JPH0429181Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a metal flexible pipe.

The metal flexible pipe of the present invention can be used, for example, as hot water piping for automobiles that connects the main piping installed in the engine room of a car and connected to the hot water outlet after cooling the engine and the heater. can.

[Conventional technology] Conventionally, hot water piping for automobiles was made of vinyl chloride,
The type of pipe that is used consists of a main pipe molded from a resin such as polypropylene, and a metal flexible pipe that is connected to the main pipe and a heater or the like.

In general, metal flexible pipes are flexible enough to be used in a freely bent state in any direction in order to make effective use of limited space.

The wall thickness of this metal flexible pipe is necessarily thin in order to maintain flexibility.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] According to conventional metal flexible pipes, the wall thickness of the pipe is inevitably thinned in order to maintain flexibility. For this reason, the strength of the insertion portion inserted into the fitting hole of the mating member to be coupled is low and easily deformed.
In addition, the insertion portion cannot maintain roundness at the portion where it is connected to the mating member, and it is difficult to ensure sealing between the insertion portion and the fitting hole of the mating member.

The main purpose of this invention is to strengthen the insertion part of a metal flexible pipe that is inserted into the fitting hole of a mating member to be joined, and to improve the sealing performance between the mating member and the mating member. It is.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The metal flexible pipe of the present invention is a metal tubular body, and includes an insertion portion having a substantially constant outer diameter that is inserted into a fitting hole of a mating member to be connected; a pipe body having a flange provided at the base of the insertion portion so as to bulge in the outer circumferential direction; and a flexible portion that is continuous with the flange and can be bent; and at least a tip portion of the insertion portion with respect to the pipe body. and a reinforcing portion of the tubular body that is engaged with the inner circumferential surface between the flange and the flange.

The metal flexible pipe of the present invention consists of a pipe body and a reinforcing part.

The pipe body is made of a metal tubular body and has an insertion portion, a collar portion, and a flexible portion.

The insertion portion has a straight tube shape with a substantially constant outer diameter and is inserted into a fitting hole of a mating member to be coupled.

The distal end of the insertion portion may have a tapered constriction portion whose diameter decreases in the inner diameter direction. In this case, when inserting into the fitting hole of the mating member, it is possible to prevent damage to the ring-shaped elastic seal member or the like disposed in the fitting hole. Moreover, the insertion portion can be smoothly inserted into the fitting hole of the mating member by the constricted portion.

The collar portion is provided at the base of the insertion portion so as to bulge out in the outer circumferential direction. A portion of the reinforcing portion of the tubular body is engaged with the inner circumferential surface of the flange.

The flexible portion is flexible and continuous with the insertion portion. This allows it to be bent freely in any direction with the insertion portion as a reference.

The reinforcing part is made of a metal tubular body, and is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of at least the distal end portion of the insertion part of the pipe main body to reinforce the insertion part. Further, it is desirable that the reinforcing portion has a wall thickness greater than that of the pipe body.

The reinforcing part is made of the same metal tubular body as the pipe main body, and can be formed by bending the tip of the insertion part of the pipe main body inward.

The reinforcing part may be formed of a metal tubular body, engaged with the inner circumferential surface, and then spot welded or gas welded on the end face, or fixedly connected by press fitting.

As the reinforcing part, a cylindrical body made of a low-melting material installed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion part and fixed to the insertion part by heat welding can be used.

[Function] According to the metal flexible pipe of the present invention,
It has a so-called double-tube structure in which the reinforcing portion of the tubular body is engaged with the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion inserted into the fitting hole of the mating member to be coupled and the inner circumferential surface of the flange.

For this reason, the insertion part and the collar part, which require the most strength, are strengthened by the reinforcing part in a metal flexible pipe whose overall wall thickness is necessarily thin due to having a bendable flexible part. . This increases the strength of the insertion portion and allows it to maintain its roundness without being easily deformed. In addition, when this insertion portion is inserted into the fitting hole of the mating member through the ring-shaped elastic sealing member, the sealing performance can be maintained.

Further, when the insertion portion is inserted, the collar portion presses the elastic sealing member with its strength increased by the reinforcing portion, thereby reinforcing the sealing surface thereof.

In this case, it is possible to improve the sealing performance at the joint portion and expand the range of practical use of the flexible pipe.

Furthermore, since the sealing performance between the mating member and the fitting hole of the mating member to be joined is improved, it is not necessary to use a connecting member with an unnecessarily strong tightening force or a connecting member with a complicated structure.

Therefore, when using the metal flexible pipe of the present invention, the connection structure becomes simple. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce costs by simplifying the coupling structure.

[Example] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of the metal flexible pipe of the present invention in an enlarged cross-section in a used state.
This will be explained with reference to FIG. 3, which also shows an example of use.

The metal flexible pipe of this embodiment consists of a pipe body 1 and a reinforcing portion 2 of a metal tubular body.

The pipe body 1 is a stainless steel tubular body with a constant wall thickness, and has insertion portions 10A formed symmetrically at both ends.
(see Figs. 1 and 3), 10B (see Figs. 2 and 3), and a ring-shaped collar portion 11 having a substantially U-shaped cross section.
a, 11b, and a bellows-shaped flexible portion 12 that can be expanded and contracted. The insertion parts 10A and 10B have a substantially constant outer diameter so that they can be inserted into a fitting hole 300 of a first socket 30 and a fitting hole 700 of a second socket 70, which will be described later as mating members to be coupled. The ends of the insertion parts 10A and 10B are drawn after engaging the reinforcing parts 2, which will be described later, with the inner peripheral surfaces 101a and 101b.
00a and 100b are formed. The collar portions 11a and 11b are continuous with the insertion portion 10A and the insertion portion 10B and bulge in the outer circumferential direction. Flexible part 12
The collar part 1 is connected to both ends through the straight pipe parts 12a and 12b.
It is continuous with 1a and 11b.

The reinforcement part 2 has a constant wall thickness and is similar to the pipe body 1.
The inner peripheral surface 10 of the insertion portions 10A and 10B of the pipe body 1 is formed of a stainless steel tubular body that is thicker than the wall thickness of the pipe body 1.
1a and 101b, and an annular first reinforcing tube portion 20 connected to the first reinforcing tube portion 20 and sandwiched inside the collar portions 11a and 11b of the pipe body 1 and having a cross-sectional shape of approximately U. The reinforcing collar part 21 has a letter-shaped shape, and the straight pipe parts 12a, 1 of the pipe body 1 are continuous with the reinforcing collar part 21.
It consists of a cylindrical second reinforcing tube part 22 that engages with the inner circumferential surfaces 120a, 120b of 2b. This reinforcement part 2
are the inner circumferential surfaces 101a, 101b of the insertion portions 10A, 10B of the pipe body 1 and the straight pipe portions 12a, 1 in advance.
2b, the flange portions 11a, 11b of the pipe body 1 and the reinforcing flange portion 21 of the reinforcing portion 2 are molded simultaneously. As a result, the reinforcing collar portion 21
It is held between the inner sides of the flanges 11a and 11b.

The metal flexible pipe A configured as described above is combined with the main piping 3 as shown in FIG. An outbound route S1 and a return route S2 are formed.

The inlet section 81 side of the low-temperature hot water for cooling of the engine cooling device 8 and the outlet 82 of the high-temperature hot water after cooling the engine.
One end of main pipes 3, 3 made of synthetic resin are connected to the sides. Further, first sockets 30, 30 made of synthetic resin are connected to the other ends of the main pipes 3, 3.

The heater 7 includes a radiator 72 housed in a housing 71, second sockets 70, 70 made of brass connected to the inlet 72a side and the outlet 72b side of the radiator 72, respectively, and arranged in front of the radiator 72. The air blower fan 73 includes a blower fan 73 and an electric motor 74 that drives the blower fan 73.

Further, although the first socket 30 and the second socket 70 of this embodiment are made of different materials (synthetic resin and brass), they have the same internal structure, so they will be explained at the same time below.

The first and second sockets 30 and 70, which are the mating members to which the pipe bodies 1 and 1 are to be connected, have one end 30
Fitting holes 300, 700 provided in a, 70a
This fitting hole 300, 700 has an expanded tube portion 301, 701 with a large inner diameter provided at one end side, and a flange portion 310, 710 formed at the outer peripheral end of the expanded tube portion 301, 701. Moreover, the fitting hole 300,
Inclined portions 302, 702 are formed between the pipe tube 700 and the expanded tube portions 301, 701. Note that the main pipe 3 made of synthetic resin is connected to the other end 30b of the first socket 30.

2 sets of stainless steel flexible pipes A, A
As shown in FIG.
One of the insertion parts 10A and 10A among B and 10B
, the fitting holes 300, 3 of the first sockets 30, 30
00 is inserted. In addition, the other insertion portions 10B, 10B of the pipe bodies 1, 1 are connected to the radiator 72 of the heater 7.
It is inserted into the fitting holes 700, 700 of the second sockets 70, 70 on the inlet portion 72a and outlet portion 72b sides.

Expanded tube portion 30 of first and second sockets 30, 70
1,701 and the insertion part 10A, 1 of the pipe body 1
A ring-shaped elastic seal member 4, 4 is provided between the
will be placed. These elastic seal members 4, 4 are connected to the inner circumferential surface of the expanded tube portions 301, 701 and the pipe body 1.
Outer peripheral surfaces 110a, 11 of insertion portions 10A, 10B of
0b to prevent leakage, for example, O
Rings can be used.

The elastic seal member 4 is inserted between the elastic seal member 4 and the collar portions 11a, 11b.
01 toward the back of the inclined portions 302, 70.
Intervening members 5, 5 which are brought into pressure contact with 2 are disposed. As the intervening members 5, 5, parts such as ring-shaped spacers or washers can be used.

Flange portion 3 of first and second sockets 30, 70
10,710 and the collar portion 11 of the pipe body 1,1
a, 11b are urged in the direction of abutting each other by the tightening members 6, 6, and are coupled together. This state is maintained by the fastening force of the fastening members 6, 6.

As a result, hot water after engine cooling sent out from the engine cooling device 8 of the vehicle is supplied to the radiator 72 of the heater 7 via the main pipe 3 on the outbound path S1 side and the metal flexible pipe A. This hot water is
The heater 7 is heated by the blower fan 73 at the radiator 72 part.
After the air D1 sucked in from the front is warmed by heat exchange, it returns to the engine cooling device 8 via the metal flexible pipe A on the return path S2 side from the radiator 72 and the main pipe 3. On the other hand, the air warmed by the radiator 72 of the heater 7 is transferred to the hot air D by the blower fan 73.
2, it is sent out from the delivery port 75 to the required location.

The metal flexible pipe A, which serves as hot water piping in the heating system as described above, is placed in a limited space such as an engine room, so flexibility is important. This metal flexible pipe A has a thin wall thickness in order to maintain flexibility. However, according to the metal flexible pipe of this embodiment, the insertion portions 10A and 10B of the pipe body 1 are reinforced by the reinforcing portions 2 on the inner circumferential surfaces 101a and 101b, forming a double structure. Therefore, the insertion parts 10A and 10B are reinforced by the reinforcing part 2 and are difficult to change, so the first and second sockets 30,
The connecting portions 70 and the fitting holes 300, 700 are securely in close contact with the elastic seal member 4, and sealing performance can be ensured. In addition, the reinforcing portion 2 has outer peripheral surfaces 110a and 110b.
Since the insertion portions 10A and 10B are not arranged in the
does not prevent the first and second sockets 30, 70, which are mating members, from being inserted into the fitting holes 300, 700 via the elastic seal member 4 during assembly.

Therefore, in the metal flexible pipe of this embodiment, the structure of the connecting portion can be simpler than in the conventional case, and the cost can be reduced.

In addition, in the embodiment, a case has been described in which a stainless steel tubular body with a constant wall thickness is used as the pipe body 1, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Next, various modifications of the metal flexible pipe A according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

A first modification is shown in FIG. In this case, after the sealing agent P is interposed between the inner circumferential surface 101 of the insertion portion 10 and the outer circumferential surface 201 of the reinforcing portion 2 at a stage before forming, the reinforcing portion 2 is The minute gap L between the outer circumferential surface 201 of the insertion portion 10 and the inner circumferential surface 101 of the insertion portion 10 is filled with the sealant P. And metal flexible pipe A
It is possible to prevent crevice corrosion caused by fluid passing through remaining in the minute crevices. For example, when a metal material such as iron is used as the metal flexible pipe, the corrosion phenomenon can be prevented from accelerating.

A second modification is shown in FIG. In this case, the end face 20a of the first reinforcing cylindrical part 20 and the end face 22a of the second reinforcing cylindrical part 22 located on opposite sides of the reinforcing flange 21, that is, the entrance side of the minute gap L, are welded. By filling it with the embankment P1, it is possible to prevent fluid from flowing into the minute gap L. As a result, the same effects as the first modification can be obtained.

FIG. 6 shows a third modification. In this case, the first reinforcing cylindrical portion 20 and the second reinforcing cylindrical portion 22 are made of a material with a low melting temperature, such as a brazing material or a solder material, and the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion 10 of the pipe body 1 is
After engaging with 01, the minute gap L is filled by heating, melting, and bringing them into close contact. As a result, the same effects as the first modification can be obtained.

A fourth modification is shown in FIG. In the embodiment, the distal end constricted portions 100a, 100 of the insertion portion 10
At the time of forming b, the first reinforcing cylinder part 20 of the reinforcing part 2 is also drawn at the same time to form the tip drawn parts 200a, 200.
b is shown, but according to this modification, the drawing process is performed only on the insertion part 10 without drawing the tip 200 of the first reinforcing cylinder part 20, and the tip drawing part 100 is formed. This is what I did. With this, when inserting the insertion portion 10 into a fitting hole (not shown) of a socket that is a mating member to be coupled,
The insertion portion 10 has no end face edges and will not damage the elastic seal member (not shown). Moreover, it can be smoothly inserted by being guided by the tip constriction part 100. Moreover, the tip 20 of the first reinforcing cylinder part 20
0 is made shorter in the axial direction than the throttle part 100 in order to save material.

A fifth modification is shown in FIG. In this modification, the fourth
The inner circumferential end of the distal end constricted portion 100 of the insertion portion 10 of the modified example is brought into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the distal end 200 of the first reinforcing cylinder portion 20. As a result, in addition to the effect when the insertion portion 10 of the fourth modification is inserted into the fitting hole of the socket, the entrance of the minute gap L can be closed as in the second modification.

[Effects] According to the metal flexible pipe of the present invention,
The reinforcing portion of the tubular body is engaged with the pipe main body at least on the inner circumferential surface side between the tip end portion of the insertion portion and the flange portion.

Therefore, even if the pipe main body necessarily has a thinner wall thickness in order to maintain flexibility, the insertion portion is reinforced and strengthened on the inner peripheral surface side, and its strength is increased. This makes the insertion portion difficult to deform, and when the insertion portion is inserted into the fitting hole of the mating member to be connected and connected, the roundness can be maintained at the connected portion. Further, after inserting the insertion part into the fitting hole of the mating member through a ring-shaped elastic seal member, the flange is urged and tightened by a tightening member,
When coupled to the flange portion of the mating member, the collar portion presses the elastic sealing member with its strength increased by the reinforcing portion, reinforcing the sealing surface thereof and improving sealing performance. Therefore, when the mating member is connected to the fitting hole through the elastic sealing member, its sealing performance can be ensured. In addition, there is no need to use a complicated connection structure or a fastening member with high tightening strength, which was conventionally used in response to poor sealing performance, and it is possible to use a fastening member with a simple structure and low cost. This makes it possible to connect them.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 to 8 are explanatory diagrams showing usage conditions and modifications of the embodiment of the metal flexible pipe of the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 are enlarged cross-sectional views of a metal flexible pipe showing the usage state of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the specific usage state of the first embodiment of the invention. Figures 4 to 8
The figures are partially enlarged sectional views showing a first modification, a second modification, a third modification, a fourth modification, and a fifth modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1... Pipe body, 11, 11a, 11b...
Flange section, 10, 10A, 10B...insertion section, 12...
...Flexible part, 2...Reinforcement part, 100, 10
0a, 100b... Tip portion, 20... First reinforcing cylinder part, 21... Reinforcing collar part, 22... Second reinforcing cylinder part, 30... First socket (opposite member), 70
...Second socket (opposite member), 300,70
0... Fitting hole, 310... Flange part, 101,
101a, 101b...inner peripheral surface, 110, 110
a, 110b...outer peripheral surface, 4...elastic sealing member, 5...intervening member, 6...tightening member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] An insertion part that is a metal tubular body and has a substantially constant outer diameter and is inserted into a fitting hole of a mating member to be joined;
a pipe body having a flange provided at the base of the insertion portion so as to bulge in the outer circumferential direction; and a flexible portion that is continuous with the flange and can be bent; and at least a tip portion of the insertion portion with respect to the pipe body. and a reinforcing portion of a tubular body that is engaged with an inner circumferential surface side between the flange portion and the flange portion.