Piping fixing structure

Abstract

To provide a piping fixing structure, which can absorb variation in assembling, when piping to be fixed to an auxiliary machine unit is connected to piping at a vehicle side.SOLUTION: A piping fixing structure X fixes piping 20 to an auxiliary machine unit 10 that is mounted on a vehicle V. The piping fixing structure X comprises a fixing bracket 40 that fixes the piping 20 to the auxiliary machine unit 10. An end part of the piping 20 is provided with a piping-side connection part 21 that is connected to a vehicle-side connection part 4 provided in the vehicle V. The fixing bracket 40 is provided at a fixed point closest to the piping-side connection part 21, of fixed points between the auxiliary machine unit 10 and the piping 20, which is configured to be able to deflect in a direction in which the vehicle-side connection part 4 is connected to the piping-side connection part 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe fixing structure for fixing a pipe to an auxiliary unit mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in large vehicles, compressed air is used to operate the brakes. For this reason, the large vehicles are provided with, for example, piping for supplying compressed air compressed by a compressor to an air tank. Such piping is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-168730 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, piping may be fixed to an auxiliary unit such as an air tank to form a module. When such a module is installed on a vehicle, the vehicle-side piping provided on the vehicle is connected to the piping fixed to the auxiliary unit. In this case, since the piping is fixed to the auxiliary unit, it is difficult for the piping provided on the auxiliary unit to absorb assembly variations (misalignment of the connection position) that occur when connecting to the vehicle-side piping.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe fixing structure for a pipe fixed to an auxiliary unit, which is capable of absorbing assembly variations that occur when connecting the pipe to the vehicle side pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a piping fixing structure for fixing piping to an auxiliary unit attached to a vehicle, comprising a fixing bracket for fixing the piping to the auxiliary unit, and a piping side connection portion for connecting to a vehicle side connection portion provided on the vehicle is provided at an end of the piping, and the fixing bracket is provided at a fixing point between the auxiliary unit and the piping that is closest to the piping side connection portion and is configured to be flexible in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection portion and the piping side connection portion.

[0007] In this piping fixing structure, a fixing bracket configured to be flexible in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection part and the piping side connection part is provided at a fixing point closest to the piping side connection part. In other words, this fixing bracket can absorb assembly variations in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection part and the piping side connection part when connecting them by bending. On the other hand, in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction between the vehicle side connection part and the piping side connection part, the piping between the piping side connection part and the fixing bracket can be bent to absorb assembly variations between the vehicle side connection part and the piping side connection part. In this way, the piping fixing structure can absorb assembly variations when connecting the piping fixed to the auxiliary unit to the vehicle side piping.

[0008] In the above pipe fixing structure, the fixing bracket has an attachment portion attached to the auxiliary unit, a holding portion for holding the pipe, and a main body portion connecting the attachment portion and the holding portion and flexible in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection portion and the pipe side connection portion, and the main body portion may be plate-shaped having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, with the first surface facing the pipe side connection portion and the second surface facing the opposite side to the pipe side connection portion. In this case, in the pipe fixing structure, the plate-shaped main body portion of the fixing bracket can be easily deflected, and assembly variations in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection portion and the pipe side connection portion can be easily absorbed.

[0009] In the above-mentioned piping fixing structure, the piping may be arranged so as to surround at least a part of the auxiliary unit, and may be a piping for supplying compressed air to an air tank provided in the auxiliary unit. In this case, since the piping is arranged so as to surround the auxiliary unit, a long length of the piping can be ensured. As a result, in the piping fixing structure, the compressed air can be supplied to the air tank through the piping while cooling (e.g., air-cooling) the compressed air flowing through the piping. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, in a pipe fixed to an accessory unit, it is possible to absorb assembly variations that occur when connecting to a vehicle-side pipe. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view that illustrates a state in which an auxiliary module to which a pipe fixing structure according to an embodiment is applied is mounted on a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view that shows a schematic configuration of the peripheral part of an auxiliary module mounted on a vehicle. [Diagram 3] Fig. 3(a) is a top view of the fixing bracket, and Fig. 3(b) is a side view of the fixing bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" are based on the vehicle V.

[0013] 1 and 2, the auxiliary equipment module 1 is attached to a frame 2 of a vehicle V. For example, the vehicle V is a large vehicle such as a truck that has a frame 2 extending in the front-rear direction. The frame 2 includes a right frame 2a and a left frame 2b that each extend in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, as an example, the auxiliary equipment module 1 is attached to the right side of the right frame 2a.

[0014] The auxiliary equipment module 1 is a modularized version of various devices including an auxiliary equipment unit 10 and piping 20. The auxiliary equipment module 1 also includes an auxiliary equipment frame 30 for mounting the auxiliary equipment unit 10, the piping 20, etc. to the right frame 2a. In this embodiment, the auxiliary equipment module 1 in which the various devices are modularized is mounted to the frame 2.

[0015] In this embodiment, the auxiliary unit 10 includes, for example, air tanks 11 and 12, an air dryer 13, and a battery 14. The air tanks 11 and 12 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction such that the air tank 12 is located to the right of the air tank 11. The air tanks 11 and 12 store compressed air supplied via a pipe 20. The compressed air stored in the air tanks 11 and 12 is used, for example, to operate an air brake via a valve or the like.

[0016] The air dryer 13 is disposed in front of the air tanks 11 and 12. The air dryer 13 dehumidifies the compressed air supplied to the air tanks 11 and 12. The battery 14 is disposed above the air tanks 11 and 12. The battery 14 supplies power to various electrical devices used in the vehicle V. In addition, the battery 14 stores power generated by a generator mounted on the vehicle V.

[0017] The piping 20 is fixed to the auxiliary unit 10. A piping side connection part 21 is provided at one end of the piping 20. The piping side connection part 21 is connected to a vehicle side connection part 4 provided on the vehicle V. The other end of the piping 20 is connected to the air dryer 13. The piping 20 is a compressed air supply piping that supplies compressed air to the air tanks 11 and 12.

[0018] Here, the vehicle V is provided with a vehicle side piping 3. The vehicle side piping 3 supplies compressed air generated by a compressor driven by the engine of the vehicle V, for example, to the auxiliary equipment module 1. A vehicle side connection part 4 is provided at an end part of the vehicle side piping 3. The vehicle side connection part 4 of the vehicle side piping 3 is connected to a piping side connection part 21 of the piping 20. Here, the vehicle side connection part 4 is supported by a bracket 5 attached to the right frame 2a at a position behind the auxiliary equipment module 1. The piping side connection part 21 of the piping 20 is connected to the vehicle side connection part 4 of the vehicle side piping 3 when the auxiliary equipment module 1 is attached to the right frame 2a.

[0019] The piping 20 is arranged so as to surround at least a portion of the auxiliary unit 10. In this embodiment, the piping 20 is arranged so as to surround the air tanks 11 and 12. The piping 20 has a first piping section 20a, a second piping section 20b, and a third piping section 20c. The first piping section 20a extends in the left-right direction. The first piping section 20a is arranged behind the air tanks 11 and 12. A piping side connection section 21 is provided at the left end of the first piping section 20a.

[0020] The second piping section 20b extends in the front-rear direction. The second piping section 20b is disposed on the right side of the air tank 12. In this embodiment, the battery 14 protrudes to the right side beyond the air tank 12. The second piping section 20b is provided so as to be located below the battery 14 when viewed from above. The rear end of the piping 20 is connected to the right end of the first piping section 20a.

[0021] The third piping section 20c extends in the left-right direction. The third piping section 20c is disposed in front of the air tank 12. The right end of the third piping section 20c is connected to the front end of the second piping section 20b. The left end of the third piping section 20c is connected to the air dryer 13.

[0022] In this embodiment, the piping 20 surrounds the air tanks 11 and 12 in a substantially U-shape when viewed from above. However, the piping 20 is not limited to surrounding the auxiliary unit 10 in a substantially U-shape. For example, the piping 20 may surround the auxiliary unit 10 in a substantially L-shape. The piping 20 surrounding the auxiliary unit 10 may be such that at least a portion of the piping 20 extends along the outer portion of each device constituting the auxiliary unit 10. For example, the piping 20 may pass between the air tank 11 and the air tank 12.

[0023] The air tank 11, the air tank 12, the air dryer 13, the battery 14, and the piping 20 are attached directly or indirectly to the auxiliary equipment frame 30 and are modularized with respect to each other. A left end of the auxiliary equipment frame 30 is attached to the right side surface of the right frame 2a of the vehicle V.

[0024] Next, a pipe fixing structure X for fixing the pipe 20 to the auxiliary unit 10 will be described. In this embodiment, fixing points between the auxiliary unit 10 and the pipe 20 are provided at the first pipe section 20a and the second pipe section 20b. The auxiliary module 1 to which the pipe fixing structure X according to this embodiment is applied includes a fixing bracket 40 that connects the auxiliary unit 10 and the pipe 20.

[0025] The fixing bracket 40 is provided at a fixing point between the auxiliary unit 10 and the piping 20 that is closest to the vehicle side connection portion 4. In other words, the fixing bracket 40 fixes the first piping portion 20a of the piping 20 to the auxiliary unit 10.

[0026] 3(a) and 3(b), the fixing bracket 40 has an attachment portion 41, a holding portion 42, and a main body portion 43. The attachment portion 41 is attached to the rear surface of the auxiliary frame 30 to which the auxiliary unit 10 is attached. The attachment portion 41 is attached to the auxiliary frame 30 by, for example, bolts or the like. In other words, the fixing bracket 40 fixes the first piping portion 20a of the piping 20 to the auxiliary unit 10 via the auxiliary frame 30.

[0027] The holding portion 42 holds the first piping portion 20a of the piping 20. Here, the holding portion 42 holds an approximately central portion in the left-right direction of the first piping portion 20a. The main body portion 43 connects the mounting portion 41 and the holding portion 42. The main body portion 43 is flexible in the connection direction between the vehicle-side connection portion 4 of the vehicle-side piping 3 and the piping-side connection portion 21 of the piping 20.

[0028] Here, the pipe-side connection part 21 is connected to the right end part of the vehicle-side connection part 4 supported by the bracket 5. The connection direction between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the pipe-side connection part 21 here is the arrangement direction of the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the pipe-side connection part 21 when they are connected. That is, in this embodiment, the connection direction between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the pipe-side connection part 21 is the left-right direction. Therefore, the main body part 43 is flexible in the left-right direction.

[0029] The first piping section 20a extends in the left-right direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first piping section 20a extends in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection section 4 and the piping side connection section 21. In other words, it can be said that the main body section 43 is flexible in the extension direction (axial direction) of the first piping section 20a. In this way, the fixing bracket 40 fixes the first piping section 20a of the piping 20, which extends in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection section 4 and the piping side connection section 21, to the accessory frame 30 (accessory unit 10).

[0030] Specifically, the main body 43 is plate-shaped and has a first surface 43a and a second surface 43b opposite to the first surface 43a. The main body 43 is provided such that the first surface 43a faces the pipe-side connection part 21 and the second surface 43b faces the opposite side to the pipe-side connection part 21. That is, in this embodiment, the main body 43 is disposed such that the first surface 43a faces the left side and the second surface 43b faces the right side. With this configuration, the main body 43 is easily flexible in the left-right direction due to its thickness.

[0031] In this manner, the fixed bracket 40 is configured to be flexible in the connection direction (left-right direction) between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the pipe-side connection part 21. This allows the fixed bracket 40 to hold the first pipe part 20a so as to be movable in the connection direction (left-right direction) between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the pipe-side connection part 21.

[0032] As described above, the second piping section 20b also has a fixing point between the auxiliary unit 10 and the piping 20. For example, the second piping section 20b may be fixed to the lower surface of the battery 14 or the right side surface of the air tank 12 by a bracket or the like. There is no particular limitation on the fixing method at this fixing point.

[0033] Furthermore, among the fixing points between the auxiliary unit 10 and the piping 20, fixing points other than the fixing points using the fixing bracket 40 are preferably provided in positions that do not hinder the movement of the first piping section 20a (deflection of the piping 20) when the fixing bracket 40 is flexible, or are configured so as not to hinder such movement.

[0034] In this embodiment, the fixed bracket 40 is bent, and the first piping section 20a moves in the left-right direction. At that time, a portion of the second piping section 20b between the position of the fixing point where the second piping section 20b is fixed to the auxiliary unit 10 and the end portion connected to the first piping section 20a is bent. In this manner, in this embodiment, the left-right movement of the first piping section 20a can be absorbed by the bending of the second piping section 20b. In other words, the fixing point between the second piping section 20b and the auxiliary unit 10 is provided at a position that does not hinder the movement of the first piping section 20a when the fixed bracket 40 is bent.

[0035] As described above, in the piping fixing structure X, the fixing bracket 40 configured to be flexible in the connection direction between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the piping-side connection part 21 is provided at the fixing point closest to the piping-side connection part 21. In other words, the fixing bracket 40 can bend to absorb assembly variations in the connection direction between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the piping-side connection part 21 when connecting the two. Meanwhile, in the direction perpendicular to the connection direction between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the piping-side connection part 21, the piping 20 (first piping part 20a) between the piping-side connection part 21 and the fixing bracket 40 bends to absorb assembly variations between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the piping-side connection part 21.

[0036] Specifically, in this embodiment, the fixed bracket 40 bends in the left-right direction, thereby absorbing any assembly variation in the left-right direction when connecting the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the pipe-side connection part 21. Meanwhile, in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, the pipe 20 (first pipe part 20a) between the pipe-side connection part 21 and the fixed bracket 40 bends, thereby absorbing any assembly variation between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the pipe-side connection part 21.

[0037] In this way, the piping fixing structure X can absorb assembly variations in the piping 20 fixed to the auxiliary unit 10 when connecting to the vehicle-side piping 3. Furthermore, because assembly variations between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the piping-side connection part 21 can be absorbed, even when the auxiliary module 1 in which the auxiliary unit 10 and the piping 20 are modularized is attached to the frame 2, the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the piping-side connection part 21 can be easily connected. In other words, even when the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the piping-side connection part 21 are connected after the auxiliary frame 30 of the auxiliary module 1 is attached to the right frame 2a, these connections can be easily made.

[0038] The fixing bracket 40 has a plate-shaped main body 43. A first surface 43a of the main body 43 faces the vehicle-side connection part 4 (left side), and a second surface 43b of the main body 43 faces the opposite side (right side) of the vehicle-side connection part 4. As a result, in the piping fixing structure X, the plate-shaped main body 43 of the fixing bracket 40 can be easily deflected, and assembly variations in the connection direction (left-right direction) between the vehicle-side connection part 4 and the piping-side connection part 21 can be easily absorbed.

[0039] In the piping fixing structure X, the piping 20 is arranged so as to surround at least a portion of the auxiliary unit 10. The piping 20 is a compressed air supply piping that supplies compressed air to the air tanks 11 and 12. In this case, since the piping is arranged so as to surround the auxiliary unit, a long length of the piping 20 can be ensured. As a result, in the piping fixing structure X, the compressed air can be supplied to the air tanks 11 and 12 through the piping 20 while cooling (e.g., air-cooling) the compressed air in the piping 20.

[0040] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the shape of the fixed bracket 40 is not limited to the shape shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) as long as it is flexible in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection part 4 and the pipe side connection part 21.

[0041] The bent shape of the piping 20 is not limited to the shape described with reference to Fig. 1. For example, the piping 20 may have a shape in which a part is curved in order to avoid interference with other devices. In addition, the position where the auxiliary module 1 is provided is not limited to the right side of the right frame 2a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 4...vehicle side connection part, 10...auxiliary unit, 11, 12...air tank, 20...piping, 21...piping side connection part, 40...fixing bracket, 41...mounting part, 42...holding part, 43...main body part, 43a...first surface, 43b...second surface, V...vehicle, X...piping fixing structure.

Claims

1. A piping fixing structure for fixing a piping to an auxiliary unit mounted on a vehicle, a fixing bracket for fixing the piping to the auxiliary unit; A pipe-side connection portion is provided at an end of the pipe and is connected to a vehicle-side connection portion provided on the vehicle, A piping fixing structure, in which the fixing bracket is provided at the fixing point between the auxiliary unit and the piping that is closest to the piping side connection portion, and is configured to be flexible in the connection direction between the vehicle side connection portion and the piping side connection portion.

2. The fixing bracket is a mounting portion that is attached to the auxiliary unit; A holding portion that holds the piping; a main body portion that connects the mounting portion and the holding portion and is flexible in a connection direction between the vehicle side connection portion and the pipe side connection portion; having The piping fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion is plate-shaped having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface facing the piping side connection portion, and the second surface facing the opposite side to the piping side connection portion.

3. The piping fixing structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piping is arranged so as to surround at least a portion of the auxiliary unit, and is a piping for supplying compressed air to an air tank provided in the auxiliary unit.

Images