Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
  • F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
  • F16L37/12—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members using hooks, pawls or other movable or insertable locking members
  • F16L37/18—Joints tightened by eccentrics or rotatable cams

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to pipe couplings used to connect tubes, such as hoses (rigid hose or flexible hose) or pipes, and particularly to a pipe coupling that is capable of rapidly connecting one tube and another tube and securely clamping component members together and providing reliable sealing.
• piping utilized to convey liquid or gas is fabricated by connecting pipes.
• a pipe coupling is indispensably used on a portion of piping in which two pipes are connected to each other.
• Such a pipe coupling is used in conjunction with various industrial piping, such as piping for use in manufacture of products, piping for use in water supply for agricultural purposes and piping for use with a large-scale aquarium.
• the conventional pipe coupling comprises a female part 20 to which one tube P is connected and a nipple part 10 which is connected to the female part 20 and to which another tube T is connected.
• a circular groove 15 is formed along the circumferential surface of the insertion portion 12 of the nipple part 10.
• a recess 22 is formed in the rear portion of the female part 20 to accommodate the insertion portion 12 of the nipple part 10.
• Two slits 24 are oppositely formed on the sidewall of the rear portion of the female part 20 to communicate with the recess 22.
• Clamps 25 are respectively and rotatably mounted in the slits 24 with the cams 27 of the clamps 25 rotated in the slits 24. As a result, when the clamps 25 are rotated, the cams 27 are engaged with the circular groove 15.
• the cams 27 of the clamps 25 clamp the nipple part 10 and the female part 20 together, in such a way that the eccentrically curved surface 27a of the cam 27 pushes the circular groove 15 inward while sliding on the circular groove 15, the nipple part 20 is pushed forward and pushes a gasket 30 at its front end while the eccentrically curved surface 27a of the cam 27 pushes the circular groove 15 forward, and the cams 27 of the clamps 25 are tightly engaged with the circular groove 15 after being completely rotated.
• the eccentrically curved surfaces 27a of the cams 27 push the circular groove 15 of the nipple part 10 forward and clamp the nipple part 10 and the female part 20 together, so that the pushing force of the clamp 25 causes the nipple part 10 to be deformed.
• leakage may occur between the deformed front end of the nipple part 10 and the gasket 30 due to deteriorated sealing therebetween, and the life span of the nipple part 10 may be reduced.
• This conventional coupler allows clamps to clamp a nipple part and a female part with a relatively small rotational force.
• this conventional coupler since the cam is pushed inwardly and forcibly advances the insertion portion of the nipple portion, this conventional coupler does not overcome the shortcomings of the previously mentioned conventional art completely.
• a circular groove 150 is formed along the front circumferential surface of a nipple part 100 to create stepped portions 160.
• a circular slit 220 is circumferentially formed in a female part 200.
• Two clamps 300 are rotatably mounted in the circular slit 220 by means of pins 390.
• the rounded surfaces 360 respectively formed on the cams 350 of the clamps 300 push the stepped portion 160 of the nipple part 100, and the cams 350 are inserted into the circular groove
• the rounded surface 360 of the cam 350 is brought into linear contact with the stepped portion 160 during the operation of the clamps 300, so that frictional resistance is reduced in comparison with the previously described coupler, thereby allowing this coupler to be easily manipulated.
• the cams 350 are horizontally inserted into the groove 150 of the nipple part 100, so that the nipple part 100 is prevented from being pushed by external force in an axial direction, thereby providing a secure clamping.
• the cam 350 does not push the nipple portion 100 toward the center of the nipple portion 100, so that the nipple part 100 is prevented from being deformed and fluid-tightness can be effectively provided between the nipple part 100 and a gasket 400.
• the gasket 400 is formed to have a square cross-section, so that leakage can occur easily due to hydraulic pressure in the coupling when the gasket 400 is hardened or formed wrongly.
• a branch and a directional control valve for changing the direction of a fluid flow are not provided, so that in order to change the direction of a fluid flow there is required a change in construction in which an additional T- shaped nipple part 110 with a branch 120 is connected to the female part 200 and a pipe is connected to the branch 120 of the T-shaped nipple part 110, as shown in Fig. 4.
• the working efficiency is reduced due to the complexity of work, and the manufacturing cost of the pipe coupling is increased due to the number of the members of the pipe coupling.
• the branch 120 cannot be selectively closed and opened as occasion demands, so that the pipe coupling is inconvenient for use. It is difficult to connect a tube to a branch, and sealing is not ensured on a connecting portion.
• an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe coupling, in which its clamping operation is smoothly performed and fluid-tightness is effectively performed by a gasket, thereby maximizing the efficiency of clamping operation and the fluid-tightness of the gasket.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe coupling, in which the pipe coupling is provided with a branch for dividing a fluid flow and a directional control valve for closing and opening the branch, thereby providing various uses.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe coupling, in which the pipe coupling is provided with a branch and an adaptor suitable for the purpose of use is connectable to the branch, thereby maximizing its fluid-tightness, the variety of uses and working efficiency.
• the present invention provides a pipe coupling, in which a gasket is provided with a V-shaped groove at its inside surface, and the cams of clamps of a female part are provided with a first inclined guide surface and the groove of a nipple part is provided with a second inclined guide surface corresponding to the first inclined guide surface so that the first inclined guide surface is engaged with the second inclined guide surface to clamp the nipple and female parts together by the manipulation of the clamps.
• the present invention provides a pipe coupling, in which a branch is formed on the circumferential surface of the female part and a directional control valve is provided to intercept a fluid flow into the branch.
• the present invention provides a pipe coupling, in which the branch is provided with two clamps and a connecting adaptor, the clamps being rotatable transversally, the connecting adaptor having a circular groove to be engaged with the cams, the cams and the circular groove are respectively provided with opposite inclined guide surfaces, a tapered surface portion sloping toward the main body of the female part is formed on the interior of the branch, and a first tapered connection projection is formed on the front portion of the connecting adaptor to be inserted into a tube and a second tapered connection projection is formed on the rear portion of the connecting adaptor to be inserted into the branch hole of the branch.
• Figs. 1 and 2 are views showing a conventional pipe coupling at clamped and undamped states, respectively;
• Fig. 3 is a partially cut-away view showing another conventional pipe coupling filed previously by the applicant of this application;
• Fig. 4 is a partially cut-away view showing a further conventional pipe coupling filed previously by the applicant of this application;
• Figs. 5 and 6 are partially cut-away views respectively showing a pipe coupling at undamped and clamped states in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
• Figs. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views respectively showing the pipe coupling at undamped and clamped states in accordance with the embodiment
• Fig. 9 is a view showing a pipe coupling in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 9;
• Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged view of portion "F" of Fig. 10;
• Fig. 12 is a sectional- view taken along line B-B;
• Fig. 13 is a partially sectional view in which a connecting adaptor is removed from a branch in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 14 is a partially enlarged view of portion "G" of Fig. 13;
• Fig. 15 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 13 in which the connecting adaptor is fitted into the branch;
• Fig. 16 is a partially enlarged view of portion "H" of Fig. 15;
• Fig. 17 is an enlarged view showing the connecting adaptor
• Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 17;
• Fig. 19 is a view showing another connecting adaptor in accordance with a revised embodiment of the present invention.
• a nipple part 100 is inserted into a female part 200 while a gasket 400 is disposed in the circular cavity 210 of the female part 200.
• a gasket 400 is disposed in the circular cavity 210 of the female part 200.
• the cam 350 of the clamp 300 of the female part 200 is provided with an inclined guide surface 370 and the circular groove 150 of the nipple part 100 is provided with an inclined guide surface 170 corresponding to the inclined guide surface 370, so that the inclined guide surfaces 370 of the cams 350 are engaged with the inclined guide surface 170 of the circular groove 150 to clamp the nipple and female parts 100 and 200 together by the manipulation of the clamp 300.
• the gasket 400 is inserted into the circular cavity 210, pipes (not shown) are respectively connected to the nipple part 100 and the female part 200, and the nipple part 100 is inserted into the circular cavity 210 of the female part 200.
• the circular groove 150 of the nipple part 100 is prevented from being advanced due to the thickness of the gasket 400 and thus stops at a position that does not reach the cams 350 of the clamps 300 somewhat.
• the inclined guide surface 370 formed on the front portion of the clamps 300 is brought into engagement with the inclined guide surface 170 formed on the circular groove 150 of the nipple part 100 and pushes the nipple part 100 toward the gasket 400, thus causing the nipple part 100 and the female part to be clamped together securely.
• the inclined guide surfaces 370 of the cams 350 are formed to face the inclined guide surface 170 of the circular groove 150, so that the cams 350 can be operated without considerable operating force, thus allowing the operation of the cams 350 to be easily performed and preventing the cams 350 from being deformed.
• the nipple part 100 is pushed into the interior of the female part 200 and the nipple part is brought into tight contact with the gasket 400, thereby completing the clamping of the nipple and female parts 100 and 200 while maintaining sealing therebetween.
• the V-shaped groove 420 formed on the inside surface of the gasket 400 is expanded, thereby improving the sealing function of the gasket 400.
• Figs. 9 to 12 are views illustrating another embodiment of the present invention, in which a branch 500 is formed on one sidewall of a female part 200 and a directional control valve 800 is mounted in the female part 200 to selectively open and close the branch 500.
• the directional control valve 800 includes a rotating tube 810 in which an opening 820 is formed on its sidewall and a curved gear row 830 is formed outside its opposite sidewall.
• the rotating tube 810 is fitted into the interior of the female part 200 with the center of the opening 820 of the rotating tube 810 aligned with the center of the branch hole 510 of the branch 500.
• a bevel gear 860 is engaged with the gear row 830 at a right angle.
• the rectangular stem 861 of the bevel gear 860 is inserted into the rectangular recess 551 of an operating handle 550 and secured to the handle 550 by means of a bolt 560 so as to prevent the undesirable rotation of the bevel gear 860.
• a V-shaped groove 840 is formed along the length of the rotating tube 810, and an inclined tension surface 845 is formed at the upstream portion of the rotating tube 810.
• the V-shaped groove 840 serves to expand the rotating tube 810 to the outside by the pressure of fluid.
• the circumferential surface of the rotating tube 810 is brought into tight contact with the inner surface of the nipple part 100 and intercepts a fluid flow into the branch hole 510 of the branch 500.
• the inclined tensional surface 845 serves to expand the rotational tube 810 to the outside, thereby improving the sealing function of the pipe coupling. Additionally, an O-ring 870 may be disposed in the opening 201 of the female part 200 into which the operating handle 550 is fitted, so as to ensure sealing.
• Figs. 13 to 18 are views showing a further embodiment of the present invention, in which a connecting adaptor 600 suitable for its purpose can be detachably and easily inserted into a branch 600. That is, two slits 578 are formed on the opposite portions of the branch
• a connecting adaptor 600 having a circular groove 610 is inserted into the branch 500.
• the cams 580 and the circular groove 610 are respectively provided with two opposite guide surfaces 581 and 611.
• a tapered surface portion 511 sloping toward the female part 200 is formed on the rear portion of the interior of the branch 500.
• a tapered connection projection 650 is formed in the front portion of the connecting adaptor 600 to be inserted into a tube, and a tapered connection projection 620 is formed in the rear portion of the connecting adaptor 600 to be inserted into the branch hole 510 of the branch 500.
• the clamps 570 push the inclined guide surface 611 formed in the circular groove 610 of the connecting adaptor 600, resulting in clamping the branch 500 and the connecting adaptor 600 together.
• the tapered circumferential surface 621 of the tapered connection projection 620 is pushed to and brought into tight contact with the tapered surface portion 511 of the branch 500, thereby maintaining tight sealing.
• a V-shaped groove 606 is formed on the rear portion of the inner surface of the connecting adaptor 600 along the length of the connecting adaptor 600.
• the V-shaped groove 606 serves to expand the tapered connection projection 620 of the connecting adaptor 600 and to bring the circumferential surface of the tapered connection projection 620 into contact with the inner surface of the branch 500, thus providing tight sealing.
• a ring seat groove 607 is formed and an O-ring 608 is inserted into the ring seat groove 607, instead of forming the V-shaped groove 605.
• the tapered connection projection 650 has a tapered surface 671 to easily receive a flexible hose, and is divided from the other portion by a step 672.
• the tapered connection projection 650 is extended by a sloping surface 681, and two slant guide projections 683 are formed on the opposite sides of the sloping surface 681.
• a clamping nut 680 is placed between the tapered connection projection 650 and the slant projections 683.
• Two pushing spiral projections 685 are projected from the opposite sides of the main body of the clamping nut 680 to allow the clamping nut 680 to be forcibly guided by the lower slant surfaces 684 of the slant guide projections 683, and recesses 686 are formed between the pushing spiral projections 685.
• the clamping nut 680 With the advance of the clamping nut 680, the clamping nut 680 is moved toward the step 672 of the tapered connection projection 650. When the clamping nut 680 is moved further, the circumferential surface of the flexible hose fitted over the sloping surface 681 is forcibly secured on the sloping surface 681.
• the branch 500 allows the flexible hose to be easily and rapidly connected thereto, so a user has a convenience in the connection of a hose.
• Fig. 19 is a view showing a connecting adaptor 600 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, in which the connecting adaptor 600 is provided with a plurality of sub-branches 690 having relatively small diameters in front of a circular groove 610.
• a fluid flow supplied through a branch 500 can be divided into plural portions, so that this adaptor 600 can be utilized for a special purpose.
• the present invention provides a pipe coupling, which is capable of reducing force for operating the cams of clamps, being easily manufactured in a simple construction, providing strong clamping force and minimizing the deformation of its nipple part.
• the present invention provides a pipe coupling, which has a superior sealing function in spite of its simple clamping operation and provides a branch and branch opening and closing means.
• the present invention provides a pipe coupling, which has various uses by providing a connecting adaptor easily connectable to a branch and a hose.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
• Joints That Cut Off Fluids, And Hose Joints (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19198262

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (6)

• 2000
  • 2000-08-29 JP JP2002523520A patent/JP3694689B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-08-29 WO PCT/KR2000/000964 patent/WO2002018833A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

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