Piping device

Abstract

To provide a piping device capable of preventing an excessive load from being applied due to twisting of a harness for energizing a sensor member and of reducing cost.SOLUTION: A piping device includes: piping 20; a cylindrical adapter 2 formed in the piping in a projecting manner; a sensor member 10 inserted from outside of the piping to the adapter; a clip member 3 that inhibits the sensor member from coming off from the adapter; and a rotation regulation member 8 that inhibits 360 degrees or more rotation while allowing rotation about an axis of the sensor member inserted to the adapter. The rotation regulation member includes: a projection provided in one of the sensor member and the clip member; and a rotation regulation part provided in the other of the sensor member and the clip member and abutting on the projection when the sensor member rotates at a predetermined rotating angle or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a piping device having a sensor member attached thereto. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the piping device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes piping that constitutes an engine cooling circuit and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the coolant in the piping. A cylindrical adapter is provided on the piping, and the temperature sensor is attached to the adapter with a clip member. The clip member is formed by bending a wire, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 2. Patent Document 3 also discloses a resin clip member that attaches a fuel property sensor that detects the properties of fuel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-179480 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-048142 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2012-202513 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Sensor components such as temperature sensors and fuel property sensors are provided with connectors to which electrical harnesses are connected. As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, if the sensor components are fastened with clip members formed by bending wire, the sensor will rotate due to vehicle vibrations, etc., and if the number of rotations increases, the harness may become twisted and an excessive load may be applied. On the other hand, if the sensor member is prevented from rotating by a pin or the like, when the orientation of the connector is changed to match the layout of the vehicle in which it is installed, the sensor member needs to be remade with the connector orientation changed, which is costly. The sensor member in Patent Document 3 is fixed to the pipe in a non-rotating state by a clip member, so the same problem can occur.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide a piping device that can prevent the harness for passing electricity through the sensor member from being twisted and subjected to excessive load, while also reducing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the piping device of the present invention comprises a pipe, a cylindrical adapter protruding from the pipe, a sensor member inserted into the adapter from the outside of the pipe, a clip member that prevents the sensor member from slipping out of the adapter, and a rotation control member that allows the sensor member inserted into the adapter to rotate about its axis while preventing rotation of more than 360 degrees, wherein the rotation control member has a protrusion provided on one of the sensor member and the clip member, and a rotation control portion provided on the other of the sensor member and the clip member that abuts against the protrusion when the sensor member rotates by a predetermined rotation angle or more. According to the above configuration, when the vehicle body vibration or the like is input while the current-carrying harness is connected to the sensor member and the clip member is fastened, the sensor member rotates to a certain extent but does not rotate more than 360 degrees. This makes it possible to prevent the harness from being twisted and subjected to excessive load. Furthermore, even if an error occurs in the layout of the vehicle-mounted components, the sensor member can rotate following this. This makes it possible to prevent the harness from being subjected to excessive load in this case as well. Furthermore, if the layout of the vehicle mounted components is changed, the sensor member can be rotated to a certain extent, so there is no need to remake the sensor member with the connector orientation changed to accommodate the change in layout, thereby reducing costs.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferable that the clip member has a pair of legs arranged opposite each other and a connecting portion connecting the base ends of the legs, the protrusion has one end connected to the connecting portion and is arranged between the legs, the adapter has a through hole penetrating the thickness of the adapter and horizontal holes located on both circumferential sides of the through hole, the sensor member has an engaging portion, a long groove is formed on the outer periphery of the engaging portion along the circumferential direction, the rotation regulating portion consists of end walls formed on both circumferential ends of the long groove, the protrusion is inserted into the through hole, a tip of the protrusion is inserted into the long groove, and the pair of legs fit into the horizontal holes so as to sandwich the engaging portion from both radial sides. According to the above-described configuration, the pair of legs can prevent the sensor member from coming off. In addition, the rotation of the sensor member around its axis is stopped by the protrusion coming into contact with either of the end walls formed at both circumferential ends of the long groove, and is limited to the range of the circumferential length of the long groove. In other words, the end walls as the rotation restricting portions and the protrusions that come into contact with them constitute the rotation restricting member, which allows the sensor member to rotate around its axis while preventing it from rotating more than 360 degrees.

[0008] It is also preferable that the pair of legs have hooks formed at their tips for hooking onto the edges of the horizontal holes. According to this configuration, the clip member cannot be pulled out of the adapter unless the hook is released. In other words, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the clip member from being easily removed, and therefore it is possible to prevent the sensor member from being unintentionally removed from the adapter and causing the cooling liquid to leak.

[0009] It is also preferable that the leg portion is provided with a guide portion that protrudes inward, and that a tip of the guide portion is curved in an arc shape so as to fit along the outer periphery of the engagement portion. This ensures that the sensor member is not pulled out by the guide portion. Even if the tip of the guide portion comes into contact with the sensor member, the sensor member is supported by the guide portion and can rotate. Therefore, the guide portion does not interfere with the rotation of the sensor member.

[0010] Furthermore, it is desirable that the sensor member has an engagement portion, the protrusion is formed to protrude from the outer periphery of the engagement portion, the clip member has a pair of legs arranged opposite each other and a connection portion connecting the base ends of the legs, the adapter has a pair of horizontal holes formed through the thickness of the adapter, and a corner is formed on the inside of one or both of the legs, the rotation regulating portion is made of the corner, and the pair of legs fit into the horizontal holes so as to sandwich the engagement portion from both radial sides. According to the above-described configuration, the pair of legs can prevent the sensor member from coming off. In addition, rotation of the sensor member around its axis is stopped when any of the protrusions abuts against the corner, and is limited by the spacing between the protrusions. In other words, the corners as rotation restricting portions and the protrusions that abut against them constitute the rotation restricting member, which allows rotation of the sensor member around its axis while preventing it from rotating more than 360 degrees.

[0011] It is also desirable that the adapter has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction narrowing the axial width of the horizontal hole, and that the clip member has a pair of sub-legs whose base ends are connected to the connection portion and whose tip ends extend outwardly of the pair of legs, and that the tips of the sub-legs are formed with hooks that can hook onto the corners of the protrusions. According to this configuration, in order to remove the hook, it is necessary to open the tip of the sub-leg, and it is possible to prevent the hook from coming off due to vehicle body vibration, etc. Furthermore, since the clip member cannot be pulled out of the adapter unless the hook is removed, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the clip member from coming off easily, and therefore it is possible to prevent the sensor member from unintentionally coming off the adapter and causing the coolant to leak.

[0012] Moreover, it is preferable that the outer peripheral shape of the engaging portion is rotationally symmetric. If the outer peripheral shape of the engaging portion is rotationally symmetrical, when the layout of the vehicle mounted components is changed, the orientation of the sensor member can be changed and attached to the adapter, eliminating the need to remake the sensor member with the connector orientation changed in accordance with the change in layout, thereby further reducing costs. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the piping device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the harness for supplying electricity to the sensor member from being twisted and being subjected to an excessive load, and it is also possible to reduce costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piping device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state before a temperature sensor is inserted into the adapter of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a state before a clip is attached to the adapter in which the temperature sensor of FIG. 1 is inserted. [Figure 4] 4(a) is a side view of the clip in FIG. 1, FIG. 4(b) is a plan view of the clip in FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 4(c) is a front view of the clip in FIG. 4(a). [Diagram 5] 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the piping device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the temperature sensor of FIG. 5(a) is fastened. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a piping device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of an assembly in which the temperature sensor, the adapter, and the clip member of FIG. 6 are assembled. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state before a temperature sensor is inserted into the adapter of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a state before a clip is attached to the adapter in which the temperature sensor of FIG. 6 is inserted. [Figure 10] 10(a) is a side view of the clip in FIG. 6, FIG. 10(b) is a plan view of the clip in FIG. 10(a), and FIG. 10(c) is a front view of the clip in FIG. 10(a). [Figure 11] 11(a) is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 7 taken along the line BB, FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 7 taken along the line CC, and FIG. 11(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the temperature sensor of FIG. 11(b) in a locked state. [Figure 12] 12 shows a modification of the clip in FIG. 1, where FIG. 12(a) is a side view of the clip, FIG. 12(b) is a plan view of the clip in FIG. 12(a), and FIG. 12(c) is a front view of the clip in FIG. 12(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the piping device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, the piping device is used in a cooling circuit of an automobile. The cooling circuit cools heat-generating devices in the automobile, such as an internal combustion engine, a fuel cell, and a battery, by circulating a coolant. In each embodiment, the same or corresponding configurations may be given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0016] 1 is a perspective view of a piping device 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The piping device 1A includes a coolant pipe 20, an adapter 2 connected to the pipe 20, a temperature sensor 10 inserted into the adapter 2, a clip member 3 for fastening the temperature sensor 10 to the adapter 2, and a rotation restricting member 8 for restricting the rotation of the temperature sensor 10.

[0017] The pipe 20 constitutes a flow path for the cooling liquid. The adapter 2 is formed so as to protrude outward from the pipe 20. The adapter 2 is formed integrally with the pipe 20. The end of the adapter 2 that is connected to the pipe 20 is called the "base end" and the opposite end is called the "tip end". The adapter 2 is cylindrical and has openings at both ends. The opening on the base end side of the adapter 2 communicates with the inside of the pipe 20. The opening on the tip side of the adapter 2 is open to the outside air. The opening on the tip side of the adapter 2 is liquid-tightly sealed by the temperature sensor 10 and a seal 10f member described below. This prevents the cooling liquid in the pipe 20 from flowing out of the adapter 2. The adapter 2 may be formed separately from the pipe 20 and joined to the pipe 20 by welding, adhesion, screwing, or the like.

[0018] 2 is a perspective view showing the state before the temperature sensor 10 is inserted into the adapter 2. The adapter 2 has a stepped shape, and has a small diameter portion 2A and a large diameter portion 2B. The small diameter portion 2A is located on the base end side of the adapter 2, and the large diameter portion 2B is located on the tip end side of the adapter 2. The inner diameter and outer diameter of the large diameter portion 2B are larger than the inner diameter and outer diameter of the small diameter portion 2A. A step 2f is formed at the boundary on the inner periphery side between the large diameter portion 2B and the small diameter portion 2A.

[0019] The direction along the axis passing through the center of the adapter 2 is called the "axial direction", the direction perpendicular to the axis is called the "radial direction", and the direction along the circumferential direction of the inner and outer circumferences of the adapter 2 is called the "circumferential direction". At the tip of the large diameter portion 2B, a through hole 2a and two side holes 2b, 2c are formed side by side in the circumferential direction. The two side holes 2b, 2c are located on both sides of the through hole 2a. The through hole 2a and the side holes 2b, 2c each penetrate the thickness of the adapter 2 in the radial direction. The side holes 2b, 2c are long holes that are long in the circumferential direction. The shape of each side hole 2b, 2c is line-symmetrical with respect to a straight line passing through the center of the through hole 2a. In the adapter 2, the side with the through hole 2a is called the "front" and the opposite side is called the "back".

[0020] Engagement portions 2d, 2e are formed on the rear edge of each of the horizontal holes 2b, 2c (FIG. 5). The engagement portions 2d, 2e are angular in plan view. Hooks 3b1, 3c1 of the clip member 3, which will be described later, engage with the engagement portions 2d, 2e.

[0021] The temperature sensor 10 is a sensor member that detects the temperature of the cooling liquid in the pipe 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature sensor 10 has, from the tip side, a temperature-sensing part 10a, a main body part 10i, a flange part 10b, an engagement part 10d, and a connector 10c. An annular seal member 10f is attached to the outer periphery of the main body part 10i. The temperature sensor 10 is inserted into the adapter 2 from the tip side. With the temperature sensor 10 attached to the adapter 2, the temperature-sensing part 10a is immersed in the cooling liquid. The seal member 10f seals between the temperature sensor 10 and the adapter 2. This prevents the cooling liquid in the pipe 20 from leaking out.

[0022] The outer diameter of the main body 10i is larger than that of the temperature sensing part 10a. The outer diameter of the flange part 10b is larger than that of the main body 10i. When the temperature sensor 10 is attached to the adapter 2, the flange part 10b rests on a step 2f of the adapter 2. The engagement part 10d is disposed at a position corresponding to the through hole 2a and the horizontal holes 2b, 2c of the adapter 2. A harness (not shown) for supplying electricity is connected to the connector 10c. A signal output from the temperature sensor 10 is output to an electronic control unit (ECU), and control is performed according to the temperature of the coolant.

[0023] The straight line passing through the center of the temperature sensor 10a is called the "center line" of the temperature sensor 10, and the direction along the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the temperature sensor 10a is called the "circumferential direction" of the temperature sensor 10. When the temperature sensor 10 is attached to the adapter 2, the center line of the temperature sensor 10 is aligned so that it substantially overlaps with the center of the adapter 2. A pair of long grooves 10e1, 10e2 are formed side by side in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the engagement portion 10d. The long grooves 10e1, 10e2 are arc-shaped and extend along the circumferential direction of the temperature sensor 10. The outer periphery of the engagement portion 10d is rotationally symmetric and two-fold symmetric with respect to the center line of the temperature sensor 10 as an axis. End walls 10g, 10h are formed at both circumferential ends of the long grooves 10e1, 10e2.

[0024] In the engagement portion 10d, the portions where the long grooves 10e1, 10e2 are not formed are the protrusions 10d1, 10d2. It can be said that the end walls 10g, 10h are formed on both ends of the protrusions 10d1, 10d2. In other words, the protrusions 10d1, 10d2 are formed between the pair of long grooves 10e1, 10e2, respectively. The outer periphery of the two protrusions 10d1, 10d2 is curved in an arc shape and is arranged on the same circumference of a circle whose center is on the center line of the temperature sensor 10.

[0025] The clip member 3 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the clip member 3 has a pair of legs 3b, 3c, a connection portion 3a connecting the base ends of the legs 3b, 3c, and a protrusion 3a1 protruding from the connection portion 3a. The legs 3b, 3c are arranged opposite each other with a predetermined distance between them. The protrusion 3a1 is arranged between the legs 3b, 3c, and one end is connected to the connection portion 3a. The side of the other leg 3c (3b) as viewed from one leg 3b (3c) is called the "inner side," and the end opposite the connection portion 3a as viewed from the legs 3b, 3c is called the "tip."

[0026] Hooks 3b1 and 3c1 are formed at the tips of the legs 3b and 3c. The hooks 3b1 and 3c1 hook onto the rear edges of the horizontal holes 2b and 2c of the adapter 2 (FIG. 5). Guide portions 3b2 and 3c2 that protrude inward are formed at the longitudinal center of the legs 3b and 3c. The tips of the guide portions 3b2 and 3c2 are curved in an arc shape in a plan view so as to fit along the outer periphery of the protrusions 10d1 and 10d2 of the temperature sensor 10.

[0027] Next, a method for assembling the piping device 1A will be described. The entity performing the assembly work can be selected as appropriate from among a person, a robot, a device, etc. In the following description, the entity performing the assembly work will be referred to as the "work entity." In this embodiment, the assembly method has a first step of inserting the temperature sensor 10 into the adapter 2, and a second step of fastening the temperature sensor 10 to the adapter 2 with the clip member 3. Prior to the first step, the adapter 2 is integrally provided with the piping 20.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, in the first step, the operator inserts the temperature sensor 10 into the adapter 2 from the temperature sensing part 10a side. When the flange part 10b of the temperature sensor 10 abuts against the step 2f of the adapter 2, the temperature sensor 10 is prevented from moving toward the insertion side (the piping 20 side). In this state, the gap between the temperature sensor 10 and the adapter 2 is blocked by the seal member 10f. In addition, the through hole 2a and the horizontal holes 2b and 2c of the adapter 2 face the engagement part 10d of the temperature sensor 10.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, in the second step, the operator rotates the temperature sensor 10 to orient the connector 10c in a predetermined direction. As a result, one of the long grooves 10e1 of the engagement portion 10d faces the through hole 2a. In this state, the operator slides the clip member 3 in the radial direction from the outside of the front surface of the adapter 2 to attach it. At this time, the protrusion 3a1 of the clip member 3 is inserted into one of the long grooves 10e from the through hole 2a of the adapter 2. In addition, the legs 3b, 3c of the clip member 3 fit into the horizontal holes 2b, 2c of the adapter 2. Then, the guide portions 3b2, 3c2 of the legs 3b, 3c protrude toward the inside of the adapter 2, and their tips face the protrusions 10d1, 10d2 of the temperature sensor 10. Furthermore, the hooks 3b1, 3c1 of the legs 3b, 3c engage with the engagement portions 2d, 2e formed on the edges of the rear side of the horizontal holes 2b, 2c, respectively (FIG. 5).

[0030] With the clip member 3 attached to the adapter 2 in this manner, axial movement of the clip member 3 relative to the adapter 2 is prevented and the clip member 3 is prevented from rotating. Furthermore, if the temperature sensor 10 attempts to move in the direction of retraction from the adapter 2, the flange portion 10b of the temperature sensor 10 abuts against the projection 3a1 or guide portions 3b2, 3c2 of the clip member 3. As a result, the clip member 3 prevents the temperature sensor 10 from coming out of the adapter 2.

[0031] Next, the operation of the piping system 1A will be described. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the state in which the protrusion 3a1 is in the center of the long groove 10e1 is defined as the reference position of the temperature sensor 10 relative to the adapter 2. When the temperature sensor 10 is in the reference position, the temperature sensor 10 is allowed to rotate about its axis relative to the adapter 2, and can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in Fig. 5. However, as shown in Fig. 5(b), when the rotation angle of the temperature sensor 10 from the reference position becomes large to a certain extent, the protrusion 3a1 hits the end wall 10g of the long groove 10e1, and further rotation is restricted.

[0032] In this way, the end wall 10g of the long groove 10e1 functions as a rotation restricting portion that abuts against the protrusion 3a1 when the temperature sensor 10 rotates by a predetermined amount or more. The rotation restricting portion (end wall 10g) and the protrusion 3a1 constitute a rotation restricting member 8. The rotation restricting member 8 prevents the temperature sensor 10 from rotating by 360 degrees or more while allowing the temperature sensor 10 to rotate about its axis.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the temperature sensor 10 can rotate about 90 degrees clockwise from the state where the protrusion 3a1 abuts against one end wall 10g until it abuts against the other end wall 10h. Similarly, the temperature sensor 10 can rotate about 90 degrees counterclockwise from the state where the protrusion 3a1 abuts against the other end wall 10h until it abuts against one end wall 10g. In other words, the orientation of the connector 10c can be moved within a range of about 90 degrees in both forward and reverse directions.

[0034] As described above, a pair of long grooves 10e1 and 10e2 are formed on the outer periphery of the engaging portion 10d, and the outer periphery of the engaging portion 10d has two-fold rotational symmetry. Therefore, the temperature sensor 10 can be rotated 180 degrees from the state shown in Fig. 5 and attached to the adapter 2, and even in this case, the orientation of the connector 10c can be moved within a range of about 90 degrees.

[0035] As described above, the piping device 1A of this embodiment includes the piping 20, the cylindrical adapter 2 protruding from the piping 20, the temperature sensor (sensor member) 10 inserted into the adapter 2 from the outside of the piping 20, the clip member 3 that prevents the temperature sensor 10 from slipping out of the adapter 2, and the rotation restricting member 8 that allows the temperature sensor 10 inserted into the adapter 2 to rotate about its axis while restricting rotation of 360 degrees or more. The rotation restricting member 8 has a projection 3a1 provided on the clip member 3, and end walls (rotation restricting portions) 10g, 10h that are provided on the temperature sensor 10 and come into contact with the projection 3a1 when the temperature sensor 10 rotates a predetermined amount or more.

[0036] According to the above configuration, when a vehicle body vibration or the like is input while a harness for carrying electricity is connected to the temperature sensor 10 and the clip member 3 is fastened, the temperature sensor 10 rotates to a certain extent, but does not rotate more than 360 degrees. This makes it possible to prevent the harness from being twisted and subjected to excessive load. Furthermore, even if an error occurs in the layout of the vehicle-mounted components, the temperature sensor 10 can rotate following this. This makes it possible to prevent the harness from being subjected to excessive load in this case as well. Furthermore, when the layout of the vehicle-mounted components is changed, the temperature sensor 10 can be rotated to a certain extent, so there is no need to remake the temperature sensor 10 with the connector 10c in a different orientation to accommodate the change in layout, thereby reducing costs.

[0037] In this embodiment, the clip member 3 has a pair of legs 3b, 3c arranged opposite to each other, and a connecting portion 3a connecting the base ends of the legs 3b, 3c. The protrusion 3a1 is arranged between the legs 3b, 3c with one end connected to the connecting portion 3a. The adapter 2 has a through hole 2a penetrating the thickness of the adapter 2, and horizontal holes 2b, 2c located on both sides of the through hole 2a. The through hole 2a and the horizontal holes 2b, 2c are aligned in the circumferential direction of the adapter 2. The temperature sensor 10 has an engagement portion 10d. Long grooves 10e1, 10e2 are formed on the outer periphery of the engagement portion 10d along the circumferential direction. End walls 10g, 10h formed at both ends of the circumferential direction of the long grooves 10e1, 10e2 serve as rotation restricting portions. The protrusion 3a1 is inserted into the through hole 2a, and the tip of the protrusion 3a1 is inserted into the long groove 10e1 (10e2). The legs 3b, 3c fit into the horizontal holes 2b, 2c so as to sandwich the engaging portion 10d from both radial sides.

[0038] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the temperature sensor 10 can be prevented from coming off by the legs 3b and 3c. Furthermore, the rotation of the temperature sensor 10 around its axis is stopped by the protrusion 3a1 coming into contact with either of the end walls 10g, 10h, and is limited to the range of the circumferential length of the long groove 10e1 (10e2). In other words, the end walls 10g, 10h as the rotation restricting portion and the protrusion 3a1 coming into contact therewith constitute the rotation restricting member 8, which allows the temperature sensor 10 to rotate around its axis while preventing it from rotating more than 360 degrees. The configuration of the rotation restricting member 8 is not limited to this, and can be modified as appropriate as long as it allows rotation of the temperature sensor 10 around its axis while preventing rotation of 360 degrees or more.

[0039] In this embodiment, hooks 3b1 and 3c1 are formed at the tips of the legs 3b and 3c to hook onto the edges of the horizontal holes 2b and 2c. When the clip member 3 is attached to the adapter 2, the hooks 3b1 and 3c1 hook onto the edges of the horizontal holes 2b and 2c. With this configuration, the clip member 3 cannot be pulled out of the adapter 2 unless the hooks 3b1 and 3c1 are released. In other words, with the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the clip member 3 from being easily removed, and therefore it is possible to prevent the temperature sensor 10 from being unintentionally removed from the adapter 2 and causing the coolant to leak.

[0040] In this embodiment, angular engagement portions 2d, 2e are formed on the edges of the rear side of the horizontal holes 2b, 2c. The hooks 3b1, 3c1 are hooked so as to grip the engagement portions 2d, 3e from the outer periphery of the adapter 2. Therefore, in order to release the hooks 3b1, 3c1, it is necessary to open the tips of the legs 3b, 3c, which prevents the hooks 3b1, 3c1 from coming off due to vehicle body vibration, etc. The shapes of the hooks 3b1 and 3c1 and the engaging portions 2d and 2e on which they are hooked can be changed as appropriate. Also, the hooks 3b1 and 3c1 may be omitted.

[0041] In addition, in this embodiment, the legs 3b and 3c are provided with guide portions 3b2 and 3c2 that protrude inward. The tips of the guide portions 3b2 and 3c2 are curved in an arc shape so as to follow the outer periphery of the engagement portion 10d. More specifically, the parts of the engagement portion 10d where the long grooves 10e1 and 10e2 are not formed are the protrusions 10d1 and 10d2. The tips of the guide portions 3b2 and 3c2 are curved so that the center is recessed more than both ends so as to follow the outer periphery of the protrusions 10d1 and 10d2. This ensures that the guide portions 3b2 and 3c2 do not remove the temperature sensor 10. Even if the tips of the guide portions 3b2 and 3c2 come into contact with the temperature sensor 10, the temperature sensor 10 can rotate while being supported by the guide portions 3b2 and 3c2. Therefore, the guide portions 3b2 and 3c2 do not interfere with the rotation of the temperature sensor 10. The shapes of the guide portions 3b1, 3c2 may be modified as appropriate as long as the temperature sensor 10 can be prevented from falling off without being hindered by anything other than the rotation restricting member 8. Also, the guide members 3b1, 3c2 may be omitted.

[0042] In addition, in this embodiment, the outer peripheral shape of the engaging portion 10d is rotationally symmetric. Therefore, when the layout of the vehicle mounted components is changed, the orientation of the temperature sensor 10 can be changed and attached to the adapter, so there is no need to remake the temperature sensor with the orientation of the connector 10c changed in accordance with the change in layout. This further reduces costs. Note that the outer peripheral shape of the engaging portion 10d does not necessarily have to be rotationally symmetric and can be changed as appropriate.

[0043] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 3a of the clip member 3 is shown to have a shape that protrudes only in the front side direction of the clip member 3, but the present invention is not limited to this shape. For example, Fig. 12(a) is a side view showing a modified example of the clip member 3, Fig. 12(b) is a plan view of the clip in Fig. 12(a), and Fig. 12(c) is a front view of the clip in Fig. 12(a). As shown in Figs. 12(a) to 12(c), the connecting portion 3 may be shaped to protrude from both the front and back sides of the clip member 3. Forming the connecting portion 3a in this manner eliminates the directionality between the front and back, and the assembling of the clip member 3 can be improved.

[0044] Next, a piping system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0045] 6 is a perspective view of a piping device 1B according to this embodiment. The piping device 1B includes a coolant pipe 20, an adapter 5 connected to the pipe 20, a temperature sensor 15 inserted into the adapter 5, a clip member 6 that fastens the temperature sensor 15 to the adapter 5, and a rotation restricting member 18 that restricts the rotation of the temperature sensor 15. For ease of explanation, the top and bottom in FIG. 6 may be simply referred to as "top" and "bottom".

[0046] The pipe 20 constitutes a flow path for the cooling liquid. The adapter 5 is formed so as to protrude outward from the pipe 20. The adapter 5 is formed integrally with the pipe 20. The end of the adapter 5 that is connected to the pipe 20 is called the "base end" and the opposite end is called the "tip end". The adapter 5 is cylindrical and has openings at both ends. The opening on the base end side of the adapter 5 communicates with the inside of the pipe 20. The opening on the tip side of the adapter 5 is open to the outside air. The opening on the tip side of the adapter 5 is liquid-tightly sealed by the temperature sensor 15 and a seal 15f member described later. This makes it possible to prevent the cooling liquid in the pipe 20 from flowing out of the adapter 5. The adapter 5 may be formed separately from the pipe 20 and joined to the pipe 20 by welding, adhesion, screwing, or the like.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a side view of an assembly in which the temperature sensor 15, the adapter 5, and the clip member 6 of FIG. 6 are assembled, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state before the temperature sensor 15 is inserted into the adapter 5. As shown in FIG. The adapter 5 has a stepped shape and has a small diameter portion 5A and a large diameter portion 5B. The small diameter portion 5A is located on the base end side of the adapter 2, and the large diameter portion 5B is located on the tip end side of the adapter 2. The inner diameter and outer diameter of the large diameter portion 5B are larger than the inner diameter and outer diameter of the small diameter portion 5A. A step 15h is formed at the boundary on the inner periphery side between the large diameter portion 5B and the small diameter portion 5A.

[0048] The direction along the axis passing through the center of the adapter 5 is called the "axial direction", the direction perpendicular to the axis is called the "radial direction", and the direction along the circumferential direction of the inner and outer circumferences of the adapter 5 is called the "circumferential direction". Two horizontal holes 5a and 5b are formed side by side in the circumferential direction at the tip of the large diameter part 5B. The horizontal holes 5a and 5b are long holes that are long in the circumferential direction. The adapter 5 has protrusions 5c and 5d that protrude upward from the center of the peripheral wall on the base end side of the horizontal holes 5a and 5b. Due to these protrusions 5c and 5d, the vertical width of the center of the horizontal holes 5a and 5b is narrower than the vertical width of both ends. In the adapter 5, the front side between the horizontal holes 5a and 5b in FIG. 8 is called the "front" and the back side is called the "back".

[0049] The temperature sensor 15 is a sensor member that detects the temperature of the cooling liquid in the pipe 20. The temperature sensor 15 has, from the tip side, a temperature sensing part 15a, a main body part 15g, a flange part 15b, an engagement part 15d, and a connector 15c. An annular seal member 15f is attached to the outer periphery of the main body part 15g. The temperature sensor 15 is inserted into the adapter 5 from the tip side. With the temperature sensor 15 attached to the adapter 5, the temperature sensing part 15a is immersed in the cooling liquid. The seal member 15f seals between the temperature sensor 15 and the adapter 5. This prevents the cooling liquid in the pipe 20 from leaking out.

[0050] The outer diameter of the main body 15g is larger than that of the temperature sensing part 15a. The outer diameter of the flange part 15b is larger than that of the main body 15g. When the temperature sensor 15 is attached to the adapter 5, the flange part 15b rests on a step 15h of the adapter 15. The engagement part 15d is disposed at a position corresponding to the horizontal holes 5b, 5c of the adapter 5. A harness for supplying electricity is connected to the connector 15c. A signal output from the temperature sensor 15 is output to an electronic control unit (ECU), and control is performed according to the temperature of the coolant.

[0051] A straight line passing through the center of the temperature sensor 15a is called the "center line" of the temperature sensor 15, a direction along the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the temperature sensor 15a is called the "circumferential direction" of the temperature sensor 15, and a direction perpendicular to the center line is called the "radial direction" of the temperature sensor 15. When the temperature sensor 15 is attached to the adapter 5, the center line of the temperature sensor 15 is aligned so that it substantially overlaps with the center of the adapter 5. Four protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, and 15e4 are provided on the outer periphery of the engagement portion 15d. The protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, and 15e4 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the engagement portion 15d. The outer periphery shape of the engagement portion 15d including the protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, and 15e4 is rotationally symmetric and four-fold symmetric.

[0052] The clip member 6 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the clip member 6 has a pair of legs 6b, 6c, a pair of sub-legs 6d, 6e arranged on the outer sides of the legs 6b, 6c, and a connection part 6a that connects the base ends of the legs 6b, 6c and the sub-legs 6d, 6e. The legs 6b, 6c are arranged opposite each other with a predetermined gap between them. The side of the other leg 6c (6b) as viewed from one leg 6b (6c) is called the "inner side", the opposite side is called the "outer side", and the end opposite the connection part 6a as viewed from the legs 6b, 6c is called the "tip".

[0053] The tip side of the legs 6b, 6c is narrower than the base side, and an inclined portion 6b1 or a corner 6c1 is formed at the boundary between them. More specifically, the inclined portion 6b1 is formed on one leg 6b, and the corner 6c1 is formed on the other leg 6c. The base ends of the sub-legs 6d, 6e are provided so as to overlap the upper sides of the base ends of the legs 6b, 6c. The tip sides of the sub-legs 6d, 6e extend outward from the legs 6b, 6c. Hooks 6d1, 6e1 are formed at the tips of the sub-legs 6d, 6e. The hooks 6d1, 6e1 hook onto the corners on the rear side of the protrusions 5c, 5d of the adapter 5 (FIG. 11).

[0054] Next, a method for assembling the piping device 1B will be described. The entity performing the assembly work can be selected as appropriate from a person, a robot, a device, etc. In the following description, the entity performing the assembly work will be referred to as the "work entity." In this embodiment, the assembly method has a first step of inserting the temperature sensor 15 into the adapter 5, and a second step of fastening the temperature sensor 15 to the adapter 5 with the clip member 6. Prior to the first step, the adapter 5 is integrally provided with the piping 20.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 8, in the first step, the operator inserts the temperature sensor 15 into the adapter 5 from the temperature sensing part 15a side. When the flange part 15b of the temperature sensor 15 abuts against the step 15h of the adapter 5, the temperature sensor 15 is prevented from moving toward the insertion side (the pipe 20 side). In this state, the gap between the temperature sensor 15 and the adapter 5 is blocked by the seal member 15f. In addition, the horizontal holes 5a and 5b of the adapter 5 face the engagement part 15d of the temperature sensor 15.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, in the second step, the operator rotates the temperature sensor 15 to orient the connector 15c in a predetermined direction. As a result, one of the protrusions 15e2 faces the front of the adapter 5, and the protrusions 15e1 and 15e3 on both sides of the protrusion 15e2 face the horizontal holes 5a and 5b. In this state, the operator slides the clip member 6 in the radial direction from the outside of the front of the adapter 5 to attach it. At this time, the legs 6b and 6c of the clip member 6 are inserted into the inside of the protrusions 5c and 5d of the adapter 5, and the three protrusions 15e1, 15e3, and 15e4 are located on the tip side of the inclined portion 6b1 and the corner portion 6c1 of the leg 6c. Furthermore, the sub-legs 6d and 6e ride on the protrusions 5c and 5d, and the hooks 6d1 and 6d2 are hooked on the edges on the rear side of the protrusions 5c and 5d.

[0057] With the clip member 6 attached to the adapter 5 in this manner, the clip member 6 is prevented from moving in the axial direction relative to the adapter 5 and is prevented from rotating. Furthermore, if the temperature sensor 15 attempts to move in the direction of retraction from the adapter 5, the flange portion 15b of the temperature sensor 15 abuts against the legs 6b, 6c of the clip member 6. As a result, the clip member 6 prevents the temperature sensor 15 from coming out of the adapter 5.

[0058] Next, the operation of the piping device 1B will be described. As shown in Fig. 11(a), the state in which one protrusion 15e1 abuts against a corner 6c1 of one leg 6c is set as the reference position of the temperature sensor 15 with respect to the adapter 5. When the inclined portion 6b1 of the other leg 6b does not interfere with the protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, and 15e4 and the temperature sensor 15 is in the reference position, the temperature sensor 15 can rotate clockwise in Fig. 11 with respect to the adapter 5. However, as shown in Fig. 11(c), when the rotation angle of the temperature sensor 15 from the reference position becomes large to a certain extent, the other protrusion 15e2 abuts against the corner 6c1 and further rotation is restricted.

[0059] In this way, the corner 6c1 of the clip member 6 functions as a rotation restricting portion that abuts against the protrusions 15e1, 15e2 when the temperature sensor 15 rotates by a predetermined amount or more. This rotation restricting portion (corner 6c1) and the protrusions 15e1, 15e2 form the rotation restricting member 18. This rotation restricting member 18 allows the temperature sensor 15 to rotate about its axis, while preventing the temperature sensor from rotating by 360 degrees or more.

[0060] 11(a) and 11(c), the temperature sensor 15 can rotate about 45 degrees clockwise from the state where one protrusion 15e1 abuts against the corner 6c1 until the other protrusion 15e2 abuts against the corner 6c1. Conversely, the temperature sensor 15 can also rotate about 45 degrees counterclockwise from the state where the other protrusion 15e2 abuts against the corner 6c1 until the one protrusion 15e1 abuts against the corner 6c1. In other words, the orientation of the connector 15c can be moved within a range of about 45 degrees in both forward and reverse directions.

[0061] As described above, four projections 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, and 15e4 are formed at equal intervals around the circumference of the engaging portion 15d. Therefore, the temperature sensor 15 can be rotated 45 degrees, 90 degrees, or 135 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 11(a) to be attached to the adapter 5, and even in this case, the orientation of the connector 15c can be moved within a range of about 45 degrees.

[0062] As described above, the piping device 1B of this embodiment includes the piping 20, the cylindrical adapter 5 formed to protrude from the piping 20, the temperature sensor (sensor member) 15 inserted into the adapter 5 from the outside of the piping 20, the clip member 6 that prevents the temperature sensor 15 from slipping out of the adapter 5, and the rotation restricting member 18 that allows the temperature sensor 15 inserted into the adapter 5 to rotate about its axis while restricting rotation of 360 degrees or more. The rotation restricting member 18 has one or more protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, 15e4 provided on the temperature sensor 15, and a corner portion (rotation restricting portion) 6c1 that is provided on the clip member 6 and abuts against any of the protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, 15e4 when the temperature sensor 15 rotates by a predetermined amount or more.

[0063] According to the above configuration, when a vehicle body vibration is input with a harness for carrying electricity connected to the temperature sensor 15 and the clip member 6 fastened, the temperature sensor 15 rotates to a certain extent but does not rotate more than 360 degrees. This makes it possible to prevent the harness from being twisted and subjected to excessive load. Furthermore, even if an error occurs in the layout of the vehicle-mounted components, the temperature sensor 15 can rotate following this. This makes it possible to prevent the harness from being subjected to excessive load in this case as well. Furthermore, when the layout of the vehicle-mounted components is changed, the temperature sensor 15 can be rotated to a certain extent, so there is no need to remake the temperature sensor with the connector 15c in a different orientation to accommodate the change in layout, thereby reducing costs.

[0064] In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 15 has an engagement portion 15d. On the outer periphery of this engagement portion 15d, protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, and 15e4 are formed to protrude. The clip member 6 has a pair of legs 6b and 6c arranged opposite each other, and a connection portion 6a that connects the base ends of the legs 6b and 6c. The adapter 5 has a pair of horizontal holes 5a and 5b that penetrate the thickness of the adapter 5. One of the legs 6c has an inner corner 6c1. This corner 6c1 serves as a rotation restricting portion. The pair of legs 6b and 6c are fitted into the horizontal holes 5a and 5b so as to sandwich the engagement portion 15d from both radial sides.

[0065] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the temperature sensor 15 can be prevented from falling off by the legs 6b and 6c. Furthermore, rotation of temperature sensor 15 around its axis is stopped when any of protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, 15e4 abuts against corner 6c1, and is limited to the distance between protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, 15e4. In other words, corner 6c1 as a rotation restricting portion and protrusions 15e1, 15e2, 15e3, 15e4 abutting thereon constitute rotation restricting member 18, which allows rotation of temperature sensor 15 around its axis while preventing it from rotating more than 360 degrees. The configuration of the rotation restricting member 18 is not limited to this, and can be modified as appropriate as long as it allows rotation of the temperature sensor 15 around its axis while preventing rotation of 360 degrees or more. For example, in this embodiment, the number of protrusions is four, but it may be three or less or five or more. Furthermore, corners 6c1 as rotation restricting portions may be provided on both legs 6c, 6d.

[0066] In this embodiment, the adapter 5 has protrusions 5c, 5d that protrude in a direction narrowing the axial width of the horizontal holes 5a, 5b. The clip member 6 has a pair of sub-legs 6d, 6e whose base ends are connected to the connecting portion 6a and whose tip ends extend outside the pair of legs 6b, 6c. Hooks 6d1, 6e1 that hook onto the corners of the protrusions 5c, 5d are formed at the tips of the sub-legs 6d, 6e. According to this configuration, in order to remove the hooks 6d1, 6e1, it is necessary to open the tips of the sub-legs 6d, 6e, and the hooks 6d1, 6e1 can be prevented from coming off due to vehicle body vibration, etc. Furthermore, since the clip member 6 cannot be pulled out of the adapter 5 unless the hooks 6d1, 6e1 are removed, according to the above configuration, the clip member 6 can be prevented from coming off easily, and thus the temperature sensor 15 can be prevented from unintentionally coming off the adapter 5 and leaking the coolant. The shapes of the hooks 6d1, 6e1 and the projections 5c, 5d on which they are hooked can be changed as appropriate. Also, the hooks 6d1, 6e1 may be omitted.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, the outer peripheral shape of the engaging portion 15d is rotationally symmetric. Therefore, when the layout of the vehicle mounted components is changed, the orientation of the temperature sensor 15 can be changed and attached to the adapter 5, so there is no need to remake the temperature sensor with the orientation of the connector 15c changed in accordance with the change in layout. This further reduces costs. Note that the outer peripheral shape of the engaging portion 15d does not necessarily have to be rotationally symmetric and can be changed as appropriate.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the sensor member is a temperature sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and may be applied to, for example, a fuel property sensor.

[0069] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, modifications, variations and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1A Piping device 1B Piping equipment 2 Adapter 2d engaging part 2e Engagement part 3 Clip member 3a1 protrusion 3b Legs 3b1 Hook 3c Legs 3c1 Hook 5 Adapter 5c protrusion 5d protrusion 6 Clip member 6a Connection 6b Legs 6b1 Inclined section 6c leg 6c1 Corner (rotation restriction part) 6d Sub-leg 6e Sub-leg 6d1 Hook 6e1 Hook 8 Rotation restriction member 10 Temperature sensor (sensor component) 10d1 protrusion 10d2 protrusion 10e1 long groove 10e2 long groove 10g end wall 10h end wall 15 Temperature sensor (sensor component) 15e1 protrusion 15e2 protrusion 15e3 protrusion 15e4 protrusion 18 Rotation restriction member 20 Piping

Claims

1. Piping and A cylindrical adapter formed to protrude from the piping; a sensor member that is inserted into the adapter from the outside of the pipe; a clip member for preventing the sensor member from coming out of the adapter; a rotation restriction member that allows the sensor member inserted into the adapter to rotate about its axis while preventing the sensor member from rotating more than 360 degrees; Equipped with The rotation restricting member is a protrusion provided on one of the sensor member and the clip member; a rotation restriction portion provided on the other of the sensor member and the clip member, the rotation restriction portion coming into contact with the protrusion when the sensor member rotates by a predetermined rotation angle or more; have A piping device comprising:

2. The clip member has a pair of legs arranged opposite to each other and a connection portion connecting base ends of the legs, The protrusion has one end connected to the connection portion and is disposed between the legs; The adapter has a through hole penetrating a wall thickness of the adapter and horizontal holes positioned on both sides of the through hole in a circumferential direction, The sensor member has an engagement portion, A long groove is formed on the outer periphery of the engagement portion along the circumferential direction, the rotation restricting portion is made of end walls formed on both circumferential ends of the long groove, The protrusion is inserted into the through hole, and a tip of the protrusion is inserted into the long groove, The pair of legs are fitted into the horizontal hole so as to sandwich the engagement portion from both radial sides. The piping system of claim 1 .

3. The pair of legs have hooks at their tips that can be hooked onto the edges of the horizontal holes. The piping system of claim 2.

4. The leg portion is provided with a guide portion protruding inward, The tip of the guide portion is curved in an arc shape so as to fit the outer periphery of the engagement portion. The piping system of claim 2.

5. The sensor member has an engagement portion, The protrusion is formed on an outer periphery of the engagement portion, The clip member has a pair of legs arranged opposite to each other and a connection portion connecting base ends of the legs, The adapter is formed with a pair of lateral holes passing through a wall thickness of the adapter, A corner is formed on the inside of one or both of the legs, the rotation restriction portion is made of the corner portion, The pair of legs are fitted into the horizontal hole so as to sandwich the engagement portion from both radial sides. The piping system of claim 1 .

6. The adapter has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction narrowing the axial width of the horizontal hole, the clip member has a pair of sub-leg portions having base ends connected to the connecting portion and tip ends extending outwardly of the pair of legs, The tip of the sub-leg is formed with a hook that can be hooked onto the corner of the protrusion. The piping system of claim 5.

7. The outer peripheral shape of the engaging portion is rotationally symmetrical. The piping device according to claim 2 or 3.

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