WO2022019238A1

WO2022019238A1 - Snap-fit engagement connector

Info

Publication number: WO2022019238A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/026848
Authority: WO
Inventors: 一斉中嶋
Original assignee: 株式会社ニチリン
Priority date: 2020-07-20
Filing date: 2021-07-16
Publication date: 2022-01-27
Also published as: JP2022020200A; JP6989167B1

Abstract

Provided is a snap-fit engagement connector that can prevent a pipe from pulling out from the interior of the connector body section. When a pipe (50) is inserted into the interior of a connector body section (1), a distal-end portion of a hook part (33) of a retainer (3) makes contact with a spool part (51) from an opening (11) side of the connector body section (1). The hook part (33) is provided with a curved portion (33a) that protrudes toward the opening (11) side of the connector body section (1). The curved section (33a) is formed in a shape that bends toward the opening (11) side of the connector body section (1), and then folds toward the side away from the opening (11) side of the connector body section (1). The apex of the curved section (33a) is positioned closer to the interior of the connector body section (1) than the surface of the connector body section (1) on an internal space (12) side.

Description

Snap-fit engagement connector

The present invention relates to a snap-fit engagement connector that engages a pipe with a snap-fit.

In Patent Document 1, when the inner diameter of a clip is expanded with a knob and the clip is fitted into the clip fitting portion of the body (connector body portion), the pipe body (pipe) inserted inside the body is retracted and bumped. A connector having a configuration in which a tube body is prevented from coming off with respect to a body by locking a portion (spool portion) with a locking claw of a clip is disclosed. The locking claws of the clips extend from the outer surface side of the body toward the inside of the body.

Japanese Patent No. 3670191

However, in Patent Document 1, when pressure is applied to the inside of the pipe and the pipe moves in the direction of exiting from the inside of the connector main body, the locking claw is bent by the spool portion and is engaged with the outer surface side of the connector main body. There is a risk that the pipe will come out from the inside of the connector body due to the raised claws. In particular, in applications such as car air conditioners where the pressure applied to the inside of the pipe is high, there is a high possibility that the pipe will come out from the inside of the connector main body.

An object of the present invention is to provide a snap-fit engaging connector capable of suppressing the pipe from coming out from the inside of the connector main body.

The present invention engages a connector main body having an opening into which a pipe is inserted and an internal space communicating with the opening, and a spool portion which is an annular convex portion provided on the outer periphery of the end of the pipe. This has a retainer for fixing the pipe inserted inside the connector main body, and the retainer is arranged on the opening side of the connector main body to provide a hole communicating with the opening. The inside of the connector main body from the ring portion, the leg portion extending from the ring portion to the side opposite to the opening side of the connector main body portion, and the end portion of the leg portion on the side opposite to the ring portion. It has a claw portion extending toward the connector and penetrating a through hole formed in a side portion of the connector main body portion, and the tip portion of the claw portion has the pipe inserted inside the connector main body portion. At that time, the connector main body is in contact with the spool portion from the opening side, and the claw portion is provided with a bent portion that is convex toward the opening side of the connector main body portion. Is formed so as to be bent to the opening side of the connector main body and then folded back to the side opposite to the opening side of the connector main body, and the apex of the bent portion is the inside. It is characterized in that it is located on the inner side of the connector main body portion rather than the side surface of the space.

According to the present invention, the apex of the bent portion provided on the claw portion of the retainer is located on the inner side of the connector main body portion rather than the side surface of the internal space of the connector main body portion. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the inside of the pipe and the pipe moves in the direction of exiting from the inside of the connector main body, the spool portion of the pipe pushes the claw portion toward the opening side of the connector main body, and the side surface of the internal space and the outer circumference of the pipe are pushed. The bent part bites into the surface. As a result, it is suppressed that the claw portion is lifted on the outer surface side of the connector main body portion. Further, the leg portion of the retainer is pulled to the side opposite to the opening side of the connector main body portion, and the ring portion of the retainer comes into contact with the connector main body portion. After the ring portion comes into contact with the connector main body portion, the tensile load applied to the leg portion increases as the biting amount of the bent portion increases. The tensile strength of the legs suppresses the movement of the pipe in the direction of coming out of the inside of the connector body. In the conventional locking claw, the movement of the pipe is suppressed by the bending strength of the locking claw. However, in applications such as car air conditioners where the pressure applied to the inside of the pipe is high, the movement of the pipe cannot be sufficiently suppressed, the locking claws bend, and the locking claws rise on the outer surface side of the connector body. There was a risk that the pipe would come out from the inside of the connector body. Here, in general, the tensile strength of the resin or metal is higher than the bending strength. Therefore, by suppressing the movement of the pipe by the tensile strength of the legs, the movement of the pipe can be suitably suppressed even in applications such as car air conditioners where the pressure applied to the inside of the pipe is high. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pipe from coming out from the inside of the connector main body.

It is a perspective view of a connector. It is sectional drawing of a connector. It is a perspective view of a pipe. It is a perspective view of a connector main body part and a male joint part. It is a perspective view of a retainer. It is a perspective view of a checker.

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

(Connector configuration)
The connector (snap-fit engagement connector) in the present embodiment is, for example, a joint used for connecting a refrigerant pipe of a car air conditioner. When the application is a car air conditioner, the burst strength of the connector is 10 MPa or more.

As shown in FIG. 1 which is a perspective view of the connector 100 and FIG. 2 which is a cross-sectional view of the connector 100, the connector 100 is a linear connector. The material of the connector 100 is, for example, resin. The connector 100 includes a connector main body portion 1 as a female joint portion into which the pipe 50 is inserted, and a male joint portion 2.

The connector main body 1 has an opening 11 into which the pipe 50 is inserted and an internal space 12 communicating with the opening 11. In the present embodiment, the connector main body 1 has a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The male joint portion 2 is provided coaxially with the connector main body portion 1 and has a flow path 21 communicating with the internal space 12 of the connector main body portion 1. For example, a hose (not shown) is connected to the male joint portion 2. The portion of the male joint portion 2 to which the hose is connected is cylindrical.

The connector main body 1 is an integrally molded product, and is integrally molded by, for example, injection molding. The same applies to the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2, and the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 are integrally molded, for example, by injection molding. In the present embodiment, the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 are integrally molded, but the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 do not need to be integrally molded. For example, the connector main body 1 and the male joint portion 2 may be separately molded and joined.

Further, in the present embodiment, the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 are coaxially arranged, but the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 may be orthogonal to each other. Further, the connector main body portion 1 and the male joint portion 2 may intersect with each other. That is, the connector 100 may be an L-shaped connector. The "L-shape" here includes not only those having a right angle between the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2 at 90 degrees, but also those having various angles such as 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees. included.

As shown in FIG. 3, which is a perspective view of the pipe 50, the pipe 50 is a pipe (pipe) through which a refrigerant flows. The material of the pipe 50 is, for example, a metal such as an aluminum alloy. A spool portion 51, which is an annular convex portion, is provided on the outer periphery of the end portion of the pipe 50. A recess 52 is provided in a part of the outer periphery of the tip of the pipe 50.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 100 has a retainer 3. The retainer 3 fixes the pipe 50 inserted inside the connector main body 1. The pipe 50 is fixed (locked) to the connector main body 1 by engaging the spool portion 51 provided on the pipe 50 with the retainer 3. The material of the retainer 3 is, for example, a resin.

Here, the spool portion 51 and the retainer 3 are engaged by a snap fit. Snap-fit is the use of the elasticity of a material to fit one into the other. Specifically, as the pipe 50 is inserted into the connector main body 1, the claw portion 33 described later of the retainer 3 is pushed by the spool portion 51 to the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) side of the connector main body 1. Elastically deforms toward. When the pipe 50 is completely inserted into the back of the connector main body 1 and the spool portion 51 passes through the claw portion 33, the claw portion 33 returns to the original position. As a result, the spool portion 51 and the retainer 3 are engaged with each other.

As shown in FIG. 4, which is a perspective view of the connector main body 1 and the male joint 2, a first through hole (through hole) 13 is formed on the side of the connector main body 1. In the present embodiment, four first through holes 13 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the connector main body 1. A claw portion 33, which will be described later, of the retainer 3 is fitted into the first through hole 13.

Further, a convex portion 14 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body portion 1. In the present embodiment, four convex portions 14 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the connector main body portion 1. The convex portion 14 is arranged in the vicinity of the first through hole 13. In the radial direction of the pipe 50 (the radial direction of the connector main body 1), the height of the convex portion 14 is higher than the height of the spool portion 51.

Further, a second through hole 15 is formed on the side portion of the connector main body portion 1. In the present embodiment, four second through holes 15 are also formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the connector main body 1. The second through hole 15 is formed on the side (back side) opposite to the opening 11 side of the connector main body 1 with respect to the first through hole 13. Further, the second through hole 15 is formed at a position where the spool portion 51 faces each other when the pipe 50 is completely inserted into the connector main body portion 1.

In the present embodiment, the second through hole 15 communicates with the first through hole 13, but it does not have to communicate with the first through hole 13.

As shown in FIG. 5, which is a perspective view of the retainer 3, the retainer 3 has a ring portion 31, a leg portion 32, and a claw portion 33. As shown in FIG. 1, the ring portion 31 is arranged on the opening 11 side of the connector main body portion 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the ring portion 31 has a hole portion 31a communicating with the opening 11.

The leg portion 32 extends from the ring portion 31 to the side (back side) opposite to the opening 11 side of the connector main body portion 1. In the present embodiment, four leg portions 32 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the ring portion 31.

In the present embodiment, the leg portion 32 has a flat plate shape. That is, the leg portion 32 is not curved in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50 (the circumferential direction of the ring portion 31). Therefore, the leg portion 32 can be suitably warped in a direction away from the connector main body portion 1 with the connection portion between the ring portion 31 and the leg portion 32 as a fulcrum.

Further, the central portion of the leg portion 32 is made thinner than both end portions of the leg portion 32. In the present embodiment, the width of the leg portion 32 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50 is gradually reduced from the end portion of the leg portion 32 toward the center portion. Therefore, the entire leg portion 32 can be easily bent in the direction away from the connector main body portion 1.

The claw portion 33 extends from the end of the leg portion 32 opposite to the ring portion 31 toward the inside of the connector main body portion 1. That is, four claw portions 33 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the ring portion 31. The number of the leg portion 32 and the claw portion 33 includes not only four but also one, two, or three. As shown in FIG. 2, the claw portion 33 penetrates the first through hole 13 formed in the side portion of the connector main body portion 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip portion of the claw portion 33 comes into contact with the spool portion 51 from the opening 11 side of the connector main body portion 1 when the pipe 50 is completely inserted into the connector main body portion 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the claw portion 33 is provided with a bent portion 33a. The bent portion 33a is convex toward the opening 11 of the connector main body 1. The bent portion 33a is formed so as to be bent toward the opening 11 side of the connector main body 1 and then folded back to the side opposite to the opening 11 side (back side) of the connector main body 1.

In the present embodiment, the bent portion 33a is provided over the entire length of the claw portion 33. That is, after the bent portion 33a is bent from the end portion of the leg portion 32 opposite to the ring portion 31 toward the opening 11 side of the connector main body portion 1, the portion including the tip portion of the claw portion 33 is the connector main body. It is formed in a shape that looks like it is folded back on the back side of the portion 1. Therefore, everything from the connection portion between the leg portion 32 and the claw portion 33 to the tip portion of the claw portion 33 is the bent portion 33a.

Further, in the bent portion 33a, the portion from the apex to the end of the leg portion 32 and the portion from the apex to the tip of the claw portion 33 are linear, respectively, and the angle formed by these two portions is , 100 degrees or less, preferably 90 degrees or less. In this embodiment, the angle between these two parts is 90 degrees. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the claw portion 33 and increase the force for holding the pipe 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the apex of the bent portion 33a is located on the inner side of the connector main body portion 1 with respect to the side surface of the internal space 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the first through hole 13 is wider than the width of the claw portion 33 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50. As a result, the claw portion 33 can move (rotate) in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50 inside the first through hole 13.

Here, as described above, the convex portion 14 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body portion 1. When the claw portion 33 moves (rotates) in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50, the leg portion 32 rides on the convex portion 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the inner side surface of the connector main body 1 that is deeper than the internal space 12 in the insertion direction of the pipe 50 (the side surface near the male joint portion 2) is convex. A portion 16 is provided. The convex portion 16 corresponds to the concave portion 52 of the pipe 50. Therefore, unless the concave portion 52 faces the convex portion 16 and the pipe 50 is inserted into the connector main body portion 1, the pipe 50 cannot be completely inserted to the depth of the connector main body portion 1. As a result, the pipe 50 cannot be fixed by the retainer 3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the connector 100 has a checker 4. The checker 4 checks whether or not the pipe 50 is completely inserted inside the connector main body 1. As shown in FIG. 6, which is a perspective view of the checker 4, the checker 4 has a fitting portion 41, a pulling portion 42, and a connecting portion 43. The material of the checker 4 is, for example, resin.

The fitting portion 41 is a semi-annular shape along the outer shape of the connector main body portion 1 and is fitted to the outer periphery of the connector main body portion 1. The fitting portion 41 has first protrusions 44 protruding inward at both ends. The first protrusion 44 is fitted into the second through hole 15 (see FIG. 4), respectively. On the opening 11 side of the connector main body 1, the first protrusion 44 is formed with a taper, respectively. This taper makes it easier for the spool portion 51 to move from the opening 11 side of the connector main body 1 toward the back side.

The distance between the tips of the first protrusion 44 is shorter than the outer diameter of the spool portion 51. Therefore, when the pipe 50 is completely inserted into the connector main body 1, the spool portion 51 elastically deforms the fitting portion 41 by increasing the distance between the tips of the first protrusions 44.

A second protrusion 45 projecting to the back side of the connector main body 1 is provided at the center of the fitting portion 41. When the fitting portion 41 is fitted on the outer periphery of the connector main body 1 with the second protrusion 45 on the back side, the second protrusion 45 abuts on the outer periphery of the connector main body 1. On the other hand, when the fitting portion 41 is about to be fitted to the outer periphery of the connector main body 1 with the second protrusion 45 on the opening 11 side, the second protrusion 45 interferes with the claw portion 33 of the retainer 3. , Prevents the fitting portion 41 from fitting on the outer periphery of the connector main body portion 1. Therefore, the fitting portion 41 can be fitted to the outer periphery of the connector main body portion 1 only in the correct direction with the second protrusion 45 on the back side.

The tension portion 42 has a ring shape and can be hung with a worker's finger. The tension portion 42 and the fitting portion 41 are connected by a connecting portion 43. When the pipe 50 is completely inserted to the back of the connector main body 1, the fitting portion 41 is elastically deformed. Therefore, the checker 4 can be easily removed from the connector main body 1 by pulling the pulling portion 42 with a finger. can.

(How to assemble the connector)
Next, a method of assembling the connector 100 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the two O-rings 5 and the two backup rings 6 are inserted into the connector main body 1 through the opening 11. The number of O-rings 5 and backup rings 6 is not limited to two.

Next, the retainer 3 is attached to the outer periphery of the connector main body 1 from the opening 11 side of the connector main body 1. Specifically, the claw portion 33 that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body portion 1 is moved to the first through hole 13 and fitted into the first through hole 13.

Here, when the leg portion 32 is curved in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50, it is easy to bend the leg portion 32 in a direction away from the connector main body portion 1 with the connection point between the ring portion 31 and the leg portion 32 as a fulcrum. is not it. On the other hand, when the leg portion 32 has a flat plate shape, the leg portion 32 can be suitably warped in a direction away from the connector main body portion 1 with the connection portion between the ring portion 31 and the leg portion 32 as a fulcrum. Therefore, when attaching the retainer 3 to the connector main body 1, the work of moving the claw portion 33 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body 1 to the first through hole 13 and fitting it into the first through hole 13 is performed by the connector. This can be done while bending the leg portion 32 in a direction away from the main body portion 1. As a result, the connector 100 can be easily assembled.

Further, the central portion of the leg portion 32 is made thinner than both end portions of the leg portion 32. As a result, the entire leg portion 32 can be easily bent in the direction away from the connector main body portion 1. Therefore, when attaching the retainer 3 to the connector main body 1, the work of moving the claw portion 33 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body 1 to the first through hole 13 and fitting it into the first through hole 13 is performed as a ring. This can be done while bending the leg portion 32 with the connection point between the portion 31 and the leg portion 32 as a fulcrum and bending the entire leg portion 32. This makes it easier to assemble the connector 100.

Next, attach the checker 4 to the connector body 1. Specifically, the two first protrusions 44 are fitted into the second through holes 15 with the second protrusion 45 on the back side.

(Movement of each part of the connector)
Next, the movement of each component of the connector 100 will be described.

(When inserting a pipe)
As shown in FIG. 1, the pipe 50 is inserted inside the connector main body 1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the pipe 50 is inserted into the connector main body 1 so that the concave portion 52 faces the convex portion 16. Therefore, the orientation of the connector main body 1 with respect to the pipe 50 in the circumferential direction is determined.

As the pipe 50 is inserted into the connector main body 1, the claw portion 33 is pushed by the spool portion 51 and elastically deforms toward the outer peripheral surface side of the connector main body 1. When the pipe 50 is completely inserted into the back of the connector main body 1 and the spool portion 51 passes through the claw portion 33, the claw portion 33 returns to the original position. As a result, the pipe 50 is fixed to the connector main body 1.

If the concave portion 52 faces the convex portion 16, the connector main body portion 1 cannot be rotated with respect to the pipe 50. This makes it possible to prevent the connector main body 1 from rotating with respect to the pipe 50. As a result, the position of the hose connected to the male joint portion 2 can be prevented from changing with the rotation of the connector main body portion 1, so that the hose can be prevented from coming into contact with the engine or the like. ..

When the pipe 50 is completely inserted to the back of the connector main body 1, the fitting portion 41 of the checker 4 is elastically deformed. In this state, the checker 4 can be easily removed from the connector main body 1 by pulling the pulling portion 42 of the checker 4 with an operator's finger. On the other hand, if the pipe 50 is not completely inserted to the depth of the connector main body 1, the fitting portion 41 is not sufficiently elastically deformed, and the checker 4 cannot be easily removed from the connector main body 1.

(After inserting the pipe)
After the pipe 50 is fixed to the connector main body 1, the refrigerant of the car air conditioner or the like circulates inside the pipe 50. As a result, pressure is applied to the inside of the pipe 50, and the pipe 50 moves in the direction of exiting from the inside of the connector main body 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the claw portion 33 of the retainer 3 is pushed toward the opening 11 side of the connector main body portion 1 by the spool portion 51 of the pipe 50, and the side surface of the internal space 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 50 are brought into contact with each other. The bent portion 33a bites in between. As a result, it is possible to prevent the claw portion 33 from floating on the outer peripheral surface side of the connector main body portion 1. Further, as shown by an arrow, the leg portion 32 of the retainer 3 is pulled to the side opposite to the opening 11 side of the connector main body portion 1, and the ring portion 31 of the retainer 3 comes into contact with the connector main body portion 1. After the ring portion 31 comes into contact with the connector main body portion 1, the tensile load applied to the leg portion 32 increases as the biting amount of the bent portion 33a increases. The tensile strength of the leg portion 32 suppresses the movement of the pipe 50 in the direction of coming out of the inside of the connector main body portion 1.

In the conventional locking claw as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the movement of the pipe 50 is suppressed by the bending strength of the locking claw. However, in applications such as car air conditioners where the pressure applied to the inside of the pipe 50 is high, the movement of the pipe 50 cannot be sufficiently suppressed, the locking claws are bent, and the locking claws are formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the connector main body 1. By floating, there is a risk that the pipe 50 will come out from the inside of the connector main body 1.

Here, in general, the tensile strength of resin or metal is higher than the bending strength. Therefore, by suppressing the movement of the pipe 50 by the tensile strength of the leg portion 32, the movement of the pipe 50 can be suitably suppressed even in an application such as a car air conditioner in which the pressure applied to the inside of the pipe 50 is high. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pipe 50 from coming out from the inside of the connector main body 1.

Here, the bent portion 33a is provided over the entire length of the claw portion 33. Therefore, for example, the number of bent portions can be reduced as compared with the case where the bent portion 33a is provided only in the central portion of the claw portion 33. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the claw portion 33 from being broken due to stress applied to the bent portion.

(When pulling out the pipe)
When the pipe 50 is pulled out from the inside of the connector main body 1, the claw portion 33 is moved (rotated) in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50 as shown by an arrow in FIG. Then, the leg portion 32 rides on the convex portion 14 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body portion 1. As a result, the claw portion 33 rises on the outer peripheral surface side of the connector main body portion 1. At this time, since the height of the convex portion 14 is higher than the height of the spool portion 51 in the radial direction of the pipe 50, the tip portion of the claw portion 33 is separated from the spool portion 51. Therefore, by moving (rotating) the claw portion 33 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50 and riding the leg portion 32 on the convex portion 14, the pipe 50 can be pulled out from the inside of the connector main body portion 1.

(effect)
As described above, according to the connector 100 according to the present embodiment, the apex of the bent portion 33a provided on the claw portion 33 of the retainer 3 is the connector main body portion 1 rather than the side surface of the internal space 12 of the connector main body portion 1. It is located on the inner side of. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the inside of the pipe 50 and the pipe 50 moves in the direction of exiting from the inside of the connector main body 1, the claw portion 33 is pushed toward the opening 11 side of the connector main body 1 by the spool portion 51 of the pipe 50. The bent portion 33a bites between the side surface of the internal space 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 50. As a result, it is possible to prevent the claw portion 33 from floating on the outer peripheral surface side of the connector main body portion 1. Further, the leg portion 32 of the retainer 3 is pulled to the side opposite to the opening 11 side of the connector main body portion 1, and the ring portion 31 of the retainer 3 comes into contact with the connector main body portion 1. After the ring portion 31 comes into contact with the connector main body portion 1, the tensile load applied to the leg portion 32 increases as the biting amount of the bent portion 33a increases. The tensile strength of the leg portion 32 suppresses the movement of the pipe 50 in the direction of coming out of the inside of the connector main body portion 1. In the conventional locking claw, the movement of the pipe 50 is suppressed by the bending strength of the locking claw. However, in applications such as car air conditioners where the pressure applied to the inside of the pipe 50 is high, the movement of the pipe 50 cannot be sufficiently suppressed, the locking claws are bent, and the locking claws are formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the connector main body 1. By floating, there is a risk that the pipe 50 will come out from the inside of the connector main body 1. Here, in general, the tensile strength of the resin or metal is higher than the bending strength. Therefore, by suppressing the movement of the pipe 50 by the tensile strength of the leg portion 32, the movement of the pipe 50 can be suitably suppressed even in an application such as a car air conditioner in which the pressure applied to the inside of the pipe 50 is high. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pipe 50 from coming out from the inside of the connector main body 1.

Further, the bent portion 33a is provided over the entire length of the claw portion 33. Therefore, for example, the number of bent portions can be reduced as compared with the case where the bent portion 33a is provided only in the central portion of the claw portion 33. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the claw portion 33 from being broken due to stress applied to the bent portion.

Further, in the bent portion 33a, the portion from the apex to the end of the leg portion 32 and the portion from the apex to the tip of the claw portion 33 are linear, respectively. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the claw portion 33 and increase the force for holding the pipe 50.

Further, when the claw portion 33 moves (rotates) in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50, the leg portion 32 rides on the convex portion 14 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body portion 1. As a result, the claw portion 33 rises on the outer peripheral surface side of the connector main body portion 1. At this time, since the height of the convex portion 14 is higher than the height of the spool portion 51 in the radial direction of the pipe 50, the tip portion of the claw portion 33 is separated from the spool portion 51. Therefore, by moving (rotating) the claw portion 33 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50 and riding the leg portion 32 on the convex portion 14, the pipe 50 can be pulled out from the inside of the connector main body portion 1.

Also, the legs 32 have a flat plate shape. When the leg portion 32 is curved in the circumferential direction of the pipe 50, it is not easy to bend the leg portion 32 in a direction away from the connector main body portion 1 with the connection point between the ring portion 31 and the leg portion 32 as a fulcrum. On the other hand, when the leg portion 32 has a flat plate shape, the leg portion 32 can be suitably warped in a direction away from the connector main body portion 1 with the connection portion between the ring portion 31 and the leg portion 32 as a fulcrum. Therefore, when attaching the retainer 3 to the connector main body 1, the work of moving the claw portion 33 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body 1 to the first through hole 13 and fitting it into the first through hole 13 is performed by the connector. This can be done while bending the leg portion 32 in a direction away from the main body portion 1. As a result, the connector 100 can be easily assembled.

Further, a part of the inner side surface of the connector main body 1 that is deeper than the internal space 12 in the insertion direction of the pipe 50 (the side surface near the male joint portion 2) is formed in the recess 52 of the pipe 50. The corresponding convex portion 16 is provided. Therefore, the pipe 50 cannot be completely inserted to the depth of the connector main body 1 unless the concave portion 52 faces the convex portion 16 and the pipe 50 is inserted into the connector main body 1. As a result, the orientation of the connector main body 1 with respect to the pipe 50 in the circumferential direction is determined. Then, when the concave portion 52 faces the convex portion 16, the connector main body portion 1 cannot be rotated with respect to the pipe 50. This makes it possible to prevent the connector main body 1 from rotating with respect to the pipe 50. As a result, the position of the hose connected to the male joint portion 2 can be prevented from changing with the rotation of the connector main body portion 1, so that the hose can be prevented from coming into contact with the engine or the like. ..

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they merely exemplify specific examples, and are not particularly limited to the present invention, and the specific configuration and the like can be appropriately redesigned. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention merely list the most suitable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what has been done.

For example, regarding the portion of the male joint portion 2 of the connector 100, this portion may be a flange joint or the like.

Further, the use of the connector 100 is not limited to the connection of the pipe for a car air conditioner or the like, and may be used for the connection of the pipe for fuel or the connection of the pipe through which compressed air flows.

1 Connector body 2 Male fitting 3 Retainer 4 Checker 5 O-ring 6 Backup ring 11 Opening 12 Internal space 13 First through hole (through hole)
14 Convex part 15 Second through hole 16 Convex part 21 Flow path 31 Ring part 31a Hole part 32 Leg part 33 Claw part 33a Bending part 41 Fitting part 42 Pulling part 43 Connecting part 44 First protruding part 45 Second protruding part 50 Pipe 51 Spool part 52 Recess 100 Connector

Claims

A connector body having an opening into which a pipe is inserted and an internal space communicating with the opening,
A retainer for fixing the pipe inserted inside the connector main body portion by engaging with a spool portion which is an annular convex portion provided on the outer periphery of the end portion of the pipe.
Have,
The retainer is
A ring portion arranged on the opening side of the connector main body portion and having a hole portion communicating with the opening portion, and a ring portion.
A leg portion extending from the ring portion to the side opposite to the opening side of the connector main body portion,
A claw portion extending from the end of the leg portion opposite to the ring portion toward the inside of the connector main body portion and penetrating a through hole formed in the side portion of the connector main body portion.
Have,
When the pipe is inserted into the connector main body, the tip of the claw portion abuts on the spool portion from the opening side of the connector main body.
The claw portion is provided with a bent portion that is convex on the opening side of the connector main body portion.
The bent portion is formed so as to be bent toward the opening side of the connector main body and then folded back to the side opposite to the opening side of the connector main body.
A snap-fit engagement connector characterized in that the apex of the bent portion is located on the inner side of the connector main body portion with respect to the side surface of the internal space.
The snap-fit engagement connector according to claim 1, wherein the bent portion is provided over the entire length of the claw portion.
The second aspect of claim 2, wherein the portion of the bent portion from the apex to the end of the leg and the portion from the apex to the tip of the claw are linear. Snap-fit engagement connector.
The width of the through hole is wider than the width of the claw portion in the circumferential direction so that the claw portion can move in the circumferential direction of the pipe.
The outer surface of the connector main body is provided with a convex portion on which the leg portion rides when the claw portion moves in the circumferential direction.
The snap-fit engagement connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height of the convex portion is higher than the height of the spool portion in the radial direction of the pipe.
The snap-fit engagement connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the legs have a flat plate shape.
The snap-fit engagement connector according to claim 5, wherein the central portion of the leg portion is made thinner than both end portions of the leg portion.
A recess is provided in a part of the outer circumference of the tip of the pipe.
The claim is characterized in that a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion is provided on a part of the inner side surface of the connector main body portion on the inner side surface of the inner space in the insertion direction of the pipe. Item 1. The snap-fit engagement connector according to any one of Items 1 to 6.