JPH0743063B2 - Pipe joint device and its closing lid - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention is for air-tightly connecting pipe ends such as the refrigerant communication pipe connection ends of indoor / outdoor units in a separation type air conditioner in a single mode with separation. The present invention relates to a pipe joint device capable of automatically airtightly closing a pipe end in a disconnected state, and a structure of a shutoff lid thereof.

(Prior Art) When performing a final leak test in a manufacturing process with an air conditioner, for example, a separation type indoor / outdoor unit separated,
From the viewpoint of ensuring quality up to local assembly after shipping, it is essential to work to close the connecting pipe connection port with a proper amount of CFC gas filled.

The points that are particularly desired in this closing work are the man-hours,
It does not take time, inexpensive parts can be used, the sealing property is reliable, and gas can be easily injected with one-touch operation in a closed state, and a leak-free valve action is demonstrated. Etc.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As a solution to such a demand, the present applicant previously proposed a rubber-made closing lid having a new structure according to Japanese Patent Application No. 62-113506. As shown in Fig. 13, it has an earphone shape, and it is used by interposing it in the joint part by screwing the pipe joint (2) and flare nut (3).
Normally, the cut (8) is closed and the mouth end of the pipe joint (2) is closed. When supplying CFC gas, the cut (8) can be opened to allow gas injection, which functions as a so-called check valve. It has a possible structure.

In order for the above-mentioned lid member to fully exhibit the required functions, it is a condition that the lid member is stably interposed under the compressed state at the joint between the pipe joint (2) and the flare nut (3). Then, if it slips out from the hole of the flare nut (3), or if it slips out even if it does not slip out, it will not function at all. Therefore, as shown in the figure, embed the reinforcing plate (32) in the rubber body as the core material. The structure is designed so that it will never fall off the flare nut.

The present invention provides a closing plug capable of exhibiting exactly the same function with respect to the lid material which is the prior application, and moreover, can be combined with a flare nut to have an optimum structure.
Further, the present invention provides a pipe fitting device suitable for use in airtightness, vacuum tests, and the work of enclosing pressurized fluid such as a refrigerant gas. It is an object of the invention to contribute to rationalization of each work of permanent connection during continuous connection and continuous use and maintenance of high reliability.

(Means for Solving the Problems) However, as shown in the embodiments of the accompanying drawings, the invention of claim 1 relates to a pipe joint device suitable for enclosing a pressurized fluid. A pipe joint (2) fixed to the end of a pipe (P) through which a pressurized fluid is circulated by forming a tapered wall portion (9) and a male screw portion (10) on the front and rear of the outer circumference, and the inner circumference of the pipe. From the front side of the taper hole (1) corresponding to the small diameter hole (11) and the taper wall (9) of the pipe joint (2).
2) a large diameter hole (13) and a flare nut (3) formed on a lid having a series of female screw holes (14) corresponding to the male screw part (10) and a small diameter of the flare nut (3). The hole (11) is closed, and the pipe joint (2) is compressed in a space surrounded by the walls of the tapered wall (9), the tapered hole (12), and the large diameter hole (13). A sheet portion (5) which is inserted into the large diameter hole portion (13) by abutting against the wall surface of the large diameter hole portion (13), and a papillary plug portion (6) which is inserted into the pipe joint (2). And are integrally formed into an earphone shape,
A pore (7) having an opening at the end face of the head (4) and having a bottom on the plug portion (6) side and extending to the axial center, and the plug portion (6).
A shut-off lid (15) equipped with a rubber closing plug (1) having a vertical cut (8) extending from the top to the bottom of the pores (7), and a stepped capillary nozzle (24). A tubular body (23) at the tip, a ring (30) screwed to a male screw portion screwed on the outer circumference of the tubular body (23), and a flare nut (3).
The base of the arm having a claw (29) that can be hooked on the rear end edge of the arm is locked to the ring (30) and disposed around the cylindrical body (23), and the claw (29) is At least two pinching arms (2) that can move toward and away from the nozzle (24).
5) and a pipe connector (22) fixed to the end of the pipe, and the flare nut (3) is screwed into the pipe joint (2) to connect the pipe joint (1) to the pipe joint (1). The pipe mouth of 2) is not airtightly sealed, and the pipe joint (2) is formed by penetrating the nozzle (24) into the small diameter hole (11) and the closing plug (1).
While being inserted into the pipe of No. 2 and pressed against the closing plug (1), the claws (29) of the holding arms (25) are hooked on the rear end edges of the flare nuts (3) respectively, and the pipe joint (2 ) And the pipe connector (22) can be connected while maintaining airtightness.

Next, the invention of claim 2 relates to a shutoff lid (15) for airtightly closing the pipe end portion until the pipe connection is made and facilitating the connection work. A flare nut formed on a lid body having a hole portion (11), a taper hole portion (12) corresponding to the taper wall portion (9), a large diameter hole portion (13) and a female screw hole portion (14) in series ( 3) and a rubber closing plug (1), the closing plug (1) is fitted with the small diameter hole (11), a head (4), the taper wall (9) and the taper. The hole (12) and the large diameter hole (1
A seat portion (5) which is fitted into a large-diameter hole portion (13) in a space surrounded by each wall of 3) and is inserted in a compressed state, and a teat-like plug portion which is fitted into the pipe joint (2). (6) is integrally formed with an earphone shape, and further has a pore (7) having an opening at the end face of the head (4) and having a bottom on the plug portion (6) side and extending to the axial center. And a rubber closing plug (1) provided with a vertical slit (8) that extends from the top of the plug (6) to the bottom of the pore (7). It is characterized by being

Therefore, in the closing plug (1) of the closing lid (15), the outer surface of the head (4) and the seat portion (5).
In a preferred embodiment, a cap-shaped reinforcing plate (31) for press-molding a thin steel plate is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the taper hole (12) in contact with the inner wall thereof.

(Function) In the closing lid (15) including the above-mentioned means, the head (4) of the closing plug (1) is fitted into the small diameter hole (11),
Assemble the seat part (5) in the flare nut (3) so that it can be brought into close contact with the tapered hole part (12) and the large diameter hole part (13),
Attach the flare nut (3) to be assembled to the pipe joint (2).
When the seat portion (5) is brought into pressure contact with the tapered wall portion (9) by fitting it to the end portion of the male screw portion (10) and tightening the male screw portion (10), the tapered hole portion (12) and the large diameter hole portion are formed. It is interposed in (13) under compression.

As a result, the plug portion (6) is closely fitted into the end opening, and
Since the seat portion (5) is in close contact with the peripheral tapered wall portion (9), the end opening portion of the pipe joint (2) can be hermetically sealed.

At this time, the cut (8) is hermetically closed by the restoring elasticity of the rubber itself of the closing plug (1) and the internal pressure of the fluid sealed in the pipe (P), and thus the pipe joint (2).
The inside of the pipe (P) having the is surely shut off from the atmosphere by the plug (1) for closing.

When gas is to be injected into the pipe (P), the nozzle (24) of the pipe connector (22) connected to the tip of the gas filled pipe connected to the gas cylinder or the like is inserted into the fine hole (7). Moreover, when gas is supplied by being combined with the flare nut (3) by the holding arm (25), the slit (8) is opened by the nozzle (24) and gas is fed.

It goes without saying that the state after the gas filling is completed and the pipe connector (22) is removed is in the sealed form as described above.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention is described based on an accompanying drawing.

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows an outdoor unit (OU) and an indoor unit (I.
U) and a separate type, and two connecting pipe connection ports (2) for the liquid pipe and for the gas pipe are respectively provided on the side portion of the casing so as to project, and at least one pipe joint (2), The plug for closure (1) according to the present invention (see FIGS. 1 to 4) is inserted.

The closing plug (1) has a shape shown in cross section in FIG. 1, and the mounting mode is shown in FIG. 2, but the end portion of the refrigerant pipe (P) drawn out from the casing by a predetermined length. A flare formed by screwing a pipe joint (2) fixed to the pipe joint and a male screw portion (10) screwed on the outer periphery of the pipe joint (2) to cover the pipe joint (2) and tighten the screw. It is inserted between the nut (3) and the nut (3) in a compressed state.

The outer circumference of the tip of the pipe joint (2) is formed as a tapered wall portion (9).

The flare nut (3) includes a small diameter hole portion (11), a tapered hole portion (12) corresponding to the tapered wall portion (9), a large diameter hole portion (13) and a female screw hole portion from the front side of the inner circumference of the cylinder. The flare nut (3) is made of copper and has a large diameter hole (13) that is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the valley of the female screw hole (14). It is a connecting tool having the same shape as a known flare nut used for airtightly connecting the ends of a connecting pipe (not shown) expanded by flaring.

The plug (1) for closure is formed in an earphone shape by molding using a rubber elastic body such as chloroprene rubber, and has a head (4) fitted into the small diameter hole (11) and a tapered wall. (9), a seat portion (5) having a substantially conical shape having a surface capable of contacting each wall of the tapered hole portion (12) and the large diameter hole portion (13), and an end opening of the pipe joint (2) It has integrally a papilla-shaped plug part (6) to be inserted therein.

As the rubber elastic body, for example, various rubbers having excellent oil / chemical resistance and gas impermeability are used.

Thus, the seat portion (5) is a protruding portion of the lid member having the maximum diameter, and has a substantially conical shape in which the diameter gradually increases from the head portion (4) side. 3) It is a portion that acts as a wedge so that it does not come out inside.

Plug part (6) provided in series with the seat part (5)
Has a stepped structure with a large diameter portion that can be tightly fitted in the pipe joint (2) and a tip portion that is slightly smaller than that, and does not form a plug body to be inserted into the mouth of the pipe joint (2). ing.

The plug (1) for closure further has a pore (7) opening at the end face of the head (4) and a cut (8) cut at the top of the plug (6). (7) is formed as a stepped hole having a slightly larger diameter on the opening side so as to extend to the axial center of the main body of the plug (1) for closing and to allow a slight wall thickness without penetrating to the plug part (6) side. The bottom is left behind.

On the other hand, the cut (8) is formed by vertically dividing the top of the plug (6) into equal parts and reaching the bottom of the pores (7).

By forming in this way, the top side of the plug part (6) is vertically divided and normally remains tightly closed by the elasticity of the rubber itself, but the pressure in the pores (7) is maintained. When added, the cut (8) opens up against the elasticity of rubber and the applied pressure of the surroundings, and the pore (7) and the periphery of the plug (6) communicate with each other through the opening of the cut (8). Come to do.

It is thus clear that the cut (8) forms a normally closed valve.

The closing plug (15) is composed of the closing plug (1) and the flare nut (3), and the pipe joint (2) of the flare nut (3) in which the plug (1) is interposed. ), The cut (8) is closed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the mouth of the pipe joint (2) can be surely closed.

By the way, when the flare nut (3) is tightened, the seat portion (5) is pinched by the taper wall portion (9) and the taper wall of the taper hole portion (12) as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. This portion is compressed to fill the large diameter hole (13) and fill the space between the pipe joint (2) and the flare nut (3) so that no space remains.

In this case, since l ₁ > l ₂ in FIG. 4, the internal pressure of the pipe joint (2) tends to push the plug portion (6) toward the small diameter hole portion (11) of the flare nut (3). However, the seat portion (5) never moves from the predetermined position due to the wedge effect, and thus can be fixed in the predetermined position while enduring the pressurization.

When the closure plug (1) is assembled in the flare nut (3), the outer diameter of the seat (5) is the female screw hole (14).
Since it is larger than the inner diameter of the jig, it cannot be easily inserted. Therefore, the jig shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is used.

This jig is composed of a core member (16) and a sheath member (17) that are in sliding contact with each other, and the core member (16) is a cylindrical body having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the plug portion (6) or It is a round bar and has a hole (18) into which a plug part (6) can be fitted, and therefore the peripheral wall of this hole (18) is thin, while the sheath member (17). Is a cylindrical body having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the female screw hole portion (14), and has a tapered wall portion (19) of the same shape as the tapered wall portion (9) at the tip end portion.

With the jig thus constructed, as shown in FIG. 5, the closing plug (1) is fitted to a predetermined position in the flare nut (3) by the forward movement of the core member (16).

In this case, the seat portion (5) is squeezed to form the female screw hole portion (14).
The maximum diameter part is contained inside.

Then, the sheath member (17) is slid forward to move the taper wall (1
When the seat portion (5) is pushed in by 9), the seat portion (5) is fitted in the large diameter hole portion (13) and cannot be pulled out.

If it is desired to inject the refrigerant gas through the plug (1) under the closed condition shown in FIG. 2, the pipe connector (22) called a coupler shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is used. Can be done reliably.

The coupler (22) is an arm having a claw (29) at the tip of a tubular body (23) having at the tip a nozzle (24) consisting of a stepped thin tube having a large diameter portion on the base side and a small diameter portion on the front side. The two or more holding arms (25) formed by are pivotally supported so that they can be opened and closed, and an opening / closing ring (26) for simultaneously opening and closing each holding arm (25) is provided with a coil spring ( 27) has a structure in which it is elastically pressed against the sandwiching piece side by means of 27), and the cylindrical body (23) has a male screw portion screwed on the outer periphery, and a ring (30) is attached to this male screw portion.
Are engaged with each other, and the bases serving as fulcrums of the holding arms (25) are locked to the rings (30) respectively, and the claws (2
The nozzle (24) can be swung so that the nozzle (24) can be brought into and out of contact with the nozzle (24), and the rear end of the flare nut (3) is grasped by the holding arm (25). 7th
In the illustrated state, the coupler (22) is connected.

In this state, since the large diameter portion of the nozzle (24) is pressed against the head portion (4) within the small diameter hole portion (11) of the flare nut (3), for example, under a pressure of about 30 kg / cm ² · G. Even if the airtightness test is carried out at, there is no possibility that the closing lid (1) will come out.

The holding arm (25) can rotate the ring (30) to loosen the hook of the claw (29) on the forward side and reversely tighten it on the backward side.

To remove the coupler (22), the open / close ring (26) is moved to the rear side against the spring force as shown in FIG. 8, so that the O-ring (28) wound around each holding arm (25) is released. The holding arm (25) opens as a spring and can be easily removed.

In this way, the pipe (P) with the plug (1) for closing is not required for the above-mentioned plug (1) at the time of on-site installation, while the flare nut (3) can be used after the pipe connection work. Is.

Therefore, it is necessary to remove the plug (1) from the flare nut (3), which can be accurately performed by using the extraction jig illustrated in FIG.

The jig is composed of a rod body (20) of an appropriate length made of a thin metal or a hard resin that can be loosely inserted into the small diameter hole portion (11) of the flare nut (3), and is provided around the pore (7). Head (4)
The structure has a flat end face portion (21) at the tip that can be brought into surface contact with a part of the end face. For example, a general-purpose one-letter screwdriver is sufficient, and this jig is used as shown in FIG. (4) Easy to remove one side of the seat part (5) from the tapered hole part (12) and the large diameter hole part (13) by projecting one end face inward of the flare nut (3). Can be removed.

However, the closing plug (1) of the closing lid (15) may have the structure shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and this example is reinforced with respect to the plug (1) shown in FIG. The characteristic is that it is provided with a plate (31), and this reinforcing plate (31) is
A plate-shaped washer is formed by press-molding a steel plate having a thickness of about 0.4 mm. As shown in the drawing, the outer surface of the head portion (4) and the outer surface contacting the inner wall of the tapered hole portion (12) in the seat portion (5) are in contact with each other. Is finished so that it can be brought into close contact with a part of the plug, and in the close contact state, it is flush with the outer surface of the seat portion (5) of the stopper (1).

This plug (1) is filled with gas by using the coupler (22), and then the flare nut (3) is retightened when the coupler (22) is removed, as shown in FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. Since the pores (7) are crushed and closed due to the part (4) not escaping and being compressed, the pores (7) never enter the gas pipe (P) even when the external pressure is higher than the internal pressure. Therefore, a highly airtight and reliable product can be obtained.

In the case of this plug (1), the sealing property of the cut (8) is not so important.

(Effects of the Invention) (a) The closing lid of the present invention is a rubber closing plug (1)
As a result, the conventional pinch processing and brazing processing can be omitted, resulting in a great effect of saving man-hours and time.

(B) In addition, since the earphone-shaped small-sized and inexpensive closing plug (1), the parts cost is remarkably reduced as compared with the case of using the conventional service piping.

(C) Further, the closing plug (1) has a seat portion (5), and the seat portion (5) comes into contact with the inner wall of the large-diameter hole portion (13) of the flare nut (3) in a close contact state. Since it is compressed, the airtight sealing effect becomes more reliable, and since the pores (7) and the cuts (8) continuous with the pores (7) are formed in the axial center portion, the pores (7) allow the manufacturing process It is easy to apply to airtightness inspection, vacuum evacuation gas filling, etc. Moreover, since the cut (8) attached to the stopper (6) functions as a check valve, pressure gas can be easily injected after injection. The airtightness of
Moreover, it is very easy to handle.

(D) When the flare nut (3) is removed, the closing lid can be loosened easily because the tightening torque is low, which improves local serviceability.
Further, unlike the conventional case, since there is no protruding portion of the service pipe, the packing work is simplified.

(E) Further, the closing lid (15) which is a combination of the flare nut (3) and the plug (1) has a simple structure,
Moreover, since the end opening of the pipe joint (2) can be sealed in a high air-tightness until the normal connection is made, a highly reliable device can be provided.

(F) On the other hand, in the pipe joint device of the present invention, the pipe connection can be performed with the quick-operation type pipe connector (22) with the closing lid (15) still attached, and the attachment / detachment operation can be done with one touch. In addition to being able to perform, the airtightness is sufficiently maintained on the pipe (P) side when removed, which is suitable for field work.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 9 show aspects of examples of the invention, respectively.
The figure is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the closing plug, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the same use state, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sectional views of the main part before and after tightening the flare nut in the same use state. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing a main part of each mounting procedure according to an example of a mounting jig, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show a usage state of the pipe connector of the present invention in a state where gas is filled and released. Explanatory drawing shown, FIG. 9 is a withdrawal operation explanatory view relating to an example of an withdrawal jig, FIGS. 10 and 11 are sectional views of another example of the closure plug of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a closing plug comparatively illustrated with respect to the present invention. (1) …… Occlusion plug, (2) …… Pipe joint, (3) ……
Flare nut, (4) ... head, (5) ... seat,
(6) ... stopper, (7) ... pore, (8) ... break,
(9) ... Tapered wall, (10) ... Male thread, (11) ...
… Small diameter hole, (12) …… Tapered hole, (13) …… Large diameter, (14) …… Female screw hole, (15) …… Cut off lid,
(22) …… Pipe connector, (23) …… Cylinder, (24) …… Nozzle, (25) …… Clamping arm, (29) …… Claw, (30) ……
Ring, (31) …… Reinforcement plate, (P) …… Piping.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pipe joint formed by forming a short cylindrical body having a taper wall portion (9) and a male screw portion (10) at the front and rear of the outer circumference and being fixed to the end portion of a pipe (P) through which a pressurized fluid flows. 2), a taper hole portion (12) corresponding to the small diameter hole portion (11) and the taper wall portion (9) of the pipe joint (2) from the front side of the inner circumference of the pipe, a large diameter hole portion (1)
3) Further, a flare nut (3) formed on a lid body having a series of female screw hole portions (14) corresponding to the male screw portion (10) and a small diameter hole portion (11) of the flare nut (3) are closed. And a tapered wall portion (9) of the pipe joint (2),
It is inserted in a space surrounded by the walls of the tapered hole portion (12) and the large diameter hole portion (13) in a compressed state, and is fitted into the large diameter hole portion (13) by abutting the wall surface thereof. The seat part (5) and the papilla-shaped plug part (6) to be fitted into the pipe joint (2) are integrally formed to have an earphone shape, and are opened at the end face of the head part (4), And a pore (7) having a bottom portion on the plug portion (6) side and extending toward the axial center, and a vertical cut (8) extending from the top of the plug portion (6) to the bottom of the pore (7). (1) with a closing plug (1) made of rubber having
5), a cylindrical body (2) having a stepped thin tube nozzle (24) at its tip.
3), a ring (30) screwed to a male screw part screwed on the outer periphery of the tubular body (23), and a claw (29) that can be hooked to the rear end edge of the flare nut (3) at the tip. The base of the arm that is held is locked to the ring (30) and is arranged around the cylindrical body (23) so that the claw (29) can swing to and from the nozzle (24). It comprises a pipe connector (22) fixed to the pipe end with an individual holding arm (25), and the flare nut (3) is screwed into the pipe joint (2) to close the plug (1). ) Does not allow the pipe mouth of the pipe joint (2) to be hermetically sealed, and the nozzle (24) penetrates the small diameter hole (11) and the plug for closure (1) so that the inside of the pipe of the pipe joint (2) is closed. And press it against the closing plug (1), while hooking the claws (29) of the sandwiching arms (25) to the rear end edges of the flare nuts (3) respectively, and connecting the pipes. Hand (2) and the pipe connector (2
2) A pipe joint device characterized in that it is connected to and under airtightness. 2. A small diameter hole portion (11) from the front side of the inner circumference of the pipe, a tapered hole portion (12) corresponding to the tapered wall portion (9) of the pipe joint (2), a large diameter hole portion (13) and a female screw hole. It comprises a flare nut (3) formed on a lid having a series of parts (14) and a closing plug (1), and the closing plug (1) has the small diameter hole (1).
The head part (4) to be fitted to 1), the tapered wall part (9) of the pipe joint, the tapered hole part (12) and the large diameter hole part (13).
The seat portion (5) which is inserted in a space surrounded by the respective walls in the compressed state in a compressed state and is fitted into the large diameter hole portion (13) by abutting the wall surface thereof and the pipe joint (2). It is integrally formed with a papilla-shaped plug part (6) to be inserted, is formed of rubber into an earphone shape, opens at an end face of the head (4), and has a bottom part on the plug part (6) side. It is characterized by having a pore (7) extending to the center of the shaft and having a vertical cut (8) extending from the top of the plug (6) to the bottom of the pore (7). Deadline lid. 3. An obstruction plug (1) comprising an outer surface of a head (4),
The dead-end according to claim 2, wherein a cap-shaped reinforcing plate (31) for press-molding a thin steel plate is closely attached to an outer surface of the seat portion (5) which is in contact with the inner wall of the tapered hole portion (12). lid.