Connection structure and multipurpose vehicle

Abstract

To easily connect pipes with high sealability.SOLUTION: A connection structure connects a first pipe 16 and a second pipe 17. The second pipe 17 comprises: a second main body part 17A; an end part region continuous with the second main body part 17A, and fitted into the first pipe 16; an O-ring 23 provided on an outer periphery of the end part region; and regulation parts 26 and 27 for restraining the second pipe 17 from moving in an insertion / removal direction with respect to the first pipe 16. The O-ring 23 is in contact with the whole circumference of an inner peripheral surface of the first pipe 16 and the whole circumference of an outer peripheral surface of the end part region when the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure for connecting pipes, and a multi-purpose vehicle equipped with pipes connected by the connection structure. [Background technology]

[0002] When connecting two pipes through which a fluid flows, it is necessary to prevent the flowing fluid from leaking and to prevent air, water, mud, etc. from entering. For this reason, as shown in Patent Document 1, a movement prevention means (connecting device) is used.

[0003] For example, a connecting device may be an adapter made of a rubber pipe and two bands. The adapter is attached to two pipes with a pipe inserted into each end. The band is wrapped around the adapter at each of the portions of the adapter where the pipes are inserted. In this way, the two pipes are connected using the connecting device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-036919 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the above configuration, since a connecting device is required in addition to the pipes, the pipe connection becomes complicated and the labor required for connecting the pipes increases. Also, if the fastening force of the band is too large, the pipes may be deformed or the pipes or adapters may be damaged, causing gaps, which may allow fluid to leak or air, water, mud, etc. to enter through the gaps.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT In order to solve these problems, an object of the present invention is to connect pipes easily and with high airtightness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a connecting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a connecting structure for connecting a first pipe and a second pipe, wherein the second pipe comprises a second main body portion, an end region continuous with the second main body portion and fitted into the first pipe, an O-ring provided on the outer periphery of the end region, and a regulating portion for suppressing movement of the second pipe in the insertion / removal direction relative to the first pipe, and when the first pipe and the second pipe are connected, the O-ring contacts the entire circumference of the inner surface of the first pipe and the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the end region.

[0008] With this configuration, the first pipe and the second pipe can be connected simply by inserting the second pipe into the first pipe, and the pipes can be easily connected. Also, the O-ring is crushed (elastically deformed) to come into close contact with the first pipe and the second pipe, ensuring airtightness of the connected pipes. Furthermore, by providing a restricting portion, the second pipe is prevented from falling off the first pipe or being inserted into the first pipe more than necessary, and the connection between the first pipe and the second pipe can be easily and accurately maintained. As a result, the pipes can be connected easily and with high airtightness.

[0009] In addition, the first pipe may have a first main body portion and a retaining area continuous with the first main body portion, and the O-ring may be in contact with the entire circumference of the inner surface of the retaining area and the entire circumference of the outer surface of the end area when the first pipe and the second pipe are connected.

[0010] With this configuration, the first pipe and the second pipe can be connected simply by inserting the second pipe so that the end region of the second pipe overlaps the holding region of the first pipe, and the pipes can be easily connected. In addition, it is easy to insert the second pipe to an appropriate position, and the second pipe can be inserted into the first pipe with high positioning accuracy. As a result, the pipes can be connected easily and with high airtightness.

[0011] The regulating portion may include a protrusion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the second main body portion, and a claw portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second main body portion and capable of engaging with an end of the first pipe.

[0012] With this configuration, the claw portion engages with the end of the first pipe portion and the protrusion abuts against the first pipe, accurately preventing the second pipe from falling off the first pipe or the second pipe from being inserted into the first pipe more than necessary. As a result, the pipes can be connected easily and with a high level of sealing.

[0013] The connector may further include a flange portion provided on an end of the first pipe, and the claw portion may engage with the flange portion when the first pipe and the second pipe are connected.

[0014] With this configuration, the claws engage with the flange portion and can hold the first pipe with precision, which precisely prevents the second pipe from falling off the first pipe and allows the pipes to be connected easily and with a high degree of airtightness.

[0015] The protrusion and the claw portion may be disposed at positions facing each other across the center of the cross section of the second main body portion.

[0016] With this configuration, the second pipe is efficiently prevented from falling out of the first pipe or from being inserted into the first pipe more than necessary, with a minimum necessary configuration, and as a result, the pipes can be connected easily and with a high degree of sealing.

[0017] The pipe may further include a protrusion provided around the entire outer surface of the tip region of the end region, and the protrusion may contact the entire inner surface of the first pipe when the first pipe and the second pipe are connected.

[0018] With this configuration, when the second pipe is inserted into the first pipe, the protruding portion of the second pipe can be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first pipe, and together with the O-ring, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the first pipe and the second pipe. This improves the airtightness of the connected pipes, and allows the pipes to be connected easily and with a high airtightness.

[0019] The holding area may be elastic.

[0020] With this configuration, the first pipe (holding area) is deformed by the close contact of the O-ring, and the tightness between the O-ring and the holding area can be improved. As a result, the pipes can be connected easily and tightly.

[0021] Furthermore, a gas may flow through the first pipe and the second pipe.

[0022] With this configuration, the first pipe and the second pipe through which the airbag flows can be easily connected with high airtightness.

[0023] Furthermore, a multi-purpose vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a transmission, and the first pipe and the second pipe that supply air to the transmission and are connected to each other, and the first pipe and the second pipe are connected by the connecting structure.

[0024] With this configuration, the first pipe and the second pipe that supply air to the transmission of the utility vehicle can be connected easily and with a high degree of airtightness. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the utility vehicle as seen from the left side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a continuously variable transmission and a pipe. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a pipe connection structure. [Figure 4]1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a pipe connection structure. [Diagram 5] 5 is a VV cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of the claw portion. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] First, a utility vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction of the arrow F shown in Fig. 1 is the "front side of the vehicle body", the direction of the arrow B is the "rear side of the vehicle body", the direction of the arrow U is the "upper side of the vehicle body", the direction of the arrow D is the "lower side of the vehicle body", the direction of the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 is the "left side of the vehicle body", and the direction of the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 is the "right side of the vehicle body". The left-right direction of the vehicle body corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0027] [Overall configuration of multi-purpose vehicle] The multipurpose vehicle shown in Fig. 1 is used for multiple purposes such as transporting luggage and recreation. The multipurpose vehicle has a pair of left and right running devices, front wheels 1, and a pair of left and right running devices, rear wheels 2. The front wheels 1 and rear wheels 2 are provided on a running vehicle body 3 (machine body). The front wheels 1 can be steered and driven, and the rear wheels 2 can be driven.

[0028] The multipurpose vehicle is equipped with a driver's section 4 in which a driver sits, at the front of a traveling body 3. The multipurpose vehicle is equipped with a driver's seat 5, a steering wheel 6 for steering the front wheels 1, a ROPs 7 for enclosing the riding space, and the like in the driver's section 4.

[0029] The multi-purpose vehicle is provided with a cargo bed 8 behind the driver's section 4. The cargo bed 8 is supported by a vehicle body frame 9. The cargo bed 8 can swing up and down around a connecting axis P between the cargo bed 8 and the vehicle body frame 9, and can be changed between a dump state in which the cargo bed 8 swings upward and a traveling state in which the cargo bed 8 swings downward.

[0030] 1 and 2, the multi-purpose vehicle is equipped with an engine E, a belt-type continuously variable transmission 12 (corresponding to a transmission) that changes the speed of the power transmitted from the engine E in a stepless manner, and a transmission 13 in order to drive the front wheels 1 and the rear wheels 2. The engine E, the continuously variable transmission 12, and the transmission 13 are disposed below the cargo bed 8. The continuously variable transmission 12 is cooled by air, and the air is supplied via a pipe 15 (air intake) connected to the continuously variable transmission 12.

[0031] 〔pipe〕 1 and 2, air supplied to the continuously variable transmission 12 is taken in at a region near the front of the traveling vehicle body 3 and circulated to the continuously variable transmission 12 via a pipe 15. Since the air circulation path is long, the pipe 15 is configured by connecting a first pipe 16 and a second pipe 17. The first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 may be formed of any material, for example, they may be resin, and at least one of them may be a metal such as iron.

[0032] 3 and 4, the first pipe 16 includes a first main body portion 16A, a holding area 18, and a flange portion 19. The holding area 18 is continuous with the first main body portion 16A, and the first main body portion 16A and the holding area 18 integrally constitute the first pipe 16. The flange portion 19 is provided at an end of the holding area 18, and is configured to expand radially toward the end. The flange portion 19 may be provided around the entire outer periphery of the cross section of the holding area 18 of the first pipe 16, or may be provided on a portion of the outer periphery of the holding area 18.

[0033] The second pipe 17 includes a second body portion 17A, an end region 21, an O-ring 23, and a tab 24. The end region 21 is continuous with the second body portion 17A, and the second body portion 17A and the end region 21 integrally constitute the second pipe 17. One or more O-rings 23 are provided and are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the end region 21 over the entire circumference. The O-ring 23 is preferably an elastic body such as rubber. The tab 24 is used when supporting the second pipe 17 (pipe 15) on the traveling vehicle body 3. The diameter in the cross section of the holding region 18 of the first pipe 16 is determined according to the diameter of the end region 21 of the second pipe 17, and may be different from the diameter of the first body portion 16A. This makes it possible to easily connect the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 even if the diameters of the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are different.

[0034] When the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are connected, the end region 21 of the second pipe 17 is fitted into the holding region 18 of the first pipe 16. In other words, the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are connected in a manner in which the end region 21 and the holding region 18 overlap with each other so that the outer circumferential surface of the end region 21 and the inner circumferential surface of the holding region 18 face each other.

[0035] At this time, the O-ring 23 elastically deforms (crushes) and comes into contact (closely adheres) with the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the holding region 18 and the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the end region 21. Therefore, the space between the holding region 18 and the end region 21 is filled with the O-ring 23, and the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are connected while maintaining airtightness. In addition, since the holding region 18 and the end region 21 are in close contact with each other via the O-ring 23, the connection between the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 is easily maintained by frictional force.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferable that the holding region 18 is an elastic body. This allows the O-ring 23 to bite into the holding region 18, and the holding region 18 and the end region 21 can be more firmly attached to each other via the O-ring 23. Note that at least one of the holding region 18 and the end region 21 may be an elastic body, not limited to the holding region 18.

[0037] [Regulation Department] In order to more firmly connect the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17, the second pipe 17 includes a restricting portion. The restricting portion restricts the second pipe 17 from moving in the insertion / removal direction relative to the first pipe 16 when the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are connected.

[0038] 3 to 5, the restricting portion includes a projection 26 and a claw portion 27. The projection 26 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second main body portion 17A of the second pipe 17, protruding in a direction away from the cross-sectional center m of the second pipe 17 (second main body portion 17A). The claw portion 27 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second main body portion 17A of the second pipe 17. For example, the claw portion 27 is formed integrally with the tab 24.

[0039] The protrusion 26 and the claw portion 27 are disposed at positions facing each other across the cross-sectional center m of the second pipe 17 (second main body portion 17A). The protrusion 26 may be configured to protrude from a part of the outer peripheral surface of the second main body portion 17A, or may be configured to protrude over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the second main body portion 17A. Similarly, the claw portion 27 may have any width on the outer peripheral surface of the second main body portion 17A, or may be configured to extend over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface. Note that, in order to position the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 relative to each other in a well-balanced manner, the protrusion 26 and the claw portion 27 are preferably disposed at positions facing each other across the cross-sectional center m, but as long as the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 can be sufficiently positioned relative to each other, the relative positions of the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 on the outer peripheral surface are arbitrary.

[0040] When the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are connected, the protrusion 26 comes into contact with the holding area 18 of the first pipe 16, for example, the flange portion 19. As a result, the protrusion 26 positions the second pipe 17 so that it is not inserted further into the first pipe 16. In other words, the protrusion 26 prevents the second pipe 17 from moving in the direction of being inserted into the first pipe 16 more than necessary.

[0041] The claw portion 27 is configured to be able to engage with an end portion of the holding region 18. For example, when the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are connected, the claw portion 27 engages with the flange portion 19 of the holding region 18. This allows the claw portion 27 to position the second pipe 17 so that it does not come off the first pipe 16. In other words, the claw portion 27 prevents the second pipe 17 from moving in a direction in which it comes off (moves away from) the first pipe 16 from a position in which the second pipe 17 is properly inserted into the first pipe 16.

[0042] As described above, the restricting portion restrains the second pipe 17 from moving more than necessary in the direction to be inserted into the first pipe 16, and also restrains the second pipe 17 from moving in the direction to come out of (move away from) the first pipe 16, making it possible to precisely position and connect the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17. This prevents gaps from occurring between the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 due to misalignment of the connection position, making it possible to connect the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 easily and with high airtightness.

[0043] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, the second pipe 17 may further include a protruding portion 29. The protruding portion 29 is provided around the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface in the tip region of the end region 21, and protrudes in a direction away from the cross-sectional center m of the second pipe 17 (end region 21). The protruding portion 29 contacts the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the holding region 18 when the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 are connected. This allows the end region 21 and the holding region 18 to be in close contact with each other simply by inserting the second pipe 17 into the first pipe 16, and the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 to be in close contact with each other without any gaps. As a result, the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 can be connected easily and with high airtightness.

[0044] (2) In each of the above embodiments, the first pipe 16 is not limited to having a holding area 18 distinct from the first main body portion 16A, and may be configured not to have a holding area 18 distinct from the first main body portion 16A.

[0045] (3) In each of the above embodiments, as long as the claw portion 27 can engage with the first pipe 16, the first pipe 16 does not need to include the flange portion 19.

[0046] (4) In each of the above embodiments, the regulating portion is not limited to a configuration having a protrusion 26 and a claw portion 27, and may have any configuration as long as it can prevent the second pipe 17 from moving in the insertion / removal direction relative to the first pipe 16.

[0047] (5) In each of the above embodiments, the fluid flowing through the pipe 15 (the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17) is not limited to air, and may be any fluid, such as other fluids or liquids such as water.

[0048] (6) In each of the above embodiments, the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 that are connected are not limited to the pipe 15 that circulates air to the continuously variable transmission 12, but may be any piping that is connected. Furthermore, the multi-purpose vehicle is not limited to a configuration that is driven by the engine E, but may be driven by a motor, or may be driven by the engine E and a motor. Furthermore, the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 that are connected by a connecting structure are not limited to a configuration that is provided on a multi-purpose vehicle, but may be mounted on a work vehicle such as an agricultural work vehicle, or other vehicles or equipment. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The present invention can be applied to pipes mounted on multi-purpose vehicles and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 12 Continuously variable transmission (transmission) 16 First Pipe 16A First body part 17 Second Pipe 17A 2nd body part 18 Holding area 19 Flange 21 End area 23 O-ring 26 Protrusion (regulating part) 27 Claw section (regulating section) 29 Protrusion

Claims

1. A connection structure for connecting a first pipe and a second pipe, The second pipe is A second body portion; an end region that is continuous with the second body portion and is fitted into the first pipe; an O-ring provided on the outer periphery of the end region; a restricting portion that restricts movement of the second pipe relative to the first pipe in an insertion / removal direction, The O-ring has a connection structure in which, when the first pipe and the second pipe are connected, the O-ring contacts the entire circumference of the inner surface of the first pipe and the entire circumference of the outer surface of the end region.

2. The first pipe is A first body portion; a holding area continuous with the first body portion; The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the O-ring contacts the entire inner circumferential surface of the holding region and the entire outer circumferential surface of the end region when the first pipe and the second pipe are connected.

3. The regulating portion is A protrusion provided on an outer circumferential surface of the second main body portion; The connection structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a claw portion provided on an outer circumferential surface of the second body portion and capable of engaging with an end portion of the first pipe.

4. The pipe further includes a flange portion provided at an end of the first pipe, The connection structure according to claim 3 , wherein the claw portion engages with the flange portion when the first pipe and the second pipe are connected to each other.

5. The connection structure according to claim 3 , wherein the projection and the claw portion are disposed at positions facing each other across the center of the cross section of the second main body portion.

6. The end portion further includes a protrusion provided on the entire outer circumferential surface of the tip region of the end region, The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding portion contacts an entire periphery of an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe when the first pipe and the second pipe are connected to each other.

7. The connecting structure according to claim 2 , wherein the holding region is elastic.

8. The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein a gas flows through the first pipe and the second pipe.

9. A transmission; a first pipe and a second pipe that supply air to the transmission and are connected to each other; A multi-purpose vehicle, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are connected by the connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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