JPH09126382A - Cap for pipe joint - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a cap for pipe joint easily and surely attachable to a union joint part, and moreover surely hold a union nut. SOLUTION: The first cylindrical part 33 to fit on the outer periphery of a pipe end part 23a; the second cylindrical part to fit in a part of the inner periphery of a union nut 29; and the third cylindrical part 37 to fit on apart of the outer periphery of the union nut 29 are concentrically erectly provided on a circular disc in this order from the inside to the outside. The entering of dust and water through the opening of a pipe is surely prevented, and the cap is certainly held in the union joint part. In addition, the union nut 29 is sandwichedly held on both its sides by the second and the third cylindrical part 37 and certainly held in the end part of a pipe joint.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pipe joint cap used for a union joint for connecting pipes forming a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, air conditioners for air conditioning of automobiles are
Refrigerating devices such as a compressor, an evaporator, a liquid tank, and a condenser are connected by a refrigerant pipe (hereinafter simply referred to as “pipe”) to form a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates.

In such an air conditioner for air conditioning of an automobile, refrigeration equipment and pipes are connected when it is mounted in a vehicle, but when the air conditioner is shipped from a factory, the refrigeration cycle is divided into parts. However, a joint is provided at the connection portion so that the connection is made at the required portion during assembly. This fitting is
Generally, it is a union joint, but this union joint is provided on the side where the flange provided at the end of the pipe comes into contact with the end surface of another pipe (hereinafter referred to as the "tip side").
The ring and is attached. Further, a union nut is inserted at the end of this pipe on the side opposite to the O-ring (hereinafter referred to as "rear side") with respect to the flange, and the union nut is provided slidably with respect to the pipe. ing.

The connection of the pipes by the union joint is
The union nut of the union joint is screwed onto the male threaded portion formed at the end of the other pipe to be connected to connect the end of the joint-side pipe and the end of the other pipe.

On the other hand, when the air conditioner is shipped from the factory in a state where the air conditioner is divided into the required parts, the union joint provided with such a union nut will prevent dust, dirt, moisture, etc. from entering therethrough. A cap (cap for pipe joint) is attached to the joint portion provided at the end portion (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-82591).

The cap disclosed in this publication has a structure in which only one cylindrical portion is erected on a disk. The cylindrical portion wraps the opening of the pipe end, and the flange portion protruding outward from the cylindrical portion is a union nut. It is adapted to engage the inner groove to retain the cap at the tube end.

[0007]

However, the conventional pipe joint cap has a problem that it is easily detached because the flange portion is configured to be engaged only with the inner groove of the union nut.

On the other hand, in the case where the cap is provided only on the end of the pipe, the union nut and the pipe may collide with each other during transportation to make a "carrara" noise and become a noise, or they may be connected to form a refrigeration cycle. In this case, there is an inconvenience that a quick connecting work cannot be performed because there is no union nut at the pipe end.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a cap for a pipe joint which can be easily and surely attached to the union joint portion and can securely hold the union nut. To do.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap for a pipe joint which is provided with a union nut at a pipe end and is used for a union joint for connecting the pipe end to another pipe. A first cylindrical portion to be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe end portion, a second cylindrical portion to be fitted to a part of the inner peripheral surface of the union nut, and a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the union nut. A third cylindrical portion to be formed in this order from the inner side to the outer side in a concentric circular shape, and the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion are provided with a disk portion as a common end surface. It is a thing.

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the pipe joint cap is pressed toward the end portion of the pipe joint, the pipe end portion is press-fitted inside the first cylindrical portion and the first cylindrical portion It covers the opening at the end of the pipe together with the disk, which is the bottom, to prevent dust and water from entering through the opening. At the same time, the first cylindrical portion is pressed against the pipe end and held by the frictional force. On the other hand, the second
The cylindrical portion is press-fitted inside the union nut and press-contacts with a thread formed inside the union nut. A union nut is press-fitted inside the third cylindrical portion and press-contacts the outside of the union nut. Therefore, the union nut is pressed and pinched on the inside by the second cylindrical portion and on the outside by the third cylindrical portion, so that it is securely held at the end of the pipe joint.

That is, it is possible to easily and surely attach the pipe joint cap to the union joint portion and to securely hold the union nut.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the second cylindrical portion has a rib formed along the extending direction of the cylinder. is there.

According to the invention of claim 2, the second
The cylindrical portion is deformed by being pressed into contact with the thread portion of the screw inside the union nut, but by providing the rib, the recovery after the deformation is facilitated and the strength is increased.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the disk portion has ribs formed in a radial shape.

According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1, radial ribs are provided on a disk portion which is a common bottom surface of the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion. As a result, the strength of the disc portion is improved.
In particular, when the cap is removed, a force in the direction of bending a part of the disc portion (a direction perpendicular to the disc portion) acts on the disc portion, but the force can be counteracted and the return is easy.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air conditioner 3 used in the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 5, and the refrigeration equipment such as the compressor 7, the condenser 9, the liquid tank 11 and the evaporator 13 is used as a refrigerant. The pipes are connected to form a refrigeration cycle. The evaporator 13 is arranged in a ventilation duct 14 of the vehicle. The air taken in from the air intake (not shown) by driving the fan 15 passes through the evaporator 13 and is then blown into the vehicle interior R from the blower 15.

In the sending duct 14, the engine E
The heat exchanger 17 into which the heat is introduced is arranged, and by opening and closing each door 19, the temperature of the blown air is adjusted by mixing with the wind that has passed through the evaporator 13 described above.

Generally, the air conditioner 3 is manufactured in a factory separately from the vehicle and then shipped in a state in which it is divided into required parts such as the evaporator 13 and the compressor 7. And each part is connected when mounted in the vehicle 5, and forms the refrigerating cycle.

When the air conditioner 3 is divided into required parts and shipped, each refrigeration component such as an evaporator is provided with a connecting pipe (inlet / outlet tube), and when mounted on a vehicle. These pipes are connected to each other to form a refrigeration cycle. A union joint 21 is provided at the pipe ends to be connected.

Here, the structure of the union joint 21 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the union joint 21 is provided with a flange 25 at the end of the pipe 23, and the end face of the other pipe to be connected is brought into contact with the flange 25. An O-ring 27 is attached to the. A union nut 29 is inserted through the rear side of the flange 25, which is the opposite side of the O-ring 27, and the union nut 29 can slide with respect to the pipe 23. When connecting the pipes, the union nut 29 is moved to the pipe end portion 23a side and screwed into a male screw portion (not shown) of the other pipe to connect the other pipe. Note that the connection portion is held airtight by an O-ring 27.

In such a union joint 21, the union joint provided in the pipe end portion 23a is fitted to the union joint provided in the pipe end portion 23a so as to prevent dust, dust, and moisture from entering through the opening of the pipe end before mounting on the automobile. A (hereinafter, simply referred to as “cap”) 31 is attached.

Next, the cap 31 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cap 31 includes a first cylindrical portion 33, a second cylindrical portion 35, and a third cylindrical portion 3.
7 are formed concentrically from the inside to the outside in this order, and the third cylindrical portion 37 is at the outermost side. Each cylindrical portion 33,
A disk portion 4 forming a common bottom surface on the base end sides of 35 and 37.
1 is integrally formed.

The first cylindrical portion 33 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe end portion 23a and covers the outer periphery of the pipe end portion. The opening of the pipe is covered with a disc portion 41 which is the bottom surface of the cylinder to prevent dust and water from entering through the opening.

The inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 33 is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 23. When the first cylindrical portion 33 is press fitted into the outer surface of the pipe 23, it is elastically deformed and held by the pipe 23. . The specific dimensions of the first cylindrical portion 33 differ depending on the thickness of the pipe 23, but the pipe diameter is 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 1
It is common to use a tube having a diameter of 9 mm or the like, and in these cases, the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion is 0.2 to 0.
It is desirable to make it narrower by 5 mm, and by forming it in such a range, it is possible to press-fit or pull-out with a torque of 0.2 to 0.5 Kg. Torque is 0.2
This is because if it is smaller than Kg, it is too loose and easily comes out, and 0.
This is because it becomes difficult to attach the cap when the weight increases by 5 kg. Needless to say, the torque at the time of mounting (press-fitting) or loading / unloading (pulling out) varies depending on the material used for the cap.

As shown in FIG. 4, the length (height) of the first cylindrical portion 33 does not reach the O-ring 27 from the pipe end when the cap 31 is attached to the pipe joint, or the O-ring 27 contacts the O-ring 27. The length is about the length of contact.

The second cylindrical portion 35 is provided outside the first cylindrical portion 33 and is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the union nut 29. That is, as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a female screw 30 is formed, and the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 35 has a size to be pressed against the thread of the female screw 30.

Further, in this embodiment, FIG. 2 and FIG.
As shown in, a pair of ribs 43, 43 are provided at opposing positions along the extending direction of the cylinder in the second cylindrical portion 35, which reinforces the second cylindrical portion 35 and returns after elastic deformation. To make it easier.

The third cylindrical portion 37 is the second cylindrical portion 35 described above.
And is pressed against the outside of the union nut 29. That is, the union nut 29 is a hexagonal nut as shown in FIG. 1 and is pressed against a hexagonal side wire portion 29a formed on the outside. The third cylindrical portion 37 is formed in such a size that it is slightly elastically deformed when it is press-fitted into the hexagonal union nut 29.

Therefore, the union nut 29 is sandwiched by the second cylindrical portion 35 on the inner side and the third cylindrical portion 37 on the outer side, and securely holds the union nut 29 on the pipe end portion 23a. Therefore, the union nut 29 does not make a rattling noise when it is transported, and when it is assembled to the vehicle, the union nut 29 is always located at the hand for connecting the pipes. Can be done easily.

The disc portion 41 corresponds to the bottom surface of the first cylindrical portion 33, the second cylindrical portion 35 and the third cylindrical portion 37, and the respective cylinders are erected from the disc portion 41. In each of the cylindrical portions 33, 35, 37, the closer to the disc portion 41 having the bottom surface, the more the cylindrical shape is maintained and less likely to be elastically deformed, while the distal end portion of the cylinder farther from the disc portion 41 becomes more flexible, As it is easily deformed, it can be easily attached.

That is, the cap 31 is connected to the union pipe joint 21.
When mounted on the tube end, the distal end of each cylindrical portion is easily deformed and can be easily inserted into the tube end 23a or the union nut 29.
a and the union nut 29, etc., and are securely held.

The disc portion 41 has a collar portion 46 extending to the outside of the third cylindrical portion 37, and has the union joint 21.
When the cap 31 is detached from the rim, the finger can be easily put on the collar portion 46 to remove it.

Reinforcing ribs 44 are arranged on the disk portion 41 radially from the center. Although the number and thickness of the reinforcing ribs 44 are not particularly limited, six reinforcing ribs 44 are arranged at equal intervals in the present embodiment. This reinforcing rib 44
Reinforces the disc portion 41 against bending and deformation.

According to the cap structure of the present embodiment, since the cylindrical portions 33, 35 and 37 have a triple structure, dust and water can be surely prevented from entering and can be surely attached.

The cap 31 is integrally manufactured by so-called injection molding of a resin material.

The resin material is not particularly limited, but polyethylene is preferable because it is inexpensive and easy to take a mold. Furthermore,
The material of the cap 31 is preferably a transparent material or a translucent material, and if it is transparent, each part of the union joint can be seen, so that it is possible to notice that the O-ring 27 has not been fitted, for example.

The operation of this embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, first, the union nut 29 is moved toward the pipe end portion 23a, and the cap 31 is attached so as to be pressed against the union joint 21 side.

When pressing the cap 31, the tube end portion 23a is inserted and fitted inside the first cylindrical portion 33. In this state, the union nut 29 is connected to the second cylindrical portion 35 and the third cylindrical portion 35.
It is located between the cylindrical portion 37 and the second cylindrical portion 35 as it is.
And the third cylindrical portion 37.

Further, after the cap is attached, the disc portion 4
The first and third cylindrical portions 37 cover the entire union joint 21 and protect the union joint from external damage and the like.

When it is mounted on a vehicle, it can be easily removed by picking up the flange portion 43 of the cap 31.
Note that the cap 31 can be reused.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0046]

According to the pipe joint cap of the first aspect of the present invention, the first cylinder portion, the second cylinder portion, and the third cylinder portion are concentrically provided upright on the disk portion. It is possible to reliably prevent dust and water from entering through the opening of the pipe, and securely hold the cap on the union joint portion. Furthermore, since the union nut is configured to be sandwiched by the second cylindrical portion and the third cylindrical portion from the inside and the outside, the union nut can be reliably held at the end of the pipe joint. As a result, the union joint can be easily and surely attached by simply pressing the cap, and the union nut can be securely held. Further, it is possible to prevent the union joint portion from being damaged.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), since the rib is provided on the second cylindrical portion, it is possible to withstand deformation at the time of press-fitting and to easily return.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effect of the invention described in (1), since the radial ribs are formed on the disk portion, the strength of the disk portion is improved. In particular, when the cap is removed, a force in the direction of bending a part of the disc portion (a direction perpendicular to the disc portion) acts on the disc portion, but the force can be counteracted and the return is easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe joint and a pipe joint cap.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pipe joint cap shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pipe joint cap shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounted state of a pipe joint cap.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an air conditioner for automobile air conditioning.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Union Joint 23 Pipe 25 Flange 29 Union Nut 31 Cap (Pipe Joint Cap) 33 First Cylindrical Section 35 Second Cylindrical Section 37 Third Cylindrical Section 41 Disc Section 43 Rib 44 Reinforcing Rib

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pipe joint cap, which is provided with a union nut at a pipe end and is used for a union joint for connecting the pipe end to another pipe, wherein the first end is to be fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the pipe end. A cylindrical portion, a second cylindrical portion to be fitted to a part of the inner peripheral surface of the union nut, and a third cylindrical portion to be fitted to a part of the outer peripheral surface of the union nut are arranged in this order from the inside. A pipe joint cap, which is concentrically provided on the outer side and is provided with a disk portion as an end surface common to the first cylindrical portion, the second cylindrical portion, and the third cylindrical portion. 2. The cap for a pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical portion has a rib formed along the extending direction of the cylinder. 3. The pipe joint cap according to claim 1, wherein the disk portion includes ribs formed in a radial shape.