Connecting mechanism for steel pipes and joints

Abstract

A connection mechanism for a steel pipe and a joint is provided so as not to easily occur loosening of a nut for fastening and connecting the steel pipe to the joint. The joint (2) is provided with a hook portion (22a), and the nut (3) has a ratchet (34) formed on a ring-shaped side surface (33) which is a ring-shaped side surface of a ring-shaped outer cylindrical portion (31) of the nut (3) and faces the joint side, the ratchet having a ridge portion of a given height from the ring-shaped side surface, from which is formed a gently inclined surface having a gentle inclination angle in a relative rotation direction for tightening the nut, and a steeply inclined surface having a steep angle in a relative rotation direction for loosening the nut. One end side of an elastic ring (5) having a notch portion in a portion of a ring body which is fitted to a connection cylindrical portion (21) of the joint from the outside is engaged with the hook portion, and the other end side of the elastic ring is biased toward the ring-shaped side surface side and abuts on the steeply inclined surface of the ratchet, thereby preventing relative loosening of the nut and the joint.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints, which is mainly used for indoor pipes in buildings. Background Technology

[0002] As a conventional technique for such connection mechanisms for steel pipes and fittings, a connection mechanism earlier proposed by the applicant, as shown in Patent Document 1, is provided. This connection mechanism securely connects a fitting body with a mating portion at one end to a locking ring retainer with a mating ring at one end for insertion of the mating portion, without pulling out, even when a mating protrusion on the outer periphery of the mating portion is pressed in and inserted through an opening recess on the inner periphery of the locking ring retainer to the back of the inner periphery, and then the mating protrusion is rotated and inserted into a mating hole communicating with the opening recess on the inner periphery, thereby applying a pull-out force to the locking ring retainer and the fitting body. Thus, the locking ring retainer generally prevents the steel pipe from moving in the removal direction, and it itself is biased in the pull-out direction by the locking ring, thereby increasing the friction between the mating portion and the inner surface of the mating hole, preventing circumferential rotation and loosening.

[0003] Furthermore, the connection mechanism for steel pipes and fittings in Patent Document 2 connects a fitting with an external thread formed on the outer periphery of its end and a nut with an internal thread for insertion and engagement with the fitting. The connection is achieved by inserting the end of the fitting into the nut while rotating the nut to engage the internal and external threads. During this process, the inclined surface of the end of the mountain-shaped protrusion is pressed by the corner of the fitting, and the opposite inclined surface is pressed by the inclined corner of the nut, thereby preventing the steel pipe with the mountain-shaped protrusion from moving axially and completing the connection. Regarding the inclined corner of the nut, a pipe expander component for expanding the end of the steel pipe into a mountain shape is directly used, thus ensuring a perfect match between the inclined surface and the inclined corner of the mountain-shaped protrusion with the inclination angle and surface shape, guaranteeing a tight fit.

[0004] List of existing technologies

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: JP 4352434 B1

[0007] Patent Document 2: WO 2009 / 050823 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] However, according to the conventional technology of Patent Document 1, when the connector body is connected to the lock ring retainer, the connector body with an engagement portion (9, 23) having an external thread at the end and the lock ring retainer with an engagement ring portion having an internal thread for the engagement portion to be inserted into and engaged are threadedly connected; therefore, the problem is that the threaded connection may loosen due to vibration or aging during years of use of the structure, resulting in the risk of fluid leakage through the inside of the steel pipe.

[0010] In the prior art of Patent Document 2, the connection is also made by engaging an external thread formed on the outer periphery of the connector end with an internal thread formed on the inner periphery of the nut; therefore, as described above, the problem is that the threaded connection may loosen due to vibration and aging during years of use of the structure, leading to the risk of fluid leakage through the inside of the steel pipe.

[0011] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the means are as follows.

[0012] Solution to the problem

[0013] The connection mechanism for steel pipes and fittings of the present invention includes: a fitting having a connecting cylindrical portion having an internal fluid passage at its end with a connecting cylindrical portion having an external thread formed on its outer periphery; and a nut having: an annular outer cylindrical portion having an internal thread formed on its inner periphery that engages with the external thread of the fitting; and a steel pipe support portion supporting a steel pipe communicating with the fluid passage, wherein the external thread and the internal thread engage, thereby tightly connecting the steel pipe to the fitting, wherein the fitting is provided with a hook portion, and the nut has ratchet teeth formed on an annular side surface, the annular side surface being the annular side surface of the annular outer cylindrical portion of the nut. Facing the connector side, the ratchet has a ridge at a given height from the annular side, from which are formed a gently inclined surface with a gentle angle in the relative rotational direction for tightening the nut, and a steeply inclined surface with a steep angle in the relative rotational direction for loosening the nut. One end of an elastic ring with a notch on a portion of the ring body that is externally fitted to the connector engages with the hook. The other end of the elastic ring is biased toward the annular side and abuts against the steeply inclined surface of the ratchet, thereby preventing relative loosening of the nut and the connector.

[0014] In the connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints of the present invention, the elastic ring is made of an elastic circular metal material with an inner diameter of the ring body substantially equal to the outer diameter of the connecting cylinder portion, an outer diameter of the ring body substantially equal to the outer diameter of the annular outer cylinder portion, and having a given width and thickness. One end facing the notch portion has a joint portion that engages with the hook portion, and the other end is an abutment portion that abuts against the steep inclined surface of the ratchet during relative rotation for release.

[0015] In the connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints of the present invention, the elastic ring has an inclined top portion that is biased to a given length from the other end side toward the annular side side.

[0016] In the connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints of the present invention, the inner circumferential side of the inclined top portion is recessed and has a thin thickness.

[0017] In the connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints of the present invention, a flange portion protruding in the outward peripheral direction is provided on the outer periphery near the boundary between the connecting cylinder portion and the connecting cylinder portion of the joint.

[0018] In the connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints of the present invention, the flange portion is provided with the hook portion.

[0019] In the connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints of the present invention, a plurality of ratchet teeth are formed on the annular side.

[0020] Invention Effects

[0021] According to the present invention, in the connection mechanism, either the external thread formed on the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve portion of the connector and the internal thread formed on the inner periphery of the annular outer sleeve portion of the nut, or either of them, are rotated relative to each other, thereby tightly connecting the connector and the steel pipe without fluid leakage. The connection formed by the engagement of the external and internal threads will not loosen over time or due to repeated vibrations; therefore, no gap will be generated at the connection point between the connector and the steel pipe, thus preventing fluid leakage. This is because one end of the elastic ring between the connector and the nut engages with the hook portion of the connector, and the other end of the elastic ring abuts against the steep inclined surface of the ratchet formed on the annular side surface of the annular outer sleeve portion of the nut by the bias of the inclined tip portion, so that the connector and the nut will not rotate relative to each other in the loosening direction. Here, relative rotation means that one or both of the connector and the nut rotate simultaneously in the tightening or loosening direction.

[0022] As the connector and nut are further tightened, the other end of the elastic ring slides slidably on the annular side. When the connector and nut rotate in a direction of relative approach, the other end of the elastic ring, which slides and rises on the gently sloping surface of the ratchet, drops sharply on the steeply sloping surface at the ridge tip, maintaining relative rotation even with continued rotation. However, when the connector and nut rotate in a direction of relative separation, the other end of the elastic ring can slide down the gently sloping surface but cannot exceed the steeply sloping surface to reach the ridge, thus abutting and stopping. This prevents relative rotation, thereby preventing rotation in the loosening direction and further preventing fluid leakage. Furthermore, the ratchet is formed on the annular side of the outer cylinder facing the connector; therefore, upon completion of tightening, essentially the entire circumference of the ring forming the elastic ring can be compressed between the opposing face of the connector and the annular side, preventing the elastic ring from bending and preventing the ends of the elastic ring from disengaging from the hook and ratchet of the connector, thus providing a permanent anti-loosening effect.

[0023] The inner diameter of the elastic ring is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the connecting cylinder, and the outer diameter of the elastic ring is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the annular outer cylinder. Therefore, by assembling the elastic ring from the outside to the connecting cylinder and securing it with the annular outer cylinder, the outer circumference of the elastic ring prevents it from protruding beyond the annular outer cylinder. Furthermore, when the thickness of the elastic ring is the same as the length of the annular side, the elastic ring can be tightly contained between the connector and the nut during connection. Because one end of the notch has a joint structure suitable for the hook of the connector, and the other end has an abutment portion that abuts against a steeply inclined surface, the relative looseness of the connector and nut can be permanently maintained by the elastic ring after tightening.

[0024] When the inclined tip is tilted to one side from a given length position from the other end of the elastic ring, the inclined tip is used along the direction of the annular side during use so that the abutment always abuts against the annular side, making it easier to slide on the ratchet surface and less likely to disengage when it abuts against a steep inclined surface.

[0025] When the inner circumference of the inclined tip is recessed and thinned, the inclined tip floats up from the connecting cylinder when the elastic ring is assembled from the outside to the connecting cylinder, making it less likely to come into contact with the threads formed on the outer circumference of the connecting cylinder, thus improving the efficiency of the connection operation.

[0026] When a flange protruding in the circumferential direction is provided on the outer periphery near the boundary between the connecting cylinder and the connecting cylinder of the connector, the annular side of the annular outer cylinder can abut against the flange, thereby stabilizing the connection between the connector and the nut.

[0027] When the hook portion in the connector is located in the flange portion, the machining process is simpler compared to when the hook portion is located in any other part of the connector.

[0028] Multiple ratchet teeth formed on the annular side reduce the return rotation of the joint and nut in the loosening direction after they are relatively tightened, thus allowing for fine strength selection. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a joint used in a connection mechanism for steel pipes and fittings according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a nut used in a connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a side perspective view of the elastic ring.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a front view of the elastic ring.

[0033] Figure 5 This is the right view of the elastic ring.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a front view of the steel pipe connected by the elastic ring assembled onto the joint and the nut tightened by hand.

[0035] Figure 7 From Figure 6 The image shown is a front view of the final state of the steel pipe being tightened.

[0036] Figure 8 This is an enlarged illustration of the ratchet teeth viewed from the side.

[0037] Figure 9 This is an illustration of the ratchet teeth around the entire circumference of the annular side surface.

[0038] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 Cross-sectional view.

[0039] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 A magnified view of the main parts.

[0040] Figure 12 This is an enlarged cross-sectional illustration of the assembly of the elastic ring in another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The preferred embodiment of the connection mechanism and joint for steel pipes and fittings of the present invention will be described with reference to the following figures.

[0042] The embodiments of the connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints mainly adopt Figure 1 Connector 2 shown Figure 2 Nut 3 shown and Figures 3 to 5The elastic ring 5 shown, thereby passing through Figures 6 to 9 The mechanism shown combines the steel pipe 4 and the connection mechanism for the steel pipe and the joint.

[0043] The connector 2 has a connecting cylindrical portion 21 at the end of a connecting cylindrical portion 2b having an internal fluid passage 2a, and the outer periphery of the connecting cylindrical portion 21 is formed with an external thread 2c. In this embodiment, the connecting cylindrical portion 2b of the connector 2 is shown with elbows of the connecting cylindrical portion 21 at both ends of an L-shape; however, depending on the construction site, the connecting cylindrical portion 2b can be selected from structural shapes such as T-shaped, cross-shaped, or reducing type. In addition, the connector 2 has a flange portion 22 that protrudes outward from the outer periphery near the boundary between the connecting cylindrical portion 2b and the connecting cylindrical portion 21. The flange portion 22 is provided with a partially cut hook portion 22a, but the hook portion 22a can be provided in other locations. Furthermore, a flat outer peripheral surface 21a with a flat surface without an external thread 2c is provided around the outer periphery near the boundary between the connecting cylindrical portion 2b and the connecting cylindrical portion 21, and a flat insertion surface 21b without an external thread 2c is also provided at the top end.

[0044] A medium-to-large diameter portion 21c, larger than the diameter of the fluid passage 2a, is provided on the inner circumference of the connecting cylindrical portion 21 near the boundary with the connecting cylindrical portion 2b. The top end of the steel pipe 4 is inserted into this medium-to-large diameter portion 21c, and a large diameter portion 21d for housing the sealing member 6 is provided on the top end side of the medium-to-large diameter portion 21c. The sealing member 6 is housed within the area enclosed by the inner circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 21d and the stepped surface 21e formed by the diameter difference between the medium-to-large diameter portion 21c and the large diameter portion 21d. Furthermore, a corner portion 21f is provided at the intersection of the stepped surface 21e and the medium-to-large diameter portion 21c.

[0045] Nut 3, also known as a pocket nut, has an annular outer cylindrical portion 31 with an internal thread 3a formed on its inner circumference. This internal thread 3a engages with an external thread 2c formed on the outer circumference of the connecting cylindrical portion 21 of the connector 2. It also includes a steel pipe support portion 32, which is located at one end of the annular outer cylindrical portion 31 and supports a steel pipe 4 communicating with the fluid passage 2a. On the narrow annular side 33 of the annular outer cylindrical portion 31 opposite to the steel pipe support portion 32, i.e., the side facing the connector 2 during connection, circumferentially formed arc-shaped ratchet teeth 34 are provided. Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the ratchet 34 has a gently inclined surface 34a with a gentle downward inclination in the relative rotational direction for fastening the nut 3 to the connector 2, a steeply inclined surface 34b with a steep upward inclination in the relative rotational direction for loosening the nut 3 relative to the connector 2, and a ridge 34c. The ridge 34 has a common height from the annular side surface 33 with the gently inclined surface 34a and the steeply inclined surface 34b. The number of arc-shaped ratchet teeth 34 arranged around the entire circumference of the annular side surface 33 can be one or more, but as... Figure 9 As shown, the arc-shaped ratchet teeth 34 can be evenly spaced around the entire circumference, which reduces the angle of loosening after tightening. However, if the end 51b of the inclined tip 51d fails to contact the upper surface of the ratchet teeth 34 after tightening, the end 51b must abut against the annular side 33 where no ratchet teeth 34 are provided; therefore, the length and inclination angle of the inclined tip 51d, the length of one tooth pitch of the ratchet teeth 34, and the spacing between the ratchet teeth 34 are determined after comprehensive consideration. The sum of the length of the ridge 34c from the annular side 33 and the thickness of the elastic ring 5 is the spacing between the joint 2 and the nut 3 after tightening.

[0046] Multiple anti-slip bases 31a are provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the annular outer cylinder 31 along the central axis of the nut 3, thereby allowing the nut 3 to be easily rotated with fingertips and providing reinforcement to the annular outer cylinder 31. In addition, an insertion hole 32a for inserting a steel pipe 4 is provided in the center of the steel pipe support 32 located at one end of the annular outer cylinder 31; inside the insertion hole 32a are formed a pressing inclined surface 32b, which presses the inclined surface 41b of the mountain-shaped protrusion 41 of the steel pipe toward the joint 2, so as to press the inserted steel pipe 4 toward the joint 2; and a vertical inner surface 32c that rises vertically from the pressing inclined surface 32b toward the internal thread 3a.

[0047] For the aforementioned elastic ring 5, as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the plate-shaped member is formed by cutting it into rings, etc., such that the elastic ring is made of an elastic metal material such as stainless steel and has a thickness that is the same as or substantially the same as the width of the annular side 33; and the aforementioned elastic ring 5 has a notch 51 as a partial cut of the ring. The length of the notch width of the notch 51 is not particularly limited; it is also possible to cut only the notch 51 such that the distance between the ring portions of one end 51a and the other end 51b of the notch 51 is substantially zero, and the opposing surfaces are close to each other; conversely, as Figure 12 As shown, the notch 51 can be very large until the ring length of the elastic ring 5 is extremely short, with almost no distance between one end 51a and the other end 51b of the notch 51. The inner diameter of the ring is substantially the same as the diameter of the external thread 2c formed on the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve portion 21 of the connector 2, or the diameter of the flat outer peripheral surface 21a. Even if the notch 51 is too large, resulting in the ring body of the elastic ring 5 being too short for the ring to be assembled to the connecting sleeve portion 21 from the outside, the elasticity of the elastic ring 5 can still be used; in this case, the radius of curvature of the inner periphery of the shorter portion of the ring should be the same as the radius of curvature of the curve of the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve portion 21. Furthermore, making the outer diameter of the ring substantially the same as the outer diameter of the annular outer sleeve portion 31 prevents the outer periphery of the elastic ring 5 from protruding from the annular outer sleeve portion 31, thereby improving the appearance.

[0048] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, one end 51a of the elastic ring 5 is provided with a connecting portion 51c, which engages with a hook portion 22a provided in the flange portion 22 of the connector 2 in a bent manner toward the connector 2. When the hook portion 22a is provided in other parts of the connector 2, for example, on a flat outer peripheral surface 21a, the connecting portion 51c includes a downward protrusion; therefore, a connecting portion 51c suitable for this part is provided at one end 51a. This connecting portion 51c or one end 51a can be pre-fixed to the connector 2 by welding or the like. In addition, the other end 51b of the elastic ring 5 slides on the gently sloping surface 34a of the annular side 33 and the ratchet 34, and abuts against the steeply sloping surface 34b over the ridge 34c; therefore, the other end 51b does not require special processing and may have a cut ring cross-section. In addition, as Figure 4 As shown, the portion from the other end 51b to the central angle θ of the ring is formed as an inclined tip 51d that is inclined at an angle α in one direction relative to the rest of the ring, as... Figure 5 As shown; then, during placement, the end of the inclined top portion 51d, i.e. the other end 51b, is biased toward the upper surface of the annular side 33 and the upper surface of the ratchet 34 provided on the annular side 33, making it easier to slide and also easier to engage the steep inclined surface 34b.

[0049] The reason for providing multiple circumferential protrusions 51e on the inner circumferential side is that, in order to assemble the ring portion of the elastic ring 5 from the outside to the connecting cylinder portion 21, the circumferential protrusions 51e abut against the flat outer circumferential surface 21a of the connecting cylinder portion 21, thereby making it easy to match the height position of the ring side surface of the elastic ring 5 with the annular side surface 33 for a tight fit.

[0050] The process of constructing and using the connection mechanism 1 for steel pipes and fittings according to the present invention, which includes the above-described construction, will now be described. The steel pipe 4 used in this embodiment is a long, thin-walled stainless steel pipe having two inclined surfaces, i.e., as shown... Figure 10 and 11 The diagram shows an inclined surface 41a and another inclined surface 41b located on the end 4a side of the steel pipe 4. Known methods and apparatus can be used to form the mountain-shaped protrusion 41 on the steel pipe 4, but are not limited thereto; for example, the pipe expanding device shown in Japanese Patent No. 346754 can be used effectively. However, the method is not limited to the steel pipe 4 having the mountain-shaped protrusion 41, but allows any type of steel pipe to be connected to the joint 2 by screwing the facing connector 2 and nut 3 together.

[0051] First, such as Figure 6As shown, the elastic ring 5 is assembled to the connecting cylinder portion 21 from the outside. At this time, the elastic ring 5 should maintain its flat outer peripheral surface 21a from the outside to the innermost side. This embodiment shows an example of the engagement portion 51c provided on one end 51a of the notch portion 51 engaging with the hook portion 22a provided in the connector 2, but the position and shape of the hook portion 22a provided in the connector 2 can be other positions in the connector 2 or the hooking method can be different.

[0052] Then, the end 4a of the steel pipe 4, which is inserted into the insertion hole 32a of the nut 3, is inserted into the large-diameter portion 21c of the connector 2. Then, while rotating the base 31a of the annular outer cylinder portion 31 with a finger, the nut 3 is moved closer to the connector 2, causing the pre-set seal 6 to abut against an inclined surface 41a of the mountain-shaped protrusion 41. The internal thread 3a of the annular outer cylinder portion 31 engages with the external thread 2c of the connecting cylinder portion 21; therefore, as... Figure 6 As shown, since the end 51b of the inclined top portion 51d of the elastic ring 5 is inclined toward the nut 3, the further tightening causes the end 51b of the inclined top portion 51d to first abut against the annular side 33 in a state of being biased toward the annular side 33.

[0053] As the nut 3 rotates and advances along the tightening direction, the end 51b slides on the annular side 33 and the arc-shaped ratchet 34 while rotating along the tightening direction, as... Figure 8 As shown. End 51b moves upward along the gently sloping surface 34a of the ratchet 34 and over the ridge 34c, then descends sharply along the steeply sloping surface 34b. After the aforementioned rotation, it is tightened to a point where it can be rotated by hand, and end 51b stops at a position on the gently sloping surface 34a or the annular side 33, as shown. Figure 6 As shown. At this time, the flat insertion surface 21b at the top of the connecting cylinder 21 moves forward into the interior of the annular outer cylinder 31, and the top surface abuts against the vertical inner surface 32c of the steel pipe support 32. Then, another inclined surface 41b of the mountain-shaped protrusion 41 of the steel pipe 4 is pressed against the connector 2 by the inclined surface 32b, and an inclined surface 41a is pressed against the nut 3 by the seal 6 and the corner 21f; thus, while maintaining a tight state to prevent fluid leakage from the gap between the inner circumferential side of the steel pipe 4 and the connector 2, the steel pipe 4 and the connector 2 are temporarily connected.

[0054] Then, using tools, further tighten the already securely tightened nut 3 to complete the formal tightening of the elastic ring 5 between the connector 2 or flange 22 and the annular side 33 of the annular outer cylinder 31, as shown. Figure 7 and 10As shown. In this state, the side of the elastic ring 5 located on the nut 3 side is pressed against the connector 2 by the ridge 34c of the ratchet 34, so there is no gap between the elastic ring 5 and the connector 2 or the flange 22, thus achieving a tight fit. Furthermore, although a small gap is generated between the upper surface portions of the gently sloping surface 34a and the steeply sloping surface 34b of the ratchet 34, the elastic ring 5 and the nut 3 have a tight fit throughout the entire circumference.

[0055] Therefore, even under this tightened condition, the joint 2 and nut 3 are not prone to relative loosening due to frictional resistance between the components; however, over time, factors such as vibration and structural deterioration will eliminate frictional resistance, leading to relative loosening. Thus, when the nut 3 or joint 2, or both, rotate relative to each other in the loosening direction, one end 51a of the elastic ring 5 is fixed to the joint 2; therefore, the end 51b at the tip of the inclined tip 51d abuts against the steep inclined surface 34b, thereby preventing the joint 2 or nut 3 from rotating in the loosening direction and thus preventing loosening. This not only prevents the steel pipe 4 from being removed from the joint 2, but also prevents gaps between the seal 6 and the steel pipe 4 caused by loosening, thereby also preventing fluid leakage.

[0056] When the connector 2 or nut 3 begins to rotate relative to each other due to loosening, if the end 51b at the tip of the inclined tip 51d is in contact with the annular side 33 or the gently inclined surface 34a, the relative rotation for loosening will not stop until the end 51b abuts against the steeply inclined surface 34b. The loosening increases as the number of ratchet teeth 34 provided on the annular side 33 decreases. That is, the longer the spacing between the ratchet teeth 34 on the annular side 33, or the longer the length of the ratchet teeth 34, the greater the degree of loosening. Therefore, while a larger number of ratchet teeth 34 and a narrower spacing between them increases machining workload, the advantage is that the degree of loosening can be reduced.

[0057] If the notch 51 of the elastic ring 5 is only as wide as the cut notch groove, the ring's profile angle is close to 360°. In use, the ring will be large enough to substantially encircle the flat outer circumferential surface 21a of the connecting cylinder 21. In this case, the ring portion of the elastic ring 5 substantially surrounds the entire circumference and is pressed between the joint 2 or flange 22 and the annular side 33; therefore, even when a large force is applied in the loosening direction, the frictional resistance increases and the end 51b abuts against the steeply inclined surface 34b, thus securing the ring firmly without damaging it. Conversely, enlarging the notch 51 makes the ring's profile smaller and shorter; however, shortening the length of the elastic ring 5 saves material costs, and multiple elastic rings 5 ​​can be used to connect a set of joints 2 and nuts 3, thus providing an advantage.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the external thread engages with the internal thread and a steel pipe 4 with a mountain-shaped protrusion 41 is placed between the joint 2 and the nut 3 to connect the joint 2 and the nut 3. However, this embodiment is also applicable to connection mechanisms that include the following steps: rotating either or both of the joint 2 and the nut 3 relative to each other in the loosening or tightening direction by means other than threaded connection or by using a steel pipe 4 without the mountain-shaped protrusion 41.

[0059] In order to separate the steel pipe 4 from the connector 2, tools are used to rotate the connector 2 and the nut 3 separately or simultaneously in the loosening direction, thereby cutting off the elastic ring, or cutting off the part of the elastic ring 5 that engages or abuts with the connector 2 or the ratchet 34, so that disassembly can be easily performed.

[0060] As described above, the connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints according to the present invention can prevent loosening simply by keeping the elastic ring 5 assembled from the outside to the connecting cylinder 21 during connection, thereby improving the efficiency of connecting the steel pipe 4.

[0061] Industrial applicability

[0062] The connection mechanism for steel pipes and fittings of the present invention employs a structure in which the steel pipe is fastened with a fitting and nut and connected to an interposed elastic ring 5 to prevent loosening; therefore, the connection mechanism can be used to construct various steel pipe networks for fluid passage, thereby expanding the range of applications, with expected large demand, and can greatly promote industrial development.

[0063] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0064] 1. Connection mechanism for steel pipes and fittings

[0065] 2 connectors

[0066] 2a Fluid Pathway

[0067] 2b Connecting cylinder section

[0068] 2c external thread

[0069] 21 Connecting cylinder section

[0070] 21a Flat outer circumferential surface

[0071] 21b Flat insertion surface

[0072] 21c medium and large diameter part

[0073] 21d large diameter part

[0074] 21e Step surface

[0075] 21f Corner

[0076] 22 Flange portion

[0077] 22a Hook

[0078] 3 nuts

[0079] 3a Internal thread

[0080] 31. Annular outer cylinder section

[0081] 31 Anti-slip base

[0082] 32 Steel pipe support section

[0083] 32a Insertion Hole

[0084] 32b Pressing the inclined surface

[0085] 32c Vertical inner surface

[0086] 33. Annular side

[0087] 34. Ratchets

[0088] 34a Gently sloping surface

[0089] 34b Steeply sloping surface

[0090] 34c Spine

[0091] 4 steel pipes

[0092] 4a end

[0093] 41 mountain-shaped convex part

[0094] 41a An inclined surface

[0095] 41b Another inclined surface

[0096] 5 elastic rings

[0097] 51 Notch

[0098] 51a One end

[0099] 51b The other end

[0100] 51c Joint

[0101] 51d Sloping top part

[0102] 6 seals

Claims

1. A connection mechanism for steel pipes and fittings, comprising: The connector has a connecting sleeve portion with an internal fluid passage at its end, and a connecting sleeve portion with external threads formed on its outer periphery. and The nut comprises: an annular outer cylindrical portion having an internal thread formed on its inner circumference that engages with the external thread of the joint; and a steel pipe support portion supporting a steel pipe communicating with the fluid passage. The external thread and the internal thread engage, thereby tightly connecting the steel pipe to the joint. in The connector is provided with a hook portion, and the nut has ratchet teeth formed on an annular side surface, the annular side surface being the annular side surface of the outer annular cylindrical portion of the nut and facing the connector side. The ratchet has a ridge at a given height from the annular side, from which are formed a gently inclined surface with a gentle angle in the relative rotational direction for tightening the nut, and a steeply inclined surface with a steep angle in the relative rotational direction for loosening the nut. as well as One end of a resilient ring with a notch, which is part of the connecting sleeve portion externally assembled to the connector, engages with the hook portion. The other end of the resilient ring is biased toward the annular side and abuts against the steeply inclined surface of the ratchet, thereby preventing relative loosening of the nut and the connector. The elastic ring is made of a flexible circular metal material with an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the connecting cylinder and an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the annular outer cylinder, and having a given width and thickness. One end facing the notch has a engagement portion that engages with the hook portion, and the other end is an abutment portion that abuts against the steeply inclined surface of the ratchet teeth during relative rotation for release. The elastic ring has a sloping top portion of a given length that is biased from the other end side toward the annular side side. The inner circumferential side of the inclined top portion is recessed and has a thin thickness.

2. The connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints according to claim 1, wherein, A flange portion protruding in the outward direction is provided on the outer periphery near the boundary between the connecting cylinder portion and the connecting cylinder portion of the joint.

3. The connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints according to claim 2, wherein, The flange portion is provided with the hook portion.

4. The connection mechanism for steel pipes and joints according to claim 1, wherein, Multiple ratchet teeth are formed on the annular side surface.

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