Pipe joint

Abstract

To provide a pipe joint in which a socket and a plug are easily attached / detached and which can be easily cleaned.SOLUTION: A pipe joint 100 comprising a plug 2 constituting a flow path P2, and a socket 1 into which the plug 2 is inserted. The socket 1 constitutes the flow path P1, and comprises: a cylindrical nipple 4 having a head part 7; and a cylindrical sleeve 5 having, at one end, a fitting part which is fitted into an outer peripheral surface of the plug 2 to attach the plug 2 and, at the other end 8d, a housing part which houses the head part 7 of the nipple 4. The pipe joint 100 comprises an annular elastic member 3 that maintains airtightness between the flow path P2 and the flow path P1. The plug 2 or the nipple 4 has a holding part 19 that holds the elastic member 3. With the head part 7 of the nipple 4 housed in the housing part, the plug 2 is inserted from one end of the sleeve 5 and the elastic member 3 is pressed between the plug 2 and the nipple 4, thereby connecting the flow path P2 and the flow path P1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe joint. [Background technology]

[0002] Because pipes through which food and beverages are carried are prone to the growth of bacteria, the pipes and pipe joints connecting the pipes must be disconnected and cleaned periodically after use. For this reason, pipe joints that are easy to attach, detach, and clean are required.

[0003] For the purpose of making pipe fittings easier to attach and detach and to clean, a technology has been disclosed in which a locking member and a locking operation member are used to connect a socket and a plug into which the socket is inserted, for example (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] For example, in this pipe joint consisting of a socket and a plug inserted and connected to the socket, the socket has a cylindrical socket body that receives the plug, a locking member that extends circumferentially around the socket body to surround it, and a locking operation member that is set between both end portions of the locking member, and the plug has an insertion portion that is inserted into the socket body, and a fitting recess that is formed in the insertion portion and prevents the insertion portion from being pulled out of the socket body by fitting with the locking member. This configuration makes it easier to connect and disconnect the pipe joint, and therefore makes it easier to clean the pipe joint. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-007303 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the configuration in which a locking member and a locking operation member are provided to connect the socket and the plug requires the operator to become accustomed to the operation of connecting and disconnecting, and there is still a problem that it is difficult to connect and disconnect easily.In addition, there are many parts, such as the locking member and the locking operation member, that are provided separately from the socket and the plug, and the structure is complicated, so there is still a problem that it is difficult to clean.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS An object of the present invention is to provide a pipe joint in which the socket and plug can be easily attached and detached and which can be easily cleaned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. A pipe fitting according to one aspect of the present invention is a pipe fitting comprising: a plug which defines a flow path; and a socket into which the plug is inserted, the socket comprising: a cylindrical nipple which defines a flow path and has a head; and a cylindrical sleeve which has a fitting portion at one end which fits into the outer peripheral surface of the plug to attach the plug, and a accommodating portion at the other end which accommodates the head of the nipple which is inserted from the one end, the pipe fitting comprising an annular elastic member which maintains airtightness between the flow path defined by the plug and the flow path defined by the nipple, the plug or the nipple having a retaining portion which holds the elastic member, and with the head of the nipple accommodated in the accommodating portion, the plug is inserted from one end of the sleeve and the elastic member is pressed between the plug and the nipple, thereby connecting the flow path defined by the plug and the flow path defined by the nipple.

[0009] With this configuration, not only can the socket and plug be easily attached and detached, but the sleeve and nipple can be assembled and disassembled without using tools. Furthermore, since it has a holder for the elastic member, the elastic member can be easily attached and disassembled. Therefore, the components that make up the pipe joint can be easily cleaned.

[0010] In the above configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the plug has a convex shape, and the fitting portion is an outer peripheral wall of the sleeve that forms a groove or slit into which the convex outer peripheral surface of the plug fits and is rotated circumferentially, thereby locking the connection between the socket and the plug, and the accommodating portion may be an annular portion having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of one end of the sleeve.

[0011] In the above configuration, the thickness of the elastic member may be thicker than the distance between the plug inserted into the sleeve and the head of the nipple accommodated in the accommodating portion when the socket and the plug are connected to each other.

[0012] In the aforementioned configuration, the holding portion may be provided on the plug.

[0013] The retaining portion may have a restricting wall that restricts movement of the elastic member in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the plug into the sleeve, and the elastic member may be retained so that its end in the insertion direction protrudes from the plug. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the socket and the plug can be easily attached and detached, and can be easily cleaned. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along an axial direction during assembly of a socket according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along an axial direction of a plug according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along an axial direction of an elastic member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention prior to start of connection. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are side views of a connecting process of a pipe joint in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of FIG. [Figure 9] 1A to 1C are side views of a connecting process of a pipe joint in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe joint in a locked state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along an axial direction of a socket according to a first embodiment of the present invention when disassembled. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a side view of a plug in a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of a socket according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of a plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of an elastic member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of a pipe joint in a connected state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [First embodiment] <Pipe fittings> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe joint 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The pipe fitting 100 is a type of fitting that connects pipes through which fluids such as food and beverages flow. As shown in Fig. 1, the pipe fitting 100 includes a cylindrical socket 1, a cylindrical plug 2 that is inserted into and connected to the socket 1, and an annular elastic member 3 that maintains airtightness of the flow path between the socket 1 and the plug 2.

[0018] In the following explanation, the direction along the axis of each of the socket 1, plug 2, and elastic member 3 is referred to as the axial direction. The direction around the axis of each of the socket 1, plug 2, and elastic member 3 is referred to as the circumferential direction. The direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as the radial direction. The direction of the plug 2 in the axial direction relative to the socket 1 and elastic member 3 is simply referred to as the plug 2 side. The direction of the socket 1 in the axial direction relative to the plug 2 and elastic member 3 is simply referred to as the socket 1 side.

[0019] <socket> First, the socket 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of the socket 1 during assembly in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the socket 1 includes a cylindrical nipple 4 and a cylindrical sleeve 5 disposed radially outward of the nipple 4. The socket 1 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. The socket 1 is connected to a pipe 101. In the following description, the side of the socket 1 (nipple 4 and sleeve 5) opposite the plug 2 in the axial direction and facing the pipe 101 is simply referred to as the pipe 101 side. The nipple 4 includes a cylindrical nipple tubular portion 6 and a head portion 7 formed on the plug 2 side of the nipple tubular portion 6. An inner circumferential surface 4a of the nipple 4 forms a flow path P1 through which a fluid flows.

[0020] A rear end 6b of the nipple tubular portion 6 opposite to the plug 2 is connected to a pipe 101. A head 7 is integrally formed with the nipple tubular portion 6 on the plug 2 side. The head 7 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 6c of the nipple cylindrical portion 6 toward the outside in the radial direction.

[0021] The head 7 has a rectangular cross section along the axial direction. The head 7 is formed over the entire circumferential direction of the nipple tubular portion 6.

[0022] The sleeve 5 is cylindrical. The sleeve 5 is rotatable relative to the nipple 4. The sleeve 5 includes a sleeve tubular portion 8 and an annular portion 9 (corresponding to the accommodation portion in the claims) that protrudes radially inward from the sleeve tubular portion 8. The head 7 of the nipple 4 is accommodated inside the sleeve tubular portion 8. The inner diameter d1 of the sleeve tubular portion 8 is slightly larger than the outer diameter D1 of the head 7 of the nipple 4. An annular portion 9 protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 8a is formed at a rear end 8d (the other end in the claims) of the sleeve tubular portion 8 on the pipe 101 side. A slit 10 into which the plug 2 is attached is formed at a front end 8e (the one end in the claims) of the sleeve tubular portion 8 on the plug 2 side.

[0023] The annular portion 9 has a rectangular cross section along the axial direction. The annular portion 9 is integrally formed with the sleeve tubular portion 8 over the entire circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 8a of the sleeve tubular portion 8. A rear end surface 9a of the annular portion 9 on the pipe 101 side is disposed on the same plane as a rear end surface 8b of the sleeve tubular portion 8 on the pipe 101 side. The inner diameter d2 of the annular portion 9 is smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the sleeve tubular portion 8. The inner diameter d2 of the annular portion 9 is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the nipple tubular portion 6. The inner diameter d2 of the annular portion 9 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the head 7.

[0024] The slit 10 is formed by the outer peripheral wall 33 (corresponding to the fitting portion in the claims). The slit 10 is formed so that the plug 2 fits into it. The slit 10 includes a first slit 11 extending from the front end face 8c of the sleeve tubular portion 8 toward the piping 101, and a second slit 12 folding back from the first slit 11 toward the plug 2. The slit 10 penetrates the sleeve tubular portion 8 in the radial direction. Four slits 10 are formed. The four slits 10 are arranged side by side at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0025] A front end 11a of the first slit 11 on the plug 2 side opens to a front end surface 8c of the cylindrical sleeve portion 8. The first slit 11 extends from the front end surface 8c of the cylindrical sleeve portion 8 along the axial direction of the cylindrical sleeve portion 8 toward the piping 101 side. A rear end 11b of the first slit 11 on the piping 101 side communicates with the second slit 12.

[0026] The second slit 12 is formed by folding back from the rear end 11b of the first slit 11 toward the plug 2 side. The second slit 12 has a folded back portion 12b folded back in the axial direction, and an end portion 12a opposite to the rear end portion 11b of the first slit 11. The second slit 12 extends in the circumferential direction from the rear end portion 11b of the first slit 11, extends toward the piping 101 side, and communicates with the folded back portion 12b. The second slit 12 further extends in the circumferential direction from the folded back portion 12b, and extends toward the plug 2 side. The outer peripheral wall 33 of the end portion 12a is in an arc shape.

[0027] <Plug> Next, the plug 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of the plug 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the plug 2 includes a plug body 13 and a convex portion 16 formed on the plug body 13. In this embodiment, the plug 2 also includes a holding portion 19 that holds the elastic member 3. The plug 2 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. The plug 2 is connected to a pipe 102. In the following description, the side of the plug 2 opposite the socket 1 (nipple 4 and sleeve 5) in the axial direction and facing the pipe 102 is simply referred to as the pipe 102 side. An outer circumferential surface 2a of the plug 2 has a convex shape. The plug body 13 includes a cylindrical plug tubular portion 14 and a flange portion 15 that protrudes radially outward from the plug tubular portion 14 .

[0028] The plug barrel portion 14 includes a plug barrel rear portion 17 on the piping 102 side, a plug barrel front portion 18 on the socket 1 side, and a plug barrel center portion 25 disposed between the plug barrel rear portion 17 and the plug barrel front portion 18. An inner circumferential surface 14a of the plug barrel portion 14 forms a flow path P2 through which a fluid flows. The plug barrel rear portion 17 is connected to the piping 102. An elastic member 3 is provided on the plug barrel front portion 18. The axial length of the plug barrel front portion 18 is designated as L1.

[0029] The flange portion 15 protrudes radially outward from the plug barrel central portion 25. The flange portion 15 is integrally formed with the plug barrel central portion 25 over the entire circumferential direction of the plug barrel central portion 25. The flange portion 15 has a rectangular cross section that is elongated in the axial direction. The outer diameter D4 of the flange portion 15 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the sleeve barrel portion 8 and approximately the same as the outer diameter D1 of the head 7 of the nipple 4. The flange portion 15 has an end surface 15a (corresponding to a restricting wall in the claims) formed on the socket 1 side.

[0030] An end face 15a of the flange portion 15 and an outer circumferential surface 18a of the plug cylinder front portion 18 constitute a holding portion 19 that holds the elastic member 3. Holes 15c are formed in the outer circumferential surface 15b of the flange portion 15 toward the inside in the radial direction. Four holes 15c are formed. The four holes 15c are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A protrusion 16 is provided in the holes 15c.

[0031] The protrusions 16 are, for example, cylindrical pins provided by press-fitting into the holes 15c. The protrusions 16 protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 15b of the flange portion 15. Four protrusions 16 are formed. The four protrusions 16 are arranged side by side at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The protrusions 16 are formed to fit into the slits 10.

[0032] <Elastic material> Next, the elastic member 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of the elastic member 3 in the first embodiment. The elastic member 3 has a function of generating a force against an external force, and is an elastic body such as silicone rubber. The elastic member 3 maintains airtightness between the flow path P1 of the nipple 4 and the flow path P2 of the plug 2. The hardness of the elastic member 3 is about Hs30. As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 3 is formed in an annular shape. The cross section of the elastic member 3 along the axial direction is an elliptical shape that is long in the axial direction. The elastic member 3 has an axial length L2 (corresponding to the thickness of the elastic member in the claims) in a normal uncompressed state that is longer than the length L1 of the plug barrel front portion 18. The elastic member 3 is attached to the plug 2 by providing an inner circumferential surface 3a on the outer circumferential surface 18a of the plug barrel front portion 18.

[0033] The elastic member 3 comprises a central portion 20 extending in the axial direction, a first end portion 21 (corresponding to the end portion in the insertion direction in the claims) extending from the central portion 20 towards the socket 1, and a second end portion 22 extending from the central portion 20 towards the plug 2. A side surface 21a of the first end portion 21 contacts the front end surface 7a of the head portion 7 of the nipple 4 when the pipe fitting 100 is in a connected state. A corner of the side surface 21a is rounded. A side surface 22a of the second end portion 22 contacts the end surface 15a of the flange portion 15 of the plug 2 when the pipe fitting 100 is in a connected state. A corner of the side surface 22a is rounded.

[0034] [Pipe joint connection process] The connecting process of the pipe fitting 100 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 12. Figure 5 is a side view of the pipe fitting 100 in the first embodiment before the start of connection. Figures 7 and 9 are side views of the pipe fitting 100 in the first embodiment during the connecting process. Figure 11 is a side view of the pipe fitting 100 in the first embodiment in a locked state. Figures 6, 8, 10, and 12 are cross-sectional views along the axial direction of Figures 5, 7, 9, and 11, respectively.

[0035] First, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the socket 1 is assembled with the nipple 4 and the sleeve 5. The rear end 6b of the nipple 4 is inserted into the front end 8e of the sleeve 5. The head 7 of the nipple 4 is inserted up to the annular portion 9, which is the housing portion, and the nipple 4 is housed in the sleeve 5. At this time, the front end surface 9b of the annular portion 9 on the plug 2 side and the rear end surface 7b of the head 7 of the sleeve 5 are in contact with each other.

[0036] Next, the elastic member 3 is attached to the holding portion 19 of the plug 2. Specifically, the elastic member 3 is attached so that the inner circumferential surface 3a of the elastic member 3 contacts the outer circumferential surface 18a of the plug barrel front portion 18. The elastic member 3 is also attached until the side surface 22a of the second end portion 22 of the elastic member 3 contacts the end surface 15a of the flange portion 15.

[0037] Next, the convex portion 16 of the plug 2 is opposed to the slit 10 of the sleeve 5. With the head 7 of the nipple 4 accommodated in the accommodation portion, the plug 2 is inserted into the sleeve 5, and the convex portion 16 is inserted from the front end portion 11a of the first slit 11, so that the convex portion 16 and the slit 10 are fitted together.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the protrusion 16 is inserted up to the rear end 11b of the first slit 11. At this time, the side surface 21a of the first end 21 of the elastic member 3 is not in contact with the front end surface 7a of the head 7. Next, the plug 2 and the sleeve 5 are brought close to each other, and the sleeve 5 is rotated in the circumferential direction. That is, the side surface 21a of the first end 21 of the elastic member 3 is pressed against the front end surface 7a of the head 7, and the elastic member 3 is compressed by being pressed against the front end surface 7a and the end surface 15a of the flange portion 15. While compressing the elastic member 3, the sleeve 5 is rotated in the circumferential direction (the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7) opposite to the circumferential direction in which the second slit 12 is formed.

[0039] 9 and 10, the convex portion 16 is inserted up to the folded portion 12b of the second slit 12. Furthermore, from a state in which the convex portion 16 is disposed at the folded portion 12b, the sleeve 5 is rotated in the direction opposite to the circumferential direction in which the second slit 12 is formed (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9).

[0040] 11 and 12, the protrusion 16 is inserted up to the end 12a of the second slit 12. The protrusion 16 engages with the end 12a of the second slit 12. In other words, the socket 1 and the plug 2 are connected and in a locked state. When the connection of the pipe fitting 100 is in the locked state, the elastic member 3 is pressed against the front end surface 7a of the head portion 7 and the end surface 15a of the flange portion 15 and is compressed.

[0041] Here, when the connection of the pipe fitting 100 is in the locked state, the distance between the end face 15a of the flange portion 15 of the plug 2 and the front end face 7a of the head 7 of the nipple 4 is taken as distance L3. When the connection of the pipe fitting 100 is in the locked state, the length of the elastic member 3 in the compressed state is also L3. The axial length L2 when the elastic member 3 is not compressed is normally longer than the distance L3. The axial length L1 of the plug barrel front portion 18 is shorter than the distance L3. As a result of the above, the flow passage P2 of the plug 2 and the flow passage P1 of the nipple 4 are connected. It should be noted that the pipe joint 100 can be released from connection by performing the above-described connection process in reverse.

[0042] <Action and effect> Next, the operation and effects of the pipe joint 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The socket 1 and the plug 2 are connected by inserting the plug 2 into the sleeve 5 while fitting the outer circumferential surface 2a of the plug 2 into the fitting portion of the socket 1, with the head 7 accommodated in the housing portion. This allows easy attachment and detachment of the socket 1 and the plug 2. Furthermore, the sleeve 5 and the nipple 4 can be easily assembled and disassembled without using tools.

[0043] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the socket 1 in the first embodiment when disassembled. 13, the sleeve 5 can be moved closer to the pipe 101 than the nipple 4. This allows the head 7 of the nipple 4 to be exposed. This makes it easy to clean the components that make up the pipe fitting 100.

[0044] The pipe joint 100 is connected and locked by rotating the sleeve 5 in the circumferential direction while fitting the protrusion 16 of the plug 2 into the slit 10, which is the fitting portion. The sleeve 5 has a housing portion which is an annular portion 9 having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the sleeve tubular portion 8. Therefore, even when the plug 2 or the sleeve 5 is rotated in the circumferential direction with the protrusion 16 of the plug 2 fitted into the slit 10, which is the fitting portion of the sleeve 5, and the plug 2 inserted into the sleeve 5, the connection between the socket 1 and the plug 2 is locked, the head 7 and the annular portion 9 engage with each other because the housing portion is the annular portion 9. Therefore, the nipple 4 does not come off the sleeve 5. Therefore, the nipple 4 and the sleeve 5 can be assembled and disassembled without using tools.

[0045] The length L2 of the elastic member 3 before compression is longer than the distance L3 between the front end surface 7a of the head 7 of the nipple 4 and the end surface 15a of the flange portion 15 of the plug 2 when the connection of the pipe fitting 100 is in the locked state. Therefore, the elastic member 3 is compressed when the pipe fitting 100 is in the locked state. At this time, the restoring force of the elastic member 3 can more firmly engage the convex portion 16 with the end portion 12a of the second slit 12. Therefore, the connection between the socket 1 and the plug 2 can be made stronger.

[0046] The plug 2 is provided with a holding portion 19 that holds the elastic member 3. If the socket 1 is provided with the holding portion 19 that holds the elastic member 3, the presence of the elastic member 3 cannot be visually confirmed from the outside. Therefore, it is necessary to check whether the elastic member 3 has fallen off, which may result in overlooking it. In contrast, if the elastic member 3 is provided in the holding portion 19 of the plug 2, it can be easily visually confirmed from the outside. Therefore, it is easy to know if the elastic member 3 has fallen off. Furthermore, by providing the holding portion 19 for holding the elastic member 3, the elastic member 3 can be easily attached and disassembled.

[0047] The holding portion 19 is composed of an end surface 15a of the flange portion 15 and an outer circumferential surface 18a of the plug barrel front portion 18. Here, the end surface 15a is a restricting wall that restricts the movement of the elastic member 3 toward the pipe 102 side (corresponding to the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the plug into the sleeve in the claims). Furthermore, the length L2 of the elastic member 3 before compression is longer than the length L1 of the plug barrel front portion 18 of the plug 2. As a result, when the elastic member 3 is provided in the holding portion 19 of the plug 2, the first end portion 21 of the elastic member 3 protrudes beyond the plug barrel front portion 18. Therefore, in the connected state of the pipe fitting 100, the elastic member 3 can connect the socket 1 and the plug 2 by elastic force and maintain airtightness between the flow path P1 of the nipple 4 and the flow path P2 of the plug 2.

[0048] Next, a first modified example of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the first modified example, the same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the differences between the first modified example and the first modified example will be described.

[0049] [First Modification] FIG. 14 is a side view of the plug 2 in the first modified example. The difference between the above-described embodiment and the first modified example is that the object to which the plug 2 of the embodiment is connected is different. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, the plug 2 is connected to a fixed body 103. The fixed body 103 is, for example, a device used in a food factory. The fixed body 103 has a connection port 105 that connects a fixed body main body 104 and a pipe. The fixed body 103 is formed with a connection port 105. The connection port 105 is cylindrical. The connection port 105 is a connection port for connecting the fixed body 103 with a pipe or the like. The connection port 105 is connected to the plug 2 at the plug cylinder rear portion 17. The connection port 105 is formed integrally with the fixed body main body portion 104.

[0050] With this configuration, the position of the convex portion 16 of the plug 2 can be fixed. Therefore, when connecting the pipe fitting 100, the positional relationship between the convex portion 16 and the slit 10 is uniquely determined. Therefore, the pipe fitting 100 can be easily connected.

[0051] [Second embodiment] <Pipe fittings> The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the same aspects as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] In the second embodiment, a pipe joint 200 includes a socket 201, a plug 202, and an elastic member 203, similarly to the first embodiment described above.

[0053] <socket> First, the socket 201 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a socket 201 according to the second embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, socket 201 includes nipple 204 and sleeve 205. Other than this, the basic configuration of socket 201 is similar to that of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 15, the difference between the first and second embodiments is that in socket 201 of the second embodiment, nipple 204 includes holding portion 219 for holding elastic member 203 instead of plug 2 of the first embodiment.

[0054] The nipple 204 comprises a cylindrical nipple tube portion 6 and a head portion 207 formed on the plug 202 side of the nipple tube portion 6. The nipple tube portion 6 comprises a nipple tube front portion 226 on the plug 202 side and a nipple tube rear portion 227 on the pipe 101 side. The nipple tube front portion 226 is formed to be thicker than the nipple tube rear portion 227. Therefore, a stepped portion 228 is provided between the nipple tube front portion 226 and the nipple tube rear portion 227.

[0055] The head 207 includes a first protruding portion 229 extending axially from the nipple cylinder front portion 226, and a second protruding portion 230 extending radially outward from an outer circumferential surface 229a of the first protruding portion 229. The thickness of the first protruding portion 229 is the same as that of the nipple cylinder front portion 226. The second protruding portion 230 is formed over the entire circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface 229a of the first protruding portion 229.

[0056] A front end surface 230a of the second protruding portion 230 is disposed closer to the pipe 101 than an end surface 229b of the first protruding portion 229 on the plug 202 side. Therefore, the head 207 has an L-shaped cross section along the axial direction. The second protruding portion 230 engages with the annular portion 9 to accommodate the head 207 of the nipple 204. The end surface 229b and the front end surface 230a come into contact with the elastic member 203 when the pipe fitting 200 is in a connected state.

[0057] In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 229 a of the first protruding portion 229 and the front end surface 230 a of the second protruding portion 230 form a holding portion 219 that holds the elastic member 203 .

[0058] Similar to the first embodiment, the sleeve 205 includes a sleeve tubular portion 8 and an annular portion 9 protruding radially inward from the sleeve tubular portion 8. The inner diameter d2 of the annular portion 9 is slightly larger than the outer diameter D3 of the nipple cylinder front portion 226.

[0059] <Plug> Next, the plug 202 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a plug 202 in the second embodiment. The plug 202 is similar to the first embodiment in that it includes a plug body 13 and a protrusion 16 formed on the plug body 13. Other than this, the basic configuration of the plug 202 is similar to that of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 16, the difference between the first and second embodiments is that the plug 202 of the second embodiment does not include a holding portion 219 for holding the elastic member 203 that was included in the plug 2 of the first embodiment. The plug body 13 includes a cylindrical plug barrel portion 14 and a flange portion 15 protruding radially outward from the plug barrel portion 14. The plug barrel portion 14 includes a plug barrel rear portion 17 and a plug barrel center portion 25. The plug barrel portion 14 has a front end surface 214b on the socket 201 side.

[0060] The flange portion 15 is disposed on the socket 201 side of the plug cylindrical portion 14. An end face 15a of the flange portion 15 on the socket 201 side is disposed on the same plane as a front end face 214b of the plug cylindrical portion 14. The end face 15a and the front end face 214b contact the elastic member 203 when the pipe fitting 200 is in a connected state.

[0061] Next, the elastic member 203 will be described with reference to FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic member 203 in the second embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the elastic member 203 includes a central portion 20, a first end portion 221 extending from the central portion 20 toward the socket 201, and a second end portion 22 extending from the central portion 20 toward the plug. As shown in FIG. 17, the central portion 20 has an end surface 220a on the socket 201 side.

[0062] The first end 221 has a rectangular shape whose cross section along the axial direction is slightly elongated in the axial direction. The first end 221 has an end face 221b on the socket 201 side. The first end 221 has an inner circumferential surface 221a. The inner circumferential surface 221a is provided radially outward of the inner circumferential surface 203a of the elastic member 203. In other words, the inner diameter d4 of the first end 221 is larger than the inner diameter d3 of the central portion 20.

[0063] With this configuration, the elastic member 203 is attached to the holding portion 219 of the nipple 204. Specifically, the elastic member 203 is attached so that an inner peripheral surface 221a of a first end portion 221 of the elastic member 203 contacts an outer peripheral surface 229a of the first protruding portion 229. The elastic member 203 is also attached so that an end face 221b of the first end portion 221 of the elastic member 203 contacts a front end face 230a of the second protruding portion 230, and an end face 220a of the central portion 20 of the elastic member 203 contacts an end face 229b of the first protruding portion 229. With the elastic member 203 attached to the holding portion 219 in this manner, the pipe joint 200 can be connected and disconnected by carrying out the same operations as in the above-mentioned connecting process.

[0064] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe joint 200 in the second embodiment in a connected state. As shown in FIG. 18, an end face 221b of the first end portion 221 and an end face 220a of the central portion 20 of the elastic member 203 are pressed against an end face 229b of the first protruding portion 229 and a front end face 230a of the second protruding portion 230, respectively. Furthermore, the side surface 22a of the second end portion 22 of the elastic member 203 is pressed against a surface formed by the end surface 15a of the flange portion 15 and the front end surface 214b of the plug cylindrical portion 14. At this time, the axial length L2 of the elastic member 203 before compression is longer than the distance L4 between the front end surface 230a of the second protruding portion 230 and the front end surface 214b of the plug cylindrical portion 14 when the connection of the pipe fitting 200 is in the locked state.

[0065] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example, the pipe joints 100, 200 are provided with the elastic members 3, 203 to maintain the airtightness of the flow paths P1, P2. However, this is not limited to the above, and the pipe joints 100, 200 do not need to be provided with the elastic members 3, 203. In this case, the airtightness of the flow paths P1, P2 can be maintained by a method such as a metal seal. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example can be achieved.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the cross section of the head 7 along the axial direction is rectangular. Also, the cross section of the annular portion 9 viewed from the axial direction is rectangular. However, this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the head 7 and the annular portion 9 are formed to engage with each other in the axial direction.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the head portion 7 and the annular portion 9 are formed over the entire circumferential direction. However, this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that either the head portion 7 or the annular portion 9 is formed over the entire circumferential direction. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified examples are achieved. Furthermore, neither the head portion 7 nor the annular portion 9 need to be formed over the entire circumferential direction. In this case, it is sufficient that the sleeve 5, 205 is formed so as not to slip out from the nipple 4, 204 to the plug 2, 202. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example are achieved.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the sleeve 5, 205 has the slit 10, and the plug 2, 202 has the protruding portion 16. However, this is not limited to this, and the sleeve 5, 205 may have the protruding portion 16, and the plug 2, 202 may have the slit 10. In this case, it is sufficient that the protruding portion 16 and the slit 10 are formed to fit together. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified examples can be achieved.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the socket 1, 201 and the plug 2, 202 are connected by fitting the slit 10 and the protrusion 16 together. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the socket 1, 201 and the plug 2, 202 may be connected by aligning the positions of holes provided in the plug 2, 202 and the sleeve 5, 205, respectively, and inserting a pin. In this case, it is only necessary that the sleeve 5, 205 and the nipple 4, 204 are locked so as not to be disassembled when the pipe joints 100, 200 are in a connected state. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified examples are achieved.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the sleeve 5, 205 penetrates the sleeve tubular portion 8 in the radial direction. However, this is not limited to this, and the sleeve 5, 205 may be a groove that opens into the inner circumferential surface 8a of the sleeve tubular portion 8. In this case, the depth of the groove needs only to be formed so that the protrusion 16 fits into it. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified examples can be achieved.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the protrusion 16 is a cylindrical pin provided by press-fitting into the hole 15c. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the protrusion 16 may be formed integrally with the plug 2. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified examples can be achieved.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, four protrusions 16 and four slits 10 are formed and arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. However, this is not limited to this, and one or more protrusions 16 may be formed. Also, one or more slits 10 may be formed. In this case, it is sufficient that the protrusions 16 and the slits 10 are arranged at corresponding positions. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified example are achieved.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, either the nipple 4, 204 or the plug 2, 202 is provided with a retaining portion 19, 219 that retains the elastic member 3, 203. However, this is not limited to this, and the retaining portion 19, 219 may not be provided. In this case, it is sufficient to connect the pipe fittings 100, 200 while maintaining the elastic member 3, 203 so that it is provided between the nipple 4, 204 and the plug 2, 202. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified examples can be achieved.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the slit 10 includes a first slit 11 extending from the front end surface 8c of the sleeve tubular portion 8 toward the pipe 101, and a second slit 12 folding back from the first slit 11 toward the plug 2, 202. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the sleeve 5, 205 is formed so as to be inserted while rotating relative to the plug 2, 202. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified example are achieved.

[0075] In the first modification of the first embodiment described above, the plug 2 is fixed to the fixed body 103. However, this is not limited to this, and the nipple 4 may be fixed to the fixed body 103. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modifications can be achieved.

[0076] In addition, the components in the above-described embodiment may be replaced with well-known components without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, the above-described modified examples may be combined. Among the embodiments disclosed in this specification, those that are composed of multiple objects may be integrated, and conversely, those that are composed of one object may be divided into multiple objects. Regardless of whether they are integrated or not, it is sufficient that they are configured to achieve the object of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1,201…Sockets 2,202…Plug 2a...Outer surface 3,203...Elastic member 4,204…Nipple 5,205…Sleeve 7,207…Head 8d…Rear end (other end of sleeve) 8e…Front end (one end of the sleeve) 9...Ring portion (housing portion) 10...Slit 15a...End face (regulating wall) 19,219...Holding part 21...First end portion (end portion in the insertion direction of the elastic member) 33...Outer wall (fitting portion) 100,200...Pipe fittings d1…Inner diameter of the sleeve cylinder (inner diameter of one end of the sleeve) d2…Inner diameter of the annular part (inner diameter) L2: Length of the elastic member in the normal axial direction (thickness of the elastic member) L3: Distance between the plug and the head of the nipple in the first embodiment L4: Distance between the plug and the head of the nipple in the second embodiment P1…Flow path P2…Flow path

Claims

1. A pipe joint comprising a plug forming a flow path and a socket into which the plug is inserted, The socket is A cylindrical nipple that defines a flow path and has a head; a cylindrical sleeve having at one end a fitting portion for fitting with an outer peripheral surface of the plug to attach the plug, and at the other end a housing portion for housing a head portion of the nipple inserted from the one end, the pipe joint includes an annular elastic member that maintains airtightness between a flow passage defined by the plug and a flow passage defined by the nipple, The plug or the nipple has a holding portion that holds the elastic member, With the head of the nipple accommodated in the accommodation portion, the plug is inserted from one end of the sleeve, and the elastic member is pressed between the plug and the nipple, thereby connecting a flow path formed by the plug and a flow path formed by the nipple. Pipe fittings.

2. The outer circumferential surface of the plug is convex, the fitting portion is an outer peripheral wall of the sleeve that constitutes a groove or slit into which the convex outer peripheral surface of the plug fits and which is rotated in a circumferential direction to lock the connection between the socket and the plug, The housing portion is a circular portion having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of one end of the sleeve.

2. The pipe fitting of claim 1.

3. a thickness of the elastic member is greater than a distance between the plug inserted in the sleeve and a head of the nipple accommodated in the accommodation portion when the socket and the plug are connected to each other; 3. A pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The holding portion is provided on the plug.

3. A pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the holding portion has a restricting wall that restricts movement of the elastic member in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the plug into the sleeve, The elastic member is held so that an end portion in the insertion direction protrudes from the plug.

4. A pipe joint according to claim 3.

Images