Connector

Abstract

A connector (1) is provided with a connector body (10) and a holder (20). The holder (20) is provided with: a pair of leg parts (22); a detection claw (23) that is provided to the leg part (22) and that elastically deforms the leg part (22) to the outside in the radial direction when the tube (3) is inserted; a retaining part (25) for preventing the pipe (3) from being separated from the connector main body (10); and a locking claw (24) protruding in the axial direction from the leg part (22). The connector body (10) has: a first restricting surface (13) that restricts the movement of the locking claw (24) in the disengagement direction and holds the anchor (20) in the temporary locking position; a second restricting surface (14) that restricts the movement of the locking claw (24) from the temporary locking position to the main locking position; a guide groove (15) that allows the locking claw (24) to move in the radial direction between the first restricting surface (13) and the second restricting surface (14) when the leg part (22) is elastically deformed; and a guide surface (16) that is formed on the outside in the radial direction of the first restriction surface (13) and that guides the locking claw (24) in the direction of the main locking position when the leg part (22) is further elastically deformed to the outside in the radial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a connector for pipe connection. Background Art

[0002] Connectors used for pipe connection are disclosed in existing documents, such as Japanese Patent Gazette No. 6311073 and Japanese Patent Gazette No. 5518522. The connector has a cylindrical connector body and a fixture movably connected to the connector body. A hollow path is formed inside the connector body. The tube inserted into the connector has a protrusion extending radially outward near the front end. The tube is inserted until the protrusion moves to the inner side of the connector body closer to the fixture, so that the fixture moves from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. Thus, the protrusion is prevented from detaching from the connector body by the fixture moved to the formal locking position. Therefore, the tube is locked by the connector body.

[0003] In the above-mentioned prior art documents, there is described a retainer that automatically moves from a temporary locking position to a formal locking position when a tube is inserted into a connector body. The retainer has a pair of legs extending approximately orthogonally to the insertion direction of the tube. A detection portion that abuts against a protruding portion of the tube and elastically deforms the leg portion and a locking portion that locks the retainer relative to the connector body at a formal locking position are respectively provided on the pair of legs. In addition, the retainer has an anti-detachment portion that prevents the protruding portion from detaching when moving to the formal locking position.

[0004] When the tube is inserted into the hollow path of the connector body, the protruding portion of the tube passes between the pair of detection portions. By pressing the pair of detection portions onto the protruding portion of the tube, the pair of legs are elastically opened radially outward relative to each other. The legs opened radially outward accumulate elastic energy. When the protruding portion moves to the inner side of the connector body closer to the pair of detection portions, the pair of legs want to return to their initial shape. At this time, the leg is in a state where the movement restriction in the direction of the formal locking position is released, and the legs move toward the front end direction of the legs using the accumulated elastic energy. As a result, the fixture moves from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position.

[0005] As described in the above-mentioned existing documents, the automatic locking type fixture converts the tiny deformation of the legs in the radial direction into energy for moving from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. Therefore, the conventional fixture needs to have improved rigidity. As a result, for example, the fixture and the connector body become larger. In addition, when a pair of legs are elastically opened, it is necessary to prevent the fixture from disengaging in the direction opposite to the direction toward the formal locking position. Therefore, the detection part of the temporary locking position is set at a position closer to the formal locking position than the axis of the tube. Therefore, the legs are set correspondingly longer, resulting in the fixture becoming larger. Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve As described above, conventional automatic locking connectors are enlarged in order to provide rigidity to the retainer or to prevent the retainer from being separated from the connector body. Therefore, conventional automatic locking connectors need to be compactly formed.

[0007] Means used to solve problems According to a feature of the present disclosure, a connector for piping connection has a connector body, and the connector body has a hollow path. The connector has a fixture, and the fixture locks the tube that has been inserted into the hollow path in the axial direction with the connector body. The fixture has a pair of legs, and the pair of legs are inserted into the connector body along a surface orthogonal to the axial direction. The fixture has a detection claw, and the detection claw is arranged on the leg. When the tube is inserted, the detection claw abuts against the tube body or the protrusion of the tube, so that the leg is elastically deformed radially outward. The fixture has an anti-slip portion, and when the tube has been inserted, the anti-slip portion and the protrusion are axially opposite to each other to prevent the tube from detaching from the connector body. The fixing portion has a locking claw protruding axially from the leg.

[0008] The connector body has a first limiting surface, which keeps the retainer in a temporary locking position by limiting the movement of the locking claw of the retainer inserted into the connector body in the disengagement direction. The connector body has a second limiting surface, which limits the movement of the locking claw from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. The connector body has a guide groove, which is arranged between the first limiting surface and the second limiting surface, and allows the locking claw to move radially when the leg is elastically deformed radially outward. The connector body has a guide surface, which is formed radially outside the first limiting surface, and guides the locking claw in the direction of the formal locking position when the leg is further elastically deformed radially outward.

[0009] Therefore, when the tube is inserted into the hollow passage of the connector body, the detection claw abuts against the tube body of the tube and moves radially outward. The leg portion is flexed in a manner that opens radially outward, thereby accumulating elastic energy. The locking claw moves outward in the guide groove. The movement of the locking claw in the disengagement direction is limited by the first limiting surface, and the movement in the direction of the formal locking position is limited by the second limiting surface. Therefore, when the retainer is maintained in the temporary locking position, a radial deformation amount corresponding to the approximate diameter of the tube body is obtained, and elastic energy is accumulated in the leg portion. In this way, energy loss can be suppressed and elastic energy can be accumulated efficiently. If the detection claw abuts against the protrusion, the locking claw moves further radially outward to accumulate more elastic energy while abutting against the guide surface. The locking claw is forcibly moved in the direction of the formal locking position through the guide surface. At this time, the effect of the second limiting surface that limits the movement of the locking claw in the direction of the formal locking position disappears. Therefore, the elastic energy accumulated in the leg portion pushed away by the protrusion in the radial direction is released by the movement of the locking claw in the direction of the formal locking position. As a result, the retainer moves smoothly from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. Therefore, the maximum radial deformation of the leg portion can be converted into energy sufficient to move the retainer from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. Therefore, the retainer can be provided with a compact structure with suppressed rigidity. Thus, the connector can be made compact.

[0010] According to other features of the present disclosure, when the fixture is in the temporary locking position, while the tube body is in contact with the detection claw near the horizontal plane passing through the axis, and the legs are opened in the radial direction, the fixture becomes a state where the distance between the pair of legs is wider as it approaches the front end, and the force generated in the direction of disengagement by the fixture is limited by the first limiting surface of the connector body. Therefore, in the temporary locking position, the deformation amount of the legs that can be deformed in the radial direction becomes larger. Therefore, the opening width of the front ends of the two legs becomes a size corresponding to the maximum outer diameter of the tube body. As a result, a large amount of elastic energy is accumulated in the legs. Moreover, the force in the direction of disengagement of the fixture is limited by the first limiting surface. Therefore, the legs obtain a radial deformation amount corresponding to the approximate diameter of the tube body. In addition, after this action, the legs are further deformed in the radial direction due to the protrusion, thereby accumulating more elastic energy. In summary, since the deformation amount can be obtained, it is not necessary to increase the rigidity of the legs. Therefore, the compactly arranged legs can accumulate elastic energy sufficient to move the fixture from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position.

[0011] According to other features of the present disclosure, the detection claw has an inclined surface, which is arranged at the front end of the leg and is inclined relative to the insertion direction on the front side of the insertion direction of the tube. Therefore, by the front end of the tube abutting against the inclined surface, the force of inserting the tube in the axial direction can be efficiently converted into a force that causes the leg to open radially outward. Moreover, by arranging the inclined surface at the front end of the leg, the leg can be opened radially outward using the principle of a lever. Therefore, the leg can be set short, and the connector can be made compact after the tube is installed.

[0012] According to other features of the present disclosure, the second limiting surface is inclined toward the radially outer side and close to the first limiting surface. Therefore, by the inclination of the second limiting surface, for example, when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, even if a force is applied to the retainer to push it in the direction of the formal locking position, it is possible to suppress unexpected movement of the retainer.

[0013] According to another feature of the present disclosure, the guide surface is provided in a planar shape. Therefore, the locking claw moves along the planar guide surface when moving to the formal locking position. Therefore, the energy loss caused by the abutment between the locking claw and the guide surface can be suppressed.

[0014] According to other features of the present disclosure, the connector body has a guide inclined surface on the side of the first limiting surface opposite to the direction of the formal locking position. The guide inclined surface is inclined in a manner that guides the locking claw radially inward when the retainer is temporarily locked to the connector body. Therefore, the locking claw is guided by the guide inclined surface to the temporary locking position of the guide groove and is prevented from escaping from the guide groove. Moreover, by a simple operation of inserting the retainer into the connector body, the locking claw can be guided along the guide inclined surface. Therefore, the retainer body can be easily installed in a manner that does not detach from the connector body.

[0015] According to other features of the present disclosure, the fixture has a fixture body, and a pair of legs extend from both ends of the fixture body. The fixture has an auxiliary anti-slip portion, which protrudes from the fixture body in the same direction as the extension direction of the legs. The auxiliary anti-slip portion and the protrusion inserted into the hollow path are axially opposed to each other to prevent the tube from detaching from the connector body. Therefore, the anti-slip portion and the auxiliary anti-slip portion cooperate to more reliably prevent the tube from detaching from the connector body. Moreover, the auxiliary anti-slip portion can be provided in a state where the fixture becomes compact.

[0016] According to other features of the present disclosure, the locking claw extends from the leg in the insertion direction of the tube. Therefore, the first limiting surface, the second limiting surface, the guide groove, the guide surface, etc. that engage with the locking claw are arranged on the inner side of the insertion direction of the tube. Therefore, the protrusion amount of the connector body in the insertion direction can be suppressed. As a result, the connector can be made compact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure assembled with a tube.

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a front view of the connector with the tube assembled.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Section view along line IV-IV.

[0021] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connector before the tube is assembled.

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the connector body taken along the VI-VI line. Figure 6 In the figure, for the convenience of explanation, the illustration of the tube and the fixture is omitted.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a front view of the fixture when viewed from the front side in the tube insertion direction.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a rear view of the fixture when viewed from the inner side in the tube insertion direction.

[0025] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the fixture in the section along line IX-IX.

[0026] Fig.10 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the connector before the retainer is installed, taken along the XX line.

[0027] Fig.11 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the connector with the retainer installed, taken along the XX line.

[0028] Fig.12 yes Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the connector before tube installation, taken along line XX.

[0029] Fig.13 yes Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the connector with the tube inserted in the section along line XX.

[0030] Fig.14 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the connector with the protrusion in the XX line section passing through.

[0031] Fig.15 yes Figure 4Cross-sectional view of the connector after the tube is installed, with section line XX in the middle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] based on Figures 1 to 15 An embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the connector 1 has an elbow pipe-shaped tube portion 2, a connector body 10 and a holder 20. The connector body 10 is integrally mounted with the tube portion 2. The holder 20 is movably mounted on the connector body 10. The tube portion 2 has a tube connection portion 2a at one end where the connector body 10 is mounted, and a hose connection portion 2b at the other end. A hose not shown in the figure is connected to the hose connection portion 2b. The connector body 10 is in a roughly rectangular box shape. A hollow passage 10a is formed in the center of the connector body 10 and passes through in the front-to-back direction. The tube 3 is mounted on the connector body 10 by inserting the tube 3 into the hollow passage 10a. Thus, the tube 3, the tube portion 2 and the hose are fluidically connected as an integrated flow path. In the following description, the inner side of the insertion direction of the tube 3 is referred to as the front side, and the front side of the insertion direction of the tube is referred to as the rear side. The vertical direction is defined by the moving direction of the holder 20, with the temporary locking position side of the holder 20 as the upper side and the formal locking position side of the holder 20 as the lower side. The horizontal direction is defined by the posture when viewed from the insertion direction and the front side of the tube 3.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the tube 3 has a cylindrical tube body 4, and the tube body 4 has a front end 4a. A protrusion 5 is provided behind the front end 4a, extending radially outward from the outer circumference of the tube body 4. The protrusion 5 is annular and extends over the entire circumference. The tube body 4 and the protrusion 5 are formed integrally, for example, made of a metal such as aluminum. A flow path is formed in the center of the tube body 4 in the front and rear directions. The outer periphery of the front end 4a is formed in a tapered shape with a diameter that becomes smaller as it moves toward the front.

[0034] like Figure 2 , 5 As shown, the connector body 10 has a rear wall 11 at the rear end and a front wall 12 at the front end. The rear wall 11 and the front wall 12 are respectively substantially rectangular flat plates extending substantially orthogonally to the front-to-back direction. The rear wall 11 and the front wall 12 are connected at the front and back via side walls. The connector body 10 is formed integrally, for example, from a synthetic resin. A circular rear opening 11a extending through the front-to-back direction is provided at the center of the rear wall 11. The diameter of the rear opening 11a is set to allow the protrusion 5 to pass through (refer to Figure 3 , 4 A circular front opening 12a extending in the front-to-back direction is provided at the center of the front wall 12. The diameter of the front opening 12a is set so that the front end 4a of the tube body 4 can pass through and the protrusion 5 cannot pass through (refer to Figure 4The hollow passage 10a of the connector body 10 is formed between the rear opening 11a and the front opening 12a. An upper opening 10b into which the holder 20 can be inserted is provided between the upper end of the rear wall 11 and the upper end of the front wall 12.

[0035] like Figure 2 , 6 As shown in the figure, a concavo-convex shape that is protruding or recessed in the front-to-back direction is formed on the rear surface side of the front wall 12. The concave portion of the concavo-convex shape of the front wall 12 is a path for guiding the locking claws 24 described later. The concavo-convex shape of the front wall 12 is formed symmetrically in a manner corresponding to the pair of locking claws 24. In the following, only the concavo-convex shape provided in the right area of ​​the front wall 12 is described, but the same shape is also formed in the left area of ​​the front wall 12 in a symmetrical manner.

[0036] like Figure 2 , 6 As shown, a first limiting surface 13, a second limiting surface 14, a guide surface 16, a stop surface 17 and a guide inclined surface 18 are provided on the rear surface side of the front wall 12. Each surface is a side wall of the recess and extends in a plane in the front-to-back direction. The first limiting surface 13 extends in the left-right direction at a distance of left and right from the front opening 12a. The height of the first limiting surface 13 is set to be substantially the same as the horizontal plane H that passes through the axis J of the tube 3 and extends in the left-to-right direction. The first limiting surface 13 extends substantially parallel to the horizontal plane H. The second limiting surface 14 extends to the right from the outer peripheral edge of the front opening 12a. The second limiting surface 14 is provided below the horizontal plane H. The second limiting surface 14 is slightly inclined upward in a manner that approaches the first limiting surface 13 toward the right (outside). The inclination angle of the second limiting surface 14 relative to the first limiting surface 13 is, for example, 1° to 2°.

[0037] like Figure 6 As shown, a guide groove 15 extending in the left-right direction is formed between the first limiting surface 13 and the second limiting surface 14 in the vertical direction. The guide groove 15 has a locking claw 24 (see Figure 8 ) can move in the left and right directions. The upper and lower widths of the guide groove 15 are slightly larger than the upper and lower widths of the locking claw 24. Especially at the right end (outer end) of the guide groove 15, the upper and lower widths of the guide groove 15 are roughly the same as the upper and lower widths of the locking claw 24 and the gap with the locking claw 24 is a small amount. The guide surface 16 is formed continuously with the right end of the first limiting surface 13, and extends in a plane from the right end of the first limiting surface 13 to the lower right side. The inclination angle of the guide surface 16 relative to the first limiting surface 13 is, for example, 40°~50°, for example, 45°. A gap through which the locking claw 24 can pass is provided between the guide surface 16 and the right end (outer end) of the second limiting surface 14.

[0038] like Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1 , the locking surface 17 extends in the left-right direction below the front opening 12a. The locking surface 17 is slightly inclined upward from the right corner toward the left (inside). The locking surface 17 is engaged with the upper surface 24a of the locking claw 24 moved to the formal locking position (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 8 ). The guide inclined surface 18 extends obliquely from the left end (inner end) of the first limiting surface 13 toward the right and upward direction. The guide inclined surface 18 is located on the side opposite to the formal locking position direction of the first limiting surface 13. The inclination angle of the guide inclined surface 18 relative to the first limiting surface 13 is, for example, 60°. A gap slightly larger than the left-right width of the locking claw 24 is formed between the left end of the first limiting surface 13 and the left end of the guide inclined surface 18 and the front opening 12a.

[0039] like Figure 2 , 7 As shown in Figures 1 to 9, the fastener 20 has a fastener body 21 extending in the left-right direction and a pair of legs 22 extending downward from the left and right ends of the fastener body 21. The fastener 20 is formed in one piece, for example, made of a synthetic resin with relatively high elasticity. The fastener 20 is roughly U-shaped when viewed from the front-to-back direction. A plate-shaped auxiliary anti-slip portion 21a extending downward is provided in the center of the fastener body 21. A plate-shaped anti-slip portion 25 extending inward is provided on the upper part of the legs 22. The upper end of the anti-slip portion 25 is connected to the fastener body 21. The auxiliary anti-slip portion 21a and the anti-slip portion 25 are provided at the rear of the fastener 20. When the fastener 20 is moved to the formal locking position, the auxiliary anti-slip portion 21a and the anti-slip portion 25 face the rear surface of the protrusion 5 (refer to Figure 10). Figure 4 ). Thus, the protrusion 5 is prevented from falling backward and the tube 3 is prevented from falling off.

[0040] like Figure 2 , 7 As shown in 9, the leg 22 is roughly orthogonal to the fixture body 21 in a natural state and extends in the up-down direction. A detection claw 23 that abuts against the tube body 4 is provided at the front end 22a of the leg 22. The detection claw 23 is provided below the anti-detachment portion 25 and extends to the inner side of the anti-detachment portion 25. The detection claw 23 has a roughly rectangular inclined surface 23a facing rearward and inward. The inclined direction of the inclined surface 23a is the direction facing forward and toward the center of the left-right direction of the fixture 20. The inclined surface 23a is almost not inclined in the up-down direction and extends roughly vertically in the up-down direction. The detection claw 23 has an inner end surface 23c of the detection claw 23 facing the other side. The inner front end surface 23c is located in the front area of ​​the fixture 20 in the thickness direction. Moreover, the inner front end surface 23c is located in a position forward of the auxiliary anti-detachment portion 21a and in a position forward of the front surface of the anti-detachment portion 25.

[0041] like Figure 2 , 8As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the leg 22 has a locking claw 24 protruding forward from the front surface. The locking claw 24 is set at an upper and lower position at a height substantially the same as that of the upper part of the detection claw 23. The locking claw 24 is formed in a rectangular column shape having an upper surface 24a, a lower surface 24b, and an outer side surface 24c. The upper surface 24a and the lower surface 24b are planar and extend substantially horizontally. The upper and lower widths of the locking claw 24 are equivalent to the distance between the upper surface 24a and the lower surface 24b in the upper and lower directions. The length of the left and right widths of the locking claw 24 is substantially the same as the upper and lower widths of the locking claw 24. The outer side surface 24c extends in a planar shape along the outer side surface of the leg 22. The locking claw 24 protrudes from the leg 22 with a front-to-back length substantially the same as that of the first limiting surface 13, the second limiting surface 14, the guide surface 16, the locking surface 17, and the guide inclined surface 18 formed on the front wall 12 of the connector body 10.

[0042] Reference Figures 10-12 , the operation of the retainer 20 when installed in the connector body 10 is described. Figures 10 to 15 In order to easily see the hidden line showing the locking claw 24, the ridge line representing the boundary between the leg portion 22 and the inclined surface 23a of the detection claw 23 is omitted. Fig.10 As shown, the retainer 20 is inserted downward from the upper opening 10b of the connector body 10. The retainer 20 is inserted with the front end 22a of the leg 22 located at the bottom. The corner where the lower surface 24b of the locking claw 24 intersects with the outer side surface 24c abuts against the guide inclined surface 18. Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the holder 20 is pushed further downward, the locking claw 24 is guided by the guide inclined surface 18 and moves inward in the left-right direction. Each leg 22 is bent in such a way that the distance between the front ends 22a of the pair of leg 22 in the left-right direction is shortened. Fig.12 As shown, if the locking claw 24 moves to the guide groove 15, the bent leg 22 returns to a natural state extending approximately vertically in the up-down direction. The upper surface 24a of the locking claw 24 faces the first limiting surface 13. The lower surface 24b of the locking claw 24 faces the second limiting surface 14. Therefore, the locking claw 24 is prevented from being dislodged in a manner that it cannot be pulled upward from the temporary locking position in the guide groove 15. In addition, the locking claw 24 is restricted from moving to the formal locking position. Therefore, the fixture 20 is maintained at the formal locking position ( Fig.15 The second limiting surface 14 is slightly inclined upwards toward the left and right outer sides so as to be closer to the first limiting surface 13. Thus, for example, even when a force is applied to the holder 20 in the direction of the formal locking position when the holder 20 is in the temporary locking position, the unexpected movement of the holder 20 can be suppressed.

[0043] Reference Figures 13-15, the operation of the fixing device 20 when the tube 3 is mounted on the connector body 10 is described. First, when the tube 3 is inserted into the hollow passage 10a, the front end 4a of the tube body 4 (see Figure 4 ) abuts against the inclined surface 23a of the pair of detection claws 23. And, if the tube 3 is inserted forward, as shown in Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the pair of detection claws 23 are pushed outward to the left and right sides by the pipe body 4. At this time, the contact portion 23b where the detection claw 23 contacts the pipe body is provided near a horizontal plane H that passes through the axis J of the pipe 3 and extends in the left-right direction. The contact portion 23b is, for example, inclined at an angle of -5° to +5° with the axis J as the center (the inclination angle of the horizontal plane H is 0° and the inclination angle of the horizontal plane H is 0°). Fig.13 The pair of legs 22 are bent in such a way that the distance between them becomes larger as they move toward the front end 22a side downward. Thus, the leg 22 accumulates elastic energy.

[0044] like Fig.13 As shown, the locking claw 24 is restricted from disengaging upward by the contact between the upper surface 24a and the first limiting surface 13. The locking claw 24 is restricted from moving downward to the formal locking position by the contact between the lower surface 24b and the second limiting surface 14. Therefore, the locking claw 24 on the right side moves to the right along the guide groove 15. The locking claw 24 on the left side moves to the left along the guide groove 15.

[0045] If the tube 3 is inserted further forward, Fig.14 As shown, the protrusion 5 reaches between the pair of detection claws 23. At this time, the pair of detection claws 23 are pushed to the left and right sides by the protrusion 5. The pair of legs 22 are bent in a manner in which the interval between the front ends 22a is further increased. As a result, the elastic energy accumulated in the legs 22 is further increased. The outer side surfaces 24c of the pair of locking claws 24 are respectively in contact with the guide surfaces 16. The pair of locking claws 24 are guided by the guide surfaces 16 and forcibly move to the formal locking position below. The guide surface 16 is planar, so the momentum of the pair of locking claws 24 moves downward without being affected. Just after the protrusion 5 reaches between the pair of detection claws 23, the force that pushes the pair of detection claws 23 to the left and right sides is released.

[0046] like Fig.15As shown, simultaneously with the downward movement of the pair of locking claws 24, the pair of legs 22 are restored from the state of being bent in a manner that the interval on the front end 22a side becomes larger to the natural state of extending substantially vertically in the vertical direction. As a result, the upper surface 24a of the pair of locking claws 24 engages with the locking surface 17 to restrict the upward detachment. Therefore, the fixture 20 is locked in the formal locking position. The protrusion 5 moves from the rear area to the front area of ​​the fixture 20 and is located between the pair of detection claws 23. As a result, the protrusion 5 is located in front of the anti-detachment portion 25 and the auxiliary anti-detachment portion 21a. As a result, the rear surface of the protrusion 5 faces the front surface of the anti-detachment portion 25 and the front surface of the auxiliary anti-detachment portion 21a in the axial direction. As a result, the movement of the tube 3 to the rear is restricted to prevent it from falling off from the connector body 10. The front end 22a of the leg 22 does not protrude downward from the connector body 10 in the formal locking position, or the amount of downward protrusion is small. The retainer body 21 does not protrude upward from the connector body 10 at the permanent locking position. Therefore, it is possible to visually confirm that the retainer 20 has moved to the permanent locking position.

[0047] As mentioned above, Figure 2 , 12 As shown in Figures 1 and 13, the connector 1 for pipe connection has a connector body 10, and the connector body 10 has a hollow path 10a. The connector 1 has a retainer 20 that locks the tube 3 inserted into the hollow path 10a in the axial direction to the connector body 10. The retainer 20 has a pair of legs 22 inserted into the connector body 10 along the rear wall 11 and the front wall 12 that are orthogonal to the axial direction. The retainer 20 has a detection claw 23, which is provided on the leg 22. When the tube 3 is inserted, it abuts against the tube body 4 or the protrusion 5 of the tube 3, so that the leg 22 is elastically deformed radially outward. The retainer 20 has an anti-detachment portion 25, which faces the axial rear side of the protrusion 5 to prevent the tube 3 from detaching from the connector body 10, and the protrusion 5 and the detection claw 23 are aligned in the axial direction (front-rear direction). The retainer 20 has a locking claw 24 that protrudes axially from the leg 22.

[0048] The connector body 10 has a first limiting surface 13, which keeps the retainer 20 in a temporary locking position by limiting the movement of the locking claw 24 of the retainer 20 inserted into the connector body 10 in the disengagement direction. The connector body 10 has a second limiting surface 14, which limits the movement of the locking claw 24 from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. The connector body 10 has a guide groove 15, which is designed between the first limiting surface 13 and the second limiting surface 14, and allows the locking claw 24 to move radially when the leg 22 is elastically deformed radially outward. The connector body 10 has a guide surface 16, which is formed radially outside the first limiting surface 13, and when the leg 22 is further elastically deformed radially outward, the guide surface 16 guides the locking claw 24 to the direction of the formal locking position.

[0049] Therefore, when the tube 3 is inserted into the hollow passage 10a of the connector body 10, the detection claw 23 abuts against the tube body 4 of the tube 3 and moves radially (left-right) outward. The leg portion 22 is bent in a manner of opening radially outward, thereby accumulating elastic energy. The locking claw 24 moves outward in the guide groove 15. The movement of the locking claw 24 in the disengagement direction is restricted by the first restriction surface 13, and the movement in the direction of the formal locking position is restricted by the second restriction surface 14. Therefore, when the retainer 20 is held in the temporary locking position, a radial deformation amount corresponding to the approximate diameter of the tube body is obtained, and elastic energy is accumulated in the leg portion 22. Thus, it is possible to suppress energy loss and efficiently accumulate elastic energy. If the detection claw 23 abuts against the protrusion 5, the locking claw 24 abuts against the guide surface 16 while moving further radially outward and accumulating more elastic energy. The locking claw 24 is forcibly moved in the direction of the formal locking position by the guide surface 16. At this time, the effect of the second limiting surface 14 that limits the movement of the locking claw 24 in the direction of the formal locking position disappears. Therefore, in the pair of legs 22, the protrusion 5 reaches between the pair of detection claws 23 in the axial direction, so that the accumulation of elastic energy of the legs 22 caused by the radial push from the protrusion 5 is released, and the pair of legs 22 smoothly moves from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. Therefore, the maximum deformation amount of the leg 22 in the radial direction can be converted into energy sufficient to move the retainer 20 from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. Therefore, the retainer 20 can be set in a compact structure with suppressed rigidity. As a result, the connector 1 can be made compact.

[0050] like Fig.13 , 14As shown, when the retainer 20 is in the temporary locking position, while the pipe body 4 is in contact with the detection claw 23 near the horizontal plane H passing through the axis J, and the leg 22 is opened in the radial direction, the retainer 20 becomes a state in which the distance between the pair of leg 22 becomes wider as it approaches the front end 22a, and the force in the disengagement direction generated by the retainer 20 is limited by the first limiting surface 13 of the connector body 10. Therefore, in the temporary locking position, the deformation amount of the leg 22 in the radial direction becomes larger. Therefore, the opening width of the front ends 22a of the two leg 22 becomes a size corresponding to the maximum outer diameter of the pipe body 4. As a result, a large amount of elastic energy is accumulated in the leg 22. Moreover, the force in the disengagement direction of the retainer 20 is limited by the first limiting surface 13. Therefore, the leg 22 obtains a radial deformation amount corresponding to the approximate diameter of the pipe body 4. In addition, after this action, the leg 22 is further deformed in the radial direction by the protrusion 5, thereby accumulating more elastic energy. In summary, since the deformation amount can be obtained, it is not necessary to increase the rigidity of the leg 22. Therefore, elastic energy sufficient to move the fastener 20 from the temporary locking position to the final locking position can be accumulated in the compactly arranged leg portion 22 .

[0051] like Figure 2 , 9 As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the detection claw 23 has an inclined surface 23a, which is provided at the front end 22a of the leg 22 and is inclined relative to the insertion direction at the front side of the insertion direction of the tube 3. Therefore, by the front end 4a of the tube 3 abutting against the inclined surface 23a, the force for inserting the tube 3 in the axial direction can be efficiently converted into the force for opening the leg 22 radially outward. Moreover, by providing the inclined surface 23a at the front end 22a of the leg 22, the leg 22 can be opened radially outward using the principle of a lever. Therefore, the leg 22 can be provided short, and the connector 1 after the tube 3 is installed can be made compact.

[0052] like Figure 6 , 12 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the second limiting surface 14 is inclined toward the radially outer side and close to the first limiting surface 13. Therefore, by the inclination of the second limiting surface 14, for example, when the retainer 20 is located at the temporary locking position, even if a force is applied to the retainer 20 to push it in the direction of the formal locking position, the unexpected movement of the retainer 20 can be suppressed.

[0053] like Figure 6 , 14 As shown in FIG. 1 , the guide surface 16 is provided in a planar shape. Therefore, when the locking claw 24 moves to the final locking position, it moves smoothly along the planar guide surface 16. Therefore, the energy loss caused by the contact between the locking claw 24 and the guide surface 16 can be suppressed.

[0054] like Figures 10-12As shown, the connector body 10 has a guide inclined surface 18 extending upward from the inner end of the first limiting surface 13 toward the radially outer side. The guide inclined surface 18 is inclined in such a manner as to guide the locking claw 24 to the radially inner side when the retainer 20 is temporarily locked to the connector body 10. Therefore, the locking claw 24 is guided to the temporary locking position of the guide groove 15 by the guide inclined surface 18, and is prevented from being separated from the guide groove 15. Moreover, by a simple operation of inserting the retainer 20 into the connector body 10, the locking claw 24 can be guided along the guide inclined surface 18. Therefore, the retainer body 21 can be easily installed in such a manner that it does not separate from the connector body 10.

[0055] like Figure 4 , 15 As shown, the retainer 20 has a retainer body 21, and a pair of legs 22 extend from both ends of the retainer body 21. The retainer 20 has an auxiliary anti-detachment portion 21a, which protrudes from the retainer body 21 in the same direction as the extension direction of the legs 22. The auxiliary anti-detachment portion 21a faces the protrusion 5 inserted into the hollow path 10a in the axial direction to prevent the tube 3 from being detached from the connector body 10. Therefore, the anti-detachment portion 25 and the auxiliary anti-detachment portion 21a cooperate to more reliably prevent the tube 3 from being detached from the connector body 10. In addition, the auxiliary anti-detachment portion 21a can be provided in a state where the retainer 20 is made compact.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the locking claw 24 extends from the leg portion 22 in the insertion direction of the tube 3. Therefore, the first limiting surface 13, the second limiting surface 14, the guide groove 15, the guide surface 16, etc. that engage with the locking claw 24 are arranged on the inner side in the insertion direction of the tube 3. Therefore, the protrusion amount of the connector body 10 in the insertion direction can be suppressed. As a result, the connector 1 can be made compact.

[0057] The connector 1 of the present embodiment described above can be modified in various ways. The connector body 10 and the retainer 20 made of synthetic resin are shown as an example. Alternatively, for example, the connector body 10 or the retainer 20 or both can be made of metal such as aluminum. In addition, the tube 3 can be made of metal or synthetic resin.

[0058] As an example, a locking claw 24 protruding from the leg 22 in the tube insertion direction (forward), a first limiting surface 13, a second limiting surface 14, a guide surface 16, a locking surface 17, and a guide inclined surface 18 are provided on the front surface of the front wall 12 and engage with the locking claw 24. Alternatively, a structure in which the locking claw 24 protrudes backward from the leg 22 and a structure in which the first limiting surface 13, the second limiting surface 14, the guide surface 16, the locking surface 17, and the guide inclined surface 18 that engage with the locking claw 24 are provided on the rear surface of the rear wall 11 may be adopted.

[0059] The example shows a structure in which a convex locking claw 24 is provided on the leg 22 of the retainer 20, and a concave path that engages with the locking claw 24 is provided on the connector body 10. Alternatively, for example, a groove extending in the left-right direction may be provided on the leg 22 of the retainer 20, a convex portion may be provided on the rear surface side of the front wall 12, and the side surface of the convex portion may be used as the first limiting surface 13, the second limiting surface 14, the guide surface 16, the locking surface 17, and the guide inclined surface 18. The example shows a structure in which the guide surface 16 and the first limiting surface 13 are provided continuously. Alternatively, for example, a space shorter than the left-right width of the locking claw 24 may be provided between the guide surface 16 and the first limiting surface 13, and the guide surface 16 and the first limiting surface 13 may be discontinuous.

[0060] The left-right position or the up-down position of the locking claw 24 of the leg 22 can be appropriately changed. For example, the outer side surface 24c of the locking claw 24 can also be located at a position closer to the inside than the outer side surface of the leg 22 in the left-right direction. An anti-slip portion 25 is shown as an example, which is provided on the leg 22 and the upper end of which is connected to the fixer body 21. Alternatively, for example, a structure in which the anti-slip portion 25 is not directly connected to the fixer body 21. An example is shown in which the leg 22 is approximately orthogonal to the fixer body 21 and the fixer 20 is approximately U-shaped when viewed from the front-to-back direction. Alternatively, for example, the base end of the leg 22 can be connected to the two end portions of the fixer 20 in an arc shape, and the fixer 20 is provided in a C-shape that is approximately a horseshoe shape when viewed from the front-to-back direction.

[0061] The example shows a structure in which the detection claw 23 and the locking claw 24 are provided on both sides of a pair of legs 22. Alternatively, the structure may be a structure in which the detection claw 23 and the locking claw 24 are provided only on one leg 22. The example shows a structure in which one end of the tube is used as the tube connection part 2a, the other end is used as the hose connection part 2b, and the connector body 10 is provided only on the tube connection part 2a side. Alternatively, the two ends of the tube 2 are used as the tube connection parts 2a, the connector body 10 is provided on both tube connection parts 2a, and the fixture 20 is installed on each connector body 10. The example shows a curved tube 2, but it may also be a straight tube. It may also be a two-stage structure that can be reassembled as needed regardless of whether it is a curved tube or a straight tube. The example shows a structure in which the locking claw 24 is provided to be close to the front end 22a of the leg 22 to the same extent as the detection claw 23, and the locking claw 24 may also be provided on the side close to the fixture body 21. In this case, the first regulating surface 13 and the second regulating surface 14 forming the guide groove 15 are formed on the connector body 10 corresponding to the arrangement of the locking claws 24 .

Claims

1. A connector for pipe connection, wherein: have: A connector body having a hollow path, and A fixer for locking the tube inserted into the hollow passage in the axial direction with the connector body; The fixture has: A pair of legs are inserted into the connector body along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction, The detection claw is arranged on the leg portion, and when the tube is inserted, the detection claw abuts against the tube body or the protruding portion of the tube, so that the leg portion is elastically deformed radially outward. an anti-detachment portion, which, when the tube is inserted, faces the protruding portion in the axial direction to prevent the tube from detaching from the connector body, and A locking claw protrudes from the leg toward the axial direction; The connector body has: The first limiting surface holds the retainer at a temporary locking position by limiting the movement of the locking claw of the retainer inserted into the connector body in a disengaging direction. The second limiting surface limits the movement of the locking claw from the temporary locking position to the formal locking position. a guide groove provided between the first limiting surface and the second limiting surface, allowing the locking claw to move in the radial direction when the leg portion is elastically deformed toward the radial outer side, and The guide surface is formed on the radially outer side of the first restricting surface, and guides the locking claw toward a final locking position when the leg portion is further elastically deformed toward the radially outer side.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: When the tube body passes over the detection claw in the axial direction when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the distance between the pair of legs of the retainer becomes wider toward the front end, and the force in the disengagement direction generated by the retainer is limited by the first limiting surface of the connector body.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The detection claw has an inclined surface provided at the front end of the leg portion and inclined with respect to the insertion direction on the front side of the insertion direction of the tube.

4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The detection claw has an inclined surface provided at the front end of the leg portion and inclined with respect to the insertion direction on the front side of the insertion direction of the tube.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The second limiting surface is inclined so as to approach the first limiting surface toward the radially outer side.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The guide surface is configured to be planar.

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The connector body has a guide inclined surface on the side of the first limiting surface opposite to the formal locking position direction, The guide inclined surface is inclined so as to guide the locking claw radially inward when the fixer is temporarily locked to the connector body.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The fixer comprises a fixer body and an auxiliary anti-detachment portion, a pair of legs extending from both ends of the fixer body, and the auxiliary anti-detachment portion protruding from the fixer body in the same direction as the extension direction of the legs. The auxiliary anti-detachment portion faces the protruding portion inserted into the hollow path in the axial direction, and prevents the tube from detaching from the connector body.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The locking claw extends from the leg portion in an insertion direction of the tube.

Images