JPH0628485U - Quick connector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The locking force between the locking claw member and its counterpart is strong,
They provide a quick connector that is hard to move relative to each other in the axial direction and the radial direction, and enhance the reliability of piping using the connector. [Structure] A male member 1 having an insertion end 10 and a ring-shaped protrusion 11, an opening 24, a ring-shaped fitting inner peripheral surface 20j that fits with the tip of the insertion end 10, and a ring-shaped restriction. Circumference 25
A female member 2 having a ring-shaped stopper surface 26, a ring-shaped base portion 30, and an arm portion 31 that is elastically deformable in the radial direction.
And a locking claw member 3 having a claw portion 32 and a protrusion 33 formed so as to project in the axial direction. The male member 1 and the female member 2 are engaged by the engagement of the restriction inner peripheral surface 25 and the claw portion 32, the contact of the stopper surface 26 and the claw portion 32, and the contact of the protrusion 33 and the ring-shaped protrusion 11. The relative movement in the axial direction and the radial direction with respect to the locking claw member 3 is prevented.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

The present invention relates to a quick connector for connecting a hose or pipe for transferring fluid such as gasoline, oil, water and air for piping.

[0002]

[Industrial applications]

[0003]

[Prior art]

 A connector described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-41794 is known as a connector for connecting a hose or the like. As shown in FIG. 12, this conventional connector is provided between a cylindrical female member 103 and an inner peripheral surface of the female member 103 and an outer peripheral surface of a male member 104 inserted into the female member 103. A ring-shaped seal member 105 and a member inserted into the female member 103 and assembled on the outer peripheral surface of the male member 104 to hold the seal member 105 and the male member 104 in the female member 103. And a pawl member 106.

In the conventional connector, the locking claw member 106 is made of a flexible material and has a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the male member 104 and having a ring-shaped groove 161a on the rear side. 161, and a plurality of leg portions 162 extending from the rear end of the tubular portion 161, bending outward, and having a groove 162a on the outside. When the male member 104 is held in the female member 103 in the conventional connector, first, the male member 104 is placed in the locking claw member 106, and the ring-shaped projection 104a and the ring-shaped groove 161a of the locking claw member 106 are held. The male member 104 is held in the locking claw member 106 by inserting the male member 104 and the male member 104 until they are fitted. Next, the locking claw member 106 holding the male member 104 therein is inserted into the female member 103 until the concave groove 162a and the ring-shaped projecting portion 103a inside the end of the female member 103 are fitted. . As a result, the locking claw member 106 holds the male member 104 in the female member 103 and also holds the seal member 105 at the tip of the cylindrical portion 161 via the bush 107.

[0005]

When the conventional connector is used, the male member 104 is pressed in the direction of coming out of the female member 103. The pressed male member 104 is supported by the leg portion 162 of the locking claw member 106. In this way, when the male member 104 moves relative to the axial direction, bending stress acts on the legs 162. Then, the leg portion 162 is deformed, and the engaging force between the concave groove 162a of the locking claw member 106 and the annular protruding portion 103a of the female member 103, and the annular groove 161a of the locking claw member 106 and the male member 104. There is a problem that the locking force with the ring-shaped protrusion 104a is weakened. Therefore, the reliability of the piping using the conventional connector shown in FIG. 12 was low.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention, prior to the present invention, invented a quick connector as shown in FIG. 13 as a solution to the problem of the conventional connector. A patent application was filed for this quick connector in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-316914 on November 29, 3rd. That is, the quick connector prior to the present invention does not belong to the statutory category of prior art.

As shown in FIG. 13, a quick connector according to the present invention is fitted with a male member 1 having an insertion end 10 and a ring-shaped protrusion 11, and a tip of the insertion end 10 of the male member 1. A first socket portion having a second socket portion 20 having a ring-shaped fitting inner peripheral surface 20j, an opening 24, a ring-shaped restricting inner peripheral surface 25, and a ring-shaped stopper surface 26 along the axis-perpendicular direction. And a ring-shaped base portion 30, an arm portion 31 which is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and a ring-shaped projection portion 11 of the male member 1 which extends from the tip of the arm portion 31. And a locking claw member 3 having a claw portion 32 for stopping.

In the quick connector prior to the invention of the present application, the restriction inner peripheral surface 25 of the first socket portion 22 of the female member 2 engages with the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3, and the female member 2 By the contact between the stopper surface 26 of the first socket portion 22 and the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3, the locking force between the male member and the locking claw member and the locking between the locking claw member and the female member are achieved. Strength is strengthened.

Here, in the quick connector prior to the present invention, in order to make the insertion load required for inserting the male member 1 into the female member 2 appropriate, the arm portion 31 of the locking claw member 3 is It was necessary to set the axial length to a predetermined value or more. However, when the axial length of the arm portion 31 of the locking claw member 3 is set to be greater than or equal to the axial width of the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 1 relatively moves in the axial direction with respect to the locking claw member 3, and so-called play is generated between the male member 1 and the locking claw member 3 in the axial direction. As a result, it is arranged between the pair of O-rings 28, 28 and the pair of O-rings 28, 28, which are sandwiched between the second socket portion 20 and the first socket portion 22 via the bush 27. Moreover, the collar 29 may be damaged due to wear or the like, and the durability of the quick connector may be deteriorated. Further, the locking claw member 3 and the first socket portion 22 of the female member 2 also move relatively in the radial direction, and play is generated in the radial direction between the locking claw member 106 and the female member 103. There was also a risk that the above-mentioned problems would occur.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. The present invention provides a quick connector that has a strong locking force between the locking claw member and the mating member and that is hard to move relative to each other in the axial direction and the radial direction, and enhances the reliability of piping using the connector. The porpose is to do.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The quick connector of the present invention has a cylindrical male member having an insertion end portion having a tip portion and a ring-shaped projection provided behind the tip portion, and the insertion end portion of the male member is inserted therein. An opening, a ring-shaped fitting inner peripheral surface that fits with the tip of the insertion end of the male member inserted through the opening, and a ring-shaped restriction inner circumference that covers the insertion end of the male member. A cylindrical female member having a surface, a ring-shaped stopper surface formed between the restriction inner peripheral surface and the opening and extending substantially in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and an inner peripheral surface of the female member and the male member. It is movably interposed along the axis of the female member between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion end and the ring-shaped base, and the axis of the female member extends from the base toward the opening of the female member. A plurality of arms that are elastically deformable in the radial direction and that extend along the ends of the arms, and that extend beyond the ends of the male members. A locking claw member having a claw part that locks with the ring-shaped projection, and the locking claw member is configured to project in the axial direction of the female member on one end surface of the ring-shaped base part. By having a protrusion that is formed and faces the ring-shaped protrusion of the male member, and moves the locking claw member toward the opening of the female member along the axial direction of the female member, The claw portion of the locking claw member is pressed against the stopper surface of the female member while being regulated by the regulation inner peripheral surface of the female member, and the claw portion of the locking claw member and the ring shape of the male member are formed. Locking with the projection, and contacting the projection of the locking claw member with the ring-shaped projection of the male member to restrict relative movement between the locking claw member and the male member. It is characterized by doing so.

Further, in the quick connector of the present invention, the protrusion of the locking claw member is a convex or concave engaging portion extending in the radial direction on the ring-shaped base of the locking claw member. And the female member has a concave or convex engaged portion formed on its inner peripheral surface so as to engage with the engaging portion of the locking claw member, It is also possible to engage the engaging portion of the locking claw member with the engaged portion of the female member to regulate the relative movement of the locking claw member and the female member in the radial direction. It

[0013]

[Function of the device]

 In the quick connector of the present invention, the female member engages one end portion of the restriction inner peripheral surface and the stopper surface with the claw portion of the locking claw member and engages the other end portion of the restriction inner peripheral surface. By engaging with the base of the pawl member, the locking pawl member is held therein. To connect the female member holding the locking claw member inside and the male member, first, the claw portion of the locking claw member is inserted into the ring-shaped projection of the male member from the opening of the female member into the female member. Insert the insertion end of the male member until it engages. When the quick connector of the present invention, which has been connected, is used, pressure due to fluid or the like acts, and the male member and the female member move relative to each other in a direction away from each other. At this time, since the locking claw member is engaged with the ring-shaped projection of the male member, the locking claw member moves together with the male member toward the opening of the female member along the axis of the female member. . Further, since the outer surface of the claw portion of the locking claw member is engaged with the regulating inner peripheral surface of the female member, the claw portion of the locking claw member is oriented in the direction perpendicular to its axis (that is, in the radial direction). The displacement is regulated, and the stopper surface of the female member abuts. Furthermore, a projection formed on one end surface of the ring-shaped base of the locking claw member so as to project in the axial direction of the female member contacts the ring-shaped projection of the male member.

Therefore, in the quick connector of the present invention, the locking force between the male member and the locking claw member and the locking force between the locking claw member and the female member are enhanced, and the axial direction of the female member is increased. The displacement of the male member to the is controlled without passing through the arm portion of the locking claw member. Furthermore, the projection of the locking claw member that abuts the ring-shaped projection of the male member restricts relative movement of the male member and the locking claw member in the axial direction of the female member.

In addition, in the quick connector of the present invention, the projection of the locking claw member is formed so that the ring-shaped base of the locking claw member is provided with a convex or concave engaging portion extending in the radial direction. In addition, when the female member is provided with a concave or convex engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion of the locking claw member on the inner peripheral surface thereof, In addition to the contact between the claw portion of the locking claw member and the stopper surface of the female member, the contact between the protrusion of the locking claw member and the ring-shaped protrusion of the male member, the engagement portion of the locking claw member. And the engaged portion of the female member are engaged with each other. Therefore, when such an additional configuration is added, in addition to the above-described action, the relative movement of the locking claw member and the female member in the radial direction is also restricted.

[0016]

【Example】

 (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of a quick connector according to the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as a quick connector of Embodiment 1) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a cross section of the upper half of the quick connector of Example 1 after the male member and the female member have been connected. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the male member and the female member of the quick connector of the first embodiment are connected. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a cross section of the upper half of the locking claw member of the quick connector of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the locking claw member shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing in cross section the upper half of the first socket portion of the female member of the quick connector of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view of the first socket portion shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a cross section of the upper half of the quick connector according to the first embodiment before inserting the male member into the female member. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view showing the upper half of the quick connector of Example 1 with the male member inserted into the female member. FIG. 9 is a side view showing in cross section the upper half of the quick connector of the first embodiment in a state where the connection between the male member and the female member is about to be released.

Hereinafter, the quick connector of the first embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the quick connector according to the first embodiment includes a male member 1, a female member 2, and a locking claw member 3. The male member 1 is made of a metal pipe, and is provided with a tip portion 10a and a ring-shaped protrusion 11 that is disposed on the outer peripheral surface at a position rearward from the tip of the tip portion 10a by a predetermined distance and protrudes radially outward. The insertion end portion 10 is provided, and a rounded portion is formed at the tip of the tip end portion 10a of the insertion end portion 10 in order to facilitate insertion into the female member 2.

The female member 2 includes a cylindrical second socket portion 20 having a bamboo-like seal groove 20t (see FIGS. 1 and 2) on the outer peripheral surface, and a connected end portion 20b of the second socket portion 20. The first socket portion 22 having a connection end portion 22a screwed to the screw portion 20a on the outer peripheral surface. Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first socket portion 22 has a cylindrical receiving hole 23 and a pair of retreat spaces 22r that penetrate the peripheral wall thereof in the direction perpendicular to the axis. At one end of the receiving hole 23 of the first socket portion 22, a cylindrical opening 24 is formed coaxially with the receiving hole 23. On the opening 24 side of the inner peripheral surface of the first socket portion 22, a ring-shaped restricting inner peripheral surface 25 is formed parallel to the axis of the female member 2. A stopper surface 26 is formed between the regulation inner peripheral surface 25 and the opening 24 along the direction perpendicular to the axis, that is, perpendicular to the axis of the female member 2. The stopper surface 26 is also formed in a ring shape coaxial with the receiving hole 23.

Further, a groove-shaped engaged portion 22 m extending from one end of the receiving hole 23 toward the opening 24 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first socket portion 22. The engaged portion 22m includes a truncated cone-shaped portion that extends from one end of the receiving hole 23 toward the opening 24 while narrowing its width, and a rectangular portion that extends in the same direction with a constant width. As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of engaged portions 22m are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first socket portion 22 symmetrically with respect to the diameter direction of the first socket portion 22, and the engaged portion 22m has a rectangular shape. The width of the groove is slightly larger than the width of the protrusion 33 formed on one end surface of the ring-shaped base 30 of the locking claw member 3 described below.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the female member 2, the ring-shaped holding surfaces 20 h and 20 i formed on the connected end portion 20 b of the second socket portion 20 and the first socket portion 22 are connected. The ring-shaped holding surface 22h formed on the end portion 22a holds the ring-shaped bush 27. Further, with the bush 27 and the seal inner peripheral surface 20c of the second socket portion 20, a pair of O rings 28, 28 and a collar 29 arranged between the pair of O rings 28, 28 are provided. Is held inside the second socket portion 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking claw member 3 is made of resin and has a ring-shaped base portion 30, an arm portion 31 elastically deformable in the radial direction of the female member 2, and an arm portion 31. It has a claw portion 32 extending to the tip and a protrusion 33 formed on one end surface of the base portion 30 on the opening 24 side of the first socket portion 22 so as to protrude in the axial direction of the first socket portion 22. . The base portion 30 of the locking claw member 3 is held in the receiving hole 23 of the first socket portion 22 and is movable along the axis of the first socket portion 22. The arm portion 31 of the locking claw member 3 extends in a bifurcated manner from the shaft end surface of the ring-shaped base portion 30 toward the opening 24 of the first socket portion 22 substantially along the axial center of the first socket portion 22. It is set up. The claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is extended to the tip of the arm portion 31, and as shown in FIG. 3, a locking surface 32a perpendicular to the axis of the first socket portion 22 and the first socket. A taper surface 32d that is inclined with respect to the axis of the portion 22 and narrows toward the opening 24 of the first socket portion 22, and a contact surface 32c that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first socket portion 22. With and. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusions 33, 33 of the locking claw member 3 have a size larger than the outer diameter of the ring-shaped base 30 of the locking claw member 3, and the ring-shaped base 30 of the locking claw member 3. And the groove-shaped engaged portions 22m, 22m formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first socket portion 22 of the female member 2 described above, which have convex-shaped engaging portions 33a, 33a. It is formed to engage. Of course, even if the engaging portions 33a and 33a are concave engaging portions that are recessed inward in the radial direction and the engaged portions 22m and 22m are convex engaging portions, they can be engaged with each other. it can.

Hereinafter, the method of connecting the quick connectors according to the first embodiment will be described together with the operation thereof with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. When connecting the quick connector of the first embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the male member 1 is moved relative to the female member 2 in the direction of the arrow X1 to insert the insertion end portion 10 of the male member 1. Is inserted into the receiving hole 23 through the opening 24 of the first socket portion 22 of the female member 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the outer peripheral surface 10r of the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 is fitted to the fitting inner peripheral surface 20j of the second socket portion 20 of the female member 2. Then, as the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 is further inserted further into the second socket portion 20, as shown in FIG. 8, the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 becomes The claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is pushed up. Then, the arm portion 31 of the locking claw member 3 bends in the radially outward direction, that is, in the direction of arrow C2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 retreats into the retreat space 22r formed in the peripheral wall of the first socket portion 22. When the insertion of the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 proceeds further and the ring-shaped projection 11 of the insertion end 10 crosses over the claw 32 of the locking claw member 3, as shown in FIG. The arm portion 31 and the claw portion 32 of the claw member 3 are restored in the radial direction, that is, the direction of the arrow C1 by their own elastic force, and engage with the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1. As described above, the connection of the quick connector according to the first embodiment is completed.

After the connection of the quick connector of the first embodiment is completed, the quick connector of the first embodiment is put into use, and when an internal pressure due to a fluid or the like acts on the tip surface of the female member 2, this internal pressure causes the male member 1 to move in an arrow direction. The ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1 moves in the same direction by being pushed and moved in the X2 direction. Then, the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1 pushes the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 in the same direction. That is, the locking claw member 3 moves together with the male member 1 toward the opening 24 along the axis of the female member 2. At this time, the groove-shaped engaged portions 22m, 22m formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first socket portion 22 are the convex engaging portions of the protrusions 33, 33 of the locking claw member 3. Since the 33a, 33a are guided, the movement of the locking claw member 3 as described above is very smooth.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, since the outer surface of the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is engaged with the regulation inner peripheral surface 25 of the first socket portion 22, Displacement of the claw portion 32 in the direction perpendicular to the axis (that is, the radial direction) is restricted. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, since the contact surface 32c of the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 abuts on the stopper surface 26 of the first socket portion 22, the axial direction of the first socket portion 22 is in the axial direction. The displacement of the male member 1 to the is also regulated. In this way, the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is restricted from being displaced in the radial direction and the axial direction of the male member 1 with respect to the female member 2. Therefore, the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1 and the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 are securely engaged with each other, and the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is engaged with the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1. Can be prevented from coming off.

In addition, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 1, a protrusion 33 formed so as to protrude in the axial direction of the first socket portion 22 is formed on one end surface of the ring-shaped base portion 30 of the locking claw member 3. Since the male member 1 is in contact with the ring-shaped projection 11 of the male member 1, the male member 1 and the locking claw member 3 are restricted from moving relative to each other in the axial direction of the first socket portion 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking formed so as to protrude in the radial direction of the ring-shaped base 30 of the locking claw member 3 with a size larger than the outer diameter of the ring-shaped base 30 of the locking claw member 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the projection-shaped engaging portions 33a, 33a of the projections 33, 33 of the claw member 3 are groove-shaped engaged portions formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first socket portion 22. Since they are engaged with 22m, 22m, the relative movement of the locking claw member 3 and the first socket portion 22 (and by extension the female member 2) in the radial direction is also restricted.

When the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 2 is released, it is possible to use a claw releasing tool 5 as shown in FIG. The claw remover 5 has a central hole 50 into which the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 is inserted and a tubular portion 52 having an abutting surface 51 at the tip portion, and a flange portion 53 extending on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 52. With and. That is, when releasing the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 2, first, as shown in FIG. 9, the male member 1 is pushed in the direction of the arrow X1 with respect to the female member 2, and the locking claw member 3 is pushed. By retracting, the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 faces the retreat space 22r of the first socket portion 22. In this state, the tip of the tubular portion 52 of the pawl remover 5 is pushed into the opening 24 of the first socket portion 22, and the contact surface 51 at the tip of the pawl remover 5 is attached to the taper 32 of the pawl member 3. It is pressed against the surface 32d. Then, the arm portion 31 of the locking claw member 3 is bent, and the claw portion 32 is pushed up in the radially outward direction, that is, the direction of arrow C2. Therefore, the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 separates from the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1. In this way, with the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 separated from the ring-shaped protrusion 11, the insertion end portion 10 of the male member 1 and the second socket portion 20 are pulled apart in opposite axial directions. If so, the male member 1 and the female member 2 can be easily separated in a short time.

As described above, in the quick connector of the first embodiment, after the male member 1 is inserted into the receptacle 24 of the female member 2, the locking claw member 3 is inserted into the female member 2 along the axis of the female member 2. When it moves toward the opening 24 of the member 2, the outer surface of the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 engages with the claw portion 32 while engaging with the restriction inner peripheral surface 25 of the first socket portion 22. The contact surface 32c contacts the stopper surface 26 of the first socket portion 22. That is, when the quick connector of the first embodiment is connected, the displacement of the pawl portion 32 of the locking pawl member 3 in the direction perpendicular to the axis (that is, the radial direction) is regulated, and the pawl portion 32 is abutted. Since the surface 32c contacts the stopper surface 26 of the first socket portion 22, the displacement of the claw portion 32 in the axial direction is also restricted. As described above, in the quick connector of the first embodiment, the displacement of the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is restricted in both the axial direction and the radial direction. Therefore, a large locking force is generated by the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3, and high reliability can be given to the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 2.

Furthermore, in the quick connector of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one end surface of the ring-shaped base portion 30 of the locking claw member 3 is oriented in the axial center direction of the first socket portion 22. The protrusion 33 is formed so as to protrude. The protrusion 33 is in contact with the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1 as shown by the broken line in FIG. Therefore, relative movement of the male member 1 and the locking claw member 3 in the axial direction of the first socket portion 22 is restricted. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 33 projects in the radial direction of the ring-shaped base 30 of the locking claw member 3 with a size larger than the outer diameter of the ring-shaped base 30 of the locking claw member 3. And a pair of symmetrically arranged diametrical directions of the ring-shaped base portion 30 of the locking claw member 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the convex engaging portions 33a, 33a of the protrusions 33, 33 are groove-shaped engaged portions 22m, 22m formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first socket portion 22. Is engaged with. Therefore, the relative movement of the locking claw member 3 and the first socket portion 22 (that is, the female member 2) in the radial direction is also restricted. As a result, there is play in the axial direction of the first socket portion 22 between the male member 1 and the locking claw member 3, and a radial direction between the locking claw member 3 and the female member 2. It is possible to prevent damage to the pair of O-rings 28, 28 and the collar 29 arranged between the pair of O-rings 28, 28 due to abrasion or the like.

Here, in the quick connector of the first embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 1, the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 10 r of the insertion end portion 10 of the male member 1 and the fitting inner peripheral surface 20 j of the female member 2 are It is almost the same as the inner diameter. Therefore, when the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 is fitted to the fitting inner peripheral surface 20j of the female member 2, the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 is in the direction perpendicular to the axis (that is, the radial direction). There is virtually no rattling. As a result, in the quick connector of the first embodiment, the insertion end portion 10 of the male member 1 is fitted to the fitting inner peripheral surface 20j of the female member 2, and the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is fitted. The male member 1 and the female member 2 are relatively moved in the radial direction by the engagement with the regulation inner peripheral surface 25 of the second socket portion 22, that is, the radial direction between the male member 1 and the female member 2. Backlash is also prevented.

When the quick connector of the first embodiment is used, as shown in FIG. 1, the internal pressure acts in the direction of pushing the insertion end 10 of the male member 1, that is, in the direction of arrow X2. Therefore, the rear surface 11b of the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the insertion end 10 urges the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3. Therefore, when the quick connector of the first embodiment is used, the locking force of the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 becomes larger, and the locking force of the claw portion 32 causes the ring-shaped protrusion of the insertion end portion 10. It is possible to withstand a higher pressure by the amount of the bias of the rear surface 11b of the portion 11.

By the way, the internal pressure of the female member 2 is applied to the O-ring 28 via the minute gap m between the outer peripheral surface 10r of the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 and the fitting inner peripheral surface 20j of the female member 2. As a result, the O-ring 28 and the like may be displaced and displaced in the axial direction, and the locking claw member 3 may be adversely affected. As a result, the arm portion 31 of the locking claw member 3 may bend, and the locking force of the claw portion 32 may be weakened. However, in the quick connector of the first embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 1, the ring-shaped bush 27 is sandwiched and fixed between the second socket portion 20 and the first socket portion 22. Therefore, even if the internal pressure of the female member 2 acts on the O-ring 28 and the O-ring 28 or the like is displaced and displaced in the axial direction, the displacement of the O-ring 28 or the like is restricted by the bush 27, so that the engagement is stopped. It is avoided that the claw member 3 is adversely affected.

Further, in the quick connector of the first embodiment, the retraction space 22r is formed on the peripheral wall of the first socket portion 22 of the female member 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the insertion end 10 of the male member 1 crosses over the claw 32 of the locking claw member 3, the claw 32 of the locking claw member 3 or The arm portion 31 is pushed outward in the radial direction, that is, in the arrow C2 direction. At this time, the claw portions 32 and the arm portions 31 of the locking claw member 3 that have been pushed out retract into the retreat space 22r without being interfered with by the peripheral wall of the first socket portion 22. Therefore, the outer diameter dimension D1 of the first socket portion 22 can be advantageously reduced in size by the amount of the retracted space 22r formed. Further, in the quick connector of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the male member 1 and the female member 2 are connected, the outer surface of the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is the outer periphery of the first socket portion 22. Since it is located inward of the surface 22u, it is possible to effectively prevent an external device from touching the claw portion 32. (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the quick connector according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the quick connector of the second embodiment) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the upper half of the female member and the locking claw member of the quick connector of the second embodiment. The quick connector of the second embodiment has optimized the insertability of the male member 1 into the female member 2 and the removability of the male member 1 from the female member 2 in the quick connector of the first embodiment.

Qualitatively speaking, the insertability of the male member 1 into the female member 2 is such that when the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 gets over the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1, The ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the member 1 receives an appropriate resistance force from the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3, and thereafter, this resistance force is rapidly reduced, so that the worker who connects the quick connector can receive the male member. It is preferable to sense the completion of the insertion of 1 into the female member 2. Further, with respect to the pulling property of the male member 1 from the female member 2, when pulling out the male member 1 from the female member 2, unless the pulling force is more than a predetermined value, the quick connector cannot be put to practical use.

Therefore, in the quick connector of the second embodiment, the dimensions of the arm portion 31 and the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 of the quick connector of the first embodiment, that is, the arm shown in FIG. Length of part 31₁, The thickness t of the arm 31₁, The length l of the claw portion 32₂, A length l in which the restricted inner peripheral surface 25 of the first socket portion 22 and the claw portion 32 overlap in the axial direction.₃ The thickness t of the stopper inner peripheral surface 26 of the first socket portion 22 and the claw portion 32 that overlap in the radial direction₂The angle θ formed by the taper surface 32d of the claw portion 32 with respect to the axial center of the first socket portion 22 was adjusted as shown in Table 1 below. As a result, the insertability of the male member 1 into the female member 2 and the withdrawal property of the male member 1 from the female member 2 were optimized. Further, in the quick connector of Example 1, the first socket portion 22 of the female member 2 was made of metal, but in the quick connector of Example 2, the first socket portion 22 of the female member 2 was made of glass fiber-containing polyamide. Formed from resin to reduce weight. Except for the configuration described above, the quick connector of the second embodiment is the same as that of the quick connector of the first embodiment, so the description thereof will be omitted. Comparative Example 1 In order to evaluate the insertability of the male member 1 into the female member 2 and the withdrawal property of the male member 1 from the female member 2 in the quick connector of Example 2, in the quick connector of Comparative Example 1, The length l of the arm portion 31 of the locking claw member 3 of the quick connector of the first embodiment ₁ , The thickness t of the arm portion 31₁, The length l of the claw portion 32₂, The length l in which the restriction inner peripheral surface 25 of the first socket portion 22 and the claw portion 32 overlap in the axial direction.₃, The thickness t of the stopper inner peripheral surface 26 of the first socket portion 22 and the claw portion 32 that overlap in the radial direction.₂The angle θ formed by the taper surface 32d of the claw portion 32 with respect to the axis of the first socket portion 22 was changed as shown in Table 1 below. The quick connector of Comparative Example 1 had the same configuration as the quick connector of Example 2 except for the changes in the dimensions of the arm portion 31 and the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3. . (Evaluation) In the quick connector of Example 2 and the quick connector of Comparative Example 1, the insertion load of the male member 1 into the female member 2 and the withdrawal load of the male member 1 from the female member 2 were actually measured and comparatively evaluated. However, the results shown in Table 1 below were obtained.

In the quick connector of the second embodiment, since the taper surface 32d of the claw portion 32 forms an appropriate angle θ with respect to the axis of the first socket portion 22, the taper of the claw portion 32 is formed. The surface 32d worked effectively as a guide surface for the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1, and an appropriate insertion load of the male member 1 into the female member 2, that is, an appropriate insertability could be obtained. Further, in the quick connector of the second embodiment, since the length l ₂ of the claw portion 32 is proper, it is possible to obtain the pulling load of the male member 1 from the female member 2, that is, the proper pulling property. It was

On the other hand, in the quick connector of Comparative Example 1, since the taper surface 32d of the claw portion 32 makes an angle θ with the axis of the first socket portion 22 is larger than an appropriate angle, When the claw portion 32 of the stop claw member 3 gets over the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1, the ring-shaped protrusion 11 of the male member 1 receives an excessive resistance force from the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3, The insertability of the male member 1 into the female member 2 was poor. Further, in the quick connector of Comparative Example 1, the length l ₂ of the claw portion 32 was shorter than the proper length, so that the pulling load of the male member 1 from the female member 2 was small and the pullability was poor.

[0037]

[Table 1] (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the quick connector according to the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as a quick connector of the third embodiment) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the upper half of the female member and the locking claw member of the quick connector of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in the quick connector of the third embodiment, the retraction space 22r of the quick connector of the first and second embodiments is deformed in the radially outward direction instead of the first socket portion 22 having the peripheral wall formed. It has a first socket portion 22 in which a space 22s for accommodating the arm portion 31 and the claw portion 32 of the locking claw member 3 is formed. Further, in the first socket portion 22 of the quick connector according to the first and second embodiments, the groove-shaped engaged portion 22m has the shape of a truncated cone that extends from one end of the receiving hole 23 toward the opening 24 while narrowing its width. The first socket portion 22 of the quick connector according to the third embodiment has a groove-shaped engaged portion 22m that is a receiving hole. It is composed of only a rectangular portion extending from one end of 23 toward the opening 24 with a constant width. Except for the configuration described above, the quick connector of the third embodiment is the same as that of the quick connectors of the first and second embodiments, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

That is, the first socket portion 22 of the quick connector according to the third embodiment has a ring-shaped surface formed in the radial direction perpendicular to the restricted inner peripheral surface 25 and coaxially with the stopper surface 26. 22q. The inner diameter of the ring-shaped surface 22q is preferably 3 mm or more larger than the outer diameter of the ring-shaped base portion 30 of the locking claw member 3.

Further, in the locking claw member 3 of the quick connector according to the first and second embodiments, the arm portion 31 is arranged at the peripheral edge portion of the shaft end surface of the ring-shaped base portion 30. In the locking claw member 3 of the quick connector, the arm portion 31 is arranged at a position recessed in the radial direction by a predetermined distance from the peripheral portion of the shaft end surface of the ring-shaped base portion 30. Therefore, when the male member 1 is inserted into the female member 2 and when the male member 1 is pulled out of the female member 2, the claw portions 32 and the arm portions 31 of the locking claw member 3 which are deformed in the radially outward direction are the first socket. It is housed in a space 22s formed by the peripheral wall of the portion 22, the ring-shaped surface 22q, and the ring-shaped base portion 30.

In the quick connector of the third embodiment having the first socket portion 22 in which the space 22s is formed, the locking claw member does not meet the demand for downsizing of the first socket portion 22. Since 3 is not exposed to the outside, an impact from the outside is not directly applied to the locking claw member 3. As a result, in the quick connector of the third embodiment, there is no risk of accidentally releasing the engagement between the male member 1 and the female member 2 due to an impact from the outside.

[0041]

[Effect of device]

 In the quick connector of the present invention, while the male member is inserted into the female member, the male member and the female member are separated from each other by the internal pressure caused by the fluid in the quick connector or the operation by the operator or the robot. When moved in the separating direction, the locking claw member moves together with the male member along the axis of the female member toward the opening of the female member. Further, since the outer surface of the claw portion of the locking claw member is engaged with the regulation inner peripheral surface of the female member, the claw portion of the locking claw member changes in the direction perpendicular to its axis (that is, the radial direction). While the position is regulated, it contacts the stopper surface of the female member. Further, a projection formed on one end surface of the ring-shaped base of the locking claw member so as to project in the axial direction of the female member contacts the ring-shaped projection of the male member.

Therefore, in the quick connector of the present invention, the locking force between the male member and the locking claw member and the locking force between the locking claw member and the female member are strengthened, and the axial direction of the female member is increased. The displacement of the male member to the is controlled without passing through the arm portion of the locking claw member. Further, the protrusion of the locking claw member that abuts the ring-shaped protrusion of the male member restricts the male member and the locking claw member from moving relative to each other in the axial direction of the female member.

That is, in the quick connector of the present invention, the locking force between the male member and the locking claw member and the locking force between the locking claw member and the female member are strengthened, and the axial direction of the female member is increased. The displacement of the male member to the is controlled without passing through the arm portion of the locking claw member. Further, the protrusion of the locking claw member that abuts the ring-shaped protrusion of the male member restricts the male member and the locking claw member from moving relative to each other in the axial direction of the female member.

Further, in the quick connector of the present invention, the protrusion of the locking claw member is formed so as to have a convex or concave engaging portion extending in the radial direction on the ring-shaped base of the locking claw member. In addition, when the female member is provided with a concave or convex engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion of the locking claw member on the inner peripheral surface thereof, In addition to the contact between the claw portion of the locking claw member and the stopper surface of the female member, the contact between the protrusion of the locking claw member and the ring-shaped protrusion of the male member, the engagement portion of the locking claw member. And the engaged portion of the female member are engaged with each other. Therefore, when such an additional configuration is added, in addition to the above-described action, the relative movement of the locking claw member and the female member in the radial direction is also restricted.

As a result, in the quick connector of the present invention, the locking force between the male member and the locking claw member and the locking force between the locking claw member and the female member are strengthened, and the male member and the locking member are locked. There is no play between the claw member and between the locking claw member and the female member. That is, even if positive pressure, negative pressure, or vibration is applied to the quick connector of the present invention, the relative movement between the male member, the locking claw member and the female member is minimized, so that the seal It is possible to prevent damage to members and cushioning members. As described above, according to the quick connector of the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable connection between the male member and the female member.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a cross section of an upper half portion of a quick connector according to a first exemplary embodiment after connecting a male member and a female member.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a male member and a female member of the quick connector of Example 1 are connected.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing in cross section the upper half of the locking claw member of the quick connector of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the locking claw member shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing in cross section the upper half of the first socket portion of the female member of the quick connector of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the first socket portion shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing in cross section the upper half of the quick connector of Example 1 before inserting the male member into the female member.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing in cross section the upper half of the quick connector of Example 1 with the male member inserted into the female member.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a cross section of the upper half of the quick connector according to the first embodiment in a state where the connection between the male member and the female member is about to be released.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the female member and the upper half of the locking claw member of the quick connector of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an upper half of a female member and a locking claw member of a quick connector according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional connector.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the upper half of the female member and the locking claw member of the quick connector prior to the present invention, for which a patent application has been filed by the applicant of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: male member, 10: insertion end, 10a: tip, 11:
Ring-shaped protrusion, 2: Female member, 20: Second socket portion, 2
2: 1st socket part, 23: receiving hole 24: opening, 25: regulation inner peripheral surface, 26: stopper surface, 2
2m: engaged part, 3: locking claw member, 30: ring-shaped base part, 31: arm part, 32: claw part, 32a: locking surface, 32
c: contact surface, 32d: taper surface, 33: protrusion, 33a:
Engagement part.

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A cylindrical male member having an insertion end portion having a tip portion and a ring-shaped projection provided behind the tip portion, and an opening into which the insertion end portion of the male member is inserted. A ring-shaped fitting inner peripheral surface that fits with a tip of the insertion end portion of the male member inserted from the opening, and a ring-shaped restricting inner peripheral surface that covers the insertion end portion of the male member, A cylindrical female member having a ring-shaped stopper surface formed between the restriction inner peripheral surface and the opening and extending substantially in the direction perpendicular to the axis; and an inner peripheral surface of the female member and the insertion end of the male member. And a ring-shaped base portion extending from the outer surface of the female member along the axis of the female member toward the opening of the female member from the base portion. A plurality of arms that are provided and elastically deformable in the radial direction, and that are extended to the tips of the arms and that are locked to the ring-shaped protrusions of the male member. A locking claw member having a portion, and the locking claw member is formed on one end surface of the ring-shaped base so as to project in the axial direction of the female member, and has the ring shape of the male member. The protrusion of the locking claw member is provided by moving the locking claw member toward the opening of the female member along the axial direction of the female member having a projection facing the projection. The female member is pressed against the stopper surface of the female member while being regulated by the inner peripheral surface of the female member, and the claw portion of the locking claw member and the ring-shaped protrusion of the male member are locked, and A quick contact portion, wherein the projection of the locking claw member is brought into contact with the ring-shaped projection of the male member to restrict relative movement between the locking claw member and the male member. connector. 2. The projecting portion of the locking claw member includes a convex or concave engaging portion extending in the radial direction on the ring-shaped base portion of the locking claw member, and the female member. Has a concave or convex engaged portion formed on its inner peripheral surface so as to engage with the engaging portion of the locking claw member, and the engaging of the locking claw member The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein a portion is engaged with the engaged portion of the female member to restrict relative movement of the locking claw member and the female member in a radial direction.