pawls 21 engage with any tooth 11 at the same time. It is possible to match. However, in this configuration, the teeth 11 and the claws 21 are configured so that at least one of the claws 21 is completely engaged with the tooth 11, and at least one other claw 21 is not completely engaged. It specifies the

To this end, by preventing the specific pawl pitch Pt from being an integral multiple of the tooth pitch Ph, and by making the values of the plurality of pawl pitches Pt formed by the respective pawls 21 different, reverse rotation with a finer pitch can be achieved. The prevention function can be demonstrated.

In this configuration, in order to determine the value of each pawl pitch Pt formed between adjacent pawls 21, it is only necessary to pay attention to the angle that is the remainder after dividing by the tooth pitch Ph, and as in the first embodiment, By arranging each claw 21 evenly, there is no restriction on the positional relationship of all the claws 21. Therefore, the degree of freedom is increased in determining the shape of the first member J1, and a joint J that is advantageous in terms of ease of manufacture and cost can be obtained.

As an example of this embodiment, for example, the approximate claw pitch Pt1 is calculated by dividing 360 degrees by the total number Nt of the claws 21. Next, calculate the value (Ph/Nt) by dividing the tooth pitch Ph by the total number Nt of pawls 21, set the first pawl 21 at an arbitrary position, and then sequentially set the pitch of adjacent pawls 21 (claw pitch Pt1+(Ph/Nt)). Alternatively, the pitch of adjacent claws 21 may be set sequentially (claw pitch Pt1-(Ph/Nt)). By setting the positions of the claws 21 in this manner, the engagement timings of the claws 21 can be sequentially varied while distributing the claws 21 over the entire circumference.

Note that the pitch between adjacent claws 21 may be (claw pitch Pt1±n(Ph/Nt)). In this case, the value of n(Ph/Nt) is set to be different from an integral multiple of the pawl pitch Pt1, so that adjacent pawls 21 do not engage and disengage at the same time. Also, ensure that n is not an integral multiple of Nt. This is to prevent the inconvenience that, although the adjacent pawl pitches Pt1 and Pt2 have different values, the difference becomes an integral multiple of Ph, resulting in the adjacent pawls 21 engaging and disengaging at the same time. It is.

[Third embodiment]
In this embodiment, when each pawl 21 engages with the tooth 11, adjacent pawls 21 do not engage in sequence, but the position of the pawl 21 to be engaged next is set to the farthest position along the circumferential direction. An example of setting is shown below.

Specifically, among the plurality of pawls 21, the pawls 21 that engage with the tooth portion 1 at different timings are grouped into one group. This group may be composed of all the claws 21, or may be divided into a plurality of groups. When divided into a plurality of groups, specific claws 21 of each group may be engaged at the same time. Then, the engagement order of the claws 21 belonging to these groups is set to the claw 21 that is closest in the diagonal direction to the previously engaged claw 21, excluding the claws 21 that have already been engaged. Based on.

For example, when five pawls 21 are formed as shown in FIG. 4, all the pawls 21 are made into one group, and each pawl 21 is engaged in the star-shaped order in the figure, that is, from pawl 211 to pawl 215. I'll do what I do. By defining the engagement order in this way, for example, the following effects can be obtained.

The first member J1 and the second member J2 are joined while rotating relative to each other, but at that time, their relative positions may change and their rotational axes X may deviate from each other. When the respective claws 21 engage in sequence in this state, considering the elastic force of the claws 21 acting on the teeth 11, the elastic force acting on the teeth 11 will be lower for the claws 211 that are deeply engaged with the teeth 11. less power. Therefore, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. It may be narrowest at the position and widest at the position of the claw 213 or claw 214 diagonal to this position.

Considering the state of elastic deformation of the pawl 21 that engages with the tooth 11, if the pawl 211 is now fully engaged, the pawl 212, which is in the state immediately before overcoming the tooth 11, will undergo the largest elastic deformation. The elastic force acting on the teeth 11 is at its maximum. Therefore, by setting the engagement order of the pawls 21 as in this configuration, the distance between the first member J1 and the second member J2 is determined at the position where the elastic deformation of the pawl 212 that next engages with the tooth 11 is maximized. becomes wider and the burden on the claw 212 is reduced. Therefore, the movement of the individual claws 21 to get over each other becomes smoother, and the operating force required to connect the first member J1 and the second member J2 is reduced.

[Fourth embodiment]
The ratchet mechanism R of the present invention may have the claw portion 2 provided on the inner surface of the first member J1 and the tooth portion 1 provided on the outer surface of the second member J2, as shown in FIG. In that case, the claw part 2 can be arranged on the back side of the female thread part S1a, and the tooth part 1 can be provided on the end side with respect to the male thread part S2a.

The claw portion 2 is configured by providing three claws 21 on a ring-shaped claw portion main body 22, for example. The claw main body 22 is made of an elastic material such as a resin material or a metal material, and the three claws 21 are formed by cutting out the peripheral wall of the claw main body 22 and protruding inward. Two engagement grooves 22a are formed on the outer periphery of the claw main body 22, and are engaged with the rotation regulating projections 4b formed on the inner wall of the first member J1. In order to orient the claw 21 of the claw main body 22 in a predetermined direction, the two engagement grooves 22a are offset from radially opposing positions.

Note that, before joining the first member J1 and the second member J2, a stopping mechanism may be provided as appropriate to prevent the claw main body 22 from falling off from the inside of the first member J1. For example, a peripheral wall portion matching the outer diameter of the claw main body 22 is provided on the back side of the first member J1, and the inner diameter of the entrance portion to this peripheral wall portion is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the claw main body 22. By doing so, the claw main body 22 can be pushed and fixed while being slightly deformed.

The joining operation between the first member J1 and the second member J2 may be such that the end surface J2f of the second member J2 comes into contact with the bottom surface J1f of the first member J1 to complete the joining, or the joining operation between the second member J2 The proximal end surface J2a of the first member J1 may come into contact with the opening end surface J1a of the first member J1.

With this configuration, the claw main body 22 can be made into a complete annular member and can be inserted into the first member J1. Therefore, the conditions for forming each pawl 21 with respect to the pawl main body 22 are the same, and the elastic characteristics of each pawl 21 are the same, so that a more stable engagement state can be obtained.

[Fifth embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 6, the ratchet mechanism R of the present invention has an annular claw portion 2 configured such that the claw 21 protrudes along the direction of the rotation axis X of the first member J1 on the bottom surface of the first member J1. It can also be provided at J1f. The claw portion 2 is made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. The structure of the claw 21 can be simplified by cutting out a part of the claw body 22 and raising it in the direction of the rotation axis X.

Two engagement grooves 22a are formed in the claw portion 2 so as not to rotate relative to the first member J1. The bottom surface J1f of the first member J1 is provided with two protrusions 4b that engage with the engagement groove 22a. Each of the engagement grooves 22a and the convex portions 4b is provided eccentrically around the rotation axis X of the first member J1, and prevents the claw portion 2 from being installed upside down. It is convenient to configure the outer diameter of the claw main body 22 to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the first member J1, since this will prevent the claw main body 22 from falling off when it is pushed inside the first member J1. be.

In one second member J2, a tooth portion 1 having a plurality of teeth 11 is formed at the tip. The shapes of the teeth 11 and the claws 21 are such that the claws 21 can ride over the teeth 11 only when the first member J1 and the second member J2 are rotated clockwise relative to each other.

By rotating the first member J1 and the second member J2 in the right direction, the female threaded portion S1a and the male threaded portion S2a are screwed together, and the first member J1 and the second member J2 are screwed toward each other. When the teeth 11 of the second member J2 approach the claws 21 and come into contact with each other, the claws 21 begin to ride over the teeth 11, and the function of preventing reverse rotation between the first member J1 and the second member J2 is exhibited. .

In this configuration, in order to prevent the claw 21 from being compressed and crushed, the opening end surface J1a of the first member J1 and the base of the second member J2 are connected before the teeth 11 and the claw 21 approach each other beyond a predetermined distance. It is configured so that the end surface J2a abuts against it. Although not shown, a seal ring or the like is provided at an appropriate position to ensure sealing between the first member J1 and the second member J2. Further, in order to adjust the degree of engagement between the claws 21 and the teeth 11, it is preferable to use spacers 5 of various thicknesses.

[Material]
Of the above configurations, the first member J1, the second member J2, and the claw main body 22 can be made of various metals, resin materials, or rubber materials. As the resin, thermoplastic resins that are easy to mold are preferred. Among thermoplastic resins, PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene copolymer synthetic resin), POM (polyacetal), and PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), which are particularly easy to mold, are preferred.

In particular, the first member J1 and the second member J2 are preferably made of ABS, which is inexpensive and provides rigidity. Further, since the claw body 22 needs to be formed into a structure in which the claws 21 are formed, it is particularly preferable to use POM, which has high toughness. Furthermore, when using a metal material, it is preferable to use SUS (stainless steel for springs).

In addition, when using a rubber material, one with high rigidity is desirable. For example, materials such as NBR (nitrilogom), EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber), FKM (fluororubber), silicone, etc. are suitable for use in the claw main body 22 for reasons of productivity.

[Other embodiments]
The ratchet mechanism R of this configuration is not limited to being provided in a screw-type joint J, but can be used as a mechanism for connecting two members, such as a joint J having a bayonet structure or a screw itself.

Further, such a ratchet mechanism R is not used in combination with the joint J, but can be used in various adjustment rings and display dials where it is desirable to prevent reverse rotation.

The claw 21 may be integrally formed with the claw main body 22 as in the above structure, or may be constructed separately from the claw main body 22 and swing with the attachment part as a fulcrum. .

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the number of pawls 21 is small compared to the number of teeth 11, but conversely, a large number of pawls 21 whose posture can be changed are provided along the circumferential direction, and the teeth 11 that engage with the pawls 21 are provided in a large number along the circumferential direction. It is also possible to configure the number of claws to be less than the number of claws 21.

In the above embodiment, the teeth 11 are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, but conversely, the claws 21 are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and the teeth 11 are formed at irregular intervals along the circumferential direction. They may be formed at equal intervals.

The ratchet mechanism R and the joint J of the present invention are widely applicable not only to water supply piping but also as a locking mechanism for various connecting parts or screws, etc., where two members are connected by relative rotation.

1 Teeth 11 Teeth 2 Claw 21 Claw C Swing center D Contact portion J Joint J1 First member J2 Second member L1 Claw center line L2 Tangent line Nh Total number of teeth Nt Total number of pawls Ph Tooth pitch Pt Pawl pitch R Ratchet Mechanism S1 First connection part S1a Female thread part S2 Second connection part S2a Male thread part X Rotation axis

Claims (7)

A first member having a first connecting portion and a second member having a second connecting portion so as to be connected to each other by relative rotation,
A plurality of members are provided on one of the first member and the second member , are arranged in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation axis of relative rotation, and have an elastic force in a direction protruding from the one member. a claw portion with a claw;
a tooth portion provided on the other of the first member and the second member, and having a plurality of teeth that engage with the claw portion and are arranged annularly at equal intervals;
At least one of the plurality of claws is in a state of completely engaging with one of the plurality of teeth, and at least one other claw is not in a state of completely engaging with one of the plurality of teeth. A fitting with a ratchet mechanism configured as follows. The joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pawls and the plurality of teeth are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The plurality of teeth are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and the total number Nh of the teeth is an integral multiple of the total number Nt of the claws,
The angle between the teeth adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction about the rotation axis is defined as a tooth pitch Ph,
When the angle between the claws adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction about the rotation axis is defined as the claw pitch Pt,
2. A joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the pawl pitches Pt is configured not to be an integral multiple of the tooth pitch Ph. Among the plurality of claws, claws that engage with the teeth at different timings are defined as one group, and the engagement order of the claws belonging to the group is one before the other, excluding the claws that have already engaged. 4. A joint equipped with a ratchet mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a pawl is set at a position closest to the engaged pawl in a diagonal direction. When viewed in a direction along the rotation axis,
When the claw is in contact with the tooth in the locking direction, and a straight line obtained by connecting the contact portion of the claw and the tooth and the swing center of the claw is defined as the claw center line;
Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the angle on the rotation axis side is smaller among two intersecting angles between the tangent at the abutting portion of the tooth and the claw center line. A fitting with a ratchet mechanism as described in . According to any one of claims 1 to 5, the claw portion includes a substantially annular claw main body having a notch in a part, and the claws provided at a plurality of locations on the claw main body. A fitting with a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein either a male threaded portion or a female threaded portion that can be screwed together is formed separately for the first member and the second member. Fittings.

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