Flexible tube assembly

Abstract

To provide a flexible tube assembly capable of securing a wire braiding between an inner ring and an outer ring without using welding.SOLUTION: A flexible tube assembly includes a mechanism (10) for coupling one end of a metal tube (11) to one end of a wire braiding (15). The mechanism includes: a first ring (16) disposed between the metal tube and the wire braiding and fitted into one of a plurality of small diameter portions of the metal tube; a second ring (30) disposed around the wire braiding and the first ring to secure the wire braiding around the first ring; and a first annular member (50) and a second annular member (35) that are combined to each other by approaching toward each other along the longitudinal axis of the metal tube, at least one of which surrounds cut wire ends of the wire braiding to be unexposed in a combined state and that are disposed on both sides of the first ring and the second ring.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible tube assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-786073 discloses a flexible tube assembly. The flexible tube assembly has a flexible metal tube. The metal tube has a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion formed alternately in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the metal tube. Inner rings are attached to each end of the metal tube. The metal tube and the inner rings are covered with a cylindrical braided wire blade. Both ends of the wire blade are fixed to the inner rings by outer rings. A disc-shaped flange plate is attached around the outer ring. The flange plate has a concave stepped portion on the annular inner peripheral surface. The concave stepped portion is formed at the inner peripheral surface corner of the flange plate and accommodates a part of the inner ring, the outer ring, and the wire blade held between the inner ring and the outer ring. In order to prevent the wire blade from coming off from the region between the inner ring and the outer ring, the ends of the wire blade are welded to the inner ring and the outer ring. However, in order to ensure the required pressure resistance strength, the welding should be performed not on-site but in a highly quality-controlled environment or a manufacturing factory. This means that it is necessary to prepare tube assemblies of various lengths manufactured in a quality-controlled environment for each installation site.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] A flexible tube assembly (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention is A metal tube (11) having a plurality of large-diameter portions (12) and a plurality of small-diameter portions (13) arranged alternately along the long axis of the metal tube (11), a metal tube (11), A wire blade (15) mounted around the metal tube (11), One end of the metal tube (11) and a mechanism (10) attached to one end associated with the metal tube (11) for connecting the one end of the metal tube (11) to the associated one end of the wire blade (15), The mechanism (10) is, A first ring (16) disposed between the metal tube (11) and the wire blade (15) and fitted into one of the plurality of small-diameter portions (13) of the metal tube (11), A second ring (30) disposed around the first ring (16) and the wire blade (15) for fixing the wire blade (15) around the first ring (16), A first annular member (50) and a second annular member (35) disposed on both sides of the first ring (16) and the second ring (30) in a direction along the long axis (14) of the metal tube (11), The first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) are combined with each other by approaching each other along the long axis (14), In the combined state, the first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) are configured such that at least one of the first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) surrounds the cut wire end of the wire blade (15) so as not to expose it.

Effect of the Invention

[0005] According to the flexible tube assembly having such a configuration, the wire blade can be fixed without using welding between the inner ring and the outer ring. As a result, the tube assembly can be assembled at the installation site, and it is possible to avoid manufacturing and stocking tube assemblies of various sizes at the manufacturing factory. Further, since the wire cutting end of the wire blade is surrounded by the first ring and / or the second ring and is not exposed, it is possible to prevent an operator from contacting the cut wire and getting injured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further explain the principles of the present disclosure and enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure.

[0007]

Figure 1

[0008]

Figure 2

[0009]

Figure 3

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Figure 4

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Figure 5

[0012]

Figure 6

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Figure 7

[0014]

Figure 8

[0015]

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a flexible tube assembly according to the present invention will be described.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a flexible tube assembly indicated by reference numeral 1 as a whole. The tube assembly 1 has a connecting mechanism 10 indicated by reference numeral 10 as a whole at the left end and the right end on both sides of the tube assembly. In the embodiment, the left and right connecting mechanisms 10 have the same structure. The following description will be made with respect to the left connecting mechanism 10.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tube assembly 1 has a flexible metal tube 11. The metal tube 11 is made of a suitable metal such as stainless steel. In order to impart flexibility, the metal tube 11 has a plurality of large-diameter portions 12 and small-diameter portions 13 formed alternately in a direction along the major axis 14 of the metal tube 11.

[0019] A cylindrical braided wire blade 15 is attached to the metal tube 11 over its entire length.

[0020] The metal tube 11 and the wire blade 15 support the connecting mechanism 10 at both ends of the metal tube 11 and the wire blade 15. The connecting mechanism 10 is configured to be connected to a connecting mechanism of a tube assembly (not shown).

[0021] The connecting mechanism 10 has an inner ring (first ring) 16. The inner ring 16 is fitted into one of the small-diameter portions 13 near the end or free end of the metal tube 11. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner ring 16 is fitted into the second small-diameter portion 13 counted from the end of the metal tube 11, leaving two large-diameter portions 12 on the end side of the metal tube 11.

[0022] Preferably, the inner ring 16 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner ring 16 has an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 13. Preferably, the innermost end 17 of the inner ring 16 is rounded to conform to the shape of the rounded small-diameter portion 13. Preferably, the outermost end 18 of the inner ring 16 has a flat circumferential surface portion 19 extending parallel to the major axis 14. Preferably, the outer radial surface portion 20 near the end or free end of the metal tube 11 extends substantially perpendicular to the major axis 14. Preferably, the inner radial surface portion 21, away from the end or free end of the metal tube 11, extends radially outward from the innermost end and perpendicular to the major axis 14, and then bends away from the outer radial surface portion 20 toward the outermost end 18 of the inner ring 16 at an intermediate point to form an inverted-tapered radial surface portion 22 extending radially outward.

[0023] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner ring 16 has two half portions 23. Thereby, the inner ring 16 is attached to the small-diameter portion 13 by fitting each half portion 23 into the small-diameter portion 13, that is, the annular recess, from the radial outside.

[0024] The end of the wire blade 15 is fixed to the inner ring 16 by an outer ring (second ring) 30. Preferably, the outer ring 30 is made by pressing a disc-shaped stainless steel plate. Preferably, the outer ring 30 has a circumferential ring portion 31 and a radial ring portion 32 connected to one end of the circumferential ring portion 31. The circumferential portion and the radial ring portion 32 are respectively mounted on the circumferential surface portion 19 and the radial surface portion 23 of the inner ring 16, and hold the relevant portion of the wire blade 15 between the inner ring 16 and the outer ring 30.

[0025] The connecting mechanism 10 further has an annular flange plate (second engaging member) 35 and a cover ring (first engaging member) 50.

[0026] In the embodiment, the flange plate 35 has a central through hole 36 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the wire blade 15. Preferably, in order to connect to the relevant tube assembly using bolts (not shown), the flange plate 35 has four or more through holes 37 penetrating between the opposing main surfaces 38 of the flange plate 35 and spaced equidistantly in the circumferential direction.

[0027] The flange plate 35 has an annular recess or a concave stepped portion 40 at a corner or one end of the inner peripheral surface of the central through hole 36. Preferably, the concave stepped portion 40 has a radial wall portion 41 extending radially outward from the inner peripheral surface 39 of the central through hole 36 and an annular circumferential wall portion 42 extending axially from the radially outer end of the radial wall portion 41 toward the adjacent main surface 38 of the flange plate 35. Preferably, the radial wall portion 41 is tapered with respect to the central axis of the flange plate 35 so as to form an acute angle between the radial wall 41 and the circumferential wall 42. Preferably, this taper angle is substantially the same as the taper angle of the radially inner surface portion 21 inside the inner ring 16.

[0028] The circumferential wall portion 42 has an annular protrusion (second engaging portion) 43 that protrudes radially inward from the circumferential wall portion 42 and extends around the major axis 14. Preferably, the annular protrusion 43 is formed integrally with the circumferential wall 42 in proximity to the adjacent major surface 38. Preferably, the annular protrusion 43 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the outer ring 30.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the annular protrusion 43 has a concave guide slope 44. The guide slope 44 is formed by obliquely and radially inwardly cutting a part of the annular protrusion 43 at an end of the annular protrusion 43 adjacent to the major surface 38 and away from the radial wall portion 41.

[0030] Preferably, the cover ring 50 is made of stainless steel. Preferably, the cover ring 50 has a circumferential ring portion 51 and a radial ring portion 52 connected to one end of the circumferential ring portion 51. Preferably, the circumferential ring portion 51 and the radial ring portion 51 are formed by pressing a disc-shaped stainless steel plate.

[0031] A plurality of engaging portions (first engaging portions) 53 are formed in the press-processed cover ring 50. The plurality of engaging portions 53 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the cover ring 50. In the embodiment, the circumferential ring portion 51 of the cover ring 50 has three engaging portions 53 spaced 120 degrees apart. The engaging portion 53 has two elongated notches 54 extending axially from the periphery of the circumferential ring portion 52 and an elastically deformable spring portion 55 formed between the notches 54. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, preferably, the spring portion 55 protrudes radially outward from the circumferential ring portion 51. Preferably, the spring portion 55 is curved radially outward from the proximal end to the distal end of the spring portion 55.

[0032] The circumferential ring portion 51 has an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the annular protrusion 43. Preferably, the height of the spring portion 55 is determined such that when the flange plate 35 and the cover ring 50 are axially opposed with the major axis 14 of the flange plate 35 and the cover ring 50 aligned, the end of the spring portion 55 faces the guide slope 44 of the flange plate 35 in the direction along the major axis 14.

[0033] When assembling the tube assembly 1, the metal tube 11 is inserted inside the wire blade 15.

[0034] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, from the end of the wire blade 15, the flange plate 35 and the outer ring 30 are externally fitted to the wire blade 15 in this order. In this state, the flange plate 35 is oriented such that one main surface 38 having the concave stepped portion 40 faces the relevant end of the wire blade 15. The outer ring 30 is oriented such that the radial ring portion 32 is positioned farther from the end of the wire blade 15 than the circumferential ring portion 31.

[0035] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the end of the wire blade 15 is radially expanded in a trumpet shape. In this state, the two half portions 23 of the inner ring 16 are fitted into one of the small diameter portions 13. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner ring 16 is fitted into the second small diameter portion 13 counted from the end of the wire blade 15, leaving two large diameter portions 12 and one small diameter portion 13 on the end side of the inner ring 16.

[0036] Next, preferably using a dedicated press jig (not shown), the outer ring 30 and the flange plate 35 are pressed toward the inner ring 16. As a result, with the wire blade 15 held between the inner ring 16 and the outer ring, the outer ring 30 is fixed around the inner ring 16. In the embodiment, since the surface portion 23 of the inner ring 16 and the wall portion 41 of the concave stepped portion 40 facing it are tapered with substantially the same taper angle, when the flange plate 35 is pressed against the inner ring 16 using the press jig 60, the radial ring portion 31 of the outer ring is compressed and bent between the tapered portions 23 and 41, whereby the wire blade 15 is firmly held between the inner ring 16 and the outer ring 30.

[0037] Next, the end portion of the metal tube 11 protruding from the inner ring 16 toward the end side is preferably compressed on the outer radial surface portion 20 of the inner ring 16 using a dedicated press jig (not shown).

[0038] Next, preferably, the end portions of the wire blades protruding from the inner ring 16 and the outer ring 30 are cut off using an appropriate cutter so that no wire protrudes from the inner ring 16 and the outer ring 30.

[0039] Finally, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, a cover ring 50 is mounted on the compressed metal tube portion. In this process, the cover plate 50 is tilted, two of the three spring portions 55 are engaged with the annular protrusion 43 of the flange plate 35, and the remaining one spring portion 55 is opposed to the guide slope 44 of the flange plate 35. Subsequently, the cover ring 50 swings around the two engaged spring portions 55, and the remaining one spring portion 55 is guided to cross the guide slope 44 and snap-fits and engages with the annular protrusion 43.

[0040] Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cover ring 50 engaged with the flange plate 35 is rotated with respect to the flange plate 35 about the major axis 14 to separate the spring portion 55 from the guide plate 44 and prevent the cover ring 50 from falling off the flange plate 35. As a result, the cut ends of the wires in the wire blade 15 are surrounded by the cover ring 50 and not exposed, preventing an operator from contacting the cut ends of the wire blade 15 and getting injured.

[0041] The tube assembly 1 assembled in this way is connected to another tube assembly at the end of the tube assembly. In this process, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, a suitable gasket 60 is placed at the distal end of the metal tube 11 and compressed between the metal tube 11 and another tube that is fluidly connected to the metal tube 11.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, the left and right connection mechanisms 10 have the above-described structure, but the right connection mechanism may be different from the left connection mechanism. For example, the shape and size of the right flange plate may be different from the shape and size of the left flange plate.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the inner ring 16 is fitted into the small-diameter portion 13 with two large-diameter portions 12 and one small-diameter portion 13 left outside the inner ring 16, but the number of large-diameter and small-diameter portions outside the inner ring may be changed.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the connection mechanism 10 is provided at both ends of the tube assembly 1, but it may be provided at only one end of the tube assembly.

Claims

1. A metal tube (11) having a plurality of large-diameter portions (12) and a plurality of small-diameter portions (13) arranged alternately along the long axis of the metal tube (11), A wire blade (15) is attached around the metal tube (11), The device (10) is attached to one end of the metal tube (11) and the corresponding end of the wire blade (15), and connects the one end of the metal tube (11) to the corresponding end of the wire blade (15), The aforementioned mechanism (10) is A first ring (16) is positioned between the metal tube (11) and the wire blade (15) and fitted into one of the plurality of small diameter portions (13) of the metal tube (11), The first ring (16) and the second ring (30) are positioned around the wire blade (15) to fix the wire blade (15) around the first ring (16), The first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) are arranged on both sides of the first ring (16) and the second ring (30) in a direction along the long axis (14) of the metal tube (11), The first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) are joined together by bringing them closer to each other along the long axis (14). The first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) are configured such that, when assembled, at least one of them surrounds the cut wire end of the wire blade (15) so as not to expose it, The first annular member (50) has a first engaging portion (53), and the second annular member (35) has a second engaging portion (43), In the assembled state, the first engaging portion (53) engages with the second engaging portion (43), and at least one of the first engaging portion (53) and the second engaging portion (43) surrounds the cut wire end of the wire blade (15) so as not to expose it. The second annular member (35) An annular recess (40) extending around the aforementioned long axis (14), The surface (42) forming the annular recess (40) has an annular projection (43) that defines the second engaging portion, The first annular member (50) An annular portion (51) extending around the aforementioned long axis (14), A flexible tube assembly (1) having a plurality of elastically deformable portions (55) that are configured to elastically engage with the annular projection (43) in the assembled state and define the first engaging portion (53).

2. A metal tube (11), The first end and the second end, A long axis (14) extending between the first end and the second end, A metal tube (11) having a plurality of large-diameter portions (12) and a plurality of small-diameter portions (13) alternately arranged along the long axis (14) between the first end and the second end, A first ring (16) fitted into one of the plurality of small-diameter portions (13) near the first end of the metal tube (11), A wire blade (15) is attached around the entire length of the metal tube (11) and around the first ring (16), A second ring (30) is mounted on the first end of the wire blade (15) which is mounted around the first ring (16), and the first end of the wire blade (15) is fixed onto the first ring (16), The first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) are arranged on both sides of the first ring (16) and the second ring (30) with respect to the direction along the long axis (14), The first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) are joined together by bringing them closer to each other along the long axis (14). In their assembled state, at least one of the first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) is configured to surround the first end of the wire blade (15) so that the wire cut end at the first end of the wire blade (15) is not exposed. The first annular member (50) is positioned on the first side of the first ring (16) and the second ring (30), with respect to the direction along the long axis (14), and is closer to the first end of the metal tube (11). The second annular member (35) is positioned on the second side of the first ring (16) and the second ring (30), further away from the first end of the metal tube (11) than the first side. With the first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) combined, the first annular member (50) surrounds the first end of the wire blade (15), The flexible tube assembly (1) has a portion of the second ring (30) configured to hold the end of the wire blade (15) between the first ring (16) and the second ring (30) by pressing the end of the wire blade (15) against the circumferential surface portion (19) and the radial surface portion (21) of the first ring (16).

3. The first annular member (50) has a first engaging portion (53), The second annular member (35) has a second engaging portion (43), The flexible tube assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first engaging portion (53) and the second engaging portion (43) are configured such that the first engaging portion (43) snaps into and engages with the second engaging portion (43) when the first annular member (50) and the second annular member (35) are brought closer together toward each other.

4. The second ring (30) has a circumferential portion (31) and a radial portion (32), The flexible tube assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the circumferential portion (31) and the radial portion (32) press and hold the first end of the wire blade (15) against the associated circumferential surface portion (19) and associated radial surface portion (20) of the first ring (16), respectively.

5. The second annular portion (35) has an annular concave step portion (40) formed at the inner circumferential corner of the second annular member (35) near the first end of the metal tube (11), The annular concave step portion (40) has a radial portion (41) facing the radial portion (32) of the second ring (31) and a circumferential portion (42) facing the circumferential portion (31) of the second ring (30), The circumferential portion (42) has an annular projection (43) that protrudes radially inward from the circumferential portion (42) and extends around the long axis (14), The annular projection (43) has a guide slope (44) formed on a part of the annular projection (43) that is inclined inward in the direction from the first end toward the second end along the long axis (14), The first annular member (50) has a circumferential portion (52) facing the circumferential surface portion (19) of the first ring (16) and a radial portion (51) facing the radial surface portion (20) of the first ring (16). The circumferential portion (51) of the first annular member (50) has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the annular projection (43) of the second annular member (35). The circumferential portion (51) of the first annular member (50) has at least three elastically deformable engaging portions (55) arranged at equal intervals around the long axis (14), The at least three elastically deformable engaging portions (55) protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the circumferential portion (51) of the first annular member (50), The first annular member (50) is One of the at least three elastically deformable engaging portions (55) is not engaged with the annular projection (43), and of the at least three elastically deformable engaging portions (55), all but one are engaged with the annular projection (43). The flexible tube assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein from this state, the first annular member (50) is pressed toward the second annular member (35), and one of the at least three elastically deformable engaging portions (55) is slid along the guide slope (44) to snap-fit ​​and engage with the annular projection (43), thereby being assembled with the second annular member (35).

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