A connection for a pipe

Abstract

The application discloses a connecting piece of a pipe, which comprises a connecting piece body, a first pipe body and a second pipe body respectively arranged at two ends of the connecting piece body, the connecting piece body comprises a first connecting section and a second connecting section oppositely arranged along an axial direction, and a limiting boss is arranged between the first connecting section and the second connecting section; a slot is formed in the connecting piece body and extends along the axial direction of the connecting piece body and penetrates through the side wall of the connecting piece body, clamping grooves are formed in the outer surfaces of the first connecting section and the second connecting section and extend along the axial direction of the connecting piece body, an operating hole is formed in the end of the connecting piece body, and a locking piece is connected to the inside of the operating hole. The connecting piece is integrally formed, the slot is driven to be tight by a screw, the anti-rotation of the clamping groove is combined to realize double locking, the connection is firm and reliable, the installation is simple and fast, the appearance size of the pipe is not changed, and the transportation cost is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of roller shutter tube technology, specifically a tube connector. Background Technology

[0002] With the rise of e-commerce sales of roller shutter doors and windows, the logistics and transportation issues of roller shutter products have become increasingly prominent. Due to strict length restrictions imposed by express delivery companies, roller shutter upper and lower tubes exceeding the specified length cannot be shipped via conventional logistics channels, or incur high additional fees. To reduce transportation costs, the upper and lower tubes of roller shutters need to be segmented at the factory, cutting a long tube into multiple shorter segments, which are then connected and assembled on-site upon arrival at the destination. Therefore, a connector is needed that can quickly and reliably connect multiple short tubes into a single unit to meet the practical needs of segmented transportation and on-site assembly of roller shutter products.

[0003] Currently, existing connectors used for pipe connections mainly employ either a split-type internal expansion structure or a spring-plate type connection structure. The split-type internal expansion structure typically consists of two or more independent sections. During installation, each section must be inserted into the pipe cavity and then tightened using bolts or other methods. This results in a large number of parts that are easily lost during transportation or installation, making installation cumbersome, time-consuming, and requiring a high level of technical skill from installers. The spring-plate type connection structure uses spring clips on the connector, utilizing the elastic deformation of the spring plates to engage with holes in the inner wall of the pipe to achieve connection. However, this structure relies solely on the elastic force of the spring plates for positioning, making it prone to slippage or loosening after connection, resulting in poor connection stability. Furthermore, the spring plates occupy the holes in the inner wall of the pipe, affecting the overall structural strength and dimensional accuracy of the pipe. In addition, after connection, the aforementioned existing connectors are prone to relative rotation at the joint, affecting the normal raising and lowering of the roller shutter. Moreover, the connectors are usually exposed at the pipe ends, affecting the overall aesthetics of the roller shutter. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pipe connector to solve the problems mentioned in the background section.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a pipe connector, comprising a connector body and a first pipe body and a second pipe body located at both ends of the connector body, wherein the connector body is either an injection molded part or a hardware part, and the connector body is an integrally formed structure, the connector body includes a first connecting segment and a second connecting segment arranged axially opposite to each other, the first connecting segment being used to insert into the end of the first pipe body, the second connecting segment being used to insert into the end of the second pipe body, a limiting boss being provided between the first connecting segment and the second connecting segment, the outer diameter of the limiting boss being larger than the outer diameter of the first connecting segment and the second connecting segment, and the left and right end faces of the limiting boss being used to abut against the end faces of the first pipe body and the second pipe body, respectively; A slot is formed on the main body of the connector, extending axially along the main body and penetrating through the side wall of the main body. The slot breaks one side of the main body to form an opening, allowing the first connecting segment and the second connecting segment to form a radially retractable C-shaped structure. A retaining groove is formed on the outer surface of both the first and second connecting segments, extending axially along the main body and engaging with corresponding protrusions on the inner walls of the first and second pipes to restrict relative rotation between the main body and the first and second pipes. An operating hole is formed at the end of the main body of the connector, which is a threaded hole. A locking element, a screw, is connected inside the operating hole and threadedly engages with the threaded hole. The screw passes through the operating hole and abuts against the inner wall of the main body of the connector on one side of the slot, pushing the main bodies of the connector on both sides of the slot apart to cause the first and second connecting segments to expand radially outward.

[0006] Preferably, the end of the first connecting segment away from the limiting boss is provided with a first guide slope, and the end of the second connecting segment away from the limiting boss is provided with a second guide slope. The first guide slope and the second guide slope are used to guide the first connecting segment and the second connecting segment to be inserted into the first tube body and the second tube body, respectively.

[0007] Preferably, the slot extends axially from one end face of the connector body to the other end face, and the slot completely cuts off the connector body to form a longitudinal opening.

[0008] Preferably, the slot extends to both ends of the connector body and penetrates the first guide slope and the second guide slope.

[0009] Preferably, there are two slots, both of which are straight grooves extending along the axial direction of the connector body, and the two slots extend axially from the end faces of the first connecting segment and the second connecting segment to the end face of the limiting boss.

[0010] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the slot is any one of rectangular, V-shaped or arc-shaped, and the depth of the slot is 1mm to 3mm.

[0011] Preferably, the slots on the outer surfaces of the first connecting segment and the second connecting segment are positioned correspondingly, and the slots on the first connecting segment and the slots on the second connecting segment are not connected at their axial ends.

[0012] Preferably, the operating hole is opened on one end face of the connector body, and the operating hole extends along the axial direction of the connector body and penetrates to the slot.

[0013] Preferably, the outer surface of the limiting boss is provided with anti-slip texture, and the anti-slip texture is a mesh texture or annular texture.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: The connector for this pipe adopts an integrated molding structure, requiring only one part to connect two pipes. Compared with the multi-piece split structure in the existing technology, there are fewer parts and they are less likely to be lost. During installation, simply insert both ends of the connector into the inner cavity of the pipe and tighten the screws. The operation is simple and quick, requiring no professional training. Ordinary personnel can easily complete the on-site assembly, which greatly improves the installation efficiency.

[0015] The connector of this pipe uses screws to drive the inserts on both sides of the slot to expand radially outward, so that the outer surface of the connector and the inner wall of the pipe form an interference fit. Combined with the locking and limiting effect of the slot and the protrusion on the inner wall of the pipe, a double locking and fixing is achieved. This not only prevents the pipe from sliding off axially after connection, but also effectively restricts the relative rotation between the connector and the pipe. The connection is firm and reliable, ensuring the stability and safety of the roller shutter during long-term use.

[0016] The connector of this pipe is fully inserted into both ends of the pipe, and the limiting boss is located between the mating end faces of the two pipes. After the connection is completed, the connector is not exposed outside the pipe and does not change the overall shape and size of the pipe, thus ensuring the overall aesthetics of the roller blind product. At the same time, this connection method does not damage the groove structure of the pipe itself, does not affect the original strength of the pipe, and the segmented transportation effectively reduces logistics costs, resulting in significant economic benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a front view structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the operating hole structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention.

[0018] In the figure: 1. Connector body; 101. First connecting section; 102. Second connecting section; 2. First guide slope; 3. Second guide slope; 4. Slot; 5. Slot; 6. Limiting boss; 7. Operating hole; 8. Locking component; 9. First tube body; 10. Second tube body. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "front end," "rear end," "both ends," "one end," and "the other end," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "equipped with," "connected," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Example 1

[0022] like Figure 1-4As shown, the connector of the pipe in this embodiment includes a connector body 1 and a first pipe body 9 and a second pipe body 10 located at both ends of the connector body 1. The connector body 1 can be either an injection molded part or a hardware part, and the connector body 1 is an integrally formed structure. The connector body 1 includes a first connecting section 101 and a second connecting section 102 arranged opposite to each other along the axial direction. The first connecting section 101 is used to insert into the end of the first pipe body 9, and the second connecting section 102 is used to insert into the end of the second pipe body 10. A limiting boss 6 is provided between the first connecting section 101 and the second connecting section 102. The outer diameter of the limiting boss 6 is larger than the outer diameter of the first connecting section 101 and the second connecting section 102, and the left and right end faces of the limiting boss 6 are respectively used to abut against... The end faces of the first tube 9 and the second tube 10, with the limiting boss 6, provide a clear axial positioning reference for the two tubes when they are joined. This ensures that the end faces of the first tube 9 and the second tube 10 are tightly fitted to both sides of the limiting boss 6, preventing deformation caused by excessive insertion of the tube end faces and preventing insufficient insertion depth from resulting in a connection length that does not meet requirements. This ensures that the total length of the two tubes after joining is consistent with the design dimensions. The outer diameter of the limiting boss 6 is slightly smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of the first tube 9 and the second tube 10, making the joint of the two tubes smooth after connection, without obvious steps or protrusions. This ensures the overall straightness and flatness of the roller shutter tube and does not affect the normal lifting and lowering operation of the roller shutter. A slot 4 is provided on the main body 1 of the connector. The slot 4 extends axially along the main body 1 and penetrates the side wall of the main body 1. The slot 4 breaks one side of the main body 1 to form an opening, so that the first connecting segment 101 and the second connecting segment 102 form a radially retractable C-shaped structure. The outer surfaces of the first connecting segment 101 and the second connecting segment 102 are provided with slots 5. The slots 5 extend axially along the main body 1 of the connector and are used to engage with corresponding protrusions on the inner walls of the first tube 9 and the second tube 10 to restrict the relative rotation between the main body 1 of the connector and the first tube 9 and the second tube 10. An operating hole 7 is provided at the end of the main body 1. The operating hole 7 is a threaded hole. A locking element 8 is connected inside the operating hole 7. The locking element 8 is a screw, and the screw is threadedly engaged with the threaded hole. The screw passes through the operating hole 7 and abuts against the inner wall of the main body 1 of the connector on one side of the slot 4, pushing the connecting segments on both sides of the slot 4. The main bodies 1 are separated from each other so that the first connecting section 101 and the second connecting section 102 are radially tightened outward. When the main body 1 is inserted into the tube, the C-shaped structure can produce a certain radial contraction deformation, which reduces the insertion resistance and makes the operation easier and smoother. When the locking part 8 is screwed into the operating hole 7, the end of the screw abuts against the inner wall of the slot 4. As the screw continues to be screwed in, the screw generates a pushing force on the inner wall of the slot 4, forcing the walls on both sides of the slot 4 to move away from each other. This makes the outer surfaces of the first connecting section 101 and the second connecting section 102 fit tightly against the inner walls of the first tube 9 and the second tube 10, forming an interference fit to achieve a tight connection. At the same time, the slot 5 and the protrusion on the inner wall of the tube form a locking limit in the circumferential direction, which effectively prevents relative rotation between the main body 1 and the tube. The double locking mechanism ensures the long-term stability of the connection and will not loosen or fall off even under the vibration conditions of frequent raising and lowering of the roller shutter.

[0023] Specifically, the first connecting segment 101 has a first guide slope 2 at the end away from the limiting boss 6, and the second connecting segment 102 has a second guide slope 3 at the end away from the limiting boss 6. The first guide slope 2 and the second guide slope 3 are used to guide the first connecting segment 101 and the second connecting segment 102 into the first tube body 9 and the second tube body 10, respectively. The setting of the first guide slope 2 and the second guide slope 3 makes the end of the connector body 1 form a tapered guide structure. When inserted into the end of the tube body, it can automatically correct the coaxiality deviation between the connector and the tube body. Even if there are slight burrs or deformations at the end of the tube body, the guide slope can smoothly introduce the connector into the tube body, avoiding jamming or collision between the end face of the connector and the end face of the tube body during the insertion process. The tapered design of the guide slope also has a flaring function. During the insertion of the connector, it generates slight compression and expansion on the inner wall of the end of the tube body, further reducing the insertion resistance and improving the convenience and efficiency of on-site assembly. Even in environments with insufficient light or limited operating space, the insertion operation can be completed quickly.

[0024] Furthermore, the slot 4 extends axially from one end face of the connector body 1 to the other end face, and the slot 4 completely cuts off the connector body 1 to form a longitudinal opening. The through design of the slot 4 along the entire axial length allows the first connecting segment 101 and the second connecting segment 102 to have sufficient contraction and tension deformation capacity in the radial direction. When the screw abuts against the inner wall on one side of the slot 4, the tension force can be evenly transmitted along the entire length of the connector body 1, ensuring that the first connecting segment 101 and the second connecting segment 102 can generate sufficient radial tension in their respective insertion areas, avoiding the problem of loose connection due to insufficient length of the slot 4 causing some areas to fail to tighten. The longitudinal opening structure allows the overall rigidity of the connector body 1 to be reasonably controlled, ensuring that the C-shaped structure has sufficient elastic contraction before insertion and sufficient rigid support after the screw is tightened, achieving a good balance between elasticity and rigidity.

[0025] Furthermore, the slot 4 extends through both ends of the connector body 1, penetrating the first guide slope 2 and the second guide slope 3. The slot 4 penetrating the guide slope allows the guide slope to undergo a slight radial contraction deformation along the direction of the slot 4 during the insertion process, further reducing the resistance in the initial insertion stage. This allows the end of the connector to adapt to the slight fluctuations in the inner diameter of the tube when it enters the tube body. At the same time, when the screw is tightened and radial tension is generated, the tension force of the guide slope can also be transmitted to the inner wall of the tube end, making the connection between the tube end and the connector end equally tight and reliable. This avoids micro-movement wear or loosening noise at the tube end due to insufficient end tension, effectively extending the service life of the connector.

[0026] Furthermore, two slots 5 are provided, both of which are straight grooves extending axially along the main body 1 of the connector. The two slots 5 extend axially from the end faces of the first connecting section 101 and the second connecting section 102 to the end face of the limiting boss 6, respectively. The two slots 5 are independently located on the outer surfaces of the first connecting section 101 and the second connecting section 102, ensuring that each side of the pipe connection has an independent anti-rotation limiting function. The slots 5 extending from the end face of the connecting section to the end face of the limiting boss 6 ensure that the pipe body... The protrusion on the wall remains engaged with the slot 5 throughout the entire length of the inserted connecting section. When the connector and the pipe tend to rotate relative to each other, the protrusion on the inner wall of the pipe and the side wall of the slot 5 immediately create a circumferential blocking effect upon contact, thus preventing the generation of rotational gaps. The end of the slot 5 stops at the end face of the limiting boss 6, ensuring that the slot 5 does not extend onto the limiting boss 6, thus guaranteeing the integrity and structural strength of the limiting boss 6 and preventing the limiting boss 6 from weakening its abutment and support effect on the end face of the pipe due to the slot 5.

[0027] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 5 can be any one of rectangular, V-shaped, or arc-shaped, and the depth of the groove 5 is 1mm to 3mm. The rectangular cross-section groove 5 has the largest contact area and circumferential blocking force when it is engaged with the rectangular protrusion on the inner wall of the tube, which is suitable for heavy-duty roller shutters with high anti-rotation requirements. The V-shaped cross-section groove 5 has a self-guiding function when inserted. Even if there is a certain deviation between the circumferential orientation of the connector and the tube, the V-shaped slope can guide the protrusion to slide smoothly into the groove, which is particularly suitable for rapid blind insertion assembly on site. The arc-shaped cross-section groove 5 has low stress concentration and is easy to process, which is suitable for connecting tubes with thin walls. The depth of the groove 5 is controlled within the range of 1mm to 3mm, which can ensure that there is sufficient engagement depth with the protrusion on the inner wall of the tube to withstand circumferential shear force, without being too deep and weakening the overall wall thickness and structural strength of the connector body 1, thus achieving a good balance between anti-rotation performance and structural strength.

[0028] Furthermore, the slots 5 on the outer surfaces of the first connecting section 101 and the second connecting section 102 are positioned correspondingly, and the slots 5 on the first connecting section 101 and the slots 5 on the second connecting section 102 are not connected at their axial ends. The corresponding positions of the slots 5 on both sides ensure that the stress state of the connecting body 1 in the two tubes is symmetrical and uniform, avoiding the off-center load of the connecting body 1 when transmitting torque due to the asymmetry of the anti-rotation limiting structure, thus ensuring the stability and reliability of the connection. The design that the slots 5 on both sides are not connected at their axial ends means that the slots 5 are interrupted at the limiting boss 6. This interruption structure ensures that the outer surface of the limiting boss 6 maintains a complete annular continuous structure, ensuring the uniform circumferential strength of the limiting boss 6. At the same time, the interruption structure can be used as the tool retraction position during injection molding or machining, reducing the processing difficulty and improving the processing accuracy and production efficiency.

[0029] Furthermore, the operating hole 7 is opened on one end face of the connector body 1, and the first tube 9 and the second tube 10 are both reserved with through holes of the same diameter as the operating hole 7.

[0030] Furthermore, the outer surface of the limiting boss 6 is provided with anti-slip textures, which are either mesh-like or annular. These textures provide excellent friction performance, ensuring sufficient gripping friction for the operator when holding the limiting boss 6 during insertion into the pipe, preventing finger slippage and improving the safety and convenience of installation. Simultaneously, if fine adjustments to the connection position are needed after installation, the anti-slip textures provide reliable clamping points for fixtures or wrenches, facilitating disassembly and maintenance. The mesh textures offer multi-directional anti-slip effects, suitable for scenarios requiring frequent rotation of the connector angle during installation. The annular textures are easy to manufacture, and when a small gap exists between the limiting boss 6 and the pipe end face, the annular textures also act as a seal, preventing external moisture from seeping into the pipe along the end face and causing corrosion of the connector or the pipe itself, further enhancing the durability and reliability of the connection.

[0031] The method of use in this embodiment is as follows: First, align the first connecting segment 101 of the connector body 1 with the end of the first tube 9, aligning the protrusion on the inner wall of the first tube 9 with the slot 5. Guided by the first guide slope 2, insert the first connecting segment 101 into the end of the first tube 9 until the end face of the first tube 9 abuts against the left end face of the limiting boss 6. Then, align the second connecting segment 102 with the end of the second tube 10, aligning the protrusion on the inner wall of the second tube 10 with the slot 5. Guided by the second guide slope 3, insert the second connecting segment 102 into the end of the second tube 10 until the end face of the second tube 10 abuts against the slot 5. On the right end face of the limiting boss 6; finally, use a tool to screw the locking part 8 into the operating hole 7. After the screw passes through the operating hole 7, its end abuts against the inner wall of the connector body 1 on one side of the slot 4. When the screw is tightened, the screw pushes the walls on both sides of the slot 4 away from each other, so that the first connecting section 101 and the second connecting section 102 are radially tightened outward and tightly fit against the inner walls of the first tube 9 and the second tube 10, thereby completing the firm connection of the two tubes; the locking and limiting effect of the slot 5 and the protrusion on the inner wall of the tube ensures that the connector and the tube will not rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction, ensuring the transmission accuracy and service life of the roller shutter tube during long-term use.

[0032] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pipe connector, comprising a connector body (1) and a first pipe body (9) and a second pipe body (10) located at both ends of the connector body (1), characterized in that: The connector body (1) is either an injection molded part or a hardware part, and the connector body (1) is an integrally formed structure. The connector body (1) includes a first connecting section (101) and a second connecting section (102) arranged opposite to each other along the axial direction. The first connecting section (101) is used to insert into the end of the first tube (9), and the second connecting section (102) is used to insert into the end of the second tube (10). A limiting boss (6) is provided between the first connecting section (101) and the second connecting section (102). The outer diameter of the limiting boss (6) is larger than the outer diameter of the first connecting section (101) and the second connecting section (102), and the left and right end faces of the limiting boss (6) are respectively used to abut against the end face of the first tube (9) and the end face of the second tube (10). A slot (4) is provided on the main body (1) of the connector. The slot (4) extends along the axial direction of the main body (1) and penetrates the side wall of the main body (1). The slot (4) breaks one side of the main body (1) to form an opening, so that the first connecting section (101) and the second connecting section (102) form a radially retractable C-shaped structure. The outer surfaces of the first connecting section (101) and the second connecting section (102) are provided with slots (5). The slots (5) extend along the axial direction of the main body (1) of the connector, and the slots (5) are used to engage with the corresponding protrusions on the inner walls of the first tube (9) and the second tube (10). The connector is engaged to restrict the relative rotation between the connector body (1) and the first tube (9) and the second tube (10). The connector body (1) has an operating hole (7) at its end. The operating hole (7) is a threaded hole. A locking element (8) is connected inside the operating hole (7). The locking element (8) is a screw, and the screw is threadedly connected to the threaded hole. The screw passes through the operating hole (7) and abuts against the inner wall of the connector body (1) on one side of the slot (4), pushing the connector bodies (1) on both sides of the slot (4) away from each other so that the first connecting section (101) and the second connecting section (102) are radially tightened outward.

2. A pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connecting segment (101) is provided with a first guide slope (2) at one end away from the limiting boss (6), and the second connecting segment (102) is provided with a second guide slope (3) at one end away from the limiting boss (6). The first guide slope (2) and the second guide slope (3) are used to guide the first connecting segment (101) and the second connecting segment (102) to be inserted into the first tube body (9) and the second tube body (10) respectively.

3. A pipe connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The slot (4) extends axially from one end face of the connector body (1) to the other end face, and the slot (4) completely cuts off the connector body (1) to form a longitudinal opening.

4. A pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slot (4) extends to both ends of the connector body (1) and penetrates the first guide slope (2) and the second guide slope (3).

5. A pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two slots (5). Both slots (5) are straight grooves extending axially along the main body (1) of the connector. The two slots (5) extend axially from the end faces of the first connecting section (101) and the second connecting section (102) to the end face of the limiting boss (6).

6. A pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shape of the slot (5) is any one of rectangle, V-shape or arc, and the depth of the slot (5) is 1mm to 3mm.

7. A pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slots (5) on the outer surfaces of the first connecting segment (101) and the second connecting segment (102) are in corresponding positions, and the slots (5) on the first connecting segment (101) and the slots (5) on the second connecting segment (102) are not connected at their axial ends.

8. A pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operating hole (7) is opened on one end face of the connector body (1), and the operating hole (7) extends along the axial direction of the connector body (1) and penetrates to the slot (4).

9. A pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the limiting boss (6) is provided with anti-slip texture, and the anti-slip texture is a mesh texture or annular texture.

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