KR20030006412A - Apparatus and method for connecting pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus and a method for connecting pipes are provided to shorten a working time by automatically connecting a main pipe to a connection pipe derived from a heater core. CONSTITUTION: A pipe connecting apparatus includes a base plate(100). A first vertical frame(110) is vertically installed on an upper edge part of the base plate(100). A first fixing plate(120) is fixed to the first vertical frame(110). A lower block(130) is fixed to an upper portion of the first fixing plate(120). A second vertical frame(140) is vertically installed on an edge of the first fixing plate(120). A second fixing plate(160) is fixed to the second vertical frame(140). An upper block(170) is movably installed to the second fixing plate(160). A pneumatic cylinder(171) is installed in the second fixing plate(160). An upper sliding block(180) is disposed on the upper block(170).

Description

Pipe Connections and Methods {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING PIPE}

The present invention relates to a connection device and method for pipes used in an engine cooling system, a heating device, and more particularly, to a pipe connection device for connecting pipes by an automated process and reducing the manufacturing cost of the pipes. It is about a method.

In general, a car is equipped with a water-cooled cooling device for cooling the engine.

The water-cooled cooling device is to lower the temperature while the coolant circulates the cylinder block and the cylinder head by a water pump, and is provided with a radiator, a cooling fan, and a water temperature controller for heat dissipation of the coolant.

Components such as radiators, water pumps, cylinder blocks, etc. are connected by pipes to form cooling water circulation passages.

On the other hand, the vehicle is provided with an air conditioning apparatus for making the interior of the boarding room a comfortable temperature condition. The air conditioning system is provided with a cooling device for cooling the inside of the boarding room and a heating device for heating the inside of the boarding room.

The heating device of the automotive air conditioner is configured to open the interior of a vehicle by introducing air, which is blown by the blower fan, into the room in a warm state by the heat exchanged with the coolant passing through the heater core while the engine coolant returns to the engine through the heater core. It is a device for heating.

Components such as a heater core and an engine of the heating device are connected by pipes to form a cooling water circulation passage.

Figure 1 is a front view of the heater core, Figures 2a and 2b shows a connection structure of the pipe for guiding the circulation of the cooling water according to the prior art.

As shown, the pipe connection structure according to the prior art, the annular protrusion (1a) is formed at a predetermined distance from the end of the main pipe (1), the heater core (H) (shown in Figure 1) and The connected inlet and outlet connection pipes 2 (the inlet connection pipe and the outlet connection pipe of the heater core H have the same structure and are connected by the same connection structure as the main pipe, and thus, the same reference numerals will be used to explain the same. The expansion pipe portion 2a into which the end portion of the main pipe 1 is inserted is formed at the end portion of the main pipe 1, and a plurality of concave slits 2b are formed in the expansion pipe portion 2a along the circumferential direction.

The slit 2b of the connecting pipe 2 is formed through a separate process after the connecting pipe 2 is made through a process such as extrusion.

The connection method of the pipe constructed as described above is as follows.

Insert the O-ring (3) under the protrusion (1a) of the main pipe (1), insert the main pipe (1) into the expansion portion (2a) of the connecting pipe (2), the operator using a tool to connect the pipe ( The forming part 2c of 2) is formed on the connecting pipe 1 side so that the forming part 2c covers the protrusion 1a of the main pipe 1.

However, the pipe connection structure according to the prior art has the following problems.

The caulking operation of the slit 2b for connecting the connection pipe 2 of the heater core H and the main pipe 1 is performed by the operator using a tool and takes a long time, especially, a plurality of slits. The work takes longer because it is not possible to caulk (2b) in one operation at the same time.

When the pipe is connected in the related art, play and flow may be generated between the connecting pipe 2 and the main pipe 1, and since the mutual coupling force is weak, the main pipe 1 may be changed due to careless handling after the process. There is also a problem that the coolant outflow can occur between the connecting pipe (2).

In addition, if the overload is applied when caulking the slit 2b, cracks may occur in the connecting pipe 2 and the main pipe 1, and cooling water may leak. On the contrary, when the caulking force is small, the connecting pipe 2 and There is also a problem that the main pipe 1 can be separated.

In addition, in order to connect the connecting pipe 2 and the main pipe 1, a slit 2b should be processed in the expansion part 2a of the connecting pipe 2, and the slit 2b of the connecting pipe 2 Since it cannot be molded through simultaneous operation during molding, a separate processing step for processing the slit 2b is required, which is a rising factor of manufacturing cost.

The present invention has been invented to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe connecting device and method for shortening the working time for connecting the main pipe to the connecting pipe extracted from the heater core.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to have a stronger coupling force between the connecting pipe and the main pipe.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to increase the binding force of the pipes while preventing cracks in the pipes when connecting the connection pipe and the main pipe.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to reduce the cost by not processing the pipe through a separate process for connecting the connecting pipe and the main pipe.

1 is a front view of a typical heater core.

Figure 2a is an exploded perspective view of the pipes for showing the piping structure according to the prior art.

Figure 2b is a perspective view of the coupled state showing the piping structure according to the prior art.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pipes for showing the pipe connection method according to the invention.

4 to 7 is a block diagram of a pipe connecting apparatus according to the present invention.

8 to 10 is a view showing a pipe connecting process according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the connected state of the pipe coupled by the pipe connecting device and method according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: main pipe 11: protrusion

20: connection pipe 21: expansion pipe

30: O-ring 100: base plate

110,140: Vertical frame 120,160: Plate

130: lower block 170: upper block

171,300: pneumatic cylinder 180: upper sliding block

181: hydraulic cylinder 210,220: jig

211,221: forming unit

Pipe connection device according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the base plate; A lower block which is fixed to the base plate and on which a heater core into which a main pipe is inserted is seated; An upper block installed on the base plate so as to be lifted and lowered to the lower block side through a driving means, and supporting the heater core seated on the lower block from above; In addition, the lower block and the upper block are assembled to the connection pipe side of the heater core through the driving means and installed to be movable in the opening direction so that the expansion pipe of the connection pipe is coupled to the main pipe inserted therein. Characterized in that it comprises a jig forming the expansion tube.

In addition, the pipe connecting method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: inserting the main pipe having an annular protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the O-ring fitted at the end and spaced apart from the end by an expansion part of the connection pipe which is protruded from the heater core; Mounting a heater core into which the main pipe is inserted into the jig; Forming an expansion portion of the connection pipe to surround the protrusion of the main pipe; And, it characterized in that it comprises a step of separating the heater core.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pipes by the pipe connection method according to the invention, Figure 4 is a front view of the pipe connection device according to the invention, Figure 5 is an enlarged front view of the pipe connection device according to the invention, Figure 6 Is a side view of a pipe connecting device according to the present invention, Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of the pipe connecting device according to the present invention, Figures 8 to 10 shows a pipe connecting process according to the present invention, Figure 11 is the present invention Perspective view showing the connection state of the pipe according to.

First, referring to the structure of pipes applied to the pipe connecting device and method according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 3 and 8, the end of the connecting pipe 20 connected to the heater core (H) from the end The expansion part 21 which consists of one horizontal part 21a, the vertical part 21b, the 2nd horizontal part 21c, and the inclination part 21d in order is provided, and the main pipe 10 has a fixed distance from the edge part. Where spaced apart is provided with an annular projection (11).

The pipe connecting device according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, the base plate 100, the first vertical frame 110 which is placed in the upper edge of the base plate 100, and the first Semi-circular seating groove 131 fixed to the first fixing plate 120 and the first fixing plate 120 is fixed on the vertical frame 110, the connection pipe 20 of the heater core (H) is mounted on the upper surface ) Is provided with a lower block 130, a second vertical frame 140 to be inserted into the corner portion of the first fixed plate 120, and a second fixed plate 160 fixed to the second vertical frame 140 And, the upper block 170 is installed so as to be elevated in the second fixing plate 160 up and down and provided with a semi-circular seating groove 131 of the lower block 130 and a symmetrical semi-circular seating groove 131a, Pneumatic cylinder 171 is installed on the second fixing plate 160 to raise and lower the upper block 170 toward the lower block 130, the upper block An upper sliding block 180 installed to be slidable up and down by using the hydraulic cylinder 181 as a driving source in the lock 170; The jig 200 and the operation switch (not shown) are installed to correspond to the facing surfaces of the lower block 130 and the upper sliding block 180, and the forming parts 211 and 221 sharply protruded toward the front side thereof. It is configured to include.

The jig 200 preferably has four as one set. Four jig 210, 220 (the jig installed in the same block 130, 180 is given the same reference numerals) are connected to each of the lower block 130 and the upper sliding block 180, respectively two installed pipes In the axial direction of (20), they are installed at approximately 90 ° intervals along the circumferential direction. In addition, the heater core (H) is provided with inlet and outlet side connection pipes so that the coolant is circulated, and two sets of jiges are provided to simultaneously connect the inlet and outlet side connection pipes.

On the other hand, the main block in the upper block 170 so as to press the O-ring 30 interposed between the pipe 10, 20 so that the cooling water does not leak between the connecting pipe 20 and the main pipe 10. Pneumatic cylinder for crimping pipe 300 is installed. The pneumatic cylinder 300 is elevated together with the upper block 170, while the rod inside thereof is caught by the protrusion 11 of the main pipe 10 to press the protrusion 11 toward the connection pipe 20 side to the O-ring 30 Squeeze.

A guide rod 172 is mounted on the upper surface of the upper block 170 to slidably penetrate the second fixing plate 160 to guide the lifting of the upper block 170.

In addition, a guide pin 190 is formed in the upper block 170 so that the upper block 170 is lowered and combined with the lower block 130, and a pin groove into which the guide pin 190 is inserted into the lower block 130. (Not shown) is provided.

Hereinafter, the connection process of the connection pipe and the main pipe of the heater core according to the present invention.

a. The O-ring 30 is inserted below the protrusion 11 of the main pipe 10.

b. The end of the main pipe 10 is inserted into the expansion portion 21 of the connecting pipe 20 (see FIG. 3 above).

c. As shown in FIG. 8, the heater core H in which the main pipe 10 is inserted into the connection pipe 20 through the ab process is mounted on the lower block 130 of the connection device, and the heater core H is connected. The pipe 20 is seated in the semicircular seating groove 131 of the lower block 130.

d. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper block 170 is lowered to the lower block 130. When the operation switch is operated, the rod of the pneumatic cylinder 171 is drawn out and the upper block 170 is lowered to the lower block 130 while being guided by the guide rod 172. The upper block 170 is lowered so that the upper seating groove 131a covers the upper portion of the connection pipe 20 of the heater core H, so that the upper block 170 and the lower block 130 of the heater core H are lowered. Support the connecting pipe 20. In addition, the guide pin 190 of the upper block 170 is inserted into the pin groove of the lower block 130, the upper and lower blocks 170, 130 are coupled without shifting.

e. The main ring crimping pneumatic cylinder 300 (shown in FIG. 7) is operated so that the rod presses the main pipe 10 toward the connecting pipe 20 so that the O-ring 30 is formed between both pipes 10 and 20. Squeezed.

f. 9 and 10, the upper sliding block 180 is lowered to the center side of the connecting pipe 20 by the hydraulic cylinder 181. As the jig 210 and 220 slide together with the sliding block 180, the protrusion 11 of the main pipe 10 is formed on the first horizontal portion 21a of the connection pipe 20 corresponding to the jig 210 and 220. ) Is formed to form a forming portion (21e). As the forming unit 21e is lifted up and down, the forming unit 211 and 221 cut the corresponding circumferential portion of the first horizontal portion 21a of the connection pipe 20 to form the main pipe. It is formed by pushing to 1) side.

g. The hydraulic cylinder 181 is operated to return the sliding block 180.

h. The pneumatic cylinder 171 is operated to return the upper block 170.

i. The heater core H is separated from the lower block 130.

When such a process is completed, as shown in FIG. 11, the forming portion 21e, which is forcibly formed in the first horizontal portion 21a of the connecting pipe 20, surrounds the protrusion 11 of the main pipe 10. The protrusion 11 of the portion corresponding to the forming portion 21e is exposed to the outside.

Therefore, the plurality of jig 200 is operated at the same time by the hydraulic cylinder 181 to wrap the annular projection 11 of the main pipe 10 while the connecting pipe 20 is foamed, the operator manually by hand as a tool It is not necessary to repeatedly caulk the slit portion of the connecting pipe.

In addition, when the pipes are connected by adjusting the size of the hydraulic pressure that is the driving force of the sliding block 180 to the extent that the pipes 20 and 10 are not separated without cracking in the connection pipe 20 and the main pipe 10. Cracks do not occur in the pipes 10 and 20, and the pipes 10 and 20 are not separated.

In addition, by using the jig 200 to force the expansion portion 21 of the connection pipe 20 to connect the connection pipe 20 and the main pipe 10 to process the slit in the connection pipe as in the prior art. The machining process is lost.

As described above, according to the pipe connecting apparatus and method according to the present invention, the pipe is connected by an automated process, thereby improving productivity.

In addition, since cracks do not occur in the pipe, durability and reliability are improved, and binding force between pipes is increased to prevent leakage of cooling water.

In addition, since the process of processing the slit in the connecting pipe for the connection of the main pipe and the connection pipe is eliminated, the manufacturing apparatus, manpower, etc. according to it is unnecessary, and thus the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described with reference to an engine cooling system and a heating system in which cooling water is circulated, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to a method of connecting pipes for refrigerant circulation in an automotive air conditioner.

Claims (10)

A base plate; A lower block which is fixed to the base plate and on which a heater core into which a main pipe is inserted is seated; An upper block installed on the base plate so as to be lifted and lowered to the lower block side through a driving means, and supporting the heater core seated on the lower block from above; In addition, the lower block and the upper block are assembled to the connection pipe side of the heater core through the driving means and are installed to be movable in the opening direction so that the expansion pipe of the connection pipe is tightened to the main pipe inserted therein. Pipe connection device comprising a jig for forming an expansion pipe. 2. The jig according to claim 1, wherein the jig surrounds an annular protrusion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main pipe by the first horizontal portion of the connecting pipe-side expansion pipe portion, in which the first horizontal portion, the vertical portion, the second horizontal portion, and the inclined portion are sequentially formed from an end portion thereof. Pipe connecting device, characterized in that to form. The pipe connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the jig is disposed at approximately 90 DEG intervals along the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe of the heater core. The pipe connecting device according to claim 3, wherein the jig has a sharp blade shape at an end thereof. The pipe connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the lower block and the upper block have a semicircular connecting pipe seating portion formed symmetrically. The pipe connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the upper block driving means is a hydraulic cylinder. The pipe connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising driving means for pressing the main pipe toward the connecting pipe so that an O-ring interposed between the main pipe and the connecting pipe is crimped. Inserting a main pipe fitted with an O-ring and extending into the expansion pipe of the connection pipe that is introduced from the heater core while the annular protrusion is provided on an outer circumferential surface spaced a predetermined distance from the end; Mounting a heater core into which the main pipe is inserted into the jig; Forming an expansion portion of the connection pipe to surround the protrusion of the main pipe; And, Pipe connection method comprising the step of separating the heater core. The pipe connecting method according to claim 8, further comprising compressing the main pipe inserted into the connection pipe of the heater core toward the connection pipe to press the O-ring interposed between the connection pipe and the main pipe. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of inserting the main pipe into the expansion pipe portion of the connection pipe of the heater core, the first horizontal portion, the first horizontal portion, the vertical portion, the second horizontal portion and the inclined portion is a first horizontal portion sequentially Pipe connection method characterized in that the main pipe is inserted into the part.