Corrugated tube

Abstract

To allow a corrugated tube to be vertically inverted in a state of directing a cut portion upward and housing a wiring / piping material in the inside.SOLUTION: A corrugated tube is such that: there is provided a cut portion 5 continuous in an axial direction in one planar pipe wall part among four planar pipe wall parts; one end part in an axial direction of a corrugated tube D' is integrally provided with a connection part C' overlapped by being internally fitted with the other end part of the other corrugated tube D'; the connection part C' is formed with a connection part-cut portion 45 linearly continuous to the cut portion 5; the other end of the other corrugated tube D' can be inserted into the connection part C' of the one corrugated tube D' by making the connection part-cut portion 45 and the cut portion 5 of the other corrugated tube D' coincide with each other; and opposite end edge parts 45a, 45b provided in the connection part-cut portion 45 of the connection part C' are configured to be deformable so as to be shifted along an axial direction of the corrugated tube when twisting and rotating the two or more continuous corrugated tubes D' among the plurality of corrugated tubes D' connected via the connection part C' so as to direct downward the cut portion 5 directed upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a corrugated pipe configured to be laid after accommodating wiring and piping materials inside with the cutting part facing upward and then inverted so that the cutting part faces downward.

Background Art

[0002] In paragraph "0022" of the specification of Patent Document 1 and FIGS. 6 to 8 of the drawings, there is disclosed a protective pipe 5 for wiring and piping materials, which is composed of a corrugated pipe having a substantially circular cross section and in which a cutting part 8 is continuously provided in the axial direction. First, the wiring and piping materials 1 are laid on the laying surface, and then, with the cutting part 8 of the protective pipe 5 facing downward, by pressing it against the wiring and piping materials 1 on the laying surface, the cutting part 8 is expanded and the wiring and piping materials 1 are accommodated inside.

[0003] Also, in paragraph "0025" of the specification of Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that a joint 4 is integrally provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the protective pipe main body 2 of the protective pipe 5, and by fitting the joint 4 onto the protective pipe main body 3 of another protective pipe 5, a plurality of protective pipes 5 are connected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, in the protective pipe 5 disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to lay the wiring and piping materials on the laying surface first, and it is impossible to lay the protective pipe 5 in advance and lay the wiring and piping materials in advance, so there are restrictions on the laying of the wiring and piping materials. Further, unless the cutting portion 8 of the protective pipe 5 is along the entire length of the previously laid wiring and piping materials, the cutting portion 8 will not expand well. Furthermore, since the cutting portion 8 is located on the back side (lower side) of the protective pipe 5 and is difficult to visually observe, the workability was poor.

[0006] In addition, since the cross section of the protective pipe 5 is substantially circular, the deformation resistance rigidity against external forces is low, and it can be easily crushed by the falling impact of falling objects or stepping by people, and the function as a protective pipe for protecting the wiring and piping materials cannot be sufficiently achieved.

[0007] Furthermore, after the wiring and piping materials are accommodated and laid in a plurality of protective pipes 5 connected to each other by the joint 4, in order to add another wiring and piping material, it is possible to invert the existing protective pipe 5 with the cutting portion 8 facing downward and accommodate the wiring and piping materials related to the addition from the cutting portion 8 facing upward into the protective pipe 5, but it is actually difficult. That is, since the plurality of protective pipes 5 connected by the joint 4 can rotate relative to each other, it is necessary to invert each protective pipe 5 individually. When each protective pipe 5 is inverted, another protective pipe 5 connected thereto may be rotated, resulting in poor workability. It is not realistic to individually invert each protective pipe 5 and align the arrangement positions (orientations) so that the cutting portion 8 is linear throughout.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a corrugated pipe in which wiring and piping materials are accommodated inside in a state where the cutting portions of a plurality of corrugated pipes connected by a connector face upward, and in this state, the plurality of corrugated pipes in the connected state can be inverted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above problems is Uneven portions are alternately formed on the outer surface in the axial direction, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion is rectangular, and a cutting portion continuous in the axial direction is provided on one of the four planar pipe wall portions. By expanding the cutting portion, a corrugated pipe capable of accommodating and laying wiring and pipe materials inside is provided, At one end in the axial direction, a connecting portion that is polymerized by fitting the other end of another corrugated pipe is integrally provided, In the connecting portion, a connecting portion cutting portion that is linearly continuous with the cutting portion provided in the general portion is formed. By aligning the connecting portion cutting portion with the cutting portion of another corrugated pipe, the other end portion of another corrugated pipe can be inserted into the connecting portion of one corrugated pipe, Among a plurality of corrugated pipes connected in series to each other via the connecting portion, when at least two consecutive corrugated pipes are twisted and rotated so that the upward-facing cutting portion faces downward, the opposing edge portions provided in the connecting portion cutting portion of the connecting portion are deformable so as to shift along the axial direction of the corrugated pipe.

[0010] According to the invention of claim 1, in a state where a plurality of corrugated pipes integrally provided with a connecting portion at one end in the axial direction are connected in series via the connecting portion, when at least two consecutive corrugated pipes are twisted and rotated so that the upward-facing cutting portion faces downward, the opposing edge portions provided in the connecting portion cutting portion of the connecting portion are deformable so as to shift along the axial direction of the corrugated pipe. Therefore, the corrugated pipe having the above configuration can be reversely arranged.

[0011] The invention of claim 2 is a corrugated pipe in which uneven portions are alternately formed on the inner and outer surfaces in the axial direction, and two opposing straight portions are formed in the cross-sectional shape of the outer convex portion, so that two planar pipe wall portions including each straight portion are arranged opposite to each other. A cutting portion continuous in the axial direction is provided on one of the two planar pipe wall portions including one of the two straight portions. By expanding the cutting portion, wiring and pipe materials can be accommodated and laid inside. With the one flat tubular wall portion formed with the cutting portion disposed upward, the whole is torsionally rotated so that the rotation angle gradually changes along the axial direction. During the process of changing the arrangement so that the one flat tubular wall portion faces downward, each opposing edge portion along the axial direction of the cutting portion can be deformed so that they shift relative to each other along the axial direction, and moreover, it is characterized by having a total length and flexibility such that a torsional rotational force in the reverse torsional rotation direction does not occur during the torsional rotation.

[0012] The invention according to claim 2 is a corrugated pipe having a non-circular cross-sectional cylindrical shape with two flat tubular wall portions disposed opposite to each other. With the one flat tubular wall portion formed with the cutting portion disposed upward, the whole is torsionally rotated so that the rotation angle gradually changes along the axial direction. During the process of changing the arrangement so that the one flat tubular wall portion faces downward, each opposing edge portion along the axial direction of the cutting portion can be deformed so that they shift relative to each other along the axial direction, and moreover, it has a total length and flexibility such that a torsional rotational force in the reverse torsional rotation direction does not occur during the torsional rotation. Therefore, without excessive torsional stress or the like acting on the whole corrugated pipe, the corrugated pipe can be torsionally rotated smoothly.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the invention of claim 1, in a state where a plurality of corrugated pipes integrally provided with connection portions at one axial end portion are connected in series via the connection portions, during the process of torsionally rotating at least two consecutive corrugated pipes so that the cutting portion facing upward faces downward, the opposing edge portions provided at the connection portion cutting portion of the connection portion can be deformed so as to shift along the axial direction of the corrugated pipe. Therefore, the inverted arrangement of the corrugated pipe having the above configuration becomes possible. Moreover, the invention according to claim 2 is a corrugated pipe having a non-circular cross-sectional cylindrical shape formed by arranging two planar pipe wall portions to face each other. From a state where the one planar pipe wall portion formed with the cutting portion is arranged upward, the whole is twisted and rotated so that the rotation angle gradually changes along the axial direction. During the process of changing the arrangement so that the one planar pipe wall portion faces downward, each opposing edge portion along the axial direction of the cutting portion can be deformed as a whole so as to be relatively displaced along the axial direction, and moreover, the whole length and flexibility are such that no rotational force in the reverse twisting direction is generated during the twisting rotation. Therefore, the corrugated pipe can be smoothly twisted and rotated without excessive torsional stress or the like acting on the whole of the corrugated pipe.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the best embodiments. Reference Example 1

[0016] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15, the corrugated pipe connection device of Reference Example 1 of the present invention will be described. The corrugated pipe connection device of the present invention is composed of a plurality of corrugated pipes D having uneven portions alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction on the inner and outer surfaces, and a connector C for connecting the plurality of corrugated pipes D. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the connector C is inseparably inserted longitudinally into the opposing end portions of each of the successively connected corrugated pipes D, so that each corrugated pipe D is successively connected. Both the corrugated pipe D and the connector C are formed by injection molding of resin. Since the uneven portions are continuously provided on the inner and outer surfaces of the corrugated pipe, it is included in a corrugated pipe. Regarding the reference numerals of the corrugated pipes, when generally referring to the corrugated pipe, the general reference numeral "D" is used. In the state where a plurality of corrugated pipes are successively connected via the connector C, when specifying individual corrugated pipes, 1 , D 2 , D 3 , ···" are used.

[0017] First, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, the corrugated pipe D will be described. The corrugated pipe D has a rectangular (square) cross-section with all four sides of equal width. On its inner and outer surfaces, uneven portions are alternately formed. On the outer surface side, outer surface convex portions 1 and outer surface concave portions 2 are alternately provided. On the inner surface side, the portions corresponding to the outer surface convex portions 1 and outer surface concave portions 2 are respectively inner surface concave portions 3 and inner surface convex portions 4, which are alternately provided, so that as a whole, it has a flexible square tubular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the outer surface convex portion 1 is, as shown in FIG. 4, a shape in which each corner portion of a square formed by straight portions on each side is formed in an arc shape. As a whole, the corrugated pipe D is composed of a total of four flat tube wall portions 10 of equal width, and has a hollow structure inside.

[0018] At both longitudinal ends of the corrugated tube D, portions approximately half the width of the bottom plate portion 2a of the outer surface recess 2 protrude as protruding portions 2a'. On one of the opposing surfaces that become the upper or lower surface of the corrugated tube D having a rectangular cross-section, a linear cutting portion 5 continuous in the longitudinal direction is formed at the center in the width direction, and on the other of the opposing surfaces at the center in the width direction, a hinge portion 6 having an expanded U-shaped cross-section and capable of elastic deformation protrudes outward with respect to the protruding plate portion 4a of the inner surface convex portion 4 (the bottom plate portion 2a of the outer surface recess 2), and is formed linearly and continuously in the longitudinal direction facing the cutting portion 5. A recess 6a is formed in the hinge portion 6, opening inward. At the portion of the outer surface convex portion 1 of the corrugated tube D where the cutting portion 5 is formed, a pair of gently inclined portions 7 that gently incline inward are provided, and the intersection of the pair of gently inclined portions 7 slightly enters the inside of the corrugated tube D with respect to other portions, and the cutting portion 5 is formed at the intersection. The hollow portion inside the corrugated tube D having a rectangular cross-section serves as a tube accommodation space 13 for accommodating the wiring and pipe material P. The above-described square tube-shaped corrugated tube D has a two-part connection structure in which the cutting portion 5 is expanded with the hinge portion 6 as a fulcrum in a cross-sectional view by forming the cutting portion 5 in the longitudinal direction on the surface facing the surface where the hinge portion 6 is formed. The corrugated tube D with the cutting portion 5 expanded has a structure in which the cutting portion 5 is closed and naturally adheres due to the elastic restoring force of the hinge portion 6.

[0019] On the other hand, at the center in the width direction of the surface provided with the hinge portion 6 facing the surface provided with the cutting portion 5 in the corrugated tube D, a hinge arrangement concave portion 11 having an isosceles trapezoid cross-section with a wider outer width is continuously formed in the longitudinal direction, and the hinge portion 6 having an expanded U-shaped cross-section is arranged in a form that enters the hinge arrangement concave portion 11. Therefore, at the portion of the outer surface convex portion 1 (inner surface concave portion 3), a pair of connecting plate portions 12 that connect both ends of the hinge portion 6 having an expanded U-shaped cross-section and the protruding plate portion 1a of the outer surface convex portion 1 (the bottom plate portion 3a of the inner surface concave portion 3) are connected. Note that the connecting plate portion 12 does not exist in the outer surface recess 2.

[0020] When the corrugated pipe D of Reference Example 1 houses the wiring and pipe material P inside, as shown in Fig. 5(a), with the surface provided with the cutting portion 5 facing upward, the wiring and pipe material P is housed inside the corrugated pipe D through the pipe insertion opening 14 formed by expanding the portion of the cutting portion 5 to both sides with the hinge portion 6 as a fulcrum. Then, as shown in Fig. 5(b), after the housing, the pipe insertion opening 14 is closed. After the wiring and pipe material P is housed inside a plurality of corrugated pipes D connected in series via the connector C, by using the cutting portion 5 formed in the corrugated pipe D, with the plurality of corrugated pipes D remaining connected in series, the plurality of corrugated pipes D are sequentially twisted and rotated in the direction from one end corrugated pipe D to the other end corrugated pipe D to be inverted, so that the surface on which the cutting portion 5 is formed is brought into contact with the laying surface G, and a plurality of corrugated pipes D connected in series are installed on the laying surface G. Therefore, in a state where the wiring and pipe material P is housed inside, the pair of planar pipe wall portions 10 different from the pair of planar pipe wall portions 10 provided with the cutting portion 5 and the hinge portion 6 in the corrugated pipe D are arranged perpendicular to the laying surface G. In addition to the cross-section of the corrugated pipe D itself being rectangular, by alternately providing uneven portions over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, it has a structure with high deformation resistance strength (deformation resistance rigidity) against external forces acting in the installation state, especially on each surface. So, even when a large impact load acts due to a falling object or the like during installation, or when stepped on by a person, the corrugated pipe D has the advantage of not being easily deformed.

[0021] Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the connector C for connecting the corrugated pipes D will be described. The connector C utilizes each inner surface recess 3 closest to the most opposed ends of the two corrugated pipes D to be connected to connect the two corrugated pipes D. It corresponds to the inner peripheral surface shape of the corrugated pipe D, and an opening 21 that allows the passage of the wiring and piping material P is formed in a specific portion along the circumferential direction. A part of the circumferential direction of a cylindrical state with a square (rectangular) cross-section having a predetermined length along the laying direction Q of the wiring and piping material P is missing, forming a substantially U shape. The width W of the opening 21 is larger than the outer shape or outer diameter of the cross-section of the largest wiring and piping material P that can be accommodated in the corrugated pipe D. That is, the connector C includes a plate-like base portion 22 disposed at a position facing the opening 21 along the circumferential direction, and a pair of plate-like arm portions 23 that stand upright opposite to both ends along the circumferential direction of the base portion 22. The connection portion between the base portion 22 and the pair of arm portions 23 is curved in an arc shape, and the tip portions of the pair of arm portions 23 are slightly curved inward.

[0022] On the outer surfaces of the pair of arm portions 23, two engaging portions 24 that enter and engage with the inner surface recesses 3 closest to the most opposed ends of the two corrugated pipes D to be connected are integrally formed along the circumferential direction in a form that protrudes outward at a predetermined interval along the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 12(a), the engaging portion 24 is continuously formed from the tip portion of the arm portion 23 to both ends along the circumferential direction of the base portion 22 so as to avoid interference with the hinge portion 6 of the corrugated pipe D. The pair of engaging portions 24 formed on the outer surfaces of the respective arm portions 23 at a predetermined interval along the axial direction are formed in an L-shaped cross-section by leaving the meat portion on the opposing side and missing the outer meat portion, but there is no functional meaning caused by missing the meat portion. On the inner surface of the base portion 22, a pipe support portion 25 for abutting and partially supporting the wiring and piping material P in a state where the wiring and piping material P is accommodated in the pipe accommodation space 13 of the plurality of corrugated pipes D connected via the connector C is formed along the circumferential direction. The upper surface of the pipe support portion 25 is planar so as to easily support the wiring and piping material P.

[0023] In the present invention, wiring and wiring materials P are accommodated in the pipe accommodation space 13 of a plurality of corrugated pipes D connected by a connector C. With the cutting portion 5 facing upward, while the plurality of corrugated pipes D remain connected in series, the plurality of corrugated pipes D are sequentially twisted and rotated from one end to the other end to invert the entire plurality of corrugated pipes D, and the construction is carried out in a manner of repositioning the cutting portion 5 to face downward. That is, the corrugated pipe D is enabled to be twisted and rotated due to the presence of the cutting portion 5 formed over the entire axial length. During the twisting and rotation, the opposing edge portions 5a, 5b (see FIGS. 12 and 15) of the cutting portion 5 are displaced in the axial direction, and the entire corrugated pipe D is twisted, enabling the twisting and rotation. Since the twisting and rotation of the above-described corrugated pipe D also occur at the connection portion of two corrugated pipes D connected via the connector C, the entire connector C connecting the two corrugated pipes D is torsionally deformed corresponding to the twisting and rotation of the corrugated pipe D.

[0024] During the twisting and rotation of the corrugated pipe D, the amount of torsional deformation increases as it moves away from the cutting portion 5 along the circumferential direction. Therefore, the amount of torsional deformation is maximum at the portion of the corrugated pipe D facing the cutting portion 5. On the other hand, regarding the connector C connecting two corrugated pipes D, a pair of arm portions 23 that are substantially integrated with the corrugated pipe D via the engaging portion 24, as shown in FIG. 9, during the twisting and rotation of the corrugated pipe D, become substantially integral with the corrugated pipe D, and axial forces F 1 , F 2 of the same magnitude and in opposite directions along the axial direction act on the portions of the pair of arm portions 23, causing them to be displaced in opposite directions along the axial direction, and the portions at both ends of the base portion 22 of the connector C to be forcibly displaced in opposite directions along the circumferential direction of the base portion 22, resulting in torsional deformation of the base portion 22 and thus torsional deformation of the entire connector C. Note that FIG. 9(b) is shown larger than the actual deformation for ease of understanding.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, a plurality of corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 , ·· are connected in series via the connector C. Each of the two corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2With the opposing ends being brought close to each other and expanded by the cutting portion 5 so that the pipe insertion opening 14 is formed, each of the corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 such that the pipe insertion opening 14 of the corrugated pipe D and the opening 21 of the connector C are aligned, the two engaging portions 24 provided on the connector C are inserted into the inner concave portions 3 inside the outer convex portions 1 closest to the opposing ends of each of the corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 respectively. When the pipe insertion openings 14 of the two corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 are closed, each engaging portion 24 of the connector C enters the inner concave portion 3 of each of the two corrugated pipes D, and the two are engaged with each other, so that the two corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 are connected in the axial direction so as not to be separable. By the same operation, a plurality of corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 , D 3 ·· are connected in series via the connector C. Incidentally, in a state where the two corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 are connected via the connector C so as not to be separable in the axial direction, a predetermined gap 31 (see FIG. 11(b)) is formed between the opposing end faces of each of the corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 .

[0026] Also, a gap is formed between the engaging portion 24 of the connector C and the inner concave portion 3 of the corrugated pipe D into which the engaging portion 24 has entered, so as to allow the entry of the corrugated pipe D that is torsionally deformed. Moreover, the gap is such that the engaging portion 24 that has entered the inner concave portion 3 abuts against each other along the axial direction before the engaging portion 24 disengages from the inner concave portion 3, and the disengagement can be prevented.

[0027] Also, as shown in FIG. 13, when torsionally rotating a plurality of corrugated pipes D connected in series via the connector C, each engaging portion 24 of the connector C in each of the corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2 is in each of the corrugated pipes D 1 , D 2The portion of the outer convex portion 1 that enters and engages with the inner surface concave portion 3 inside forms one of the four planar pipe wall portions 10 of the corrugated pipe D 1 ,D 2 functions as the abutting wall portion 15 against which the engaging portion 24 of the connector C abuts during the torsional rotation of D, and the outer surface of the engaging portion 24 of the connector C is the abutting portion 26 against which the abutting wall portion 15 of the corrugated pipe D 1 ,D 2 abuts. The connector C rotates integrally with the corrugated pipes D on both sides to which it is connected, thereby transmitting the torsional force of one corrugated pipe D connected via the connector C to the other corrugated pipe D. At the same time, the connector C itself is also deformed as a whole because the base portion 22 is torsionally deformed as described above. When the corrugated pipe D is torsionally rotated, the abutting portion that restricts the relative rotation between the corrugated pipe D and the connector C may be the outer surface of the arm portion 23 instead of the outer surface of the engaging portion 24 as described above. Furthermore, it is also possible to make both function as the abutting portion.

[0028] Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the cutting portions 5 of the plurality of corrugated pipes D connected in series via the connector C are expanded to form the pipe insertion opening 14, the pipe insertion opening 14 and the opening 21 of the connector C are arranged at the same position along the circumferential direction. Thus, wiring and piping materials P can be accommodated in the pipe accommodation space 13 of the corrugated pipe D through the pipe insertion opening 14 and the opening 21. After the wiring and piping materials P are accommodated in the pipe accommodation space 13 of the corrugated pipe D, when the pipe insertion openings 14 of the respective corrugated pipes D are closed, as shown in FIG. 13, each corrugated pipe D is arranged with the wiring and piping materials P inserted into the internal pipe accommodation space 13 and the cutting portions 5 facing upward.

[0029] Next, in order to prevent foreign matter, rainwater, etc. from entering the inside from the cutting part 5 of the corrugated pipe D facing upward, each corrugated pipe D is sequentially inverted while being connected in series by torsional rotation, and the cutting part 5 facing upward is arranged and converted so as to face downward. The length of the corrugated pipe D varies depending on the cross-sectional size, the type of wiring and pipe material P to be accommodated, etc. However, when the corrugated pipe D is torsionally rotated, torsional stress acts on the corrugated pipe D, so that the corrugated pipe D during torsional rotation may rotate in the reverse torsion direction or partial breakage may occur in the corrugated pipe. The partial breakage is the most important thing to avoid. For this reason, the maximum torsional angle with respect to the total length of the corrugated pipe increases as the length increases, but there is a certain limit from the aspect of preventing breakage. In the case of the corrugated pipe D with a length of 4 m, it has been demonstrated that it will not break when the maximum torsional angle, that is, the maximum difference in the torsional angles at both axial ends during torsional rotation, is about 90°. The illustration in Fig. 14 shows the above maximum torsional angle. In Fig. 14, the relationship between the cross-sectional size and the length is illustrated while ignoring it.

[0030] And in order to sequentially torsionally rotate a plurality of corrugated pipes D connected in series via the connector C from one end to the other end and invert the whole, as shown in Fig. 14, if the maximum torsional angle of one corrugated pipe D is set to 90° and it is sequentially twisted, the corrugated pipe D 2 ,D 3 ,D 4 ·· When the torsional angle reaches a state closest to the maximum, two or three corrugated pipes D 2 ,D 3 ,D 4 ·· are twisted simultaneously, and the connector C connecting two corrugated pipes D 2 ,D 3 (D 3 ,D 4 ) is such that the rear ones among the pair of abutting wall portions 15 of two consecutive corrugated pipes D 2 ,D 3 (D 3 ,D 4 ) abut against each other along the torsional rotation direction at the pair of abutting portions 26 of the connector C, and the connector C itself is torsionally deformed. As a result, two corrugated pipes D connected to each other2 , D 3 (D 3 , D 4 By transmitting one torsional rotation to the other, the two corrugated tubes D connected 2 , D 3 (D 3 , D 4 ) are enabled to simultaneously undergo torsional deformation. In the illustrated example, each corrugated tube D 3 , D 4 ·· is twisted counterclockwise when viewed from the right end.

[0031] As described above, during torsional rotation, the corrugated tube D allows torsional rotation by the respective opposing edge portions 5a, 5b of the cutting portion 5 being axially displaced relative to each other as shown in FIG. 15. When the torsional angle is 45°, the "displacement amount" reaches its maximum. Thereafter, as it is displaced in the reverse direction and when the cutting portion 5 faces downward, the "displacement amount" becomes zero and the respective opposing edge portions 5a, 5b return to their original positions. Also, the corrugated tube D is torsionally rotated while the relative position between its cutting portion 5 and the opening 21 of the connector C remains aligned, and the connector C rotates following the torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D.

[0032] In Reference Example 1, for each corrugated tube D connected via the connector C, only one engaging portion 24 provided at each connecting portion of the connector C is engaged. However, by providing four or six engaging portions 24 in the connector C, two or three engaging portions 24 can be engaged with each of the connected corrugated tubes D, making it possible to increase the connection force between the two corrugated tubes D.

[0033] Also, when the corrugated pipe D is torsionally rotated, the pipe support portion 25 provided on the connecting body C prevents the opening 21 of the pipe support portion 25 from being narrowed due to torsional deformation, and prevents the connecting body C from being greatly torsionally deformed and unable to follow the torsional rotation of the corrugated pipe D. By forming the connecting body C with a material having a large rigidity, the torsional deformation of the connecting body C during the torsional rotation of the corrugated pipe D can be restricted or minimized as much as possible. If the connecting body C can follow the torsional rotation of the corrugated pipe D, the pipe support portion 25 may not be provided. In this case, the torsional deformation of the connecting body C becomes easy.

[0034] Further, an insertion protrusion that is inserted into the recess 6a of the hinge portion 6 of the corrugated pipe D is provided in the central portion along the circumferential direction on the back surface of the base portion 22 of the connecting body C in the axial direction of the corrugated pipe D (the insertion protrusion is provided on the back surface of the base portion 22 of the connecting body C so as to be orthogonal to the surface pipe support portion 25). When the insertion protrusion is inserted into the respective recesses 6a continuously arranged at the respective ends of the two corrugated pipes D during the connection of the two corrugated pipes D via the connecting body C, the integrality of the two corrugated pipes D and the connecting body C during the torsional rotation of the plurality of corrugated pipes D connected in series via the connecting body C is enhanced, and the operation of torsional rotation of the corrugated pipe D becomes easier.

Embodiment

[0035] Next, with reference to FIG. 16, the corrugated pipe connection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. In Reference Example 1, the corrugated pipes D are connected using a connecting body C separate from the corrugated pipes D. However, in Embodiment 1, a corrugated pipe D' having a connecting portion C' integrally provided at one axial end is used. The connecting portion C' integrally provided at one axial end of the corrugated pipe D' is structured to connect the corrugated pipes D' by inserting it into the end of the main body portion A where no connecting portion C' of another corrugated pipe D' is provided. Therefore, the outer shape of the connecting portion C' has a rectangular shape that is slightly larger and similar to the rectangular outer shape of the main body portion A. A plurality of outer convex portions 41 that can be fitted and engaged by fitting the outer convex portion 1 of the main body portion A are formed at the same pitch as the outer convex portion 1 of the main body portion A. An outer concave portion 42 is formed between adjacent outer convex portions 41. A connecting portion cutting portion 45 continuous with the cutting portion 5 is formed at a portion corresponding to the cutting portion 5 of the main body portion A in the connecting portion C'. Also, in FIG. 16, 43 indicates an inner concave portion inside the outer convex portion 41 of the connecting portion C' of the corrugated pipe D'. The outer convex portion 1 on the outer surface of the main body portion A of one corrugated pipe D' connected to each other is fitted into the inner concave portion 43 of the connecting portion C' of the other corrugated pipe D' in an engaging structure, so that the two corrugated pipes D' are connected inseparably along the axial direction.

[0036] Also, when accommodating the wiring and piping material P inside the corrugated pipe D', the continuous cutting portion 5 and the connecting portion cutting portion 45 of the main body portion A and the connecting portion C' of the corrugated pipe D' are expanded to form a pipe insertion opening continuous with the main body portion A and the connecting portion C'. The wiring and piping material P is accommodated inside through the pipe insertion opening. Similar to Reference Example 1, with the wiring and piping material P accommodated inside, a plurality of successively connected corrugated pipes D' are sequentially inverted by torsional rotation by a predetermined length from one end to the other end so that each cutting portion 5, 45 faces downward. When the corrugated pipe D' is torsionally rotated, each opposing edge portion 5a, 5b of the cutting portion 5 of the main body portion A and each opposing edge portion 45a, 45b of the cutting portion 45 of the connecting portion C' are all displaced in the axial direction as described above, enabling the torsional rotation.

[0037] In Reference Example 1 and Example 1, each corrugated pipe D, D' has a square cross-sectional shape and has a total of four planar pipe wall portions. The corrugated pipes are corrugated (corrugated) with concave and convex portions provided alternately. Since the deformation resistance rigidity against an external force acting in a direction orthogonal to the formation direction of the concave and convex portions is large, even when the cutting portions 5, 45 are arranged facing upward or downward, even if the laid corrugated pipe is stepped on by an operator or the like, due to the large deformation resistance rigidity of the pair of planar pipe wall portions that are vertically opposed to the laying surface G, the corrugated pipe will not be deformed.

[0038] In Reference Example 1 and Example 1, each corrugated pipe D, D' has a square cross-section and has a structure with a total of four planar pipe wall portions 10 of equal width. However, for the corrugated pipe of the present invention, in the accommodation state of the wiring and piping materials and the final laying state, since it is necessary to stably arrange the corrugated pipe with respect to the laying surface, it is sufficient if two surfaces, namely, the surface provided with the cutting portion and another surface facing the said surface, are planar pipe wall portions, and the remaining pair of surfaces do not necessarily have to be planar pipe wall portions. For example, they may be formed as arc-shaped pipe wall portions bulging outward. Also, the cross-section of the outer surface recess may be circular.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0039] A: Main body portion of corrugated pipe C: Connector C’: Connection portion of corrugated pipe D, D’: Corrugated pipes P: Wiring and piping materials 1, 41: Outer surface convex portions 2, 42: Outer surface concave portions 3, 43: Inner surface concave portions 5: Cutting portion 5a, 5b: Opposite edge portions of cutting portion 10: Planar pipe wall portions 15: Contact wall portion of corrugated pipe 21: Opening of connector 22: Base portion of connector 23: Arm portion of connector 24: Engaging portion of connector 26: Contact portion of connector 45: Connection portion cutting portion 45a, 45b: Opposite edge portions of the cutting part

Claims

1. A corrugated pipe having an outer surface with concave and convex portions alternately formed in the axial direction, the convex portions having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and one of four planar pipe wall portions having a continuous cut portion in the axial direction, the cut portion being widened to accommodate and install wiring and piping materials therein, A connecting portion is integrally provided at one end in the axial direction, and the other end of another corrugated tube is fitted into the connecting portion to overlap the other end of the corrugated tube. The connection portion is formed with a connection portion slit that is linearly continuous with the slit provided in the general portion, and the connection portion slit and the slit of another corrugated tube can be matched with each other to insert the other end of the other corrugated tube into the connection portion of one corrugated tube, A corrugated tube characterized in that, in the process of twisting and rotating at least two consecutive corrugated tubes among a plurality of corrugated tubes connected in series to each other via the connection portions so that the upward-facing slits face downward, the opposing end edge portions provided on the connection portion slits of the connection portions can be deformed so as to shift along the axial direction of the corrugated tubes.

2. A corrugated pipe having inner and outer surfaces with concave and convex portions alternately formed in the axial direction, two opposing straight line portions formed in the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface convex portion, two planar pipe wall portions including the respective straight line portions being disposed opposite each other, and a slit portion continuing in the axial direction being provided in one of the planar pipe wall portions including one of the two straight line portions, the slit portion being widened to allow wiring and piping materials to be housed and laid therein, A corrugated tube characterized in that, by twisting and rotating the entire tube so that the rotation angle gradually changes along the axial direction from a state in which one of the planar tube wall portions on which the slit is formed is positioned facing upward, the entire tube can be deformed in such a way that, in the process of changing the position so that one of the planar tube wall portions faces downward, each of the opposing end edges along the axial direction of the slit is relatively shifted along the axial direction, and the corrugated tube has an overall length and flexibility such that no rotational force is generated in the anti-torsional rotation direction during the twisting and rotation.

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