Pipe joint device

Abstract

To connect pipe materials with easy work even in a case where quality of each pipe material is different or in a case where outer diameters, etc., of the pipe materials are different.SOLUTION: A pipe joint device consists of a pair of connection cylinders 10 into which pipe materials P1 and P2 to be connected are inserted and a connection body 1 by which the connection cylinders 10 are opposed and fitted to each other. The connection body 1 is configured by disposing paired fitting parts 2 to fit the connection cylinders 10 at front and rear sides. In the connection cylinder 10, fastening means 12 for fastening and fixing each of the inserted pipe materials P1 and P2 within the connection cylinder 10 is provided in a fastening operation port 11 which is opened and formed symmetrically to the connection cylinder 10. The fastening means 12 consists of: a pair of bands 13 disposed within the connection cylinder 10 so as to hold the pipe materials P1 and P2 therebetween; a screw member 18 which is disposed outside of the fastening operation port 11 by mutually fastening the bands 13 holding the pipe materials P1 and P2 therebetween; and an expansion ring 19 arranged mutually between the bands 13 so as to elastically energize each of the bands 13 into an isolation tendency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe joint device that can easily connect pipes to be connected even when the pipes are made of different materials or have different diameters. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, pipe fittings have been designed to suit the material and outer diameter of pipe materials, such as steel pipes or plastic pipes. Therefore, at connection sites during piping work, when the pipe materials to be connected are the same type, different types, same diameter pipes, or different diameter pipes, many different types of pipe fittings are required to suit them.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 shows a joint structure used when installing ductile pipelines. In this pipe joint structure, the leading end of the trailing pipe is inserted into the rear end of the leading pipe, and a seal rubber ring is pressed into the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the leading pipe and the outer peripheral surface of the trailing pipe, and the flanges of the leading pipe and the trailing pipe are joined together using a number of tightening bolts and nuts.

[0004] Patent Document 2 also proposes a pipe joint structure for connecting resin pipes. In this pipe joint structure, a connection joint member is disposed on the outer periphery of the connection end of the pipe, a sealing member is provided that is inserted into a gap formed between the inner periphery of the connection joint member and the outer periphery of the pipe, and a pushing mechanism is further provided that pushes and fixes the sealing member into the gap, and when the pushing mechanism pushes the sealing part into the gap, four bolts are used at each end of the pipe.

[0005] On the other hand, Patent Document 3 shows a pipe joint structure for connecting pipes made of dissimilar metals. This pipe joint prevents corrosion caused by a potential difference that occurs at the contact point between dissimilar metals, and has a resin sleeve interposed at the contact point.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a pipe joint structure for connecting resin pipes made of different materials. In this pipe joint structure, an annular groove and an annular protrusion are fitted together, and the entire periphery of the fillet between the outer circumferential surface of the first tube and the end face of the first flow path block is welded. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-100761 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6419436 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-62193 [Patent Document 4] JP 2007-78069 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the joint structure described in Patent Document 1 requires a large number of bolts and nuts to connect the flange of the leading pipe to the flange of the trailing pipe, and therefore requires a lot of work to fasten them. In other words, in order to fasten these bolts and nuts, the bolts must be tightened around the pipe in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the pipe, which can make the fastening difficult depending on the installation conditions of the pipe. In addition, since the connection is made with a seal rubber ring pressed into the gap between the inner surface of the leading pipe and the outer surface of the trailing pipe, it is possible to connect ductile pipes, but it is not possible to connect plastic pipes because there is a risk of the ends being crushed.

[0009] On the other hand, the joint structure described in Patent Document 2 also requires the connection of many bolts around the ends of the pipes to be connected, which can make the tightening difficult depending on the installation conditions of the pipes. In addition, this joint structure is a structure that utilizes the flexure of the resin pipe material to make the connection, so it cannot be used to connect metal pipes.

[0010] Furthermore, although Patent Document 3 can connect pipes made of different metals and Patent Document 4 can connect pipes made of different resin materials, they cannot connect metal pipes to resin pipes, and furthermore, these pipe fittings have difficulty connecting pipes of different diameters.

[0011] Furthermore, for example, in the case of a flexible spiral metal pipe known as an EP pipe, a bushing is connected to the end of the pipe, and this bushing has a slightly larger diameter than the EP pipe body. Therefore, in order to connect this using a joint device, it is necessary to remove the bushing, insert the EP pipe body into the joint device, and then reattach it to the EP pipe body, which is a cumbersome process.

[0012] Furthermore, if the pipe materials to be connected are of different types or diameters, many different types of pipe joints with corresponding connection configurations are required. Not only is it cumbersome to manage these parts, but it is also necessary to prepare pipe joints in advance according to the connection site, which makes it difficult to respond quickly.

[0013] The present invention was created in consideration of the various circumstances that existed in the past as described above, and its object is to provide a pipe coupling device that can be easily connected not only when the materials of the pipes are different, but also when the outer diameters of the pipes are different. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a pipe fitting device comprising a pair of cylindrical connecting bodies 10 into which the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected are inserted, and a connecting body 1 which fits the connecting bodies 10 opposite each other, wherein the connecting body 1 has a pair of fitting portions 2 arranged at the front and rear into which the connecting bodies 10 are fitted, and the connecting bodies 10 are provided with fastening means 12 for fastening and fixing each of the inserted pipe materials P1, P2 within the connecting bodies 10 in fastening operation ports 11 which are opened symmetrically in the cylindrical portion of the connecting bodies 10, and the fastening means 12 comprises a pair of bands 13 arranged within the connecting bodies 10 so as to sandwich the pipe materials P1, P2, a screw member 18 arranged outside the fastening operation port 11 which fastens the pair of bands 13 sandwiching the pipe materials P1, P2 to each other, and an expansion ring 19 arranged between the bands 13 so as to resiliently bias each of the pair of bands 13 in a tendency to separate. The band 13 is formed on an inclined surface which is larger in diameter at the center between the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected and smaller in diameter at the opposite outer side, and can be composed of a band body 14 having a regulating portion 16 spirally provided on its inner surface for positioning and regulating the expansion ring 19, and a fastening piece 15 connected to the end of the band body 14 so as to extend out from the fastening operation port 11. One of the fastening pieces 17 facing each other on the outer periphery of the pipes P1, P2 is a through hole, and the other is a female threaded hole, so that the bands 13 can be fastened to each other by a screw member 18. The connecting body 1 has a large diameter fitting portion 2 and a small diameter fitting portion 2, and in the central portion between the fitting portions 2, a hollow, approximately conical adjustment tube portion 8 is provided, one end of which is large diameter and connected to the large diameter fitting portion 2, and the other end of which is small diameter and connected to the small diameter fitting portion 2.

[0015] In the pipe fitting device of the present invention configured as described above, the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected are inserted into the connecting cylindrical body 10 which is fitted opposite to the front and rear of the connecting body 1, and then the pipe materials P1, P2 are connected by fixing them inside the connecting cylindrical body 10 with a band 13 which presses the pipe materials P1, P2 together by screwing them together with the fastening means 12 provided on the connecting cylindrical body 10. The fastening means 12 is incorporated into the connecting cylinder 10, and the pair of bands 13 are biased by an expansion ring 19 to separate, thereby securing a gap for inserting the pipe materials P1, P2. Despite the resiliently resilient tendency to separate, the fastening pieces 15 are in a fastened state with each other by the screw member 18 outside the connecting cylinder 10, preventing the bands 13 from falling off from within the connecting cylinder 10. When the screw member 18 is screwed into the band 13, the band 13 narrows and is pressed against the pipe materials P1 and P2. This, combined with the fact that the band body 14 has an inclined surface, causes the regulating portion 16 on the inner surface of the band 13 to press firmly against the outer surface of the pipe materials P1 and P2 together with the expansion ring 19, thereby fixing the pipe materials P1 and P2 inserted into the connecting cylinder 10 within the connecting cylinder 10. Furthermore, by fitting and connecting each of the connecting cylinders 10 having different cylinder diameters to the connecting body 1 provided with the adjusting cylinder portion 8 having different opening diameters at the front and rear, pipe materials P1 and P2 having different diameters can be connected to each other. Effect of the Invention

[0016] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to connect various types of pipe materials P1, P2, for example, made of different materials or having different diameters, and the connecting work can be performed simply and easily by inserting them into the connecting cylinders 10 positioned opposite each other and then screwing the fastening means 12.

[0017] In other words, in the present invention, it consists of a pair of connecting cylindrical bodies 10 into which the pipe materials P1, P2 are inserted, and a connecting body 1 into which the connecting cylindrical bodies 10 are fitted opposite each other, the connecting body 1 has a pair of fitting portions 2 arranged at the front and rear into which the connecting cylindrical bodies 10 are fitted, and the connecting cylindrical body 10 is provided with a fastening means 12 in a fastening operation port 11 which is formed symmetrically in the connecting cylindrical body 10, and this fastening means 12 consists of a pair of bands 13 arranged within the connecting cylindrical body 10 so as to clamp the pipe materials P1, P2, a screw member 18 arranged outside the fastening operation port 11 which fastens the bands 13 which clamp the pipe materials P1, P2 to each other, and an expansion ring 19 arranged between the bands 13 so as to resiliently bias each of the bands 13 so as to tend to separate. This makes it possible to insert pipe materials P1, P2 into each of the connecting cylindrical bodies 10 arranged opposite and fitted to the connecting body 1, and to fasten and fix the inserted pipe materials P1, P2 using fastening means 12, and also makes it possible to accommodate different types and diameters of pipe materials P1, P2.

[0018] The fastening means 12 of the connecting cylinder 10 is provided in fastening operation ports 11 formed symmetrically in the connecting cylinder 10, and comprises a pair of bands 13 that sandwich the pipe materials P1, P2, a screw member 18 that fastens the bands 13 together outside the connecting cylinder 10, and an expansion ring 19 that resiliently biases the bands 13 so that they tend to move apart, so that gaps are formed between the bands 13 into which the pipe materials P1, P2 are inserted. Even if the bands 13 tend to move apart due to the expansion ring 19, they will not fall off the connecting cylinder 10 because they are fastened by the screw member 18, and after the insertion of the pipe materials P1, P2, the pipe materials P1, P2 can be fastened and fixed within the connecting cylinder 10 by screwing in the screw member 18.

[0019] Furthermore, in the band 13, the fastening piece 17 that is connected to the band body 14 and protrudes from the connecting cylinder 10 has one end formed as a through hole and the other end formed as a female threaded hole into which the screw member 18 is screwed. Therefore, in order to fasten the band 13, it is sufficient to screw in only the screw member 18, thereby improving operability.

[0020] In the central region between the mating portions 2 in the connecting body 1, there is provided an approximately conical adjustment tube portion 8, one with a large diameter and the other with a small diameter, and by fitting and connecting a large-diameter connecting tube 10 on the large-diameter side and a small-diameter connecting tube 10 on the small-diameter side, respectively, it is possible to connect pipe materials P1, P2 of different diameters.

[0021] In this way, even if the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected are of different types or diameters, there is no need to prepare in advance many different types of pipe fittings with corresponding connection configurations for each, but it is sufficient to combine various connectors 1 such as those with or without an adjustment tube portion 8, those with fitting portions 2 of different diameters, and various connecting tubes 10 of different sizes to correspond to the pipe materials P1, P2 with different connection forms at the connection site. This eliminates the conventional hassle of managing many types of parts, and its versatility allows for quick response.

[0022] The reference numerals in the sections of the Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention are given for ease of reference to the components shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the structures, shapes, etc. shown by the descriptions and reference numerals in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the same during assembly before connection. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fastening means during fastening and connection. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main part of an example of a connected state. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B show an embodiment in which pipes to be connected have different diameters, in which FIG. 13A is an exploded cross-sectional view and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view when assembled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The reference numeral 1 in the drawings denotes a connecting body that connects and joins a pair of connecting cylinders 10 into which the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected are inserted and fitted into the connection ends of the pipe materials P1, P2, respectively.

[0025] When the connecting cylinders 10 are arranged so as to face each other in a butted state, this connecting body 1 is fitted into the connecting end of each connecting cylinder 10, and each connecting cylinder 10 is fitted to the outer surface of the connecting body 1 via an adhesive. For this reason, the connecting body 1 is provided with a pair of fitting parts 2 at the front and rear to fit the connecting end parts of the connecting cylinders 10, and is provided internally with a pipe positioning part 3 to position the end faces of the pipes P1, P2 inserted into each connecting cylinder 10 opposite each other.

[0026] As shown in the figure, fitting portion 2 has an appropriate number of circumferential grooves arranged in the front-to-rear direction so that the adhesive for fitting and adhering connecting cylinder 10 can be evenly applied to ensure a strong bond. Pipe positioning portion 3 is formed in the shape of a ridge along the circumferential direction at approximately the center of connecting body 1, and if necessary, as shown in the figure, a ring-shaped packing material 4 made of an elastic material is interposed between them to position the ends of pipes P1, P2 within connecting body 1 by pipe positioning portion 3.

[0027] In addition, a connection positioning means 5 is provided on the outer surface of this connecting body 1 for setting the fitting position of each connecting cylinder 10 with respect to the connecting body 1 at a fixed position, and for example, a recess is provided on the end surface of the connecting side of the connecting cylinder 10, which can be fitted into a protrusion formed on the left and right side surfaces of the outer surface of the central part of the connecting body 1.

[0028] The connecting cylinder 10 has an inner diameter sufficient for the insertion of the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected, and is provided with fastening means 12 for fastening and fixing each of the inserted pipe materials P1, P2 within the connecting cylinder 10. This fastening means 12 is provided in a fastening operation port 11 formed, for example, symmetrically on the left and right sides in the cylindrical portion of the connecting cylinder 10, and as shown in the figure, is composed of a pair of bands 13 arranged within the connecting cylinder 10 so as to sandwich the pipe materials P1, P2, a screw member 18 arranged outside the fastening operation port 11 for fastening the pair of bands 13 sandwiching the pipe materials P1, P2, and an expansion ring 19 arranged between the bands 13 so as to resiliently bias each of the pair of bands 13 in a tendency to separate.

[0029] The fastening operation ports 11 are formed in the connecting cylinder 10, which is disposed at the location where the pipes P1, P2 are to be connected, at left and right side positions along the connecting direction of the pipes P1, P2, and extend in the vertical direction. This allows the fastening pieces 15 (described later) of the band 13 disposed inside the connecting cylinder 10 to be projected outside the connecting cylinder 10, and the upper and lower fastening pieces 15 can be fastened to each other, for example, by a screw fastening operation along the vertical direction.

[0030] The band 13 of the fastening means 12 consists of a band main body 14 formed in an arc shape that follows the arc-shaped peripheral surface of the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected, and a fastening piece 15 connected to the end of this band main body 14 and extending out from the fastening operation port 11 of the connecting cylinder 10.

[0031] The band body 14 is provided with a protruding regulating portion 16 on its inner surface for positioning the expansion ring 19, and this regulating portion 16 forms a virtually continuous spiral shape when joined together with the inner surfaces of the upper and lower bands 13. The expansion ring 19, which has a spiral shape of, for example, approximately one revolution, abuts against the regulating portion 16 to prevent the expansion ring 19 from coming off from within the band 13.

[0032] In addition, the band body 14 has an inclined surface which is larger in diameter at the center of the connection between the pipes P1, P2 and smaller in diameter on the opposite side, the outer side, and as the upper and lower bands 13 are fastened to each other, they come closer together, preventing the expansion ring 19 from moving toward the larger diameter side and ensuring that the pressure contact force between the bands 13 against the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes P1, P2 is not lost.

[0033] The pair of bands 13 arranged above and below are fastened by screw members 18, such as bolts, which are inserted into fastening holes 17A, 17B formed in the fastening pieces 15 and screwed in. As the screw members 18 are screwed in, the bands 13 are brought closer to each other against the expanding action of the expanding ring 19, which expands the bands 13, and are pressed against the pipes P1, P2. Note that one of the fastening holes 17A, 17B is a through hole and the other is a female threaded hole, and the screw member 18 inserted through the through hole (17A) is screwed into the female threaded hole (17B), eliminating the need for nuts and improving usability. Note that the head of the screw member 18 is structured with a hole, so that when the screwing work is performed outside the connecting cylinder 10, the outer circumferential surface of the connecting cylinder 10 does not become an obstacle to the screwing work, and consideration is given to obtaining smooth operation using a screwing jig.

[0034] The expansion ring 19 is, for example, a spiral ring that goes around the inner circumferential surface of the connecting cylinder 10, and is disposed inside the connecting cylinder 10, between the upper and lower bands 13 that are fastened by the screw members 18. The expansion ring 19 moves the bands 13 away from each other against the fastening force of the screw members 18, forming a gap therebetween that is sufficient to allow the pipes P1, P2 to be connected to be inserted from the outside of the connecting cylinder 10.

[0035] Another embodiment is shown in Fig. 6. That is, in the case of connecting pipes P1 and P2 of different diameters, the connector 1 has a large-diameter fitting portion 2 for connecting a large-diameter connecting cylinder 10 (see the right side in Fig. 6) through which the large-diameter pipe P1 is inserted, and a small-diameter fitting portion 2 for connecting a small-diameter connecting cylinder 10 (see the left side in Fig. 6) through which the small-diameter pipe P2 is inserted, and is provided in the center between the fitting portions 2 with a hollow, approximately conical adjustment cylinder 8, one of which is large-diameter and connected to the large-diameter fitting portion 2, and the other of which is small-diameter and connected to the small-diameter fitting portion 2.

[0036] In the connecting body 1 of this other embodiment, the opening diameters at the ends of the adjustment tube portion 8 are formed to be different diameters, and various pipe materials P1, P2 of different diameters can be combined with the connecting tube 10 formed with different opening diameters, thereby making it possible to connect pipe materials P1, P2 of different diameters to each other.

[0037] Although not shown in the figures, the adjustment tube portion 8, which is linear together with the fitting portion 2, can be inclined at a predetermined angle in accordance with the connection direction of the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected. This makes it possible to accommodate cases where the connection piping is to be installed in a location where the connection direction is changed, and these can be selected arbitrarily in accordance with the connection direction of the pipe materials P1, P2.

[0038] Next, an example of how to use this will be described. The connecting cylinder 10, which has a built-in fastening means 12 and corresponds to the diameter of the pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected, is fitted into the fitting portion 2 of the connecting body 1 by applying and filling an adhesive as necessary. After fitting, the pipe materials P1, P2 are inserted and positioned in the gap between the upper and lower bands 13 arranged inside the connecting cylinder 10. Next, the screw member 18 of the fastening means 12 protruding from the fastening operation port 11 of the connecting cylinder 10 is screwed in, and the pipe materials P1, P2 are clamped by the opposing bands 13, whereby the pipe materials P1, P2 can be fixed inside the connecting cylinder 10 and connected to each other.

[0039] The pipe materials P1, P2 to be connected may be, for example, not only cast iron pipes, but also so-called EP pipes, which are flexible spiral pipes, as shown in Figure 6, or may be synthetic resin pipes or other pipes made of different materials or of different diameters, and the corresponding connectors 1 and connecting cylinders 10 are selected and combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] P1,P2…Pipe material 1...Connector 2…Fitting part 3…Pipe material positioning part 4…Packing material 5...Connection positioning means 8…Adjustment cylinder part 10…Connection cylinder 11... Fastening operation port 12…Fascinating means 13. Band 14…Band body 15…Fascinating piece 16. Regulatory Department 17A,17B…Fastening hole 18…Screw member 19…Expansion ring

Claims

1. A pipe coupling device comprising a pair of cylindrical connecting cylinders into which the pipe materials to be connected are inserted, and a connecting body which fits the connecting cylinders against each other, wherein the connecting body is formed with a pair of fitting portions arranged front to back for fitting the connecting cylinders, and the connecting cylinder is provided with fastening means for fastening each of the inserted pipe materials within the connecting cylinder in fastening operation openings which are formed as symmetrical openings in the cylindrical portion of the connecting cylinder, the fastening means comprising a pair of bands arranged within the connecting cylinder to sandwich the pipe materials, a screw member arranged outside the fastening operation opening which fastens the pair of bands which sandwich the pipe materials, and an expansion ring arranged between the bands to resiliently bias each of the pair of bands in a tendency to separate.

2. 2. The pipe coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the band is formed with an inclined surface having a larger diameter at the center between the pipes to be connected and a smaller diameter at the opposite outer side, and the band body has a regulating portion spirally provided on its inner surface for positioning and regulating the expansion ring, and a fastening piece connected to the end of the band body so as to extend out from the fastening operation port.

3. 3. A pipe joint device according to claim 1, wherein one of the fastening pieces facing each other on the outer periphery of the pipe is a through hole and the other is a female threaded hole, so that the bands are fastened together by a screw member.

4. 2. The pipe coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting body has a large diameter fitting portion and a small diameter fitting portion, and a hollow, approximately conical adjustment tube portion is provided in the central portion between the fitting portions, one end of which is large diameter and connected to the large diameter fitting portion and the other end of which is small diameter and connected to the small diameter fitting portion.

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