Tube fitting apparatus

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pipe fitting device includes: a main body for connecting a pipe to transport fluid; a nut for fastening to one side of the main body while pressing the outer peripheral surface of the main body, and having a nut protrusion that radiates outward in the fastening direction; and a coupling member disposed between the main body and the nut, and having a coupling protrusion that protrudes towards the nut protrusion, wherein the degree of tightness of the nut is predicted by the frictional sound generated when the nut protrusion contacts the coupling protrusion during the fastening process; the coupling member includes: a connecting portion for connecting the main body and the nut; a support portion for supporting the fastening end of the nut; and an elastic portion that spatially separates and elastically supports the nut protrusion while passing through a portion of the support portion on the side of the coupling protrusion, and is configured as a strip-shaped section in the portion having the coupling protrusion; and a reinforcing rib connecting the connecting portion and the elastic portion is provided on the spacer slot at a position corresponding to the coupling protrusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe fitting device, and more specifically, a pipe fitting device for connecting a pipe for conveying fluid. Prior Technology

[0002] Typically, pipe fittings are used in various industrial sectors to connect one end of a pipe (a type of conduit used to transport fluids, liquids or gases) to other components. Here, the other components for pipe connection refer to the end of another pipe, or objects such as valves or pressure cylinders that transport fluids through pipe connections.

[0003] Referring to existing Korean Patent No. 10-2436969, a coupling member 300 is disclosed for predicting the appropriate tightness of a nut 200. The coupling member 300 is disposed between the main body 100 and the nut 200, and a second protrusion 322 is formed at a position corresponding to the first protrusion 231. During the assembly of the nut 200, the friction noise generated by the first protrusion 231 contacting the second protrusion 322 allows the appropriate tightness of the nut 200 to be predicted.

[0004] However, when friction noise is generated when the first protrusion 231 contacts the second protrusion 32, the elastic portion 326 equipped with the first protrusion 231 has weak rigidity, resulting in a sinking problem. This is because the elastic portion 326 is thinly formed to facilitate elastic deformation. In addition, during the assembly of the nut 200, the hook protrusions 340 equipped on both sides of the coupling 300 experience elastic deformation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (The problem to be solved) An embodiment of the present invention provides a pipe fitting device having a reinforcing rib between the joint portion and the elastic portion of the connecting joint, which can prevent the elastic portion from failing to recover and sinking or deforming due to continuous external force.

[0006] In another embodiment of the present invention, a pipe fitting device is provided in which a thicker hook reinforcement surface is formed at the lower end of the fastening hook of the fitting, thereby preventing the phenomenon that elastic deformation cannot be recovered during the assembly of the nut.

[0007] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above. Other problems to be solved that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. (Solutions)

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pipe fitting device includes: a main body for connecting a pipe to transport fluid; a nut for fastening to one side of the main body while pressing the outer peripheral surface of the main body, and having a nut protrusion that radiates outward toward the fastening direction; and a coupling member disposed between the main body and the nut, and having a coupling protrusion that protrudes toward the nut protrusion, wherein the degree of tightness of the nut is predicted by the frictional sound generated when the nut protrusion contacts the coupling protrusion during the tightening process; the coupling member includes: a connecting portion for connecting the main body and the nut; a support portion for supporting the fastening end of the nut; and an elastic portion that spatially separates and elastically supports the nut protrusion while having a slot passing through a portion of the support portion on the side of the coupling protrusion, and having a strip-shaped section in the portion having the coupling protrusion; and a reinforcing rib connecting the connecting portion and the elastic portion may be provided on the slot at a position corresponding to the coupling protrusion.

[0009] The reinforcing rib is formed on the spacer slot at an angle in a direction opposite to the tightening direction of the nut.

[0010] The joint is formed with an enlarged diameter toward the support portion, and the support portion may be provided at the enlarged end of the joint.

[0011] The reinforcing rib has one end connected to the elastic part and the other end connected to the joint part; the reinforcing rib can be inclined so that the direction of extension from one end to the other end is opposite to the tightening direction of the nut.

[0012] The reinforcing rib has its upper end connected to the elastic part and its other end connected to the joint part; the reinforcing rib can be inclined so that the direction of its extension from one end to the other is opposite to the tightening direction of the nut.

[0013] The reinforcing ribs may be configured to correspond to the positions where the engagement protrusions are located.

[0014] Fastening hooks are protruding on both sides of the support portion. The fastening hooks are used to secure the nut to prevent it from loosening when it is fastened to the nut. The fastening hooks can be hooked onto the nut hooking edge formed on the nut.

[0015] A relatively thick hook reinforcement surface can be formed at the lower end of the inner surface of the fastening hook.

[0016] The inner surface of the hook reinforcement surface can be formed by sloping downwards towards the inner side. (The effect of the invention)

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a reinforcing rib is provided between the joint portion and the elastic portion of the connecting joint, thereby preventing the elastic portion from failing to recover and sinking or deforming due to continuous external force.

[0018] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a pipe fitting device is provided in which a thicker hook reinforcement surface is formed at the lower end of the fastening hook of the fitting, thereby preventing the nut from opening due to elastic deformation that cannot be recovered during assembly. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0019] [Figure 1] is a perspective view showing a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] is a perspective view showing the fitting of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] is a plan view showing the coupling of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] is a side view showing the coupling of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] is a diagram showing the fastening portion of the fitting of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] is a diagram showing the inner side of the fastening hook of the fitting of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0020] This invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, and specific embodiments are presented and described in detail in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit specific embodiments, but rather to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the scope of the invention's concept and technology. In the description of this invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of relevant prior art would obscure the focus of the invention, that detailed description will be omitted.

[0021] The terms "first," "second," etc., can be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited to those terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0022] The terminology used in this application is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, singular expressions include plural expressions. In this specification, terms such as "comprising" or "having" should be understood to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, without precluding the presence or additional possibilities of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0023] In addition, when the term "connection" is used throughout the instruction manual, it means not only a direct connection between two or more components, but also an indirect connection between two or more components through other components, an electrical connection other than a physical connection, or a connection that can form a whole, although it may be called by different names depending on its location or function.

[0024] Furthermore, when described as being formed or positioned "above" or "below" various components, this "above" or "below" includes not only cases where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or positioned between two components. Additionally, when expressed as "above" or "below," the term refers to a single component and encompasses not only the upper direction but also the lower direction.

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the pipe fitting device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing the device with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding components will be given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connecting member of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a connecting member of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a connecting member of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a diagram showing the fastening portion of a connecting member of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a diagram showing the inner side of the fastening hook of a connecting member of a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in the figure, a pipe fitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a main body 100, which connects to a pipe for conveying fluid; a nut 200, which presses against the outer peripheral surface of the main body 100 and is fastened to one side of the main body 100, and is equipped with a nut protrusion 222, which protrudes radially toward the fastening direction; and a coupling member 300, which is disposed between the main body 100 and the nut 200, and is equipped with a coupling protrusion 324, which protrudes toward the nut protrusion 222. During the fastening of the nut 200, the degree of fastening of the nut 200 is predicted by the frictional sound generated when the nut protrusion 222 contacts the coupling protrusion 324.

[0028] The main body 100 includes a short pipe body 110 that connects one or more pipes to each other. At least one short section 120 protrudes from one side of the short pipe body 110 to connect the pipes and transport fluid. A threaded portion 122 for fastening a nut 200 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the short section 120. A valve structure, such as a gate valve, globe valve, butterfly valve, or diaphragm valve, may be provided on the upper part of the short pipe body 110 to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

[0029] The short section 120 is integrally protruding into a hollow tube shape along the axial direction of the short tube body 110, and can form a conduit for fluid flow while connecting pipes on its inner side. In addition, the short section 120 is equipped with a mounting part 130 for inserting a connecting member 300 into the outer peripheral surface of the boundary side of the short tube body 110. On the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 130, one or more hanging grooves 132 can be formed at equal intervals at positions corresponding to the locking edges 312 of the connecting member 300.

[0030] At this time, the placement part 130 is formed in a position to the extent that the nut 200 is properly tightened, so that the tightening degree can be predicted by using the coupling 300.

[0031] Here, the connecting pipe 150 is in the form of an empty pipe, which is formed to correspond to the inner diameter of the short section 120 and guide the degree of interference fit, and is connected to the inner side of the short section 120 in the form of interference fit to maintain airtightness.

[0032] The connecting pipe 150 is initially separated from the main body 100. With one end of the connecting pipe fixed in an interference fit, the separated connecting pipe 150 is inserted into the short section 120 and simultaneously connected to the short section 120 of the main body 100 with a rigid fit structure.

[0033] Nut 200 is fastened to body 100 by means of threaded fastening, and while fastening short section 120, it also presses and fixes the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. A threaded portion 210 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of nut 200, and it is fastened to the threaded portion 122 formed on the outer peripheral surface of short section 120.

[0034] The nut 200 includes a nut engagement ridge 220, which protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of one side fastened to the body 100. A nut protrusion 222 may be provided on the nut engagement ridge 220. This nut protrusion 222 contacts the engagement protrusion 324 during the fastening of the nut 200 to the body 100, generating friction noise. The nut protrusion 222 is integrally protruding and has a retaining ridge on the outer side of the side end fastened to the body 100. It guides the fastening hook 340 of the engagement member 300 to engage with the nut engagement ridge 220 at the point where the nut 200 is moderately tightened, thus providing a forced fastening function for the nut 200.

[0035] An outer peripheral protrusion 230 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nut 200. The outer peripheral protrusion 230 can be configured to protrude integrally from the outer peripheral surface of the nut 200 at arbitrary intervals at a position adjacent to the nut engagement ridge 220, so as to have a retaining ridge. If the nut 200 is over-assembled while the fastening hook 340 of the connector 300 is engaged with the nut engagement ridge 220 while the nut 200 is fastened to the main body 100, the retaining ridge of the outer peripheral protrusion 230 engages with the fastening hook 340 of the connector 300 to prevent over-assembly. In the case of forced tightening in this state, the deformation of the fastening hook 340 beyond the outer peripheral protrusion 230 can be detected, thus performing the function of preventing over-assembly.

[0036] The coupling 300 may include: a coupling portion 310, which is coupled between the body 100 and the nut 200; a support portion 320, which supports the fastening end of the nut 200; and an elastic portion 326, which, while passing through a portion of the support portion 320 on the side of the coupling protrusion 324, is spatially spaced and elastically supports the nut protrusion 222, and is configured as a strip-shaped section in the portion equipped with the coupling protrusion 324.

[0037] The coupling 300 is provided between the main body 100 and the nut 200. A coupling protrusion 324 is provided at a position corresponding to the nut protrusion 222. During the assembly of the nut 200, the friction noise generated by the nut protrusion 222 contacting the coupling protrusion 324 can predict the appropriate tightness of the nut 200.

[0038] The connector 300 includes a connecting portion 310, which is inserted between the main body 100 and the nut 200. Corresponding to the forming of the connecting portion, a retaining ridge 312 is provided inwardly in the hooking groove 132 of the main body 100. The retaining ridge 312 is used to hook the connector 300 into the hooking groove 132 to fix the connector 300 from the main body 100.

[0039] The connecting part 310 is a ring-shaped plate that is made to correspond to the diameter of the mounting part 130 on the boundary of the short section 120 of the main body 100. It is inserted and placed in the mounting part 130. The connecting part 310 has a locking ridge 312 on its inner side, which is formed with a locking ridge opposite to the connecting direction of the connecting member 300 and protrudes to a position corresponding to the hook groove 132 formed in the mounting part 130.

[0040] Additionally, the connector 300 also includes a support portion 320, which is formed as a plate extending from one side of the connector 310 to support the fastening end of the nut 200. The support portion 320 is an annular plate integrally extending and expanding from one side of the connector 310. The fastening end of the nut 200 is fixed by supporting the side of the support portion 320, so that the nut 200 is in a moderately tight state and is no longer further tightened.

[0041] One or more engagement protrusions 324 are provided on the side of the support portion 320 supporting the nut 200, protruding at a position corresponding to the nut protrusion 222. For example, a pair of engagement protrusions 324 may be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the support portion 320.

[0042] On the other hand, the connecting portion 310 can be formed to expand in diameter toward the support portion 320. That is, the connecting portion 310 can be formed to expand in diameter toward the support portion 320 from the bottom to the top, and the support portion 320 can be integrally provided at the upper end of the expanded diameter.

[0043] Additionally, the connector 300 also includes an elastic portion 326. This elastic portion 326 is formed by a spacer slot 322 extending through the side of the connector protrusion 324, spatially separating and elastically supporting the connector protrusion 324, and having a strip-shaped section protruding from the portion where the connector protrusion 324 is located. The elastic portion 326 is formed by the spacer slot 322 extending through a portion of the support portion 320 on the side where the connector protrusion 324 is located, while the remaining portion of the support portion 320 where the connector protrusion 324 is located remains in a plate shape. In this case, the elastic portion 326 has material properties such as synthetic resin, thus providing elasticity.

[0044] Here, during the assembly of the nut 200 on the main body 100, the elastic part 326 of the coupling 300, which is engaged at a position where the nut 200 is appropriately tightened on the main body 100, is in contact with the nut protrusion 222 and the coupling protrusion 324. Through the elastic movement of the coupling protrusion 324, the nut 200 rotates in a spiral, and the nut protrusion 222 continuously hits the coupling protrusion 324, generating a friction sound. Therefore, the user can use the sound to confirm that the nut 200 is tightened to an appropriate degree.

[0045] Here, a reinforcing rib 330 may be provided on the spacer slot 322, which connects the joint portion 310 and the elastic portion 326 at a position corresponding to the engaging protrusion 324. As described above, during the assembly of the nut 200 to the main body 100, when the engaging protrusion 324 continuously contacts the nut protrusion 222, the elastic portion 326 equipped with the engaging protrusion 324 is subjected to a reverse external force as the engaging protrusion 324 passes over the nut protrusion 222. Because of the continuous external force, the elastic portion 326 may fail to elastically return to its initial position. This is because the elastic portion 326, made of synthetic resin, is formed to be relatively thinner than the support portion 320 in order to be able to elastically deform.

[0046] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the elastic part 326 from failing to recover and sinking or deforming due to continuous external force, a reinforcing rib 330 is used to connect and support the joint 310 and the elastic part 326.

[0047] The reinforcing rib 330 can be a rib-like body extending to connect the joint 310 and the elastic part 326. The reinforcing rib 330 can correspond to the position of the engaging protrusion 324 on the spacer slot 322. Multiple reinforcing ribs 330 can be spaced apart on the spacer slot 322, but the elastic part 326 should be elastically deformable.

[0048] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the reinforcing rib 330 may be formed obliquely on the spacer slot 322 in a direction opposite to the tightening direction of the nut 200. That is, one end of the reinforcing rib 330 is connected to the elastic portion 326 side, and the other end may be connected to the connecting portion 310 side. In other words, the upper end of the reinforcing rib 330 is connected to the elastic portion 326 side, and the lower end may be connected to the connecting portion 310 side. Here, the reinforcing rib 330 may be formed obliquely in a direction opposite to the tightening direction of the nut 200, extending from one end to the other.

[0049] As described above, the direction in which the reinforcing rib 330 is formed is to enable the elastic part 326 to undergo good elastic deformation in the direction of fastening the nut 200, and to provide rigidity to the nut 200 when it is loosened in the direction of unfastening, so that the nut 200 does not rotate easily.

[0050] Referring to Figure 5, when the nut 200 is fastened to the main body 100, friction noise is generated as the nut protrusion 222 and the engaging protrusion 324 continuously contact each other. At this time, the reinforcing rib 330 is formed inclined in the same direction from the bottom to the top for the fastening direction of the nut protrusion 222, so the elastic part 326 can easily deform elastically. If the nut 200 is rotated in the opposite direction while being fastened to the main body 100 and an attempt is made to loosen it, the rigidity of the elastic part 326 is enhanced because the reinforcing rib 330 is formed inclined in the opposite direction from the bottom to the top, thus preventing the nut protrusion 222 from passing over the engaging protrusion 324. As a result, the nut 200 is prevented from being loosened by rotating in the unfastening direction.

[0051] Referring to Figure 6, fastening hooks 340 are provided on both sides of the support portion 320 to engage with the nut engagement ridge 220 for forced fixation when the nut 200 is assembled to the main body 100, preventing the nut 200 from loosening. A pair of fastening hooks 340 can be provided on both sides of the support portion 320, and they can be arranged at a 90° interval from the engaging protrusion 324 along the circumferential direction. The front end of the fastening hook 340 actually protrudes with a hook portion 342 that engages with the nut engagement ridge 220.

[0052] The fastening hook 340 is designed to engage with the nut engagement ridge 220 while elastically deforming outward and then recovering inward during the assembly of the nut 200 to the main body 100. Therefore, during the elastic deformation of the fastening hook 340, it is possible that it cannot recover and may expand. To prevent this problem, a hook reinforcement surface 344 is formed at the lower end of the fastening hook 340. The hook reinforcement surface 344 has a relatively thick thickness at the lower end of the easily elastically deformable fastening hook 340, thus providing rigidity to the support portion 320.

[0053] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the hook reinforcement surface 344 may be formed to slope downwards towards the inner side. This is to ensure that the nut 200 is well secured along the inclined surface of the hook reinforcement surface 344 when it is fastened to the body 100.

[0054] The invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments thereof; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the patent application.

[0055] 100: Main Body 110: Short tube body 120: Short Section 122: Threaded section 130: Installation Department 132: Hanging slot 150: Connecting pipe 200: Nut 210: Threaded section 220: Nut hook edge 222: Nut protrusion 230: Peripheral protrusion 300: Connector 310: Joint 312: Karen 320: Support section 322: Spacing slot 324: Joint protrusion 326: Elastic part 330: Reinforcing rib 340: Fastening hook 342: Hook 344: Hook Reinforced Surface

Claims

1. A pipe fitting device, comprising: The main body, connected to pipes to transport fluid; A nut, which is fastened to one side of the main body while pressing against the outer peripheral surface of the main body, and is provided with a nut protrusion that radiates outwards toward the fastening direction; and a coupling member, disposed between the main body and the nut, and equipped with a coupling protrusion that protrudes in a direction opposite to the nut protrusion, wherein the degree of tightness of the nut is predicted by the frictional sound generated when the nut protrusion contacts the coupling protrusion during the tightening process; the coupling member includes: a coupling portion, which is coupled between the main body and the nut; a support portion, which supports the fastening end of the nut; and an elastic portion, which is spatially separated from and elastically supports the nut protrusion while a slot passes through a portion of the support portion on the side of the coupling protrusion, and is provided as a strip-shaped section in the portion equipped with the coupling protrusion; and a reinforcing rib connecting the coupling portion and the elastic portion is provided on the slot at a position corresponding to the coupling protrusion, characterized in that the reinforcing rib is formed obliquely on the slot in a direction opposite to the fastening direction of the nut.

2. The pipe fitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting portion is formed with an enlarged diameter toward the support portion, and the support portion is provided at the enlarged end of the connecting portion.

3. The pipe fitting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcing rib is connected at one end to the elastic part side and at the other end to the joint part side; the reinforcing rib is inclined such that the direction of its extension from one end to the other end is opposite to the tightening direction of the nut.

4. The pipe fitting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcing rib has its upper end connected to the elastic part side and its other end connected to the joint part side; the reinforcing rib is inclined such that the direction of its extension from one end to the other end is opposite to the tightening direction of the nut.

5. The pipe fitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing rib is configured to correspond to the position where the engagement protrusion is provided.

6. The pipe fitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that fastening hooks are protruding on both sides of the support portion, the fastening hooks being used to secure the nut to prevent it from loosening when fastened to the nut, the fastening hooks being engaged with a nut engagement ridge formed on the nut.

7. The pipe fitting device according to claim 6, characterized in that a relatively thick hook reinforcement surface is formed at the lower end of the inner surface of the fastening hook.

8. The pipe fitting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the inner surface of the hook reinforcement surface is formed by tilting downwards towards the inner side.

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