Composite connector and composite connector structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a composite connector and a composite connector structure. When the main body part (2) and the mating part (3) of the composite connector structure (1) are connected, the timing at which the amount of compression in the radial direction of the annular seal member (4) is maximized is different from a first connector structure part (10F), which is one of the connector structure parts (10), and a second connector structure part (10S), which is the other one of the connector structure parts (10). Alternatively, with respect to each main body connection part (21) of the composite connector structure (1), the main body assembly part (26) permits a relative position change between a front side split body (21FR) and a rear side split body (21RE) in the radial direction of the main body connection part (21), and restricts a relative position change between the front side split body (21FR) and the rear side split body (21RE) in the axial direction of the main body connection part (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a composite connector structure having: a composite connector that integrates a plurality of main bodies; and a plurality of mating parts and a plurality of annular seal members other than the composite connector. Background Art

[0002] A composite connector structure having a plurality of connector structure parts is known, and the connector structure parts include: a cylindrical main body part; and a mating part connected to the main body part. Regarding such a composite connector structure, usually, the main body connection part of the main body part is inserted into the mating connection part of the mating part, or the mating connection part is inserted into the main body connection part, thereby connecting the main body part and the mating part.

[0003] Regarding this composite connector structure, the respective main body parts are integrated with each other to form a composite connector (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2). By integrating the respective main body parts with each other, there are advantages such as enabling miniaturization of the composite connector structure and enabling connection of the main body part and the mating part by one operation.

[0004] Regarding the above composite connector structure, it is also known to interpose an annular seal member between the main body part and the mating part.

[0005] The annular seal member is arranged between the main body connection part and the mating connection part in a state of being compressed in the radial direction when connecting the main body part and the mating part. This is to isolate the inside of the cylinder of the composite connector structure from the outside with high sealing performance.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-101380

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-9317 Summary of the Invention

[0008] [1] However, regarding a composite connector structure having an annular seal member, when connecting the main body part and the mating part, it is necessary to compress the annular seal member from the natural state and insert the main body connection part of the main body part into the mating connection part of the mating part, or compress the annular seal member from the natural state and insert the mating connection part into the main body connection part. Moreover, in order to facilitate isolating the inside of the cylinder of the composite connector structure from the outside with high sealing performance, a large load is required for compressing the annular seal member.

[0009] This composite connector structure has a plurality of connector structures, and each connector structure includes a main body portion, a mating portion, and an annular sealing member. Moreover, for this composite connector structure, in order to integrate the main body portions with each other, the connection between the main body portion and the mating portion is performed by one operation.

[0010] Regarding this composite connector structure, when connecting the main body portion and the mating portion, the connection operation load mainly comes from the compression of the annular sealing member. If the number of annular sealing members increases, sometimes this connection operation load becomes too large.

[0011] Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to say that the connection operation of this composite connector structure is easy. There is the following first situation, that is, regarding the connector structure having the above composite connector, a structure that can easily perform the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion is desired.

[0012] [2]In addition, since the main body portions of the above composite connector structure are integrated with each other, it is relatively difficult for their positions to change. If it is relatively difficult for the main body portions to change their positions relative to each other, there are the following problems. For example, when there is an offset in the relative positions between the main body connection portions, or in the relative positions between the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion, it is difficult to absorb this position offset during the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion. Moreover, as a result, there will be problems such as the connection operation cannot be easily performed, or the connection operation becomes cumbersome.

[0013] In particular, regarding the composite connector structure in which the main body portions are integrated with each other as described above, if it is further relatively difficult for the mating portions to change their positions relative to each other, sometimes the offset in the relative positions between the main body connection portions and the offset in the relative positions between the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion cannot be tolerated during the above connection operation. In this case, the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion becomes more difficult, and depending on the situation, it may also cause damage to the main body portion and the mating portion during the connection operation.

[0014] The composite connector structure integrates a plurality of components including a plurality of main body portions. The shape and size of each part of the composite connector structure may have some errors during molding and assembly. Even if the errors of each part of the composite connector structure are small, these small errors may accumulate in the composite connector structure, and the offset in the relative positions between the main body connection portions and the offset in the relative positions between the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion may affect the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion.

[0015] Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure in which the respective main body parts are integrated with each other as described above, it is necessary to mold both the main body part and the mating part with high molding accuracy and precisely control the relative positions of the respective parts, specifically, the relative positions of the main body connection parts with each other, the relative positions of the main body connection part and the mating connection part connected thereto, and the relative positions of the mating connection parts with each other.

[0016] For example, as in the composite connector structure described in Patent Document 2, it can be conceived that the respective mating parts can be displaced relative to each other. If the mating connection parts can be connected to the main body connection parts one by one, even when there are offsets in the relative positions of the respective parts, the position offset can be absorbed during the connection operation between the main body connection part and the mating connection part, and the connection operation between the main body part and the mating part can be performed relatively easily.

[0017] However, regarding the composite connector structure in which the respective main body parts are integrated with each other, when the respective mating parts are formed so as to be displaceable relative to each other, the volume of the mating part sometimes increases. As a result, the overall outer shape of the composite connector structure sometimes becomes too large to be disposed at a desired location, or there may be problems in the cooperation between the composite connector structure and other devices. In addition, as described above, an increase in the volume of the mating part may also deteriorate the operability of the composite connector structure. Further, depending on the use of the composite connector structure, its installation location, etc., even if the respective mating parts can be displaced relative to each other, the displacement of the mating part may sometimes be hindered.

[0018] Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure, there is also a second case as follows, that is, it is difficult to say that the relative displaceability of the respective mating parts is a preferred mode.

[0019] The present invention is proposed in view of the above first case and second case respectively, and the problems to be solved are as follows [1] and [2].

[0020] [1] In view of the first case, the first problem to be solved is to provide a composite connector and a composite connector structure that can easily perform the connection operation between the main body part and the mating part, even though the composite connector has a plurality of main body parts integrated with each other.

[0021] [2] In view of the second case, the second problem to be solved is to provide a technique that allows for offsets in the relative positions of the respective parts and can perform the connection operation between the main body part and the mating part, regarding a composite connector structure in which a plurality of main body parts are integrated with each other and a plurality of mating parts are integrated with each other, and a composite connector included in the composite connector structure.

[0022] [1] The first composite connector structure of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned first problem has a plurality of connector structure parts, and each of the connector structure parts includes: a main body part which is cylindrical; a mating part which is connected to the main body part; and an annular sealing member which is interposed between the main body part and the mating part.

[0023] Each of the main body parts is integrated with each other to form a composite connector.

[0024] The main body part and the mating part are connected by inserting the main body connection part of the main body part into the mating connection part of the mating part or inserting the mating connection part into the main body connection part.

[0025] When connecting the main body part and the mating part, the annular sealing member is disposed between the main body connection part and the mating connection part in a state of being compressed in its radial direction.

[0026] When operating to connect the main body part and the mating part, the timing at which the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member reaches the maximum is different for the first connector structure part which is one of the connector structure parts and the second connector structure part which is the other of the connector structure parts.

[0027] It is particularly preferable that the first composite connector structure of the present invention satisfies any one of the following requirements (a) to (d).

[0028] (a) The main body connection part has a main body seal mounting part for pre-installing the annular sealing member.

[0029] The main body seal mounting part of the first main body part which is one of the main body parts and is included in the first connector structure part, and the main body seal mounting part of the second main body part which is the other of the main body parts and is included in the second connector structure part are in different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection part and the mating connection part.

[0030] (b) The mating connection part has a mating seal mounting part for pre-installing the annular sealing member.

[0031] The mating seal mounting part of the first mating part which is one of the mating parts and is included in the first connector structure part, and the mating seal mounting part of the second mating part which is the other of the mating parts and is included in the second connector structure part are in different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection part and the mating connection part.

[0032] (c) The main body connection part has a main body seal mounting part for pre-installing the annular sealing member.

[0033] The front end portions of the mating connection portions of the first mating portion, which is one of the mating portions and is included in the first connector structure portion, and the front end portions of the mating connection portions of the second mating portion, which is the other of the mating portions and is included in the second connector structure portion, are in different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion.

[0034] (d) The mating connection portion has a mating seal mounting portion for pre-installing the annular seal member.

[0035] The front end portions of the main body connection portions of the first main body portion, which is one of the main body portions and is included in the first connector structure portion, and the front end portions of the main body connection portions of the second main body portion, which is the other of the main body portions and is included in the second connector structure portion, are in different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion.

[0036] The first composite connector of the present invention that solves the above first problem is a composite connector that integrates a plurality of cylindrical main body portions.

[0037] The main body portion has a main body connection portion that is inserted into the mating connection portion of the mating portion or into which the mating connection portion is inserted.

[0038] The composite connector satisfies the following requirement (e) or (f).

[0039] (e) The main body connection portion has a main body seal mounting portion for pre-installing the annular seal member.

[0040] The main body seal mounting portions of the first main body portion, which is one of the main body portions, and the second main body portion, which is the other of the main body portions, are in different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion.

[0041] (f) The main body connection portion does not have a main body seal mounting portion for pre-installing the annular seal member.

[0042] The front end portions of the main body connection portions of the first main body portion, which is one of the main body portions, and the second main body portion, which is the other of the main body portions, are in different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion.

[0043] [2] The second composite connector structure of the present invention that solves the above second problem has:

[0044] A plurality of main body portions having cylindrical main body connection portions.

[0045] A plurality of mating parts, which have mating connection parts inserted into the main body connection part or for the main body connection part to be inserted into; and

[0046] A plurality of annular sealing members, which, when connecting the main body part and the mating part, are interposed between the main body connection part and the mating connection part in a state of being compressed in the radial direction thereof,

[0047] A plurality of the main body parts are integrated with each other, and a plurality of the mating parts are integrated with each other,

[0048] The main body connection part has: a front split part, which is cylindrical and is on the front side in the relative insertion direction with respect to the mating connection part; a rear split part, which is cylindrical and is on the rear side in the relative insertion direction with respect to the mating connection part; and a main body assembly part, which integrates the front split part and the rear split part,

[0049] Regarding each of the main body connection parts, the main body assembly part allows relative position changes of the front split part and the rear split part in the radial direction of the main body connection part, and restricts relative position changes of the front split part and the rear split part in the axial direction of the main body connection part.

[0050] In addition, the second composite connector of the present invention for solving the above second problem is a composite connector in which a plurality of main body parts having cylindrical main body connection parts are integrated,

[0051] The main body part has a main body connection part, which is inserted into the mating connection part of the mating part or for the mating connection part to be inserted into,

[0052] The main body connection part has: a front split part, which is cylindrical and is on the front side in the relative insertion direction with respect to the mating connection part; a rear split part, which is cylindrical and is on the rear side in the relative insertion direction with respect to the mating connection part; and a main body assembly part, which integrates the front split part and the rear split part,

[0053] Regarding each of the main body connection parts, the main body assembly part allows relative position changes of the front split part and the rear split part in the radial direction of the main body connection part, and restricts relative position changes of the front split part and the rear split part in the axial direction of the main body connection part.

[0054] Effects of the Invention

[0055] [1] According to the first composite connector structure and the first composite connector of the present invention, although it is a composite connector in which a plurality of main body parts are integrated with each other, the connection operation between the main body part and the mating part can also be easily performed.

[0056] [2] The second composite connector and the second composite connector structure of the present invention are composite connector structures in which a plurality of main body parts are integrated with each other and a plurality of mating parts are integrated with each other, and the composite connectors included in the composite connector structures, which can allow for offsets in the relative positions of the respective parts and perform connection operations between the main body parts and the mating parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Figure 1 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the case where the composite connector of the composite connector structure of Embodiment 1 is disassembled.

[0058] Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Embodiment 1 during the connection operation.

[0059] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the distance in the insertion direction between the first main body sealing mounting portion and the second main body sealing mounting portion.

[0060] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Embodiment 1 during the connection operation.

[0061] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Embodiment 1 during the connection operation.

[0062] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of the comparative example during the connection operation.

[0063] Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of the comparative example during the connection operation.

[0064] Figure 8 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of the comparative example during the connection operation.

[0065] Figure 9 It is a graph showing the results of the evaluation test.

[0066] Figure 10 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Embodiment 2 during the connection operation.

[0067] Figure 11 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Embodiment 2 during the connection operation.

[0068] Figure 12It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Example 2 during the connection operation.

[0069] Figure 13 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Example 3 during the connection operation.

[0070] Figure 14 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Example 4 during the connection operation.

[0071] Figure 15 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the composite connector structure of Example 5.

[0072] Figure 16 It is schematically shown as Figure 15 An explanatory diagram of the case where the composite connector structure of Example 5 is cut along the X plane of.

[0073] Figure 17 It is schematically shown as Figure 15 An explanatory diagram of the case where the composite connector structure of Example 5 is cut along the Y plane of.

[0074] Figure 18 It is schematically shown as Figure 15 An explanatory diagram of the case where the composite connector structure of Example 5 is cut along the X plane of. Detailed implementation mode

[0075] Next, specific examples are listed to illustrate the first composite connector, the second composite connector, the first composite connector structure, and the second composite connector structure of the present invention.

[0076] The first composite connector of the present invention is a mode of the composite connector of the first composite connector structure of the present invention. Therefore, in the case of no special description, the descriptions of the main body part and the main body connection part in the following description of the first composite connector structure of the present invention can be appropriately replaced with the descriptions of the main body part and the main body connection part of the first composite connector of the present invention.

[0077] In addition, the second composite connector of the present invention has an integrated structure of multiple main body parts and is a part of the second composite connector structure of the present invention. Therefore, in the case of no special description, the descriptions of the main body part and each part possessed by the main body part in the following description of the second composite connector structure of the present invention can be appropriately replaced with the descriptions of the main body part and each part of the second composite connector of the present invention.

[0078] In addition, unless otherwise specified, the numerical range "x to y" described in this specification includes the lower limit x and the upper limit y within this range. Moreover, it can also include the above upper and lower limit values, as well as the numerical values listed in the embodiments, and arbitrarily combine them to form a numerical range. And, the numerical values arbitrarily selected from within the numerical range can be set as the upper and lower limit values.

[0079] [1] First composite connector and first composite connector structure

[0080] The first composite connector structure has a plurality of connector structure parts as follows, that is, the connector structure part includes: a main body part, which is cylindrical; a mating part, which is connected to the main body part; and an annular sealing member, which is interposed between the main body part and the mating part.

[0081] In addition, regarding the first composite connector structure, the main body parts are integrated with each other to form a composite connector, and the main body part and the mating part are connected by inserting the main body connection part of the main body part into the mating connection part of the mating part, or inserting the mating connection part into the main body connection part. Moreover, when connecting the main body part and the mating part, the annular sealing member is arranged in a state of being compressed in its radial direction between the main body connection part and the mating connection part.

[0082] Here, regarding the first composite connector structure, during the connection operation of the main body part and the mating part, the timing when the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member is the largest is different for the first connector structure part, which is one of the connector structure parts, and the second connector structure part, which is another of the connector structure parts.

[0083] In other words, regarding the first composite connector structure, during the above connection operation, the annular sealing member included in the first connector structure part and the annular sealing member included in the second connector structure part are compressed at different timings.

[0084] As a result, the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the annular sealing member included in the first connector structure part and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the annular sealing member included in the second connector structure part are staggered in time, and, as a result, all the connection operation loads for connecting the main body part and the mating part are averaged to a certain extent as the time passes from the start to the end of the connection operation, suppressing the sharp and large increase in the connection operation load.

[0085] Therefore, according to the first composite connector structure, although there is a composite connector in which a plurality of main body parts are integrated with each other, the connection operation of the main body part and the mating part can be easily performed.

[0086] The same applies to the first composite connector. Although it is a composite connector in which a plurality of main body parts are integrated with each other, the connection operation between the main body part and the mating part can be easily performed.

[0087] Hereinafter, as needed, the annular sealing member included in the first connector structure part is referred to as the first annular sealing member, and the annular sealing member included in the second connector structure part is referred to as the second annular sealing member. In addition, the main body part included in the first connector structure part is referred to as the first main body part, and the main body part included in the second connector structure part is referred to as the second main body part. Further, the mating part included in the first connector structure part is referred to as the first mating part, and the mating part included in the second connector structure part is referred to as the second mating part.

[0088] In addition, in this specification, during the connection operation, a composite connector structure in which the first annular sealing member and the second annular sealing member are compressed at different timings is sometimes referred to as a sequentially inserted type composite connector structure. The first composite connector structure is a sequentially inserted type composite connector structure.

[0089] Hereinafter, each structural element of the first composite connector and the composite connector structure will be described.

[0090] The first composite connector structure has a plurality of connector structure parts as follows, that is, the connector structure part includes a cylindrical main body part, a mating part, and an annular sealing member.

[0091] Regarding the first composite connector structure, it is premised that the main body part is cylindrical, but regarding the mating part, it may be cylindrical or may not be cylindrical.

[0092] Regarding the first composite connector structure, the inside of the cylinder is formed at least inside the main body part. The inside of the cylinder can be used, for example, as a flow path for fluids such as liquids and gases, or can be used as a housing for accommodating articles such as cables and isolating them from the outside. That is, the use of the first composite connector structure is not particularly limited. For example, it is preferably used as a flow path component for forming a flow path of a fluid or a housing for accommodating articles.

[0093] The main body part only needs to be cylindrical as a whole, and its shape and material are not particularly limited. For example, the main body part can be a bottomless cylindrical shape with both ends open in the axial direction, or can be a bottomed cylindrical shape with one or both ends closed in the axial direction.

[0094] Regarding the mating part, its shape and material are also not particularly limited. For example, the mating part can be a bottomless cylindrical shape or a bottomed cylindrical shape. When the mating part is not cylindrical, the mating part can be, for example, a plug for shielding the inside of the cylinder of the main body part from the outside.

[0095] The main connection part of the main body part is preferably a straight tube shape in order to facilitate insertion into the mating connection part of the mating part or to allow the mating connection part to be inserted. When the main connection part is inserted into the mating connection part, it is necessary for the mating connection part to be tubular. In this case, the mating connection part is also preferably a straight tube shape.

[0096] When the main connection part is inserted into the mating connection part, it is preferred that the outer diameter of the main connection part is smaller than the inner diameter of the mating connection part. When the mating connection part is inserted into the main connection part, it is preferred that the outer diameter of the mating connection part is smaller than the inner diameter of the main connection part.

[0097] Hereinafter, as needed, the part of the main body part other than the main connection part is referred to as the main body general part, and the part of the mating part other than the mating connection part is referred to as the mating general part.

[0098] As described above, the main connection part is preferably a straight tube shape, but the main body general part can be a straight tube shape or a bent tube shape. Alternatively, the main body general part can be a non-uniform diameter tubular shape, such as a corrugated shape, in which the radial length varies for each part along the axial direction.

[0099] The same applies to the mating general part, which can be a straight tube shape, a bent tube shape, or a non-uniform diameter tubular shape such as a corrugated shape. Also, the mating general part may not be tubular.

[0100] The main body part can be a rigid body that cannot be deformed or a flexible body that can be deformed. In addition, the mating part can also be a rigid body or a flexible body.

[0101] The main body part can be composed of one component or can be an integrated structure achieved by assembling two or more components. The same applies to the mating part, which can be composed of one component or can be an integrated structure achieved by assembling two or more components.

[0102] When connecting, the annular sealing member is disposed between the main connection part and the mating connection part in a state of being compressed in its radial direction.

[0103] In other words, when connecting, the main connection part, the mating connection part, and the annular sealing member are arranged in the order of main connection part - annular sealing member - mating connection part in the thickness direction of the connector structure part. The annular sealing member is disposed at a position between the main connection part and the mating connection part in a state of being compressed in its radial direction, that is, in the thickness direction of the connector structure part. Moreover, the space between the main connection part and the mating connection part is sealed at this position.

[0104] Such an annular sealing member only needs to be annular and made of an elastic material, and its material, size, etc. are not particularly limited. The annular sealing member is basically preferably selected from materials corresponding to the uses of the main body part and the mating part.

[0105] For example, when a fluid such as a gas or a liquid flows inside the cylinder, it is preferable to select a material that hardly reacts with the fluid and can suppress the leakage of the fluid to the outside through the annular sealing member according to the type of the fluid.

[0106] The annular sealing member needs to be formed into a shape that can be compressed between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion when the main body portion and the mating portion are connected. If it is considered to seal between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion with high sealing performance, it is preferable to select a material with excellent elastic resilience as the material of the annular sealing member.

[0107] The first composite connector structure has a plurality of main body portions, and the respective main body portions are integrated with each other to form a composite connector. The method of integrating the main body portions is not particularly limited. For example, a plurality of main body portions that are separated from each other can be connected by a connecting member that is separated from the main body portions to achieve integration, or a plurality of main body portions can be formed integrally. The main body portions can be integrated in such a way that their positions do not change relative to each other, or can be integrated in such a way that some position changes are allowed. However, in order to stably perform the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion, it is more preferable that the main body portions are integrated in such a way that their positions do not change relative to each other.

[0108] In addition, regarding each mating portion, they can be integrated with each other or not, as long as it is appropriately set according to the use of the mating portion.

[0109] As described above, when connecting the main body portion and the mating portion, the annular sealing member is located between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion, is in contact with the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion, and is in a compressed state.

[0110] In the state before the main body portion and the mating portion are connected, of course, the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member is zero or very small. Moreover, the radial compression of the annular sealing member is performed after the start of the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion. As the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion progresses, the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member increases, and the compression load generated by the compression of the annular sealing member also increases.

[0111] Here, regarding a composite connector structure having a plurality of connector structure portions, if the sum of the compression loads of the respective annular sealing members increases sharply, the connection operation load when connecting the main body portion and the mating portion also increases sharply. If this connection operation load becomes too large, it is difficult to easily perform the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion.

[0112] Hereinafter, as needed, the connection operation load when connecting the main body portion and the mating portion is sometimes simply referred to as the connection operation load.

[0113] In order to solve the problem that the load of the above-described connection operation becomes too large, the inventors of the present invention focused on the timing at which the radial compression amount of the annular seal member is maximized.

[0114] Regarding the first composite connector structure, the above-described timing is different for the first connector structure, which is one of the connector structures, and the second connector structure, which is the other of the connector structures.

[0115] Details will be described in the embodiments section below, but the connection operation load rapidly increases after the relative insertion of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion starts until the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion are arranged at a specified connection position and the radial compression amount of the annular seal member reaches the maximum.

[0116] In addition, the relative insertion of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion as described herein is a concept that includes both the insertion of the main body connection portion into the mating connection portion and the insertion of the mating connection portion into the main body connection portion. Hereinafter, as needed, the relative insertion of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion as described above may sometimes be referred to as connection insertion, and the relative insertion direction of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion may sometimes be simply referred to as the insertion direction.

[0117] The inventors of the present invention found that after the radial compression amount of the annular seal member reaches the maximum, if the connection insertion is further performed, the temporarily increased connection operation load decreases to a certain extent.

[0118] The inventors obtained the following insight, that is, regarding the first connector structure, at the stage where the radial compression amount of the first annular seal member reaches the maximum, the connection insertion is further performed for the first connector structure, and the connection insertion is started for the second connector structure. The inventors further developed this insight and set the timing at which the radial compression amount of the annular seal member reaches the maximum to be different for the first connector structure and the second connector structure.

[0119] In addition, in order to set the timing at which the radial compression amount of the annular seal member reaches the maximum to be different for the first connector structure and the second connector structure, for example, it is effective to set the connection positions of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion at which the radial compression amount of the annular seal member reaches the maximum to be positions that are different in the insertion direction for the first connector structure and the second connector structure.

[0120] More specifically, preferably, in such a manner that the connection insertion of the first connector structure portion is started first during the connection operation, and after the radial compression amount of the first annular sealing member in the first connector structure portion reaches the maximum, the connection insertion of the second connector structure portion is started, the connection positions of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion where the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member in the first connector structure portion reaches the maximum, and the connection positions of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion where the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member in the second connector structure portion reaches the maximum are adjusted.

[0121] Hereinafter, as needed, the connection positions of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion where the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member reaches the maximum may sometimes be simply referred to as connection positions.

[0122] As described later, by adjusting the connection positions of the first connector structure portion and the second connector structure portion in the above-described manner, the maximum value of the connection operation load is actually reduced, and the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion is facilitated.

[0123] As described above, in order to set the timings at which the radial compression amounts of the annular sealing members reach the maximum to be different for the first connector structure portion and the second connector structure portion, as a specific manner of setting the connection positions of the first connector structure portion and the second connector structure portion to be different positions in the insertion direction, a manner satisfying any one of the following requirements (a) to (d) can be cited. However, the specific manner of setting the connection positions of the first connector structure portion and the second connector structure portion to be different positions in the insertion direction for the first composite connector structure is not limited thereto.

[0124] (a) The main body connection portion has a main body seal mounting portion for pre-installing the annular sealing member.

[0125] The main body seal mounting portions of the first main body portion and the second main body portion are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0126] (b) The mating connection portion has a mating seal mounting portion for pre-installing the annular sealing member.

[0127] The mating seal mounting portions of the first mating portion and the second mating portion are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0128] (c) The main body connection portion has a main body seal mounting portion.

[0129] The front end portions of the mating connection portions of the first mating portion and the second mating portion are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0130] (d) The mating connection part has a mating seal mounting part.

[0131] The front end parts of the main body connection parts of the first main body part and the second main body part are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0132] In order to connect the main body part and the mating part to obtain a connector construction part having a main body part, a mating part, and an annular seal member, it is important to pre-install the annular seal member on the main body connection part or the mating connection part.

[0133] When the annular seal member is pre-installed on the main body connection part, it is preferable to provide a main body seal mounting part for mounting the annular seal member on the main body connection part. Further, when the annular seal member is pre-installed on the mating connection part, it is preferable to provide a mating seal mounting part for mounting the annular seal member on the mating connection part.

[0134] Hereinafter, as needed, the main body connection part of the first main body part is referred to as the first main body connection part, the main body connection part of the second main body part is referred to as the second main body connection part, the mating connection part of the first mating part is referred to as the first mating connection part, and the mating connection part of the second mating part is referred to as the second mating connection part. Further, as needed, the main body seal mounting part of the first main body connection part is referred to as the first main body seal mounting part, the main body seal mounting part of the second main body connection part is referred to as the second main body seal mounting part, the mating seal mounting part of the first mating connection part is referred to as the first mating seal mounting part, and the mating seal mounting part of the second mating connection part is referred to as the second mating seal mounting part.

[0135] Regarding the first composite connector structure, if a connection insertion in which the main body connection part and the mating connection part are relatively inserted is performed during the connection operation, first, the first main body connection part and the first mating connection part are arranged at the connection position, and then the second main body connection part and the second mating connection part are arranged at the connection position. Alternatively, first, the second main body connection part and the second mating connection part are arranged at the connection position, and then the first main body connection part and the first mating connection part are arranged at the connection position.

[0136] When the annular seal member is installed on the main body connection part, that is, when the main body connection part has a main body seal mounting part, it is preferable that the main body seal mounting parts of the first main body part and the second main body part are in different positions in the insertion direction [requirement (a)]. In this case, it is possible to make the first main body connection part and the second main body connection part in different positions in the insertion direction, and to make the connection positions of the first connector structure part and the second connector structure part in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0137] In this case, regarding the mating connection portion of the mating part, the end portions on the main body portion side of its front end portion may be in the same position in the insertion direction or in different positions from each other.

[0138] In addition, in the case where the front side portion of the mating connection portion, that is, the portion on the main body portion side, is chamfered and the chamfered front side portion does not contact the annular sealing member mounted on the main body connection portion, the front end portion of the mating connection portion means the front end portion of the mating connection portion other than the chamfered front side portion.

[0139] In any case, it is a prerequisite that "when connecting the main body portion and the mating part, the timings at which the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member reaches the maximum are different for the first connector construction portion and the second connector construction portion". Therefore, in the case where the front end portions of the mating connection portions of the mating part are in different positions in the insertion direction as described above, the positions of the front end portions of the mating connection portions are also in different positions within the range that satisfies the above prerequisite.

[0140] The above prerequisite also applies to the first composite connector construction body that satisfies any one of the following requirements (b) to (d).

[0141] Similar to the above requirement (a), in the case where the main body connection portion has a main body seal mounting portion, it is preferable that the front end portions of the mating connection portions of the first mating part and the second mating part are in different positions in the insertion direction [requirement (c)]. In this case, it is also possible to make the first mating connection portion and the second mating connection portion in different positions in the insertion direction, and make the connection positions of the first connector construction portion and the second connector construction portion in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0142] In this case, regarding the main body connection portion of the main body portion, the end portions on the mating part side of its front end portion may be in the same position in the insertion direction or in different positions within the range that satisfies the above prerequisite.

[0143] In the case where the front side portion of the main body connection portion is chamfered and the chamfered front side portion does not contact the annular sealing member mounted on the mating connection portion, the front end portion of the main body connection portion means the front end portion of the main body connection portion other than the chamfered front side portion.

[0144] On the other hand, when the annular sealing member is installed on the mating connection portion, that is, when the mating connection portion has a mating seal mounting portion, it is preferable that the mating seal mounting portion of the first mating portion and the mating seal mounting portion of the second mating portion are in different positions in the insertion direction [requirement (b)]. In this case, it is also possible to make the first mating connection portion and the second mating connection portion in different positions in the insertion direction, and to make the connection positions of the first connector structure portion and the second connector structure portion in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0145] In this case, regarding the main body connection portion of the main body portion, its front end portions may be in the same position as each other in the insertion direction, or may be in different positions within the range satisfying the above-mentioned premise.

[0146] Similar to the above requirement (b), when the mating connection portion has a mating seal mounting portion, it is preferable that the front end portions of the main body connection portions of the first main body portion and the second main body portion are in different positions in the insertion direction [requirement (d)]. In this case, it is also possible to make the first main body connection portion and the second main body connection portion in different positions in the insertion direction, and to make the connection positions of the first connector structure portion and the second connector structure portion in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0147] In this case, regarding the mating connection portion of the mating portion, its front end portions may be in the same position as each other in the insertion direction, or may be in different positions within the range satisfying the above-mentioned premise.

[0148] Regarding the first composite connector structure, by making the connection positions of the first connector structure portion and the second connector structure portion in different positions in the insertion direction, it is possible to stagger in time the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular sealing member and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular sealing member. Therefore, regarding the first composite connector structure, the distance in the insertion direction between the connection position of the first connector structure portion and the connection position of the second connector structure portion is not particularly limited.

[0149] However, in order to sufficiently reduce the connection operation load generated in the first composite connector structure, for example, it is preferable to arrange the first main body connection portion and the first mating connection portion at the connection position, and after the connection operation load generated by the first annular sealing member is reduced to a certain extent, arrange the second main body connection portion and the second mating connection portion at the connection position. Alternatively, it is preferable to first arrange the second main body connection portion and the second mating connection portion at the connection position, and after the connection operation load generated by the second annular sealing member is reduced to a certain extent, arrange the first main body connection portion and the first mating connection portion at the connection position.

[0150] In order to generate a connection operation load at this timing, it can be said that it is preferable to set the distance in the insertion direction between the connection position of the first connector structure part and the connection position of the second connector structure part in such a way that the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular seal part and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular seal part are generated with a certain interval therebetween.

[0151] Specifically, with respect to the first composite connector structure, it is preferable that the distance in the insertion direction between the connection position of the first connector structure part and the connection position of the second connector structure part is greater than or equal to 1 / 2, more than 1 / 2, greater than or equal to 2 / 3, or greater than or equal to 3 / 4 of the axial direction length of the annular seal part in the natural state. The reasons are as follows.

[0152] The connection operation load of the first composite connector structure increases after the start of connection insertion until the main body connection part and the mating connection part are arranged at the connection position and the radial compression amount of the annular seal part reaches the maximum, and then decreases.

[0153] In the case of using a normal annular seal part, at the time point when the annular seal part contacts the main body connection part and the mating connection part at the 1 / 2 position in the axial direction of the annular seal part, the radial compression amount of the annular seal part reaches the maximum.

[0154] Therefore, by setting the distance in the insertion direction between the connection position of the first connector structure part and the connection position of the second connector structure part to be greater than or equal to 1 / 2 of the axial direction length of the annular seal part, it is possible to stagger the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular seal part and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular seal part to a certain extent. Moreover, thereby, it is possible to further reduce the connection operation load of the first composite connector structure.

[0155] In addition, with respect to the distance in the insertion direction between the connection position of the first connector structure portion and the connection position of the second connector structure portion, when the first composite connector structure satisfies requirement (a), it can be renamed as the distance in the insertion direction between the first main body sealing and mounting portion and the second main body sealing and mounting portion. Similarly, when the first composite connector structure satisfies requirement (b), it can be renamed as the distance in the insertion direction between the first mating sealing and mounting portion and the second mating sealing and mounting portion. Similarly, when the first composite connector structure satisfies requirement (c), it can be renamed as the distance in the insertion direction between the front end portions of the first mating connection portion and the second mating connection portion. Similarly, when the first composite connector structure satisfies requirement (d), it can be renamed as the distance in the insertion direction between the front end portions of the first main body connection portion and the second main body connection portion.

[0156] In addition, the axial length of the annular sealing member changes due to being installed in the main body sealing and mounting portion or being compressed. Therefore, in this specification, the axial length of the annular sealing member in the natural state is used as the reference.

[0157] The first composite connector structure has a plurality of connector structure portions as follows, that is, the connector structure portion includes a main body portion, a mating portion, and an annular sealing member. One of the plurality of connector structure portions is the first connector structure portion, and the other of the plurality of connector structure portions is the second connector structure portion.

[0158] It is possible that only one of the plurality of connector structure portions of the first composite connector structure is the first connector structure portion, or it is also possible that a plurality of them are the first connector structure portions.

[0159] Describing it by changing the angle, the first composite connector structure has a plurality of main body portions. One of the plurality of main body portions is the first main body portion, and the other of the plurality of main body portions is the second main body portion. It is possible that only one of the plurality of main body portions of the first composite connector structure is the first main body portion, or it is also possible that a plurality of them are the first main body portions. In addition, the first composite connector structure has a plurality of mating portions. One of the plurality of mating portions is the first mating portion, and the other of the plurality of mating portions is the second mating portion. It is possible that only one of the plurality of mating portions of the first composite connector structure is the first mating portion, or it is also possible that a plurality of them are the first mating portions.

[0160] In addition, regarding the first composite connector structure, when connecting the main body part and the mating part, the timing at which the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member reaches its maximum is different for the first connector structure part and the second connector structure part. Therefore, it can be said that the connector structure part among the multiple connector structure parts that is not the first connector structure part is the second connector structure part. Similarly, it can be said that the main body part among the multiple main body parts that is not the first main body part is the second main body part, and it can be said that the mating part among the multiple mating parts that is not the first mating part is the second mating part.

[0161] However, regarding the first composite connector structure, in order to suppress a sharp and excessive increase in the connection operation load, it is important to suppress the deviation of the connection operation load.

[0162] Therefore, in the case where the first composite connector structure has multiple first main body parts and / or multiple second main body parts, it is preferable to set the main body part adjacent to the first main body part as the second main body part. When the first main body parts are adjacent to each other, the connection operation load locally increases at the adjacent part, so it is dispersed.

[0163] To further disperse the connection operation load, it is more preferable to further set the main body part adjacent to the second main body part as the first main body part.

[0164] The first composite connector satisfies the following requirement (e) or (f).

[0165] (e) The main body connection part has a main body seal mounting part,

[0166] The main body seal mounting part of the first main body part and the main body seal mounting part of the second main body part are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0167] (f) The main body connection part does not have a main body seal mounting part,

[0168] The front end parts of the main body connection parts of the first main body part and the second main body part are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0169] Regarding the above requirement (e), similar to the above requirement (a), the first composite connector that satisfies requirement (e) can also be referred to as the composite connector of the first composite connector structure that satisfies requirement (a).

[0170] Regarding the above requirement (f), similar to the above requirement (d), a mode is envisioned in which the main body connection part does not have a main body seal mounting part and the mating connection part has a mating seal mounting part. The first composite connector that satisfies requirement (f) can also be referred to as the composite connector of the first composite connector structure that satisfies requirement (d).

[0171] In addition, regarding the composite connector of the first composite connector structure that satisfies requirement (b) or requirement (c), since the structural features are not determined, the description thereof is omitted here.

[0172] Regarding the first composite connector that satisfies requirement (e), similar to the composite connector of the first composite connector structure that satisfies requirement (a), it is preferable that the distance in the insertion direction between the first main body sealing mounting portion and the second main body sealing mounting portion is greater than or equal to 1 / 2, more than 1 / 2, greater than or equal to 2 / 3, or greater than or equal to 3 / 4 of the axial length of the annular sealing member in the natural state.

[0173] Similarly, regarding the first composite connector that satisfies requirement (f), similar to the composite connector of the first composite connector structure that satisfies requirement (d), it is preferable that the distance in the insertion direction between the front end portions of the first main body connecting portion and the second main body connecting portion is greater than or equal to 1 / 2, more than 1 / 2, greater than or equal to 2 / 3, or greater than or equal to 3 / 4 of the axial length of the annular sealing member in the natural state.

[0174] Moreover, regarding the first composite connector, similar to the composite connector of the first composite connector structure, it is preferable that the main body adjacent to the first main body is the second main body, and on this basis, it is preferable that the main body adjacent to the second main body is the first main body.

[0175] [2] Second composite connector and second composite connector structure

[0176] The second composite connector structure respectively has a plurality of main bodies, a plurality of mating portions, and a plurality of annular sealing members. The interior of the second composite connector structure, that is, the interior of the main body and the interior of the mating portion connected thereto, is partitioned from the outside and sealed by the annular sealing member.

[0177] Regarding the second composite connector structure, the plurality of main bodies are integrated with each other, and the plurality of mating portions are also integrated with each other.

[0178] That is, the main bodies of the second composite connector structure are difficult to relatively change their positions with respect to each other, and the mating portions are also difficult to relatively change their positions with respect to each other.

[0179] Regarding the second composite connector structure, the main body portion has a main body connection portion, and the mating portion has a mating connection portion that is connected to the main body connection portion. Moreover, the main body connection portion has: a front split body that is cylindrical and is on the front side in the relative insertion direction with respect to the mating connection portion; a rear split body that is cylindrical and is on the rear side in the relative insertion direction with respect to the mating connection portion; and a main body assembly portion that integrates the front split body and the rear split body. It can also be said that the main body connection portion is divided into a front split body and a rear split body, and the front split body and the rear split body are integrated with each other by the main body assembly portion.

[0180] Regarding the second composite connector structure, by restricting the relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the axial direction of the main body connection portion through the main body assembly portion, the front split body and the rear split body can be integrated with high reliability, and thus the shape of the main body portion can be maintained with high reliability.

[0181] In addition, the main body assembly portion allows the relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connection portion. That is, regarding the second composite connector structure, during the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion, the front split body and the rear split body belonging to the same main body connection portion may relatively change their positions in the radial direction of the main body connection portion.

[0182] Regarding the second composite connector structure, by allowing the front split body and the rear split body to relatively change their positions in the radial direction of the main body connection portion during the connection operation, it is possible to accommodate the offset of the relative positions between multiple main body portions, the offset of the relative positions between multiple mating portions, and the offset of the relative positions between the main body portion and the mating portion. Moreover, thereby, according to the second composite connector structure, it is possible to accommodate the offset of the relative positions of each part and perform the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion.

[0183] Next, each structural element of the second composite connector and the composite connector structure will be described.

[0184] The second composite connector structure has a plurality of main body portions, a plurality of mating portions, and a plurality of annular sealing members.

[0185] Among them, the main body portion has a cylindrical main body connection portion, and the whole is also cylindrical due to the presence of the main body connection portion.

[0186] The mating portion has a mating connection portion that is inserted into the main body connection portion of the main body portion or into which the main body connection portion is inserted.

[0187] Regarding the second composite connector structure, it is premised that the main body portion is cylindrical, but regarding the mating portion, it may be cylindrical or may not be cylindrical.

[0188] Regarding the second composite connector structure, its cylinder interior is formed at least inside the main body portion. The cylinder interior can, for example, also be used as a flow path for fluids such as liquids and gases, or can be used as a housing for items such as cables and isolated from the outside world. That is, the use of the second composite connector structure is not particularly limited. For example, it is preferably used as a flow path component that constitutes a fluid flow path or a housing for accommodating items.

[0189] As long as the entire main body portion is cylindrical, its shape and material are not particularly limited. For example, the main body portion can be a bottomless cylindrical shape with both ends open in the axial direction, or can be a bottomed cylindrical shape with one or both ends closed in the axial direction.

[0190] Regarding the mating portion, its shape and material are also not particularly limited. The mating portion can be cylindrical and form the above-mentioned cylinder interior together with the main body portion.

[0191] For example, the mating portion can be a bottomless cylindrical shape or a bottomed cylindrical shape. In addition, when the mating portion is not cylindrical, the mating portion can be, for example, a plug for shielding the cylinder interior of the main body portion from the outside world.

[0192] The main body connection portion of the main body portion is particularly preferably a straight tube shape in order to facilitate insertion into the mating connection portion of the mating portion or for the mating connection portion to be inserted therein.

[0193] The mating connection portion is also preferably straight. When inserting the main body connection portion into the mating connection portion, the mating connection portion needs to be cylindrical. In this case, the mating connection portion is also particularly preferably a straight tube shape.

[0194] When inserting the main body connection portion into the mating connection portion, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the main body connection portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the mating connection portion. When inserting the mating connection portion into the main body connection portion, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the mating connection portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the main body connection portion.

[0195] Next, as needed, in the same manner as the above-mentioned first composite connector structure, regarding the second composite connector structure, the portion of the main body portion other than the main body connection portion is also referred to as the main body general portion, and the portion of the mating portion other than the mating connection portion is also referred to as the mating general portion.

[0196] As described above, it is preferable that the main body connection portion is a straight tube shape, but regarding the main body general portion, it can be a straight tube shape or a bent tube shape. Or, the main body general portion can be an irregular diameter cylindrical shape whose radial length varies for each part in the axial direction, such as a corrugated shape.

[0197] The same applies to the mating general portion. It can be a straight tube shape, a bent tube shape, or an irregular diameter cylindrical shape such as a corrugated shape. And the mating general portion can also not be cylindrical.

[0198] The main body part can be a rigid body that cannot be deformed, or a flexible body that can be deformed. In addition, the mating part can also be a rigid body or a flexible body.

[0199] The second composite connector structure has a plurality of main body parts and a plurality of mating parts. The number of the main body parts and the mating parts is not particularly limited, but in order to facilitate the main body part to be cylindrical, it is preferable that the number of the mating parts is greater than or equal to the number of the main body parts.

[0200] Regarding the second composite connector structure, a plurality of main body parts are integrated with each other, and a plurality of mating parts are integrated with each other.

[0201] In addition, among them, regarding the main body part, a plurality of main body parts are integrated with each other to form a composite connector.

[0202] Regarding the second composite connector structure, the integration method of the main body part and the integration method of the mating part are not particularly limited. For example, for a plurality of main body parts that are separated from each other, they can be integrated by connecting parts separated from the main body parts, or a plurality of main body parts can be formed integrally. Similarly, for a plurality of mating parts that are separated from each other, they can be integrated by connecting parts separated from the mating parts, or a plurality of mating parts can be formed integrally.

[0203] The main body parts can be integrated in such a way that their positions do not change relative to each other, or can be integrated in such a way that a certain amount of position change is allowed. Regarding the mating parts, they can also be integrated in such a way that their positions do not change relative to each other, or can be integrated in such a way that a certain amount of position change is allowed.

[0204] In the second composite connector structure, the part that integrates a plurality of main body parts and the part that integrates a plurality of mating parts can be, for example, a structure with relatively high rigidity and cannot be deformed. In this case, a plurality of main body parts and a plurality of mating parts cannot change their positions relative to each other. Or, the part that integrates a plurality of main body parts and the part that integrates a plurality of mating parts in the second composite connector structure can be a structure with relatively low rigidity or soft and can be deformed. In this case, a plurality of main body parts and a plurality of mating parts are difficult to change their positions relative to each other, but can change their positions to a certain extent.

[0205] As described above, the second composite connector structure has a plurality of connector structure parts as follows, that is, the connector structure part includes a main body part and a mating part. In addition, it can be said that the second composite connector structure having a plurality of main body parts and a plurality of mating parts also has a plurality of connector structure parts.

[0206] However, with respect to the second composite connector structure, a plurality of main body portions are integrated with each other, and a plurality of mating portions are integrated with each other. Therefore, it can be conceived that, for example, if a certain main body portion changes its position, other main body portions will follow the change and change their positions. Moreover, it can be conceived that, for example, even if a relative position shift between the main body portion and the mating portion is allowed for a certain connector structure portion, a relative position shift between the main body portion and the mating portion is not allowed for other connector structure portions.

[0207] However, with respect to the second composite connector structure, the main body assembly portion allows a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connection portion for each main body connection portion. That is, the main body assembly portion independently allows a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connection portion for a plurality of connector structure portions. Therefore, with respect to the second composite connector structure, there is no such adverse situation or it is possible to suppress such an adverse situation that, even if a relative position shift between the main body portion and the mating portion is allowed for a certain connector structure portion, a relative position shift between the main body portion and the mating portion is not allowed for other connector structure portions.

[0208] It is sufficient that the main body assembly portion allows a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connection portion independently of other connector structure portions for at least one connector structure portion. In addition, it is preferable that the main body assembly portion independently allows a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connection portion for two adjacent connector structure portions. Moreover, it is particularly preferable that the main body assembly portion independently allows a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connection portion for all connector structure portions.

[0209] Similarly, the main body assembly portion of the second composite connector structure restricts a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the axial direction of the main body connection portion for each main body connection portion.

[0210] It is sufficient that the main body assembly portion restricts a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the axial direction of the main body connection portion independently of other connector structure portions for at least one connector structure portion. In addition, it is preferable that the main body assembly portion independently restricts a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the axial direction of the main body connection portion for two adjacent connector structure portions. Moreover, it is particularly preferable that the main body assembly portion independently restricts a relative position change between the front split body and the rear split body in the axial direction of the main body connection portion for all connector structure portions.

[0211] A plurality of main body portions can be integrated with each other at any position. A plurality of mating portions can also be integrated with each other at any position.

[0212] However, in order to position the main body connecting portions of multiple main body parts with high reliability at their corresponding mating connecting portions, it is preferable to integrate the portions on the mating portion side of the main body connecting portion, that is, the front split bodies. Therefore, it is preferable to integrate multiple main body parts with each other at the front split bodies.

[0213] Regarding the second composite connector structure, the main body connecting portion in the main body part is divided into a front split body that is cylindrical and located on the front side in the relative insertion direction with respect to the mating connecting portion, and a rear split body that is cylindrical and located on the rear side in the relative insertion direction with respect to the mating connecting portion. The front split body and the rear split body are integrated with each other by the main body assembling portion. The front split body can be referred to as the portion on the mating portion side in the main body connecting portion. Moreover, the rear split body can be referred to as the portion on the opposite side of the mating portion in the main body connecting portion.

[0214] During the connection operation between the main body part and the mating part, the main body connecting portion is inserted into the mating connecting portion or the mating connecting portion is inserted into the main body connecting portion. In either case, during this connection operation, the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion approach each other. Therefore, it can be said that the front split body in the main body connecting portion is on the front side in the direction approaching the mating portion compared with the rear split body during the connection operation.

[0215] As long as the front split body and the rear split body are each cylindrical as a whole. Moreover, as long as the front split body and the rear split body are integrated by the main body assembling portion to form a cylindrical main body connecting portion.

[0216] As long as the main body assembling portion integrates the front split body and the rear split body and allows relative position changes between the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connecting portion, and restricts relative position changes between the front split body and the rear split body in the axial direction of the main body connecting portion. If this condition is satisfied, the shape of the main body assembling portion, the mechanism for allowing relative position changes between the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connecting portion, and the mechanism for restricting relative position changes between the front split body and the rear split body in the axial direction of the main body connecting portion are not particularly limited.

[0217] The main body assembling portion can be a part of the front split body and / or the rear split body, or can be separated from the front split body and the rear split body.

[0218] For example, the main body assembling portion can have: a front main body assembling portion, which is a part of the front split body and is located at the end portion on the rear split body side of the front split body; and a rear main body assembling portion, which is a part of the rear split body and is located at the end portion on the front split body side of the rear split body.

[0219] In the case where the main body assembling portion has the above-mentioned front main body assembling portion and rear main body assembling portion,

[0220] [x]Preferably, the front main body assembly part is formed into a groove shape that opens on the rear split side and extends along the circumferential direction of the front split. Further, preferably, the rear main body assembly part is formed into a vertical wall shape that protrudes toward the front split side and extends along the circumferential direction of the rear split. Moreover, if the front split and the rear split are integrated, preferably, the rear main body assembly part is inserted into the groove inside of the front main body assembly part.

[0221] Furthermore, preferably, the groove width of the front main body assembly part in the groove shape is larger than the thickness of the rear main body assembly part formed into the vertical wall shape.

[0222] In the case of the above [x], the groove width of the front main body assembly part in the groove shape is larger than the thickness of the rear main body assembly part formed into the vertical wall shape. Therefore, when the front split and the rear split are integrated, relative position changes of the front split and the rear split in the radial direction of the main body connection part are also allowed.

[0223] In addition, in the case of the above [x],

[0224] [x - 1]If the main body assembly part integrates the front split and the rear split, preferably, it has a limiting structure capable of restricting relative position changes of the front split and the rear split in the direction approaching each other in the axial direction of the main body connection part.

[0225] As the limiting structure of the above [x - 1], for example, the front main body assembly part and the rear main body assembly part can be used. For example, if the front split and the rear split are integrated, preferably, the protruding end of the rear main body assembly part faces the groove bottom of the front main body assembly part. Thus, when the front split and the rear split are integrated, if the front split and the rear split approach each other excessively, the protruding end of the rear main body assembly part and the groove bottom of the front main body assembly part come into contact and interfere with each other. Thereby, relative position changes of the front split and the rear split in the direction approaching each other can be restricted.

[0226] In addition, in the case of the above [x],

[0227] [x - 2]If the main body assembly part integrates the front split and the rear split in addition to the front main body assembly part and the rear main body assembly part, preferably, it has a limiting structure capable of restricting relative position changes of the front split and the rear split in the direction separating from each other in the axial direction of the main body connection part.

[0228] As a limiting structure of the above [x - 2], for example, a front engaging portion as part of the front split body and a rear engaging portion as part of the rear split body and engaging with the front engaging portion can be provided at the main body assembling portion. In this case, it is preferable that the front engaging portion is located at the end portion of the front split body on the side of the rear split body. In addition, it is preferable that the rear engaging portion is located at the end portion of the rear split body on the side of the front split body. As long as the front engaging portion and the rear engaging portion are close to each other and engage when integrating the front split body and the rear split body, relative position changes in the direction of separating the front split body and the rear split body from each other can be restricted.

[0229] In the case of the above [x], the main body assembling portion may have only one of the limiting structures of [x - 1] and [x - 2], but it is preferable to have both.

[0230] In addition, in the case where the main body assembling portion has the above-mentioned front main body assembling portion and rear main body assembling portion,

[0231] [y] As long as the rear main body assembling portion is formed into a groove shape that opens on the side of the front split body and extends along the circumferential direction of the rear split body. And as long as the front main body assembling portion is formed into a standing wall shape that protrudes toward the side of the rear split body and extends along the circumferential direction of the front split body. Moreover, if the front split body and the rear split body are integrated, as long as the front main body assembling portion is inserted into the groove inside of the rear main body assembling portion.

[0232] Furthermore, as long as the groove width of the rear main body assembling portion in the groove shape is larger than the thickness of the front main body assembling portion in the standing wall shape.

[0233] In the case of the above [y], since the groove width of the rear main body assembling portion in the groove shape is larger than the thickness of the front main body assembling portion in the standing wall shape, when the front split body and the rear split body are integrated, relative position changes of the front split body and the rear split body in the radial direction of the main body connecting portion are also allowed.

[0234] In addition, in the case of the above [y],

[0235] [y - 1] If the front split body and the rear split body are integrated, it is preferable that the main body assembling portion has a limiting structure in the axial direction of the main body connecting portion, and this limiting structure can restrict relative position changes of the front split body and the rear split body in the direction of approaching each other.

[0236] As a limiting structure for the above [y-1], for example, the front main body assembly part and the rear main body assembly part can be utilized. In this case, if the front split body and the rear split body are integrated, it is only necessary that the protruding end of the front main body assembly part faces the bottom of the groove of the rear main body assembly part. Thus, when the front split body and the rear split body are integrated, if the front split body and the rear split body are too close to each other, the protruding end of the front main body assembly part and the bottom of the groove of the rear main body assembly part will contact and interfere with each other. Thus, the relative position change of the front split body and the rear split body in the direction of approaching each other can be restricted.

[0237] In addition, in the case of the above [y],

[0238] 〔y-2〕If the front split body and the rear split body are integrated in addition to the front main body assembly part and the rear main body assembly part, it is preferable that the main body assembly part has a limiting structure in the axial direction of the main body connection part, and this limiting structure restricts the relative position change of the front split body and the rear split body in the direction of separation.

[0239] As the limiting structure for the above [y-2], for example, a front engaging part that is a part of the front split body and a rear engaging part that is a part of the rear split body and engages with the front engaging part can be provided in the main body assembly part. In this case, it is preferable that the front engaging part is located at the end of the front split body on the side of the rear split body. In addition, it is preferable that the rear engaging part is located at the end of the rear split body on the side of the front split body. As long as the front engaging part and the rear engaging part approach and engage with each other when the front split body and the rear split body are integrated, restricting the relative position change of the front split body and the rear split body in the direction of separation is sufficient.

[0240] In the case of the above [y], the main body assembly part can have only one of the limiting structures of [y-1] and [y-2], but it is preferable to have both.

[0241] Regarding the second composite connector structure, the above-mentioned main body general part can be composed of one component, or can be integrated by assembling two or more components. The same applies to the mating connection part and the mating general part, which can be composed of one component, or can be integrated by assembling two or more components.

[0242] When the annular sealing member is connected, it is in a state of being compressed in its radial direction and is interposed between the main body connection part of the main body part and the mating connection part of the mating part connected to the main body part. Hereinafter, as needed, a combination of one main body part, one mating part connected to the main body part, and one annular sealing member interposed between the main body part and the mating part is sometimes referred to as a connector structure part. The second composite connector structure has a plurality of connector structure parts.

[0243] Upon connection, the main body connecting portion, the mating connecting portion, and the annular sealing member of each connector structure portion are arranged in the thickness direction of the connector structure portion in the order of the main body connecting portion - the annular sealing member - the mating connecting portion. The annular sealing member is disposed at a position between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion in a state of being compressed in its radial direction, that is, in the thickness direction of the connector structure portion. Moreover, the position seals between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion.

[0244] As long as such an annular sealing member is made of an elastic material and is annular, its material, size, etc. are not particularly limited. As long as the annular sealing member basically selects a material corresponding to the uses of the main body portion and the mating portion.

[0245] For example, in the case where fluids such as gases and liquids flow inside the cylinder, it is preferable to select, according to the type of the fluid, a material that is difficult to react with the fluid and can inhibit the fluid from leaking to the outside through the annular sealing member.

[0246] It is necessary for the annular sealing member to be formed into a shape that can be compressed between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion when the main body portion and the mating portion are connected. If it is considered to seal between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion with high sealing performance, it is preferable to select a material with excellent elastic resilience as the material of the annular sealing member.

[0247] In addition, the second composite connector structure connects the main body portion and the mating portion by using the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion, and integrates the front split body and the rear split body included in the main body connecting portion by using the main body assembling portion. Therefore, it is also preferable to seal between the front split body and the rear split body.

[0248] Specifically, regarding the second composite connector structure, it is preferable to interpose the annular sealing member between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion, and to interpose the same annular sealing member between the front split body and the rear split body.

[0249] The annular sealing member interposed between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion and the annular sealing member interposed between the front split body and the rear split body may have different structures, but in order to reduce the number of components of the second composite connector structure, it is preferable that they have the same structure.

[0250] In other words, regarding the second composite connector structure as well as the first composite connector structure, it is preferable that the annular sealing member is interposed between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion between the front split body and the rear split body.

[0251] Regarding the second composite connector structure, similar to the above-described first composite connector structure, the annular sealing member of the composite connector structure is disposed between the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion in a state of being compressed in the radial direction when connecting the main body portion and the mating portion. Therefore, regarding the second composite connector structure, for the connection operation load when connecting the main body portion and the mating portion, it mainly involves the compression of the annular sealing member. If the number of annular sealing members is large, the connection operation load may become too large.

[0252] Therefore, similar to the first composite connector structure, regarding the second composite connector structure, when connecting the main body portion and the mating portion, it is preferable to set the timing when the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member reaches the maximum to be different timings for the first connector structure as one of the connector structures and the second connector structure as the other connector structure.

[0253] In other words, similar to the first composite connector structure, the second composite connector structure can also be a sequentially insertable composite connector structure.

[0254] Thereby, the connection operation load of the second composite connector structure can be reduced, and furthermore, the connection operation between the main body portion and the mating portion can be easily performed.

[0255] The method of setting the timing when the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member reaches the maximum to be different timings for the first connector structure and the second connector structure is the same for the second composite connector structure as for the first composite connector structure.

[0256] Next, specific examples will be given to illustrate the first composite connector, the first composite connector structure, the second composite connector, and the second composite connector structure of the present invention.

[0257] (Example 1)

[0258] The composite connector structure of Example 1 satisfies the requirement (a) in the first composite connector structure of the present invention. In addition, the composite connector of Example 1 satisfies the requirement (e) in the first composite connector of the present invention.

[0259] In Figure 1 shows an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the case of disassembling the composite connector of the composite connector structure of Example 1. In Figure 2 , Figures 4 - 5 shows an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the composite connector structure of Example 1 during the connection operation.

[0260] In Figure 3The explanatory drawing which shows schematically the distance in the insertion direction of the 1st main body sealing and installation part and the 2nd main body sealing and installation part is shown.

[0261] In addition, Figure 2 It shows the state where the 1st main body part and the 1st mating part are not connected, and the 2nd main body part and the 2nd mating part are not connected during the connection operation. Figure 4 It shows the state where the 1st main body part and the 1st mating part are connected, and the 2nd main body part and the 2nd mating part are not connected during the connection operation. Figure 5 It shows the state where the 1st main body part and the 1st mating part are connected, and the 2nd main body part and the 2nd mating part are connected during the connection operation.

[0262] As Figure 2 shown, the composite connector structure 1 of the 1st Embodiment has two connector structure parts 10 including a main body part 2, a mating part 3, and an annular sealing member 4. One of the connector structure parts 10 is called the 1st connector structure part 10F, and the other is called the 2nd connector structure part 10S.

[0263] As Figures 2 - 5 shown, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the 1st Embodiment, the mating part 3 is inserted into the main body part 2 along the axial direction of the main body part 2 to connect the main body part 2 and the mating part 3.

[0264] As Figure 1 shown, the main body parts 2 of each connector structure part 10 are each formed in an approximately L-shaped cylindrical shape. The part on one end side of each main body part 2 is a main body connection part 21 into which the mating part 3 is inserted, and the part on the other end side is a hose joint connected to a hose (not shown) which is another mating part.

[0265] Each main body connection part 21 has a main body sealing and installation part 22 on its one end side. The main body sealing and installation part 22 is an annular groove opened on the inner peripheral surface of the main body part 2.

[0266] More specifically, the 1st main body part 2F of the main body part 2 of the 1st connector structure part 10F and the 2nd main body part 2S of the main body part 2 of the 2nd connector structure part 10S are each formed in an approximately cylindrical shape, and are arranged parallel to each other in the axial direction. The 1st main body part 2F and the 2nd main body part 2S are adjacent to each other. The 1st main body part 2F and the 2nd main body part 2S are integrated by a connecting part 25 from their radially outer sides. Thus, the 1st main body part 2F and the 2nd main body part 2S form the composite connector 15.

[0267] The first bushing 13F, which is the front part of the first main body part 2F, i.e., the part on the side of the mating part 3, is formed in a short cylindrical shape and is separated from the first base part 14F, which is the remaining part. The first bushing 13F and the first base part 14F are arranged along the axial direction of the main body part 2. A gap is formed between the first bushing 13F and the first base part 14F in the axial direction of the main body part 2.

[0268] This gap extends throughout the entire circumference of the first main body part 2F and is in the shape of an annular groove. This gap communicates with the inner part of the cylinder of the first main body part 2F on the radially inner side and is covered by the connecting part 25 on the radially outer side. This gap corresponds to the main body sealing and mounting part 22 of the first main body part 2F, i.e., the first main body sealing and mounting part 22F.

[0269] The second main body part 2S has: a second bushing 13S, whose axial length is greater than that of the first bushing 13F; and a second base part 14S, which is the remaining part.

[0270] The second main body sealing and mounting part 22S, i.e., the main body sealing and mounting part 22 of the second main body part 2S, is in a different position from the first main body sealing and mounting part 22F in the axial direction of the main body part 2, i.e., the insertion direction of the main body part 2 and the mating part 3. More specifically, the first main body sealing and mounting part 22F is on the front side of the main body part 2, i.e., the side of the mating part 3, relative to the second main body sealing and mounting part 22S. Other than this, the second main body part 2S is substantially the same as the first main body part 2F.

[0271] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the connecting part 25 has: a connecting base part 29 and a second connecting and mounting part 28, which are formed integrally with the first main body part 2F and the second main body part 2S; and a first connecting and mounting part 27, which is formed in an approximately frame shape and is mounted on the connecting base part 29 and the second connecting and mounting part 28. The first connecting and mounting part 27 is directly or indirectly mounted on the connecting base part 29 and the second connecting and mounting part 28 and is arranged closer to the mating part 3 side than the first main body sealing and mounting part 22F and the second main body sealing and mounting part 22S.

[0272] The first connecting and mounting part 27 functions as a fixing part as follows, i.e., fixing the first mating connection part 31F of the first main body part 2F to the first base part 14F and fixing the second mating connection part 31S of the second main body part 2S to the second base part 14S.

[0273] The second connecting and mounting part 28 has two main body side locking parts 80 formed in a claw shape. One of the two main body side locking parts 80 protrudes toward the radially inner side of the first main body part 2F at a position closer to the mating part 3 side than the first main body sealing and mounting part 22F. The other of the two main body side locking parts 80 protrudes toward the radially inner side of the second main body part 2S.

[0274] As Figure 2 shown, the first mating part 3F belonging to the first connector construction part 10F is inserted into the first main body part 2F belonging to the first connector construction part 10F. The second mating part 3S belonging to the second connector construction part 10S is inserted into the second main body part 2S belonging to the second connector construction part 10S.

[0275] The first mating part 3F is formed in a generally straight cylindrical and cylindrical shape with substantially the same shape.

[0276] The front side part of the first mating part 3F, that is, the part on the side of the first main body part 2F of the first mating part 3F, is chamfered. On the rear side part of the first mating part 3F, that is, the part on the opposite side of the first main body part 2F of the first mating part 3F, a mating side locking part 81 that bulges radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first mating part 3F is provided. When Figure 5 connecting as shown, the mating side locking part 81 and the main body side locking part 80 are engaged to lock the main body part 2 and the mating part 3 in the connected state.

[0277] In the first mating part 3F, the part located at a position more forward than the mating side locking part 81 is the mating connection part 31 (the first mating connection part 31F).

[0278] The shape of the second mating part 3S is substantially the same as that of the first mating part 3F, and has the same mating side locking part 81 and mating connection part 31 (the second mating connection part 31S) as the first mating part 3F.

[0279] One annular sealing member 4 is installed on each of the first main body sealing installation part 22F and the second main body sealing installation part 22S.

[0280] The annular sealing member 4 is a so-called O-ring made of nitrile rubber and having an annular shape. For each annular sealing member 4, most of it is inside the corresponding main body sealing installation part 22, and a part of it protrudes from the main body sealing installation part 22 into the cylinder interior of the main body part 2.

[0281] The inner diameter of the annular sealing member 4 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the corresponding mating connection part 31, and the outer diameter of the annular sealing member 4 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the corresponding main body connection part 21.

[0282] As Figure 3 shown, the distance in the insertion direction between the first main body sealing installation part 22F and the second main body sealing installation part 22S is about 5 / 2 of the axial direction length L0 of the annular sealing member 4 in the natural state.

[0283] In addition, in this specification, as Figure 3As shown, the distance L1 in the insertion direction between the first main body sealing and mounting portion 22F and the second main body sealing and mounting portion 22S represents the distance in the insertion direction between the central portion of the first main body sealing and mounting portion 22F in the insertion direction and the central portion of the second main body sealing and mounting portion 22S in the same insertion direction. The insertion direction is the same as the axial direction of the main body connecting portion 21 and the mating connecting portion 31.

[0284] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 1, the composite connector 15 is mounted on a driving device (not shown). The composite connector 15 mounted on the driving device changes its position in the insertion direction toward the mating portion 3 in a fixed state, thereby connecting the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3.

[0285] During the connection operation of connecting the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3, first, as Figure 2 shown, the composite connector 15 is arranged such that the first main body connecting portion 21F of the first main body portion 2F faces the first mating connecting portion 31F of the first mating portion 3F, and the second main body connecting portion 21S of the second main body portion 2S faces the second mating connecting portion 31S of the second mating portion 3S.

[0286] At this time, the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are not connected, and the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are not connected either.

[0287] The composite connector 15 is moved by a driving device (not shown) in the insertion direction toward the mating portion 3, and the mating connecting portion 31 is inserted into the main body connecting portion 21.

[0288] As described above, since the first main body sealing and mounting portion 22F is on the front side, i.e., the mating portion 3 side, relative to the second main body sealing and mounting portion 22S, the first annular sealing member 4F mounted on the first main body sealing and mounting portion 22F is more forward than the second annular sealing member 4S mounted on the second main body sealing and mounting portion 22S (see Figure 2 ).

[0289] During the connection operation, the first annular sealing member 4F and the second annular sealing member 4S are compressed in the radial direction, and their radial compression amounts reach the maximum during connection. Therefore, the position of the first annular sealing member 4F and the position of the first main body sealing and mounting portion 22F on which the first annular sealing member 4F is mounted are substantially the connection positions of the first main body connecting portion 21F and the first mating connecting portion 31F. Similarly, the position of the second annular sealing member 4S and the position of the second main body sealing and mounting portion 22S on which the second annular sealing member 4S is mounted are substantially the connection positions of the second main body connecting portion 21S and the second mating connecting portion 31S.

[0290] Therefore, it can be said that the connection positions of the first main body connecting portion 21F and the first mating connecting portion 31F are on the front side, i.e., the mating portion 3 side, compared to the connection positions of the second main body connecting portion 21S and the second mating connecting portion 31S.

[0291] During the connection operation, as Figure 4 shown, first, the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are connected, and the radial compression amount of the first annular sealing member 4F between the first main body connecting portion 21F and the first mating connecting portion 31F reaches the maximum. Moreover, if the connection operation is further continued in the state where the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are already connected, then as Figure 5 shown, the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are connected, and the radial compression amount of the second annular sealing member 4S between the second main body connecting portion 21S and the second mating connecting portion 31S reaches the maximum.

[0292] As Figure 5 shown, if the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are connected and the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are connected, the main body side locking portion 80 crosses over the mating side locking portion 81 so that the mating side locking portion 81 and the main body side locking portion 80 are engaged. Thus, the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3 are locked in the connected state.

[0293] The composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 1 has a composite connector 15 that integrates the first main body portion 2F and the second main body portion 2S. However, the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F and the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S are in different positions in the insertion direction, and further, the connection positions of the first main body connecting portion 21F and the first mating connecting portion 31F, and the connection positions of the second main body connecting portion 21S and the second mating connecting portion 31S are different from each other in the insertion direction.

[0294] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of this Embodiment 1, during the connection operation, the first annular sealing member 4F and the second annular sealing member 4S are compressed at different timings, and the peak of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular sealing member 4F and the peak of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular sealing member 4S are staggered in time. Thus, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 1, the sharp and large increase in all the connection operation loads for connecting the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3 is suppressed.

[0295] Moreover, as a result, according to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 1, although it has a composite connector 15 and can connect the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3 by one operation, the connection operation of the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3 can also be easily performed.

[0296] (Comparative Example)

[0297] The comparative example's composite connector structure is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the connection positions of the first connector structure part and the second connector structure part during the connection operation of the main body part and the accessory part are the same positions in the insertion direction.

[0298] In Figures 6 - 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining the composite connector structure of the comparative example during the connection operation.

[0299] In addition, Figure 6 represents a state where the first main body part and the first accessory part are not connected, and the second main body part and the second accessory part are not connected during the connection operation. Figure 7 represents a state before the first main body part and the first accessory part are about to be connected, and before the second main body part and the second accessory part are about to be connected during the connection operation. Figure 8 represents a state where the first main body part and the first accessory part are connected, and the second main body part and the second accessory part are connected during the connection operation.

[0300] Next, the composite connector structure of the comparative example will be described centering on the differences from the composite connector structure of the first embodiment.

[0301] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the comparative example, the first main body connection part 21F and the second main body connection part 21S each have a main body seal mounting part 22 (the first main body seal mounting part 22F, the second main body seal mounting part 22S), and annular seal members 4 (the first annular seal member 4F, the second annular seal member 4S) are respectively mounted on the first main body seal mounting part 22F and the second main body seal mounting part 22S. Therefore, the first main body seal mounting part 22F and the second main body seal mounting part 22S are in the same position in the insertion direction. On the other hand, the first accessory part 3F and the second accessory part 3S have the same shape as each other.

[0302] Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the comparative example, the connection positions of the first main body connection part 21F and the first accessory connection part 31F, and the connection positions of the second main body connection part 21S and the second accessory connection part 31S are the same positions in the insertion direction.

[0303] Therefore, during the connection operation, as Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, while connecting the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F, the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are also connected. Therefore, when the radial compression amount of the first annular seal member 4F between the first main body connection portion 21F and the first mating connection portion 31F reaches the maximum, the radial compression amount of the second annular seal member 4S between the second main body connection portion 21S and the second mating connection portion 31S also reaches the maximum.

[0304] Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the comparative example, the peak of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular seal member 4F and the peak of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular seal member 4S overlap, and it can be said that it sharply and significantly increases as all connection operation loads.

[0305] (Evaluation test)

[0306] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Example 1 and the composite connector structure 1 of the comparative example, the change in the connection operation load during the connection operation was evaluated. The connection operation of the composite connector structure 1 of Example 1 and the connection operation of the composite connector structure 1 of the comparative example were performed under the same conditions using the same driving device, and the position change amount of the composite connector 15 of each composite connector structure 1 toward the mating portion 3 and the accompanying connection operation load were measured. The results are shown in Figure 9 .

[0307] In addition, Figure 9 the horizontal axis of represents the position change amount of the composite connector 15 of each composite connector structure 1 toward the mating portion 3. The vertical axis represents the connection operation load generated by the position change of the composite connector 15.

[0308] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the comparative example, near the position change amount 1 in Figure 9 , the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are connected, and the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are connected. Therefore, the connection operation load at this time shows a sharp increase and a large value.

[0309] In contrast, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Example 1, near the position change amount 1 in Figure 9 , first the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are connected, and then the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are connected near the position change amount 5. Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Example 1, Figure 9 the connection operation load generated near the position change amount 1 in is less than Figure 9 half of the connection operation load generated near the position change amount 1 in the composite connector structure 1 of the comparative example, showing a sufficiently low value.

[0310] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Example 1, near the position change amount 5 in Figure 9 , the connection operation load increases again. However, the connection operation load at this time is also a sufficiently low value compared to the connection operation load generated near the position change amount 1 in the composite connector structure 1 of the comparative example in Figure 9 .

[0311] From the results, it can be proven that the composite connector structure 1 of Example 1, in which the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F and the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S are in different positions in the insertion direction, can suppress a sharp and significant increase in the connection operation load. In other words, from this result, it can be proven that the connection positions of the first main body connecting portion 21F and the first mating connecting portion 31F, and the connection positions of the second main body connecting portion 21S and the second mating connecting portion 31S are different in the insertion direction, and in the connection operation of the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3, for the first composite connector structure 1 in which the radial compression amounts of the annular sealing member 4 reach the maximum at different timings for the first connector structure portion 10F and the second connector structure portion 10S, a sharp and significant increase in the connection operation load can be suppressed.

[0312] (Example 2)

[0313] The composite connector structure of Example 2 satisfies the requirement (b) in the first composite connector structure of the present invention.

[0314] The composite connector structure of Example 2 is substantially the same as the composite connector structure of Example 1, except that the shapes of the first main body portion and the second main body portion are substantially the same, the mating connecting portion of the mating portion has a mating sealing mounting portion, and the first mating sealing mounting portion and the second mating sealing mounting portion are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0315] In Figures 10 - 12 , an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the composite connector structure of Example 2 during the connection operation is shown.

[0316] In addition, Figure 10 represents a state where the first main body portion and the first mating portion are not connected, and the second main body portion and the second mating portion are not connected during the connection operation. Figure 11 represents a state where the first main body portion and the first mating portion are connected, and the second main body portion and the second mating portion are not connected during the connection operation. Figure 12 represents a state where the first main body portion and the first mating portion are connected, and the second main body portion and the second mating portion are connected during the connection operation.

[0317] Next, the composite connector structure of Example 2 will be described centering on the differences from the composite connector structure of Example 1.

[0318] As Figures 10 - 12 shown, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Example 2, the first main body portion 2F and the second main body portion 2S having the same shape are arranged in parallel with each other and integrated by the connecting portion 25, thereby forming the composite connector 15.

[0319] The first mating portion 3F and the second mating portion 3S are formed in a straight cylindrical shape and a cylindrical shape. The axial direction length of the first mating connection portion 31F of the first mating portion 3F, that is, the length in the insertion direction, is slightly larger than the axial direction length of the second mating connection portion 31S of the second mating portion 3S, that is, the length in the insertion direction.

[0320] In the front side portion of the first mating connection portion 31F, an annular groove opening to the radially outer side of the mating connection portion 31 is provided over the entire circumference of the mating connection portion 31. This annular groove is the first mating seal mounting portion 32F of the composite connector structure 1 of Example 2. In addition, a second mating seal mounting portion 32S identical to the first mating seal mounting portion 32F is also provided in the front side portion of the second mating connection portion 31S.

[0321] The first mating portion 3F and the second mating portion 3S are aligned in their rear side portions, and the front side portion of the first mating portion 3F is more forward than the front side portion of the second mating portion 3S. Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Example 2, the first mating seal mounting portion 32F and the second mating seal mounting portion 32S are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0322] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Example 2, the composite connector 15 mounted on a drive device (not shown) also changes its position in the insertion direction toward the mating portion 3 in a fixed state, thereby connecting the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3.

[0323] In the connection operation of connecting the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3, first, as Figure 10 shown, the composite connector 15 is arranged such that the first main body connection portion 21F of the first main body portion 2F faces the first mating connection portion 31F of the first mating portion 3F and the second main body connection portion 21S of the second main body portion 2S faces the second mating connection portion 31S of the second mating portion 3S.

[0324] At this time, the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are not connected, and the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are not connected either.

[0325] The composite connector 15 is caused to change its position in the insertion direction toward the mating portion 3 by a drive device (not shown). Then, asFigure 11 As shown, first, the first main body part 2F and the first mating part 3F are connected, and the radial compression amount of the first annular sealing member 4F between the first main body connection part 21F and the first mating connection part 31F reaches the maximum. Moreover, if the connection operation is further continued in the state where the first main body part 2F and the first mating part 3F are connected, then as Figure 12 shown, the second main body part 2S and the second mating part 3S are connected, and the radial compression amount of the second annular sealing member 4S between the second main body connection part 21S and the second mating connection part 31S reaches the maximum.

[0326] Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the second embodiment, the position of the first annular sealing member 4F and the position of the first mating seal mounting part 32F for mounting the first annular sealing member 4F are substantially the connection positions of the first main body connection part 21F and the first mating connection part 31F. Similarly, the position of the second annular sealing member 4S and the position of the second mating seal mounting part 32S for mounting the second annular sealing member 4S are substantially the connection positions of the second main body connection part 21S and the second mating connection part 31S.

[0327] As Figures 10 - 12 shown, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the second embodiment, the first mating seal mounting part 32F is on the front side in the insertion direction with respect to the second mating seal mounting part 32S, and it can be said that the connection positions of the first main body connection part 21F and the first mating connection part 31F are more on the front side than the connection positions of the second main body connection part 21S and the second mating connection part 31S.

[0328] Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the second embodiment, during the connection operation, the first annular sealing member 4F and the second annular sealing member 4S are also compressed at different timings, and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular sealing member 4F and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular sealing member 4S are staggered in time. Thus, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the second embodiment, a sharp and large increase in the connection operation load is also suppressed.

[0329] (Embodiment 3)

[0330] The composite connector structure of the third embodiment satisfies the requirement (c) in the first composite connector structure of the present invention.

[0331] The composite connector structure of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the composite connector structure of the first embodiment, except that the shapes of the first main body part and the second main body part are substantially the same, and the front end parts of the first mating connection part and the second mating connection part are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0332] In Figure 13 FIG. shows an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the composite connector structure of Embodiment 3 during the connection operation. In addition, Figure 13 It shows a state where the first main body part and the first mating part are connected and the second main body part and the second mating part are not connected during the connection operation.

[0333] Hereinafter, the composite connector structure of Embodiment 3 will be described centering on the differences from the composite connector structure of Embodiment 1.

[0334] As Figure 13 shown, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, the first main body part 2F and the second main body part 2S having the same shape are arranged in parallel with each other and integrated by the connecting part 25, thereby forming the composite connector 15.

[0335] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, the first main body connecting part 21F has the first main body seal mounting part 22F, and the second main body connecting part 21S has the second main body seal mounting part 22S. The first main body seal mounting part 22F and the second main body seal mounting part 22S are in the same position in the insertion direction.

[0336] The first mating part 3F and the second mating part 3S are formed in a straight cylindrical shape and a cylindrical shape. The axial direction length of the first mating connecting part 31F of the first mating part 3F, that is, the length in the insertion direction, is slightly larger than the axial direction length of the second mating connecting part 31S of the second mating part 3S, that is, the length in the insertion direction. However, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, the first mating connecting part 31F does not have the first mating seal mounting part 32F, and the second mating connecting part 31S does not have the second mating seal mounting part 32S.

[0337] The rear side parts of the first mating part 3F and the second mating part 3S are aligned, and the front side part of the first mating part 3F is more forward than the front side part of the second mating part 3S. Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, the front end parts of the first mating connecting part 31F and the second mating connecting part 31S are in different positions in the insertion direction.

[0338] However, as Figure 13 shown, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, the front side part of the mating connecting part 31 is chamfered, and a part of the chamfered front side part does not contact the annular seal member 4 mounted on the main body connecting part 21. Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, the front end part of the mating connecting part 31 represents the front end part of the mating connecting part 31 except for the chamfered front side part that does not contact the annular seal member 4.

[0339] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, the composite connector 15 mounted on a drive device (not shown) is displaced in the insertion direction toward the mating portion 3 in a fixed state, thereby connecting the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3.

[0340] At the time of the connection operation for connecting the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3, first, the composite connector 15 is arranged such that the first main body connection portion 21F of the first main body portion 2F faces the first mating connection portion 31F of the first mating portion 3F and the second main body connection portion 21S of the second main body portion 2S faces the second mating connection portion 31S of the second mating portion 3S. At this time, the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are not connected, and the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are not connected either.

[0341] The composite connector 15 is displaced in the insertion direction toward the mating portion 3 by a drive device (not shown), and the mating connection portion 31 is inserted into the main body connection portion 21. Then, as Figure 13 shown, first, the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are connected, and the radial compression amount of the first annular seal member 4F between the first main body connection portion 21F and the first mating connection portion 31F reaches the maximum. At this time, the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are not connected.

[0342] If the connection operation is further continued in a state where the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are already connected, the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are connected, and the radial compression amount of the second annular seal member 4S between the second main body connection portion 21S and the second mating connection portion 31S reaches the maximum.

[0343] Thus, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, the position of the front end portion of the first mating connection portion 31F in contact with the first annular seal member 4F is substantially the connection position of the first main body connection portion 21F and the first mating connection portion 31F. Similarly, the position of the front end portion of the second mating connection portion 31S in contact with the second annular seal member 4S is substantially the connection position of the second main body connection portion 21S and the second mating connection portion 31S.

[0344] As described above, the front end portions of the first mating connection portion 31F and the second mating connection portion 31S are in different positions in the insertion direction. Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, it can also be said that the connection positions of the first main body connection portion 21F and the first mating connection portion 31F and the connection positions of the second main body connection portion 21S and the second mating connection portion 31S are different from each other in the insertion direction.

[0345] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of this Embodiment 3, during the connection operation, the first annular sealing member 4F and the second annular sealing member 4S are also compressed at different timings, and the peak of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular sealing member 4F and the peak of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular sealing member 4S are staggered in time. Thus, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 3, a sharp and large increase in the connection operation load is also suppressed.

[0346] (Embodiment 4)

[0347] The composite connector structure of Embodiment 4 satisfies the requirement (d) in the first composite connector structure of the present invention.

[0348] Except that the mating connection portion of the mating portion has a mating seal mounting portion, and the front end portions of the first main body connection portion and the second main body connection portion are in different positions in the insertion direction, the composite connector structure of Embodiment 4 is substantially the same as the composite connector structure of Embodiment 1.

[0349] In Figure 14 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining the composite connector structure of Embodiment 4 during the connection operation. In addition, Figure 14 represents a state where the first main body portion and the first mating portion are connected and the second main body portion and the second mating portion are not connected during the connection operation.

[0350] Hereinafter, the composite connector structure of Embodiment 4 will be described centering on the differences from the composite connector structure of Embodiment 1.

[0351] As Figure 14 shown, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 4, the front end portions of the first main body connection portion 21F and the second main body connection portion 21S are in different positions in the insertion direction. More specifically, the front end portion of the first main body connection portion 21F is on the front side in the insertion direction compared to the front end portion of the second main body connection portion 21S, in other words, on the side of the mating portion 3.

[0352] In addition, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 4, the front side portion of the main body connection portion 21 is chamfered, and a part of the chamfered front side portion is as Figure 14 shown and does not contact the annular sealing member 4 mounted on the mating connection portion 31. Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 4, the front end portion of the main body connection portion 21 refers to the front end portion of the main body connection portion 21 except for the chamfered front side portion that does not contact the annular sealing member 4.

[0353] The shapes of the first mating part 3F and the second mating part 3S are substantially the same. A first mating seal mounting part 32F is provided at the first mating connection part 31F, and a second mating seal mounting part 32S is provided at the second mating connection part 31S. The first mating seal mounting part 32F and the second mating seal mounting part 32S are in the same position in the insertion direction.

[0354] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 4, the composite connector 15 installed in a driving device (not shown) changes its position in the insertion direction toward the mating part 3 in a fixed state, thereby connecting the main body part 2 and the mating part 3.

[0355] During the connection operation of connecting the main body part 2 and the mating part 3, first, the composite connector 15 is arranged such that the first main body connection part 21F of the first main body part 2F faces the first mating connection part 31F of the first mating part 3F, and the second main body connection part 21S of the second main body part 2S faces the second mating connection part 31S of the second mating part 3S. At this time, the first main body part 2F and the first mating part 3F are not connected, and the second main body part 2S and the second mating part 3S are not connected either.

[0356] The composite connector 15 is moved by a driving device (not shown) in the insertion direction toward the mating part 3, and the mating connection part 31 is inserted into the main body connection part 21. Then, as Figure 14 shown, first, the first main body part 2F and the first mating part 3F are connected, and the radial compression amount of the first annular seal member 4F between the first main body connection part 21F and the first mating connection part 31F reaches the maximum. At this time, the second main body part 2S and the second mating part 3S are not connected.

[0357] If the connection operation is further continued in the state where the first main body part 2F and the first mating part 3F are already connected, then the second main body part 2S and the second mating part 3S are connected, and the radial compression amount of the second annular seal member 4S between the second main body connection part 21S and the second mating connection part 31S reaches the maximum.

[0358] Thus, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 4, the position of the front end portion of the first main body connection part 21F in contact with the first annular seal member 4F is substantially the connection position of the first main body connection part 21F and the first mating connection part 31F. Similarly, the position of the front end portion of the second main body connection part 21S in contact with the second annular seal member 4S is substantially the connection position of the second main body connection part 21S and the second mating connection part 31S.

[0359] As described above, the front end portions of the first main body connection portion 21F and the second main body connection portion 21S are in different positions in the insertion direction. Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the fourth embodiment, it can also be said that the connection positions of the first main body connection portion 21F and the first mating connection portion 31F and the connection positions of the second main body connection portion 21S and the second mating connection portion 31S are different from each other in the insertion direction.

[0360] Regarding such a composite connector structure 1 of the fourth embodiment, during the connection operation, the first annular seal member 4F and the second annular seal member 4S are compressed at different timings, and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular seal member 4F and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular seal member 4S are offset in time. Thus, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the fourth embodiment, a sharp and large increase in the connection operation load is also suppressed.

[0361] (Embodiment 5)

[0362] The composite connector structure of the fifth embodiment has a fluid flow path inside the cylinder. That is, the composite connector structure of the fifth embodiment can be referred to as a flow path member that constitutes the fluid flow path.

[0363] In addition, the composite connector structure of the fifth embodiment is a sequential insertion type composite connector structure that satisfies the requirement (a), and the composite connector of the fifth embodiment is a sequential insertion type composite connector that satisfies the requirement (e).

[0364] In Figure 15 there is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the composite connector structure of the fifth embodiment. In Figure 16 and Figure 18 there are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the case where the composite connector structure of the fifth embodiment is cut along the X plane of Figure 15 . In Figure 17 there is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the case where the composite connector structure of the fifth embodiment is cut along the Y plane of Figure 15 . In addition, Figure 16 and Figure 17 show the composite connector structure of the fifth embodiment after the connection operation is completed, and Figure 18 shows the composite connector structure of the fifth embodiment during the connection operation.

[0365] As Figure 16 shown, the composite connector structure 1 of the fifth embodiment has two connector structure portions 10 each including a main body portion 2, a mating portion 3, and an annular seal member 4. One of the two connector structure portions 10 is referred to as the first connector structure portion 10F, and the other is referred to as the second connector structure portion 10S.

[0366] As shown Figures 16 - 18 in FIG. 4, for the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the mating connection portion 31 of the mating portion 3 is inserted into the main body connection portion 21 of the main body portion 2 along the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21 described later to connect the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3.

[0367] As shown Figure 15 in FIG. 5, the entire main body portion 2 of each connector structure portion 10 is formed in an approximately L-shaped cylindrical shape. A portion on one end side of each main body portion 2 is a main body connection portion 21 into which the mating portion 3 is inserted, and a portion on the other end side is a hose joint connected to a hose (not shown) which is another mating portion 3.

[0368] As shown Figure 16 in FIG. 6, the main body connection portion 21 is divided into a front side split body 21FR formed in a short cylindrical shape and a rear side split body 21RE formed in a short cylindrical shape. The front side split body 21FR and the rear side split body 21RE are arranged coaxially and integrated with each other by the main body assembly portion 26, thereby forming the cylindrical main body connection portion 21. The front side split body 21FR is on the front side in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection portion 21 with respect to the mating connection portion 31, and the rear side split body 21RE is on the rear side in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection portion 21 with respect to the mating connection portion 31. It can be said that the front side split body 21FR is on the side of the mating portion 3 and the rear side split body 21RE is on the side opposite to the mating portion 3.

[0369] It can be said that the front side split body 21FR and the rear side split body 21RE are arranged along the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21, or along the axis direction of the main body portion 2.

[0370] The front side split body 21FR and the rear side split body 21RE are integrated with each other by the main body assembly portion 26. The main body assembly portion 26 is composed of the following parts: a front side main body assembly portion 26FR which is a part of the front side split body 21FR; and a rear side main body assembly portion 26RE which is a part of the rear side split body 21RE.

[0371] Among them, the front side main body assembly portion 26FR is located at the end portion on the rear side split body 21RE side of the front side split body 21FR, that is, the end portion on the side opposite to the mating portion 3. The front side main body assembly portion 26FR is formed in a groove shape extending along the circumferential direction and opening on the rear side split body 21RE side and covering the entire circumference of the front side split body 21FR. It can also be said that the front side main body assembly portion 26FR extends along the circumferential direction of the main body connection portion 21.

[0372] The rear main body assembly part 26RE is located at the end on the front split 21FR side of the rear split 21RE, that is, the end on the mating part 3 side. The rear main body assembly part 26RE is formed as a standing wall shape that protrudes toward the front split 21FR side and extends along the circumference over the entire circumference of the rear split 21RE. It can also be said that the rear main body assembly part 26RE extends along the circumference of the main body connection part 21.

[0373] The rear main body assembly part 26RE is inserted into the groove inside the front main body assembly part 26FR, whereby the front split 21FR and the rear split 21RE are integrated to form the main body connection part 21.

[0374] If the front split 21FR and the rear split 21RE are integrated, the protruding end of the rear main body assembly part 26RE faces and contacts the bottom of the groove of the front main body assembly part 26FR. Therefore, the front main body assembly part 26FR and the rear main body assembly part 26RE cannot change their positions in the axial direction of the main body connection part 21 in the direction of approaching each other. Moreover, in addition, the front split 21FR having the front main body assembly part 26FR and the rear split 21RE having the rear main body assembly part 26RE also cannot change their positions in the axial direction of the main body connection part 21 in the direction of approaching each other. Thus, the relative position change of the front split 21FR and the rear split 21RE in the direction of approaching each other is restricted.

[0375] In addition, the groove width of the front main body assembly part 26FR is larger than the thickness of the rear main body assembly part 26RE. Therefore, the rear main body assembly part 26RE can change its position in the radial direction of the main body connection part 21 within the groove of the front main body assembly part 26FR, and in addition, the rear split 21RE having the rear main body assembly part 26RE can also change its position in the radial direction of the main body connection part 21 relative to the front split 21FR having the front main body assembly part 26FR. Thus, the relative position change of the front split 21FR and the rear split 21RE in the radial direction of the main body connection part 21 is permitted.

[0376] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the difference in length between the groove width of the front main body assembly part 26FR and the thickness of the rear main body assembly part 26RE is about 0.5 mm. This is a value that is less than or equal to the length of the very coarse grade and greater than or equal to the length of the medium grade when applying the general tolerance specified in JIS B 0405:1991 / JIS to the distance between the center lines of the cylindrical front split 21FR and the cylindrical rear split 21RE.

[0377] And, as Figure 15 and Figure 17As shown, the main body assembly portion 26 of the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5 has: a front engagement portion 27FR that is part of the front split body 21FR; and a rear engagement portion 27RE that is part of the rear split body 21RE. The main body assembly portion 26 of the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5 has two front engagement portions 27FR and two rear engagement portions 27RE respectively. The two front engagement portions 27FR are arranged at opposite positions. The two rear engagement portions 27RE are also arranged at opposite positions. The front engagement portion 27FR and the rear engagement portion 27RE face each other.

[0378] As Figure 17 shown, the front engagement portion 27FR is a part of the groove wall that divides the front main body assembly portion 26FR in a groove shape in the front split body 21FR.

[0379] Specifically, the groove-shaped front main body assembly portion 26FR is divided by two groove walls arranged coaxially in a double row. As Figure 15 , Figure 17 shown, in the groove wall on the radially outer side of the two groove walls, a slit S is formed in an approximately U shape, and the front engagement portion 27FR is constituted by a cantilever beam-shaped portion inside the slit S of the approximately U shape. As Figure 17 shown, the front engagement portion 27FR can swing elastically toward the radially outer side of the main body connection portion 21 with the portion connected to the groove wall as the center, and can swing toward the radially inner side by the elastic restoring force.

[0380] The front engagement portion 27FR protrudes from the rear split body 21RE side of the groove wall 21W toward the opposite side of the rear split body 21RE. In other words, this front engagement portion 27FR protrudes from the opposite side of the mating portion 3 toward the mating portion 3 side.

[0381] At the protruding end of the front engagement portion 27FR, a hook-shaped portion 27C is formed that protrudes toward the radially inner side of the main body connection portion 21, that is, into the groove of the front main body assembly portion 26FR.

[0382] As Figure 17 shown, the rear engagement portion 27RE is approximately plate-shaped and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the rear main body assembly portion 26RE toward the radially outer side of the rear main body assembly portion 26RE, that is, the radially outer side of the main body connection portion 21. When the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE are integrated to form the main body connection portion 21, the rear engagement portion 27RE and the front engagement portion 27FR approach each other in the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21.

[0383] At this time, the rear engagement portion 27RE presses the front engagement portion 27FR radially outward of the main body connection portion 21, and the front engagement portion 27FR pressed against the rear engagement portion 27RE swings radially outward of the main body connection portion 21 in the Figure 17 direction B in. If the rear engagement portion 27RE enters the slit of the front main body assembly portion 26FR, the pressing based on the rear engagement portion 27RE is released, and the front engagement portion 27FR swings radially inward of the main body connection portion 21 by the elastic restoring force in the Figure 17 direction A in, and the hook portion 27C of the front engagement portion 27FR engages with the rear engagement portion 27RE.

[0384] Thus, it is difficult for the front engagement portion 27FR and the rear engagement portion 27RE to change their positions in the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21 in the direction of separating from each other. Moreover, it is also difficult for the front split body 21FR having the front engagement portion 27FR and the rear split body 21RE having the rear engagement portion 27RE to change their positions in the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21 in the direction of separating from each other.

[0385] In addition, the main body assembly portion 26 of the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5 allows relative position changes of the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE in the radial direction of the main body connection portion 21 with respect to the first connector structure portion 10F and the second connector structure portion 10S independently of each other, and restricts relative position changes of the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE in the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21.

[0386] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the relative position changes of the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE in the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21 are restricted by the main body assembly portion 26. Thus, according to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE can be integrated with high reliability, and furthermore, the shape of the main body connection portion 21 and the shape of the main body portion 2 can be maintained with high reliability.

[0387] In addition, the main body assembly portion 26 allows relative position changes of the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE in the radial direction of the main body connection portion 21. Thus, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, during the connection operation between the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3, the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE can relatively change their positions in the radial direction of the main body connection portion 21.

[0388] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the same as the current composite connector structure 1, there may be offsets in the relative positions of multiple main body portions 2 with respect to each other, offsets in the relative positions of multiple mating portions 3 with respect to each other, and offsets in the relative positions of the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3, etc.

[0389] However, with respect to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE can relatively change their positions in the radial direction of the main body connection portion 21. Therefore, even when the positional offsets of the above-mentioned respective parts occur, during the connection operation of the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3, the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE also relatively change their positions, thereby being able to absorb and permit the positional offsets of the respective parts. Moreover, thereby, according to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, it is possible to permit the offset of the relative positions of the respective parts and to easily perform the connection operation of the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3.

[0390] In addition, as Figure 16 shown, the plurality of main body portions 2 of the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5 are integrated in the front split body 21FR. The front split body 21FR is the portion of the main body connection portion 21 located on the side of the mating portion 3 and is the portion that can be positioned with high reliability in the mating portion 3 of the main body connection portion 21. Therefore, according to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the main body connection portions 21 of the plurality of main body portions 2 can be positioned with high reliability in the mating connection portion 31 of the corresponding mating portion 3, and it is possible to easily and with high precision integrate the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3.

[0391] However, with respect to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, each main body connection portion 21 has a main body seal mounting portion 22 at one end side thereof. The main body seal mounting portion 22 is an annular groove that opens on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 2.

[0392] More specifically, with respect to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, a groove extending in the circumferential direction of the main body connection portion 21 is formed between the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE in each main body connection portion 21. This groove is the main body seal mounting portion 22. The annular seal member 4 is housed in this main body seal mounting portion 22. Therefore, it can be said that the annular seal member 4 is interposed between the main body connection portion 21 and the mating connection portion 31 between the front split body 21FR and the rear split body 21RE.

[0393] As Figure 16 shown, with respect to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the first main body portion 2F of the main body portion 2 serving as the first connector structure portion 10F and the second main body portion 2S of the main body portion 2 serving as the second connector structure portion 10S are each approximately cylindrical and are arranged parallel to each other in the axial direction. The first main body portion 2F and the second main body portion 2S are adjacent to each other. As described above, the first main body portion 2F and the second main body portion 2S are integrated in the front split body 21FR. Thus, the first main body portion 2F and the second main body portion 2S form the composite connector 15.

[0394] As Figure 16 shown, the first mating portion 3F belonging to the first connector construction portion 10F is inserted into the first main body portion 2F belonging to the first connector construction portion 10F. The second mating portion 3S belonging to the second connector construction portion 10S is inserted into the second main body portion 2S belonging to the second connector construction portion 10S.

[0395] The first mating portion 3F and the second mating portion 3S are formed in a generally straight cylindrical and cylindrical shape with substantially the same shape.

[0396] The portion of the main body sealing mounting portion 22 belonging to the first connector construction portion 10F is referred to as the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F, and the portion belonging to the second connector construction portion 10S is referred to as the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S.

[0397] One annular sealing member 4 is installed in each of the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F and the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S. Hereinafter, as needed, the annular sealing member 4 installed in the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F is referred to as the first annular sealing member 4F, and the annular sealing member 4 installed in the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S is referred to as the second annular sealing member 4S.

[0398] The annular sealing member 4 is a so-called O-ring made of nitrile rubber and having an annular shape. For each annular sealing member 4, most of it is inside the corresponding main body sealing mounting portion 22, and a part of it protrudes from the main body sealing mounting portion 22 into the cylinder interior of the main body portion 2.

[0399] The inner diameter of the annular sealing member 4 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the corresponding mating connection portion 31, and the outer diameter of the annular sealing member 4 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the corresponding main body connection portion 21.

[0400] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F is on the front side in the insertion direction (i.e., the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21) with respect to the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S, in other words, on the mating portion 3 side. The distance in the insertion direction between the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F and the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S is about 5 / 2 of the axial direction length of the annular sealing member 4 in the natural state.

[0401] In addition, in this specification, the distance in the insertion direction between the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F and the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S represents the distance in the insertion direction between the center portion of the first main body sealing mounting portion 22F in the insertion direction and the center portion of the second main body sealing mounting portion 22S in the same insertion direction. The insertion direction is the same as the axial direction of the main body connection portion 21 and is also the same as the axial direction of the mating connection portion 31.

[0402] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of Example 5, the composite connector 15 is installed on a driving device (not shown). The composite connector 15 installed on the driving device changes its position in the insertion direction toward the mating part 3 in a fixed state, thereby connecting the main body part 2 and the mating part 3.

[0403] During the connection operation of connecting the main body part 2 and the mating part 3, first, as Figure 18 shown, the composite connector 15 is arranged in such a way that the main body connection part 21 of the first main body part 2F faces the mating connection part 31 of the first mating part 3F, and the main body connection part 21 of the second main body part 2S faces the mating connection part 31 of the second mating part 3S.

[0404] At this time, the first main body part 2F and the first mating part 3F are not connected, and the second main body part 2S and the second mating part 3S are not connected either.

[0405] Next, the composite connector 15 is moved by the driving device (not shown) in the insertion direction toward the mating part 3, and the mating connection part 31 is inserted into the main body connection part 21.

[0406] As described above, the first main body seal mounting part 22F is on the front side, i.e., the mating part 3 side, relative to the second main body seal mounting part 22S. Therefore, the first annular seal member 4F mounted on the first main body seal mounting part 22F is on the front side in the insertion direction compared with the second annular seal member 4S mounted on the second main body seal mounting part 22S.

[0407] During the connection operation, the first annular seal member 4F and the second annular seal member 4S are compressed in the radial direction, and their radial compression amounts reach the maximum during connection respectively.

[0408] Therefore, regarding the composite connector structure of Example 5, the position of the first annular seal member 4F and the position of the first main body seal mounting part 22F on which the first annular seal member 4F is mounted are substantially the connection positions of the main body connection part 21 of the first main body part 2F and the mating connection part 31 of the first mating part 3F.

[0409] Similarly, the position of the second annular seal member 4S and the position of the second main body seal mounting part 22S on which the second annular seal member 4S is mounted are substantially the connection positions of the main body connection part 21 of the second main body part 2S and the mating connection part 31 of the second mating part 3S.

[0410] Therefore, it can be said that the connection position of the main body connection part 21 of the first main body part 2F and the mating connection part 31 of the first mating part 3F is on the front side in the insertion direction, i.e., the mating part 3 side, compared with the connection position of the main body connection part 21 of the second main body part 2S and the mating connection part 31 of the second mating part 3S.

[0411] During the connection operation, Figure 18 As shown, first, the first main body portion 2F and the first mating portion 3F are connected, and the radial compression amount of the first annular seal member 4F between the main body connection portion 21 of the first main body portion 2F and the mating connection portion 31 of the first mating portion 3F reaches a maximum.

[0412] Furthermore, if the connection operation is continued in the state where the first main body portion 2F and the first matching portion 3F are already connected, Figure 16 As shown, the second main body portion 2S and the second mating portion 3S are connected, and the radial compression amount of the second annular seal member 4S between the main body connection portion 21 of the second main body portion 2S and the mating connection portion 31 of the second mating portion 3S reaches a maximum.

[0413] The composite connector structure 1 of the fifth embodiment has a composite connector 15 in which the first main body 2F and the second main body 2S are integrated. However, the first main body seal mounting portion 22F and the second main body seal mounting portion 22S are located at different positions in the insertion direction, and thus the connection position of the main body connection portion 21 of the first main body 2F and the mating connection portion 31 of the first mating portion 3F, and the connection position of the main body connection portion 21 of the second main body 2S and the mating connection portion 31 of the second mating portion 3S are different in the insertion direction.

[0414] Regarding the composite connector structure 1 of this embodiment 5, during the connection operation, the first annular sealing component 4F and the second annular sealing component 4S are compressed at different timings, and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the first annular sealing component 4F and the peak value of the connection operation load generated by the compression of the second annular sealing component 4S are staggered in time.

[0415] In other words, regarding the composite connector structure 1 of the fifth embodiment, during the connection operation, first, the main body connection portion 21 (first main body connection portion) of the first main body portion 2F and the mating connection portion 31 (first mating connection portion) of the first mating portion 3F are arranged at the connection position. Next, the main body connection portion 21 (second main body connection portion) of the second main body portion 2S and the mating connection portion 31 (second mating connection portion) of the second mating portion 3S are arranged at the connection position. Therefore, the timing at which the radial compression amount of the annular sealing member 4 reaches the maximum is different for the first connector structure 10F and the second connector structure 10S.

[0416] Thus, in the composite connector structure 1 of the fifth embodiment, a sudden and significant increase in the overall connection operation load for connecting the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3 is suppressed.

[0417] Moreover, as a result, according to the composite connector structure 1 of Embodiment 5, although it has the composite connector 15 and can connect the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3 by one operation, the connection operation between the main body portion 2 and the mating portion 3 can also be easily performed.

[0418] The present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like. The elements described in the above embodiments and the like can be appropriately extracted and combined for implementation, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0419] In addition, the specification of the present invention discloses not only the citation relationship of each technical solution at the time of application, but also the technical idea of appropriately combining the matters described in each technical solution.

[0420] Description of reference numerals

[0421] 1: Composite connector structure

[0422] 10: Connector structure portion

[0423] 10F: First connector structure portion

[0424] 10S: Second connector structure portion

[0425] 15: Composite connector

[0426] 2: Main body portion

[0427] 2F: First main body portion

[0428] 2S: Second main body portion

[0429] 21: Main body connection portion

[0430] 22: Main body seal mounting portion

[0431] 3: Mating portion

[0432] 3F: First mating portion

[0433] 3S: Second mating portion

[0434] 31: Mating connection portion

[0435] 32: Mating seal mounting portion

[0436] 4: Annular seal member

[0437] 26: Main body assembly portion

[0438] 26FR: Front side main body assembly portion

[0439] 26RE: Rear side main body assembly portion

Claims

1. A composite connector structure, wherein: The composite connector structure has a plurality of connector structures, each of which includes: a main body, which is cylindrical; a matching part, which is connected to the main body; and an annular sealing member, which is between the main body and the matching part. The main bodies are integrated with each other to form a composite connector. The main body and the mating part are connected by inserting the main body connecting part of the main body into the mating connecting part of the mating part or inserting the mating connecting part into the main body connecting part. When the main body portion and the mating portion are connected, the annular sealing member is arranged between the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion in a state compressed in its radial direction. During the connection operation between the main body and the mating part, the timing at which the radial compression amount of the annular seal member reaches a maximum is different for a first connector structure as one of the connector structures and a second connector structure as the other of the connector structures.

2. The composite connector structure according to claim 1, wherein: The composite connector structure satisfies any one of the following requirements (a) to (d), (a) the main body connecting portion has a main body seal mounting portion for pre-mounting the annular seal member, The main body sealing mounting portion of the first main body portion, which is one of the main body portions and included in the first connector structural portion, and the main body sealing mounting portion of the second main body portion, which is the other of the main body portions and included in the second connector structural portion, are located at different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion, (b) the matching connection portion has a matching sealing installation portion for pre-installing the annular sealing component, The mating seal mounting portion of the first mating portion as one of the mating portions and included in the first connector structural portion, and the mating seal mounting portion of the second mating portion as the other of the mating portions and included in the second connector structural portion, are located at different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion, (c) the main body connecting portion has a main body seal mounting portion for pre-mounting the annular seal member, The front end portion of the mating connection portion of the first mating portion as one of the mating portions and included in the first connector structure portion and the front end portion of the mating connection portion of the second mating portion as the other of the mating portions and included in the second connector structure portion are located at different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion. (d) the matching connection portion has a matching sealing installation portion for pre-installing the annular sealing component, The front end portion of the main body connection portion of the first main body portion, which is one of the main bodies and included in the first connector structural portion, and the front end portion of the main body connection portion of the second main body portion, which is another of the main bodies and included in the second connector structural portion, are at different positions in the relative insertion directions of the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion.

3. A composite connector, which is a composite connector that integrates multiple cylindrical main bodies, wherein: The main body has a main body connection part, which is inserted into the matching connection part of the matching part or is inserted into the matching connection part. The composite connector satisfies the following requirements (e) or (f), (e) the main body connection portion has a main body seal mounting portion for pre-mounting the annular seal member, The main body sealing mounting portion of the first main body portion as one of the main body portions and the main body sealing mounting portion of the second main body portion as the other of the main body portions are located at different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connecting portion and the mating connecting portion. (f) the main body connection portion does not have a main body seal mounting portion for pre-mounting the annular seal member, The front end portion of the main body connecting portion of the first main body portion as one of the main bodies and the front end portion of the main body connecting portion of the second main body portion as the other main body are located at different positions in the relative insertion direction of the main body connecting portion and the matching connecting portion.

4. The composite connector structure according to claim 2, wherein: The composite connector structure satisfies the requirement (a), A distance between the main body seal mounting portion of the first main body portion and the main body seal mounting portion of the second main body portion in the insertion direction is greater than or equal to 1 / 2 of an axial length of the annular seal member in a natural state.

5. The composite connector structure according to claim 2, wherein: The composite connector structure satisfies the requirement (b), A distance between the mating seal mounting portion of the first mating portion and the mating seal mounting portion of the second mating portion in the insertion direction is greater than or equal to 1 / 2 of an axial length of the annular sealing component in a natural state.

6. The composite connector structure according to claim 2, wherein: The composite connector structure satisfies the requirement (c), A distance between a front end portion of the mating connection portion of the first mating portion and a front end portion of the mating connection portion of the second mating portion in the insertion direction is greater than or equal to 1 / 2 of an axial length of the annular sealing member in a natural state.

7. The composite connector structure according to claim 2, wherein: The composite connector structure satisfies the requirement (d), A distance in the insertion direction between a front end portion of the main body connecting portion of the first main body portion and a front end portion of the main body connecting portion of the second main body portion is greater than or equal to 1 / 2 of an axial length of the annular sealing member in a natural state.

8. The composite connector according to claim 3, wherein: The composite connector satisfies the requirement (e), A distance between the main body seal mounting portion of the first main body portion and the main body seal mounting portion of the second main body portion in the insertion direction is greater than or equal to 1 / 2 of an axial length of the annular seal member in a natural state.

9. The composite connector according to claim 3, wherein: The composite connector satisfies the requirement (f), A distance in the insertion direction between a front end portion of the main body connecting portion of the first main body portion and a front end portion of the main body connecting portion of the second main body portion is greater than or equal to 1 / 2 of an axial length of the annular sealing member in a natural state.

10. The composite connector structure according to claim 2, wherein: The main body portion adjacent to the first main body portion is the second main body portion, The composite connector structure satisfies (a) or (d).

11. The composite connector according to claim 3, wherein: The main body portion adjacent to the first main body portion is the second main body portion.

12. A composite connector structure, wherein: The composite connector structure has: A plurality of main body parts, each having a main body connecting part in a cylindrical shape; a plurality of matching parts, each of which has a matching connection part inserted into the main body connection part or into which the main body connection part is inserted; and a plurality of annular sealing members which are interposed between the main body connection portion and the mating connection portion in a state of being compressed in the radial direction when the main body portion and the mating connection portion are connected; The plurality of main bodies are integrated with each other, and the plurality of supporting parts are integrated with each other. The main body connection part comprises: a front side split body which is cylindrical and located at the front side relative to the insertion direction of the mating connection part; a rear side split body which is cylindrical and located at the rear side relative to the insertion direction of the mating connection part; and a main body assembly part which integrates the front side split body and the rear side split body. Regarding each of the main body connecting parts, the main body assembly part allows relative position changes of the front side split and the rear side split in the radial direction of the main body connecting part, and restricts relative position changes of the front side split and the rear side split in the axial direction of the main body connecting part.

13. The composite connector structure according to claim 12, wherein: The annular sealing component is located between the front split body and the rear split body, and between the main body connecting portion and the matching connecting portion.

14. The composite connector structure according to claim 12, wherein: The plurality of main body parts are separated and integrated at the front side.

15. The composite connector structure according to claim 12, wherein: The main body assembly part comprises: a front main body assembly part located at an end of the front split body on the rear split body side; and a rear main body assembly part located at an end of the rear split body on the front split body side. The front body assembly part is open at the rear split body side and is formed into a groove shape extending along the circumference of the front split body, and the rear body assembly part is protruding toward the front split body side and is formed into a vertical wall shape extending along the circumference of the rear split body. The groove width of the front main body assembly part is greater than the thickness of the rear main body assembly part. If the front split body and the rear split body are integrated, Then the rear main body assembly part is inserted into the groove of the front main body assembly part, and the protruding end of the rear main body assembly part is opposite to the groove bottom of the front main body assembly part.

16. The composite connector structure according to claim 12, wherein: The main body assembly part comprises: a front main body assembly part located at an end of the front split body on the rear split body side; and a rear main body assembly part located at an end of the rear split body on the front split body side. The rear body assembly portion is open on the front split body side and is formed into a groove shape extending along the circumferential direction of the rear split body, and the front body assembly portion is protruding toward the rear split body side and is formed into a vertical wall shape extending along the circumferential direction of the front split body. The groove width of the rear main body assembly part is greater than the thickness of the front main body assembly part. If the front split body and the rear split body are integrated, The front main body assembly part is inserted into the groove of the rear main body assembly part, and the protruding end of the front main body assembly part is opposite to the groove bottom of the rear main body assembly part.

17. The composite connector structure according to claim 12, wherein: The composite connector structure has a plurality of connector structures, which include: the main body; the mating part connected to the main body; and the annular sealing member between the main body and the mating part. During the connection operation between the main body and the mating part, the timing at which the radial compression amount of the annular seal member reaches a maximum is different for a first connector structure as one of the connector structures and a second connector structure as the other of the connector structures.

18. A composite connector, which is a composite connector that integrates a plurality of main body parts having a cylindrical main body connecting part, wherein: The main body has a main body connection part, which is inserted into the matching connection part of the matching part or is inserted into the matching connection part. The main body connection part comprises: a front side split body which is cylindrical and located at the front side relative to the insertion direction of the mating connection part; a rear side split body which is cylindrical and located at the rear side relative to the insertion direction of the mating connection part; and a main body assembly part which integrates the front side split body and the rear side split body. Regarding each of the main body connecting parts, the main body assembly part allows relative position changes of the front side split and the rear side split in the radial direction of the main body connecting part, and restricts relative position changes of the front side split and the rear side split in the axial direction of the main body connecting part.

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