JPH10252969A - Joint device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the working efficiency at site by connecting a detection member to detect whether or not a tubular body is connected to a connector in a normal condition through the connector and a connecting means. SOLUTION: When it is detected whether or not a tubular body (pipe) P is connected to a connector 2 in a normal condition after the pipe P is connected to the connector 2, a detection member 17 is integrated by the connector 2 and a connecting means (a connection piece 22 with excellent flexibility and a joint piece 23). Because the detection member 17 is in the range restricted from the connector 2 by the connecting means (the connection piece 22 and the joint piece 23), i.e., constantly at the hand of a worker, it is excellent in workability by the quantity where the pick-up is dispensed with. A notched groove 25 is formed in the detection member 17, and even after the pipe P is inserted in the connector 2, the detection member 17 can be fitted to the pipe P.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pipe joint device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, since fuel system piping of an automobile passes between a large number of equipments, it is necessary to use a plurality of pipes to connect the pipes smoothly. There were many. However, even if such a connector structure is employed, whether or not the connector is properly connected relies on visual observation from the outside, so that reliability may be lacking. Therefore, recently, several structures have been developed for reliably detecting whether or not the connection has been completed. One of them is Japanese Utility Model No. 7-43583.

In this method, when a male member (pipe) is fitted to a female member (connected to another pipe), a member for detecting incomplete connection called a tubular member is provided on the male member side. It is attached so that it can slide.

When the male and female members are completely connected, an annular bulge formed on the male member engages with the locking portion on the female member. In this case, the tubular member that has been waiting behind the male member can approach the female member to the proper position and can engage with the female member. However, when the insertion of the male and female members is incomplete, the bulge does not reach the locking portion. Therefore, the male and female members face each other slightly apart from the normal state. Such a situation is not easily understood from outside,
When the tubular member is brought closer to the female member, the detection projection provided on the tubular member abuts against the bulge portion, and the female member cannot be further approached. For this reason, it can be determined that the connection was incomplete due to the inability to engage with the female member.

[0005]

However, in the above, the detection tubular member is attached to the male member (pipe) side. In other words, since the tubular member is mounted at the site where the pipe is connected, parts management at the site becomes cumbersome, and in addition, it must be taken out of the parts box and attached to the pipe, which makes the work cumbersome and improves work efficiency. There is a problem that it is lowered.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a joint device capable of improving work efficiency on site.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pipe body having a flange-like bulge portion at a distal end side, and receiving the pipe body with respect to the bulge portion. A connector for locking the pipe by locking the locking portion, and the pipe is inserted into the connector in a state where the pipe is inserted into the connector, and the pipe is inserted into the connector to a regular depth. When the tube is not inserted into the connector to the normal depth, the detection projection abuts on the bulge portion, so that the engagement with the connector is enabled. A coupling device comprising a detection member for disabling the detection member, wherein the detection member is connected to the connector via connection means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a cutout groove is formed in the detection member to allow the detection member to be fitted into the tube in a radial direction. It is assumed that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the detecting member is formed separately from the connector, and can be locked by a locking receiving portion formed on the connector. Is provided.

[0010]

The effects of the present invention are as follows. According to the first aspect of the present invention, after connecting the tube and the connector, when detecting whether or not they are connected in a normal state, the detecting member is integrated with the connector and the connecting means in advance. I have. Therefore, since the detecting member is in a range restricted by the connecting means from the connector, that is, always at the operator's hand, the work of picking up is not required, so that the workability is excellent, and the component is formed as a single component. It is also advantageous in management.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the notch groove is formed in the detecting member, the detecting member can be attached to the tube even after the tube is inserted into the connector.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the detection member and the connector are formed separately and integrated by the mounting portion, the molding die can be simpler than in the case where they are integrally formed. .

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a description will be given of an example of a structure of a portion connecting a pipe P and a tube (not shown) in a fuel system pipe of an automobile.
However, a metal pipe is used as the pipe P, and a bulge portion 1 bulging like a flange is formed over the entire circumference at a position near the tip.

The connector 2 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material, and has a fuel passage 3 formed along its axis. An insertion tube 4 formed in a tapered cylindrical shape extends in the front half of the connector 2 along the axial direction. The insertion tube 4 can be inserted into a tube (not shown), and a plurality of protruding edges 5 are formed annularly at regular intervals on the outer periphery so as not to easily come off. O on the tip side for sealing
A ring (not shown) can be fitted.

On the other hand, the rear half of the connector 2
The receiving cylinder 6 has a larger diameter than that of the receiving cylinder 6. A pipe insertion hole 7 is formed inside the receiving tube portion 6 and communicates coaxially with the fuel passage 3 described above. Further, a locking step 8 is formed at the inner end of the pipe insertion hole 7. Further, the pipe insertion hole 7 is formed to have a larger diameter behind the locking step portion 8, into which an O-ring and a spacer 9 for retaining the O-ring are fitted. The sealing property between the inner wall surface of the inner wall 7 and the inner wall surface 7 is ensured.

Further, a pair of convex edges 10 projecting annularly are provided at the insertion end of the pipe P on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving cylinder portion 6, and a retainer mounting groove 11 for mounting a retainer 12 is provided between these. There is. A pair of square-shaped mounting windows 13 are respectively opened in the retainer mounting groove 11 at substantially target positions, and the retainer 12 is fixed to the connector 2 using the both mounting windows 13.

The retainer 12, like the connector 2, is also formed of a synthetic resin material, and is formed in a ring shape as a whole. A part of the connector 2 is cut off so that it can be expanded and deformed, so that the connector 2 can be fitted into the retainer mounting groove 11 from the end of the receiving tube portion 6. Further, a pair of engaging protrusions 14 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the retainer 12, and when the retainer 12 is mounted, the two engaging protrusions 14 fit into the corresponding mounting windows 13, and the distal end thereof is connected to a pipe. It protrudes into the insertion hole 7. When the pipe P is inserted, the bulge 1
When this is hit against this portion, the retainer 12 is expanded so as to push out both engagement protrusions 14 from the mounting window 13 to allow passage of the bulge portion 1, and after passage, engages with the bulge portion 1 of the pipe P. In addition, the pipe P is prevented from coming off. Further, a tapered surface 15 is formed on the front surface of the engagement protrusion 14 so that the bulge portion 1 can pass through the engagement protrusion 14 smoothly, and guides the expanding operation of the retainer 12. Furthermore, an operation portion 16 is provided on one of the opposite edges of the cut-off portion of the retainer 12 so as to facilitate the opening operation of the retainer 12 when removing the pipe P from the connector 2.

Next, the detection member 17 will be described.
The detecting member 17 can be mounted on the connector 2 side before the pipe P is inserted. For this reason, at the center of the outer surface of the connector 2, locking step portions 18 for mounting the detecting member 17 are arranged at two locations shown on the substantially same circumference (see FIG. 6). Also, on both sides of the front edge of the above-mentioned biconvex edges 10, both connecting arms 1 of the detection member 17 are provided.
A pair of hooking recesses 20 for locking the lock 9 are arranged at target positions.

The detecting member 17 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material. The entirety of the detecting member 17 is a cylindrical main body 21 that covers a portion where the retainer 12 of the connector 2 is fitted. It is formed by a joint piece 23 connected via a connection piece 22 having a flexible property. The joint piece 23 is formed in a substantially U-shape that can be expanded, is fitted in the side surface of the connector 2 from the radial direction, and can be pinched with elastic force. A hook 24 is formed at the tip of the hook 24 so that the hook 24 can be engaged with the locking step 18. As a result, the entire detection member 17 can be integrated with the connector 2.

On the other hand, the main body 21 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a bottom, and a part of the main body 21 is a general portion of the pipe P (a portion other than the bulge portion 1 and a portion behind the bulge portion 1 in use). A notch groove 25 is formed so that the groove can be inserted from the radial direction. The notch 25 is formed in the main body 2
1 is provided from the side surface to the bottom surface, and the bottom surface is cut to a predetermined depth position passing through the center along the radial direction. However, the groove width of the notch groove 25 is the pipe P
Is set slightly larger than the diameter of the general part. The connector 2 can be covered from the outside while expanding and deforming the retainer 12 portion, and can be clamped with elastic force. A pair of connecting arms 19 are arranged on the side surface of the main body 21 so as to be flexibly deformable, and a hook 26 is formed at a tip end thereof. And both connecting arms 1
Reference numeral 9 indicates that the distal ends thereof protrude from the main body 21. When the main body 21 is mounted on the connector 2 in a state where the pipe P is inserted to a normal depth, the corresponding hooking recesses 20 are elastically fitted. Can be engaged. Further, a detection projection 27 for detecting whether or not the pipe P is properly inserted is provided on the inner surface of the main body 21. The detection projection 27 is provided on the bottom surface of the main body 21 and near the end of the cutout groove 25 as a start end, and is provided in parallel with the axial direction with respect to the side wall surface. When the bottom surface of the main body 21 is in contact with the rear end surface of the connector 2, the length is such that it comes into contact with or slightly separates from the bulge 1 of the pipe P inserted at a regular depth. Is set. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the pipe P is not inserted to the normal depth, the detection projection 27 abuts against the bulge 1 of the pipe P, and the detection member 17 is no longer inserted into the retainer 12. Do not allow fitting. As a result, the claw 26 of the connecting arm 19 is
Cannot be engaged with the hooking concave portion 20, so that the operator can know that the insertion of the pipe P is incomplete.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment configured as described above will be specifically described.

In carrying the pipe P to the insertion site,
The retainer 12 and the detecting member 17 are mounted on the connector 2. First, the retainer 12 is fitted into the retainer mounting groove 11 while forcibly expanding and deforming the retainer 12, and the engaging projections 14 are engaged with the corresponding mounting windows 13. Thus, the mounting of the retainer 12 is completed. Also, detecting member 1
With regard to 7, the two hooks 24 are engaged with the corresponding locking steps 18 on the connector 2 side while the joint pieces 23 are expanded. Thereby, the detection member 17 is integrated with the connector 2 via the connection piece 22. Next, the insertion tube 4 of the connector 2 is inserted into the tube (not shown), and the insertion is performed until the distal end of the tube almost reaches the receiving tube portion 6.

At the connection site, the connection between the pipe P and a tube (not shown) is performed according to the following procedure. First, the pipe P is inserted into the pipe insertion hole 7 from behind the connector 2. At this time, bulge part 1
Is inserted while sliding on the tapered surface 15 of the engagement protrusion 14 when the retainer 12 passes through the engagement protrusions 14, the retainer 12 is forcibly expanded and deformed to allow the passage of the bulge portion 1. . When the retainer 12 returns elastically after passing,
Since both engagement projections 14 engage with the bulge portion 1, the pipe P is prevented from falling out of the connector 2, and as a result, the pipe P and the tube are connected via the connector 2.

Subsequently, the pipe P is moved to the normal position (bulge part 1).
Of the retainer 12 is passed through the engagement projection 14 of the retainer 12). Detection member 1
7 is guided along the general portion of the pipe P protruding from the rear of the connector 2 into the cutout groove 25. Thereafter, the detection member 17 is slid toward the connector 2 while being along the pipe P. And the operation unit 1
The detection member 17 is pushed into the connector 2 while passing through the cutout groove 25. Accordingly, the detecting member 17 is fitted into the connector 2 and the retainer 12 while expanding and deforming. During this time, the detection projection 27 enters the pipe insertion hole 7 of the connector 2 along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.

At this time, if the pipe P has been inserted to the normal position, as shown in FIG.
7 can be pushed down to a position where the bottom surface of the connector 2 contacts the rear end surface of the connector 2.
Can be respectively engaged with the hooking concave portions 20. Thus, the connection work of the pipe P is completed. Further, in a state where the detection member 17 is mounted, the detection member 17 covers the retainer 12 and regulates the expansion deformation of the retainer 12, so that the engagement between the bulge portion 1 and the engagement protrusion 14 is strengthened, The removal of the pipe P is more reliably prevented.

However, as shown in FIG. 5, when the insertion of the pipe P is incomplete, that is, when the insertion of the pipe P is shallow, the detecting member 17 is connected to the connector 2 and the retainer 12.
The projection 27 for detection hits the bulge 1 and does not allow any further advance. For this reason, both connecting arms 19 cannot reach the corresponding hooking concave portions 20.
This allows the operator to know that the insertion of the pipe P is incomplete, and prompts the user to correct the insertion position of the pipe P.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the half insertion of the pipe P is reliably detected. Also, the detection member 17
Is integrated with the connector 2 side in advance, so that parts management at the connection site is easy. Further, since the detection member 17 is restrained by the joint piece 23 and is always in the range of the operator's hand, there is no need for the operator to reach the parts box and take out the detection member 17.
Finally, it also contributes to improving workability.

When the detecting member 17 is attached to the pipe P, the detecting member 17 is divided into two parts within a plane including the axis,
In other words, it is conceivable that the pipe P is sandwiched and held by the divided pieces that are divided in half in the axial direction. However, as in this embodiment, the notch 25 is provided to introduce the pipe P from the radial direction. The one that is capable of being mounted has better attachment to the pipe P.

Further, since the detection member 17 is integrated with the connector 2 by retrofitting, the detection member 17 can be formed by a separate mold, and the mold becomes complicated as compared with the case where it is formed by one part. It is not cost effective.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the method of attaching the detection member to the connector is changed. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the hook 24 protrudes from the tip of the joint piece 23 of the detection member 17 and the locking step 18 is formed in the connector 2 side. Conversely, the hook portion 30 is formed in the connector 2 side. The joint piece 23 has a locking hole 23A on which the hook 30 can be locked. With such a configuration, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be exhibited.

The present invention can be variously modified,
The following modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In any of the embodiments, the detecting member 17 is formed separately from the connector 2; however, the detecting member 17 may be formed integrally.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a joint device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state before a detection operation in which a detection member is attached to a pipe.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pipe is prevented from coming off;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a detection state in a state where the pipe is properly fitted.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a detection state in a state where the pipe is incompletely fitted.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a connection state between the detection member and the connector.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the joint device according to the second embodiment with a part thereof omitted;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a connection state between the detection member and the connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bulge part 2 ... Connector 17 ... Detection member 18 ... Locking step part (locking receiving part) 22 ... Connection piece 23 ... Joint piece (attachment part) 25 ... Notch groove 27 ... Detection protrusion P ... Pipe ( Tube)

Claims (3)

[Claims] A connector having a flange-shaped bulge portion on the distal end side, a connector for receiving the tube and locking a locking portion to the bulge portion to prevent the tube from falling off; While the tube is inserted into the connector and is inserted into the connector, and when the tube is inserted into the connector to a normal depth, the tube can be engaged with the connector, but the tube is A coupling member comprising: a detection member that disables engagement with the connector when the detection protrusion abuts on the bulge portion when the connector is not inserted to the normal depth with respect to the connector; Is connected to the connector via connection means. 2. The joint device according to claim 1, wherein a cutout groove is formed in the detection member so as to allow the detection member to be fitted into the tube body in a radial direction. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the detection member is formed separately from the connector, and further provided with a mounting portion that can be locked to a locking receiving portion formed on the connector. Fitting equipment.