Pipe connectors

Abstract

A pipe connector (10) with: a body (14) into which a tube (12) is inserted, and a fastening and detaching mechanism (40) disposed inside the body (14) for releasably attaching the tube (12) to the body (14), the fastening and detaching mechanism (40) comprising: a clamp (52) which holds the tube (12); a first guide element (54) coupled to the tension clamp (52); a second guide element (56) which sits on the outside of the first guide element (54) and which fixes the first guide element (54) in the body (14); and a release sleeve (58) which is arranged within the first guide element (54) and which is displaceable along the first guide element (54), wherein the tension clamp (52) has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a drum section (70); a bulged portion (68) disposed at one end of the drum portion (70) and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the drum portion (70); engaging claws (66) extending from the bulged portion (68); a flange (72) formed at another end of the drum portion (70); and a plurality of slots (78) formed at equal intervals and extending from the engaging claws (66) via the bulged portion (68) to the drum portion (70), and wherein an engaging claw (66) is arranged between each two adjacent slots (78), each of the engaging claws (66) being formed integrally with: a pair of penetrating elements (74); and a stopper (76) formed between said one pair of penetration elements (74), wherein said engaging claws (66) of said tension clamp (52) are elastically deformable together with said bulged portion (68) via said slots (78), wherein distal ends of said one pair of penetration elements (74) project more towards one side of said tube (12) than said stopper (76), wherein the stopper (76) bears against an outer peripheral surface of the tube (12), and wherein the stopper (76) is a folded portion formed by folding back outward a distal end of the engaging claw (66) which has a longer length than the pair of penetrating elements (74).

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe connector for connecting a pipe or hose through which, for example, a fluid is supplied or discharged.

[0002] Until now, pipe connectors have been used to connect a pipe to a fluid pressure device such as a cylinder or the like.

[0003] For example, the pipe connector described in JP 4016199 B2 has a substantially cylindrical body. Inside the body are a substantially cylindrical sleeve for axially guiding a pipe, an annular gasket for ensuring an airtight seal between the body and the pipe, a substantially cylindrical clamp for holding the pipe in the body, an engaging member for securing the clamp inside the body, and a release sleeve for facilitating the separation and removal of the clamp from the pipe when the pipe is removed from the body.

[0004] In such a pipe connector, the tension clamp comprises a tapered portion whose diameter gradually widens radially outward from one end side to another end side of the tension clamp, an expanded diameter portion extending substantially parallel to an inner peripheral surface of the body, and a flat surface portion folded substantially perpendicular to the expanded diameter portion to an inner peripheral side.

[0005] At the other end of the clamp, the distal end of the flat surface portion protrudes inward and is inclined at a certain angle so that it can penetrate the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. Specifically, the distal end of the flat surface portion serves as an engaging claw for holding the pipe inside the body.

[0006] On the other hand, a recess is provided on the flat surface portion near the engaging claw, which recess is curved and curves toward one end of the clamp. When the engaging claw penetrates the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe enters the recess. The portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe abuts against an inner wall surface of the recess, so that the pipe is prevented from further penetrating the recess by the inner wall surface of the recess. This limits the distance by which the engaging claw penetrates the pipe, that is, the depth by which the engaging claw engages the pipe, to a predetermined length (see JP 4016199 B2).

[0007] JP 2010-261554 A and JP 2010-54020 A disclose a pipe connector comprising a body, an intermediate portion, and a cap. An insertion opening into which a pipe can be inserted is formed in the pipe connector. A locking ring for holding the pipe in the insertion opening is formed between the intermediate portion and the cap. The locking ring has claw portions facing the pipe that penetrate into the pipe, and limiting portions that prevent the claw portions from penetrating too deeply. Each claw portion is adjacent to each other by two limiting portions. Summary of the invention

[0008] Based on the disclosure of JP4016199 B2, the present invention aims to propose a pipe connector that makes it difficult for the pipe to tear off by avoiding a situation in which the engaging claws penetrate the pipe more deeply than necessary when the pipe is pulled with excessive force. Furthermore, the pipe should be easily released from the pipe connector when the release sleeve rests against the clamp, thereby expanding the opening of the clamp.

[0009] This object is achieved by the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is particularly characterized by a pipe connector comprising a body into which a pipe is inserted, and a fastening and detaching mechanism provided inside the body for detachably attaching the pipe to the body. The fastening and detaching mechanism includes a clamp that holds the pipe via an engaging claw. The engaging claw includes a stopper that abuts against an outer peripheral surface of the pipe, and a penetrating member whose distal end protrudes more toward the pipe side than the stopper and penetrates into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe.

[0012] When the engaging claw penetrates the pipe, the stopper rests against the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, preventing excessive penetration, in which the penetrating element pierces the pipe more than necessary. Therefore, when the release sleeve rests against the clamp and the clamp expands, the pipe can be easily released and separated from the pipe connector.

[0013] In addition, in the pipe connector, a contact surface of the stopper, which rests against the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, is preferably curved.

[0014] As a result of the design of the contact surface as a curved surface that rests against the outer circumferential surface of the pipe, excessive biting of the distal end of the penetrating element into the pipe can be reliably prevented.

[0015] In the pipe connector, furthermore, a part of a distal end of the stopper constituting the engaging claw is formed longer than the penetrating member and preferably folded backward at a predetermined position.

[0016] By forming the stopper such that a portion of the distal end of the engaging claw has a longer length dimension than the penetration element and is folded backward at a predetermined position, the thickness of the stopper can be increased compared to the penetration element, thus imparting greater strength. Furthermore, by folding back a portion of the distal end of the engaging claw, the stopper can be formed simply and inexpensively.

[0017] In the pipe connector, the penetration element also preferably comprises a plurality of penetration elements which are provided point-symmetrically to an axis of the tension clamp.

[0018] In this way, the penetration elements are arranged as multiple penetration elements point-symmetrically to the axis of the tube, allowing opposing penetration elements to penetrate the tube point-symmetrically and holding the tube firmly in place. This reliably prevents the tube from becoming loose or accidentally being pulled out of the body.

[0019] Furthermore, in the pipe connector according to the invention, the stopper and the penetration element of the engaging claw are integrally formed by an elastic plate-shaped body.

[0020] By forming the stopper and the penetration member of the engaging claw integrally by means of an elastic plate-shaped body, the opening of the clamp can be easily widened or expanded by the elastic force when the engaging claw penetrates into the pipe or when the engaging claw is taken out from the pipe.

[0021] According to the present invention, at the time the engaging claws penetrate the pipe, the stoppers forming part of the engaging claws abut the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, preventing the engaging claws from penetrating the pipe more than necessary. As a result, the pipe is unlikely to be cut or torn even if the pipe is pulled with excessive force. Furthermore, the opening of the clamp can be expanded when the release sleeve is pushed against the clamp, thereby facilitating the release and removal of the pipe from the pipe connector.

[0022] Further developments, advantages, and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and the drawings. All described and / or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their interrelationship. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a pipe connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section showing a state in which a fluid pipe is inserted into the pipe joint according to Fig. 1 is inserted; Fig. 3 is a side view of a clamp of the pipe connector according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV through the tension clamp according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the Fig. 3 shown tension clamp; and Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the clamp of the pipe connector according to Fig. 1. Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

[0023] A preferred embodiment of a pipe connector according to the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] In Fig. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a pipe connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, a fluid pipe (tube) 12 is detachably mounted in the pipe connector 10, and the pipe connector 10 is connected to an unillustrated fluid pressure device such as a cylinder or the like.

[0025] The pipe connector 10 includes, for example, a cylindrical body 14 made of a metallic material such as stainless steel or the like. A connector 16, into which a thread is cut for screwing with a port of a fluid device (not shown), is formed on one end of the body 14. A fastening member 18 having a hexagonal cross section is formed at a substantially central portion on the outer peripheral surface of the body 14 in the axial direction. An opening 20 is formed on another end of the body 14. The fluid pipe 12 made of a resin or plastic material is inserted into the opening 20. Furthermore, a passage 22 is formed inside the body 14, passing from one end to the other end of the body 14 and communicating with the opening 20.Additionally, a first stepped portion 24, a second stepped portion 26, a third stepped portion 28, and a fourth stepped portion 30 are formed inside the passage 22, the diameters of which expand in this order from the side of the connector 16. One end of a sleeve 32, which has a cylindrical shape and is inserted from the opening 20, rests on the first stepped portion 24. A first tapered, particularly conical, surface 34 is formed at a point where the first stepped portion 24 ends and extends to the second stepped portion 26.

[0026] As in Fig. 2, the second stepped portion 26 forms a stepped portion on which one end of the fluid tube 12, inserted from the other end side of the body 14, rests. A second tapered, particularly conical, surface 38 is formed at a location where the second stepped portion 26 ends and extends to the third stepped portion 28.

[0027] In addition, the second stepped portion 26 is connected to the third stepped portion 28 via the second conical surface 38.

[0028] A third tapered, in particular conical, surface 39 is formed at a location where the third stepped portion 28 ends and extends to the fourth stepped portion 30.

[0029] Inside the passage 22 formed by the first stepped portion 24, the second stepped portion 26, the third stepped portion 28, and the fourth stepped portion 30 as described above, a fastening and detaching mechanism 40 is mounted to allow the fluid tube 12 to be inserted from the side of the opening 20 and removably installed on the body 14.

[0030] The fastening and releasing section 40 comprises a substantially cylindrical sleeve 32 for guiding the fluid tube 12 into the interior of the body 14, a substantially annular seal 50, a clamp 52 for lockingly engaging the fluid tube 12, a first guide element 54 coupled to the clamp 52, a second guide element 56 that fixes the first guide element 54 in the body 14, and a release sleeve 58 that is displaceable along the first guide element 54 in an axial direction.

[0031] The sleeve 32 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the sleeve 32 is the same diameter as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first stepped portion 24. Both ends of the sleeve 32 have a tapered, particularly conical, shape, with the outer diameters becoming slightly smaller toward the respective distal ends of the sleeve 32.

[0032] The sleeve 32 is inserted from the opening 20 into the passage 22 of the body 14. The sleeve 32 is guided by the first conical surface 34 and enters the passage 22 such that one end of it rests on and is fixed to the first stepped portion 24. When fixed inside the body 14, the axial length of the sleeve 32 is preferably such that it extends from the first stepped portion 24 to the opening 20 of the body 14.

[0033] The seal 50 is formed, for example, in a substantially annular shape from an elastic material such as rubber or the like, and is inserted from the opening 20 so that it surrounds the sleeve 32 and rests on the third stepped portion 28. A projection 62 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the seal 40, which abuts against the peripheral wall surrounding the third stepped portion 28. On its inner peripheral surface, however, a sealing projection 64 is formed, which projects in a direction oriented toward the sleeve 32.

[0034] The tension clamp 52 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, for example, by pressing a thin metal plate (plate-shaped body).

[0035] As in the Fig. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the tension clamp 52 includes claws (engaging claws) 66 provided at one end thereof and a drum portion 70 provided at the other end thereof. A bulged portion 68, whose diameter is diametrically expanded outward, is formed between the claws 66 and the drum portion 70. A flange 72 extending outward is formed at a location on the terminal end of the drum portion 70.

[0036] Six first slots 78 are formed on the tension clamp 52 at equal intervals, extending from the claws 66 and reaching the vicinity of the flange 72, passing through the bulged portion 68. Furthermore, six second slots 80 are provided at equal intervals, extending from the flange 72 to the bulged portion 68. As can be seen from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 simply results, the first slots 78 and the second slots 80 extend in the axial direction such that they do not communicate with each other.

[0037] Each of the claws 66 includes a stopper 76 and penetrating elements 74 at the edge of one end thereof. In fact, the penetrating elements 74 are formed as a pair on opposite side edges of the stopper 76, and ends of the penetrating elements 74 form sharp penetrating edges. On the other hand, the stopper 76 has a length in the axial direction that is greater than that of the penetrating elements 74. The end of the stopper 76 is folded outward. As a result, the point at which the stopper 76 is folded is located at a position further back than the penetrating elements 74.

[0038] Due to this structure, the claws 66 of the tension clamp 52 together with the bulged portion 68 are elastically expandable and contractible via the first slots 78.

[0039] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, one end of the first guide member 54 is folded outward in the shape of a flange and rests on the first stepped portion 30. The first guide member 54 has a modified, approximately S-shape in cross-section. After its other end side is bent inward and then oriented downward, the other end terminates in an outwardly bent portion. The curved portion forms a rear end portion 84 of the first guide member 54.

[0040] One end of the first guide member 54 is formed as a front end portion 82. The front end portion 82 expands its diameter slightly radially outward, extending from approximately the center of the first guide member 54 substantially parallel to the inner peripheral surface of the passage 22. As described above, its distal end is folded radially outward and rests on the fourth stepped portion 30.

[0041] In addition, a substantially cylindrical second guide member 56 is inserted through the opening 20. The second guide member 56 is provided on the outside of the first guide member 54. One end of the second guide member 56 rests on the upper surface of the front end portion 82 of the first guide member 54. As a result, as shown in Fig. 1, the end of the front end portion 82 is held between the fourth stepped portion 30 and the second guide member 56, so that displacement of the first guide member 54 in the axial direction is prevented. Furthermore, a flange 57 formed on the other end side of the second guide member 56 abuts against an outer peripheral surface of the first guide member 54 parallel to the passage 22. This prevents displacement of the first guide member 54 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0042] The release sleeve 58 is inserted from the opening formed in the center of the rear end portion 84. As a result, the portion provided on the other end side of the first guide member 54, which is curved inward perpendicular to the axial direction, performs a guiding function to facilitate the insertion of the release sleeve 58.

[0043] In this way, the first guide element 54 prevents displacement in the axial direction of the tension clamp 52 and also serves to guide the release sleeve 58 in the axial direction.

[0044] One end side of the second guide element 56 abuts one end of the front end portion 82 of the first guide element 54. The outer peripheral surface of the second guide element 56 abuts the inner peripheral surface of the passage 22. The distal end of the other end side of the second guide element 56 has a reduced diameter and is bent radially inward so that the distal end is as shown in Fig. 1 shown rests against the outer peripheral surface of the first guide element 54.

[0045] After the first guide member 54 is inserted from the opening 20, the second guide member 56 is inserted along the outer peripheral surface of the first guide member 54 and the inner peripheral surface of the passage 22. After one end of the second guide member 56 is brought into contact with the front end portion 82 of the first guide member 54, the outer periphery of the opening 20 of the other end of the body 14 is crimped with a clamping tool (not shown), thereby fixing the second guide member 56 inside the passage 22.

[0046] A tapered, particularly conical, portion 88, which extends radially outward over a predetermined length and whose diameter gradually decreases toward the distal end, is formed at the end of the release sleeve 58. The conical portion 88 is arranged to face the claws 66 of the tension clamp 52.

[0047] Furthermore, a flange 90 is formed at the other end of the release sleeve 58, the diameter of which expands radially outward. The outer diameter of the flange 90 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 20.

[0048] A through-hole 92 is formed inside the release sleeve 58, which passes through the release sleeve 58 in the axial direction and into which the fluid tube 12 is inserted. The inner diameter of the through-hole 52 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fluid tube 12. Furthermore, the inner diameter is substantially constant throughout the entire through-hole 92.

[0049] The pipe connector 10 according to the present embodiment is constructed substantially as described above. Next, the operation and effects of the pipe connector 10 will be explained. The following explanation assumes a state in which the connector 16 of the pipe connector 10 is preliminarily screwed and fixed to a fluid pressure device, such as a cylinder (not shown) or the like.

[0050] As in Fig. 1, in an uninstalled state in which the fluid pipe 12 is not mounted in the pipe connector 10, the fluid pipe 12 is inserted from the through-hole 92 of the release sleeve 58 along the sleeve 32. Thereupon, the end surface of the fluid pipe 12 comes into contact with the second stepped portion 26 of the body 14 and rests thereon (compare Fig. 2).

[0051] At this time, the sealing projection 64 of the seal 50 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 12. By pressing the sealing projection 64 into contact with the fluid pipe 12, leakage of fluid to the outside is prevented when fluid passes through the passage 22.

[0052] In this way, when the fluid tube 12 is inserted from the opening of the release sleeve 58, the claws 66 of the clamp 52 are pressed and expanded radially outward by the outer peripheral surface of the fluid tube 12. As a result, a state is established in which the sharp distal ends of the penetrating elements 74 of the claws 66 contact the outer peripheral surface of the fluid tube 12.

[0053] After the fluid pipe 12 is inserted into the interior of the release sleeve 58, the fluid pipe 12 is pulled outwards slightly in the direction of the flange 90 of the release sleeve 58. As a result, Fig. 2, the sharp distal ends of the penetrating elements 74, which bear against the outer peripheral surface of the fluid tube 12, penetrate into the outer peripheral surface of the fluid tube 12.

[0054] In this state, when the fluid pipe 12 is pulled toward the flange 90 of the release sleeve 58, the stoppers 56 of the claws 66 abut the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 12. As a result, the fluid pipe 12 is held inside the pipe connector 10 by the clamp 52 and installed on the pipe connector 10. Even if an attempt is made to pull out the fluid pipe, the stoppers 76 prevent the penetrating elements 74 from biting further into the fluid pipe 12.

[0055] Specifically, the stoppers 76 control the amount (distance) by which the penetrating elements 74 bite into the fluid pipe 12. Since the claws 66 are prevented from biting into the fluid pipe 12 further than necessary, even if the fluid pipe 12 is pulled with excessive force, the fluid pipe 12 is unlikely to be cut or torn. By changing the inclination angle of the claws 66, the length and number of the penetrating elements 74, the circumferential arc length of the penetrating elements 74, the thickness of the stoppers 76, and / or the degree of curvature of the stoppers 76, etc., the depth by which the penetrating elements 74 bite into the fluid pipe 12 can be adjusted.

[0056] When the fluid pipe 12 is to be removed and separated from the pipe connector 10, the flange 90 of the release sleeve 58 is pressed in a direction toward the connector 16. By pressing the flange 90, the conical portion 88 of the release sleeve 58 presses against the side surfaces of the claws 66, thereby displacing the claws 66 toward the seal 50. One end of the clamp 52 is expanded and forced to open radially outward. This causes the penetrating elements 74, which bite into the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 12, to separate from the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 12.

[0057] Since the engagement state of the fluid pipe 12 is released in the axial direction, the fluid pipe 12 can be removed from the pipe connector 10 by pulling the fluid pipe 12 in the axial direction. According to the present invention, the ends of the claws 66 do not penetrate the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 12 more than necessary. Therefore, excessive biting of the claws 66 into the fluid pipe 12 can be avoided. Therefore, even if the fluid pipe 12 is pulled with excessive force, it is difficult and unlikely that the fluid pipe 12 will break off. Furthermore, the opening of the clamp 62 can be expanded when the release sleeve 58 abuts the clamp 52, thus enabling easy separation and removal of the fluid pipe 12 from the pipe connector 10.

[0058] The contact surfaces of the stoppers 76, which abut the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 12, have curved surfaces. Therefore, the stopper elements 76 press against the fluid pipe 12 without biting into the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 12. This reliably prevents the claws 66 from biting excessively into the fluid pipe 12.

[0059] The portions of the stoppers 76 at the ends of the claws 66 have a length greater than that of the penetrating elements 74 and are folded back circumferentially at predetermined positions. As a result, the thickness of the stoppers 76 is increased compared to the penetrating elements 74, the stoppers 76 are provided with high strength, and the stoppers 76 can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

[0060] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 5, a plurality of penetration elements 74 are provided and arranged point-symmetrically to the axis of the clamp 52. Since the penetration elements 74, which are opposite one another, penetrate into the fluid pipe 12 point-symmetrically to the axis of the fluid pipe 12, the fluid pipe 12 can be held stably. At the same time, the fluid pipe 12 can be reliably prevented from being separated from and pulled out of the body 14. The fastening and detaching mechanism 40 used in the pipe connector 10 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the sleeve 32 or the second guide element 56 can be omitted. Specifically, it is sufficient if the fluid pipe 12 can be detachably attached to the body 14 when the fluid pipe 12 is inserted into the interior of the body 14.

[0061] Furthermore, the gasket 50 in the pipe connector 10 is not limited to the case where it is made of an elastic material as described above. For example, the gasket 50 may be molded from a resin or plastic material. Specifically, it is sufficient that the gasket 50 is made of a material that prevents fluid leakage between the body 14 and the fluid pipe 12 when the gasket 50 abuts the third stepped portion 28 and the outer peripheral surface of the fluid pipe 12.

Claims

[1] A pipe connector (10) with: a body (14) into which a tube (12) is inserted, and a fastening and detaching mechanism (40) disposed inside the body (14) for releasably attaching the tube (12) to the body (14), the fastening and detaching mechanism (40) comprising: a clamp (52) which holds the tube (12); a first guide element (54) coupled to the tension clamp (52); a second guide element (56) which sits on the outside of the first guide element (54) and which fixes the first guide element (54) in the body (14); and a release sleeve (58) which is arranged within the first guide element (54) and which is displaceable along the first guide element (54), wherein the tension clamp (52) has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a drum section (70); a bulged portion (68) disposed at one end of the drum portion (70) and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the drum portion (70); engaging claws (66) extending from the bulged portion (68); a flange (72) formed at another end of the drum portion (70); and a plurality of slots (78) formed at equal intervals and extending from the engaging claws (66) via the bulged portion (68) to the drum portion (70), and wherein an engaging claw (66) is arranged between each two adjacent slots (78), each of the engaging claws (66) being formed integrally with: a pair of penetrating elements (74); and a stopper (76) formed between said one pair of penetration elements (74), wherein said engaging claws (66) of said tension clamp (52) are elastically deformable together with said bulged portion (68) via said slots (78), wherein distal ends of said one pair of penetration elements (74) project more towards one side of said tube (12) than said stopper (76), wherein the stopper (76) bears against an outer peripheral surface of the tube (12), and wherein the stopper (76) is a folded portion formed by folding back outward a distal end of the engaging claw (66) which has a longer length than the pair of penetrating elements (74). [2] The pipe connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that a contact surface of the stopper (76) which bears against the outer peripheral surface of the tube (12) is a curved surface. [3] The pipe connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the folded portion is folded back outwards at a predetermined position so that it comes into contact with the engagement claw (66). [4] Pipe connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pairs of penetration elements (74) are arranged point-symmetrically to an axis of the tension clamp (52).

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