Connector

Abstract

To provide a technology of reducing the number of components and an assembly process for a connector.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises a connector body 12, and a seal ring arranged inside the connector body 12. The connector body 12 has an insertion port into which a connection pipe is inserted, and a groove part formed circumferentially on an inner surface. The seal ring is fitted into the groove part, and the groove part has a first wall part that intersects with an axial direction, a second wall part that faces the first wall part and is positioned farther from the insertion port than the first wall part, and a groove bottom part that is connected to the first wall part and the second wall part. The groove part is formed continuously and seamlessly from the first wall part to the groove bottom part by integrally molding the connector body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector having a seal ring inside.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a pipe connector including a socket into which a plug can be inserted, a seal ring provided on the inner periphery of the socket for hermetically sealing the space between the outer periphery of the plug, and a pressing ring for restricting the axial movement of this seal ring.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a pressing ring is provided to restrict the axial movement of the seal ring, the assembling process includes a step of assembling the pressing ring after inserting the seal ring into the socket. This pressing ring increases the number of parts of the connector and the assembling process.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing the number of parts and the assembling process of a connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a connector formed in a tubular shape into which a connecting pipe is inserted, comprising a connector body and a sealing ring disposed inside the connector body. The connector body has an insertion port into which the connecting pipe is inserted and a groove portion formed on the inner surface over the circumferential direction. The sealing ring fits into the groove portion, and the groove portion has a first wall portion intersecting in the axial direction, a second wall portion facing the first wall portion and located farther from the insertion port than the first wall portion, and a groove bottom portion continuous with the first wall portion and the second wall portion. The groove portion is formed continuously without interruption from the first wall portion to the groove bottom portion by integrally molding the connector body.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for reducing the number of parts and the assembly process of the connector.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector 10 of the embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a front view of the connector 10 of the embodiment, as viewed from the side where the connecting pipe is inserted. The connector 10 is attached to, for example, a cooling pipe of a vehicle and is connected to a connecting pipe that connects the cooling pipe and the radiator. The connecting pipe will be described later.

[0010] The connector 10 includes a connector body 12, a spring 14, a seal ring 16, and a seal ring 18. The spring 14 functions as a retainer for connecting the connecting pipe. The spring 14 is formed by bending a wire into a substantially U shape and is attached from the outside of the connector body 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the spring 14 has a pair of hook portions 14a that project inside the connector body 12. The pair of hook portions 14a extend in parallel, engage with the connecting pipe, and restrict the connecting pipe from coming off the connector 10.

[0011] The seal ring 16 is formed in an annular shape from an elastic material and is disposed inside the connector body 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The seal ring 16 of the embodiment has an O-shaped cross-sectional shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have a non-circular cross-section such as V or Y. The seal ring 16 abuts against the outer periphery of the connecting pipe inserted into the connector 10. The seal ring 18 is formed from an elastic material and is disposed outside the connector body 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The connector body 12 is formed in a tubular shape and the connecting pipe 50 is inserted therein. The connector body 12 will be described with reference to new drawings.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the connector 10 shown in FIG. 2. The connector body 12 has a groove portion 20, an insertion port 22, a slit portion 30, an outer peripheral groove portion 32, a projecting portion 34, a first cylindrical portion 36, a second cylindrical portion 38, a flange portion 40, a third cylindrical portion 42, a tapered portion 44, and a recessed portion 46.

[0014] The insertion port 22 opens at one end of the connector body 12. The connecting pipe is inserted from the insertion port 22. The first cylindrical portion 36, the second cylindrical portion 38, and the third cylindrical portion 42 are located in order from the insertion port 22 side. The first cylindrical portion 36 has a larger diameter than the second cylindrical portion 38, and the second cylindrical portion 38 has a larger diameter than the third cylindrical portion 42. The third cylindrical portion 42 is assembled to, for example, a cooling pipe.

[0015] The slit portion 30 is formed along the circumferential direction so as to partially notch the first cylindrical portion 36. A pair of slit portions 30 are formed to face each other. The hooking portions 14a enter the pair of slit portions 30 respectively.

[0016] The outer peripheral groove portion 32 is formed across the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the third cylindrical portion 42. The outer peripheral groove portion 32 restricts the axial movement of the seal ring 18. The protruding portions 34 protrude radially outward from the first cylindrical portion 36, and a pair of them are formed. Note that the axial direction is the direction along the central axis of the connector body 12, and the radial direction is the direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0017] The groove portion 20 is formed across the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the connector body 12. The groove portion 20 holds the seal ring 16. That is, the seal ring 16 fits into the groove portion 20. The groove portion 20 has a first wall portion 24, a second wall portion 26, and a groove bottom portion 28.

[0018] The first wall portion 24 intersects the axial direction. The second wall portion 26 intersects the axial direction and is located at a position farther from the insertion port 22 than the first wall portion 24 and facing the first wall portion 24. The first wall portion 24 and the second wall portion 26 may be orthogonal to the axial direction. The groove bottom portion 28 is continuous with the first wall portion 24 and the second wall portion 26. The first wall portion 24 and the second wall portion 26 restrict the axial movement of the seal ring 16.

[0019] The groove portion 20 is formed continuously and seamlessly from the first wall portion 24 to the groove bottom portion 28 by integrally molding the connector body 12. Being formed continuously and seamlessly means that the connector body 12 is integrally molded by injection molding, indicating that no multiple parts are joined. That is, it is not necessary to provide a stopper ring for holding the seal ring 16. Thereby, the number of parts and the assembly process of the connector 10 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be lowered. Also, axial misalignment between the stopper ring and the connector body does not occur. The assembly process of the seal ring 16 will be described with reference to new drawings.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the assembly process of the seal ring 16. The seal ring 16 fits into the groove portion 20 via the seal ring 16a to the seal ring 16b.

[0021] The tapered portion 44 is located on the insertion port 22 side of the groove portion 20 and continues to the top portion 24a of the first wall portion 24, and is inclined in a direction of reducing the diameter toward the groove portion 20. The tapered portion 44 is inclined from the first cylindrical portion 36 to the second cylindrical portion 38 having a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 36. The seal ring 16a is pushed in from the insertion port 22 and is guided to contact the end portion on the insertion port 22 side of the tapered portion 44 so as to reduce the diameter. The seal ring 16a is pushed deeper by the pushing force and the guidance of the tapered portion 44 and reaches the position of the top portion 24a of the first wall portion 24 like the seal ring 16b. At this time, if the seal ring 16b is fitted to the diameter of the top portion 24a when viewed along the axial direction, it may be in an inclined state when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. When the seal ring 16b reaches the groove portion 20, it restores and abuts against the groove bottom portion 28. In this way, the tapered portion 44 can facilitate the assembly of the seal ring 16.

[0022] The diameter D1 of the end portion on the insertion port 22 side of the tapered portion 44 is larger than the diameter D2 of the groove bottom portion 28. When the seal ring 16 is assembled from the insertion port 22, it hits the tapered portion 44 and is guided to the groove portion 20, so that the assembly work can be facilitated. Also, when the connecting pipe is inserted into the connector 10, it can hit the tapered portion 44 and be guided.

[0023] The tapered portions 44 are formed in a plurality at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The concave portions 46 are formed so as to notch the inner surface of the connector body 12 and are respectively formed between the plurality of tapered portions 44. As shown in FIG. 2, the circumferential width W1 of the tapered portion 44 is smaller than the circumferential width W2 of the concave portion 46 and larger than half of the circumferential width W2 of the concave portion 46. By optimally setting the circumferential width W1 of the tapered portion 44, the guiding property of the seal ring 16 and the guiding property of the connecting pipe can be ensured. The concave portion 46 also functions as a clearance space for the seal ring 16 to deform when inserted. It is possible to prevent the circumferential width W2 of the concave portion 46 from becoming too large and causing the seal ring 16 to fall into the concave portion 46 when assembled to the connector body 12, making assembly difficult. Note that the circumferential width W1 of the tapered portion 44 may be an average value at each position from the insertion port 22 side to the back side, or may be the width at the central position. Also, the circumferential width W2 of the concave portion 46 may be an average value or the width at the central position.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the circumferential width W1 of the tapered portion 44 becomes narrower toward the back side in the insertion direction of the connecting pipe 50. By forming the tapered portion 44 larger on the insertion port 22 side, the inserted seal ring 16 and the connecting pipe are more likely to hit, improving the guiding property. The grease in the concave portion 46 is less likely to come out to the insertion port 22 side due to the tapered portion 44.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the axial length L1 of the tapered portion 44 is smaller than the axial length L2 of the groove bottom portion 28. The axial length L2 of the groove bottom portion 28 is adjusted according to the size of the seal ring 16. By shortening the axial length L1 of the tapered portion 44, the axial length of the connector body 12 can be reduced. Thereby, a shape with excellent layout property can be obtained.

[0026] The outermost diameter of the seal ring 16 before being assembled to the connector body 12 may be equal to or less than the diameter D1 of the end portion on the insertion port 22 side of the tapered portion 44. Thereby, the seal ring 16 can be easily assembled.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where the connecting pipe 50 is attached to the connector 10. The connecting pipe 50 is formed in a tubular shape and penetrates therethrough. The connecting pipe 50 has a reduced-diameter portion 52, an engaging portion 54, and a tip portion 56. The connecting pipe 50 is inserted into the connector body 12 from the tip portion 56. When the connecting pipe 50 is inserted into the connector 10, the tip portion 56 hits the tapered portion 44 and is guided thereby.

[0028] The reduced-diameter portion 52 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 50 and tapers toward the tip portion 56. The reduced-diameter portion 52 is located in the middle of the connecting pipe 50 in the axial direction and is inclined along the tapered portion 44. The engaging portion 54 is formed as an annular recess on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 50. By having the hooking portion 14a engage with the engaging portion 54, the connecting pipe 50 is prevented from coming off.

[0029] The distance between the pair of hooking portions 14a shown in FIG. 2 is smaller than the diameter D1 of the end portion on the insertion port 22 side of the tapered portion 44. Therefore, when the connecting pipe 50 is inserted, it hits the hooking portion 14a and is guided thereby before reaching the tapered portion 44.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connector 100 according to a modified example. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of the connector 100 shown in FIG. 6. The connector 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has different shapes before and after being continuous with the tapered portion 144 as compared with the connector 10 shown in FIG. 3.

[0031] The connector 100 includes a connector body 112, a spring 14, a seal ring 16, and a seal ring 18. The connector body 112 has a groove portion 20, an insertion port 22, a slit portion 30, an outer peripheral groove portion 32, a protruding portion 34, a first cylindrical portion 136, a second cylindrical portion 138, a flange portion 40, a third cylindrical portion 42, a tapered portion 144, a concave portion 146, and minute protrusions 158.

[0032] The groove portion 20 is formed continuously without interruption from the first wall portion 24 to the groove bottom portion 28 by integrally molding the connector body 112. Thereby, the number of parts and the assembly process of the connector 100 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0033] The inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 136 is formed with the same diameter from the insertion port 22 side to reach the tapered portion 144. Since the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 136 is uniform up to the tapered portion 144, it becomes easier to insert the seal ring 16 up to the tapered portion 144.

[0034] The tapered portion 144 is located on the insertion port 22 side from the groove portion 20 and is inclined in a direction of decreasing diameter toward the groove portion 20. The tapered portion 144 inclines from the first cylindrical portion 136 to the second cylindrical portion 138 having a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 136.

[0035] A plurality of tapered portions 144 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The concave portions 146 are formed so as to notch the inner surface of the connector body 112 and are respectively formed between the plurality of tapered portions 144. The circumferential width W1 of the tapered portion 144 may be smaller than the circumferential width W2 of the concave portion 146 and larger than half of the circumferential width W2 of the concave portion 146. The circumferential width W1 of the tapered portion 144 becomes narrower toward the back side in the insertion direction of the connecting pipe 50. The axial length L1 of the tapered portion 144 may be smaller than the axial length L2 of the groove bottom portion 28.

[0036] The minute protrusions 158 are continuously formed to protrude radially inward from the tapered portion 144 and are continuous with the top portion 24a of the first wall portion 24 and are formed over the circumferential direction. The minute protrusions 158 are annular protrusions protruding from the back side end portion of the tapered portion 144. The minute protrusions 158 will be described while referring to a new drawing.

[0037] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector 100. The minute protrusions 158 protrude from a virtual plane 60 extending the inclined surface on the tapered portion 144. The minute protrusions 158 protrude inside from the back side end portion 144a of the tapered portion 144. When the seal ring 16 is assembled to the groove portion 20, it is guided to the back side while reducing its diameter along the tapered portion 144, and the posture may not be stable on the tapered portion 144. When the minute protrusions 158 hit the seal ring 16, the posture of the seal ring 16 can be corrected and the assembly of the seal ring 16 can be facilitated.

[0038] The minute protrusion 158 has a plane 158a facing the insertion port 22 side orthogonally to the axial direction. That is, the plane 158a extends along the radial direction. Thereby, it becomes easier for the seal ring 16 to contact the plane 158a, and the posture of the seal ring 16 at the time of assembly can be corrected.

[0039] The radial width W3 of the plane 158a may be set to 1 / 4 or less of the wire diameter of the seal ring 16. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the seal ring 16 from being difficult to get over the minute protrusion 158 during assembly. More preferably, the radial width W3 of the plane 158a may be set in the range of 1 / 20 or more and 1 / 10 or less of the wire diameter of the seal ring 16. Further, the radial width W3 of the plane 158a may be set to 0.2 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters. The wire diameter of the seal ring member 2416 may be set to, for example, 2 millimeters to 2.2 millimeters.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a view showing the process of assembling the seal ring 16 to the connector body 112. The seal ring 16 is inserted from the insertion port 22. Since there is no step formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 36, the seal ring 16 smoothly reaches the tapered portion 144. The seal ring 16 is guided to contract when it hits the tapered portion 144 and gets caught by the minute protrusion 158.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, when the seal ring 16 hits the minute protrusion 158, the posture of the seal ring 16 tilted when sliding on the tapered portion 144 is corrected so as to be coaxial with the central axis of the connector body 112. Thereby, the seal ring 16 gets over the top portion 24a and smoothly enters the groove portion 20.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is also possible to add various design changes and other modifications to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments to which such modifications are added may also be included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0043] 10 Connector, 12 Connector body, 14 Spring, 14a Hooking portion, 16 Seal ring, 18 Seal ring, 20 Groove portion, 22 Insertion port, 24 First wall portion, 24a Top portion, 26 Second wall portion, 28 Groove bottom portion, 30 Slit portion, 32 Outer peripheral groove portion, 34 Protrusion, 36 First cylindrical portion, 38 Second cylindrical portion, 40 Flange portion, 42 Third cylindrical portion, 44 Taper portion, 46 Recessed portion, 50 Connecting pipe, 52 Reduced diameter portion, 54 Engaging portion, 56 Tip portion, 158 Minute protrusion.

Claims

1. A connector formed in a tubular shape and into which a connecting pipe is inserted, A connector body, a seal ring disposed inside the connector body; The connector body includes: an insertion port into which the connecting pipe is inserted; A groove portion is formed on the inner surface in a circumferential direction, The seal ring is received in the groove, The groove portion is A first wall portion intersecting the axial direction; a second wall portion facing the first wall portion and positioned farther from the insertion opening than the first wall portion; a groove bottom portion connected to the first wall portion and the second wall portion, The connector is characterized in that the groove is formed continuously and seamlessly from the first wall portion to the groove bottom portion by integrally molding the connector body.

2. The connector body includes: a tapered portion located closer to the insertion opening than the groove portion and inclined so as to reduce in diameter toward the groove portion; a minute protrusion formed in a circumferential direction, the minute protrusion being connected to the tapered portion, protruding radially inward, and connected to a top of the first wall portion; 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the minute protrusion protrudes from an imaginary plane formed by extending an inclined surface on the tapered portion.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the minute protrusion has a flat surface that is perpendicular to the axial direction and faces the insertion opening side.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the radial width of the plane is equal to or smaller than 1 / 4 of the wire diameter of the seal ring.

5. the connector body has a tapered portion located closer to the insertion opening than the groove portion, inclined in a direction of decreasing diameter toward the groove portion, and connected to a top of the first wall portion, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the end of the tapered portion on the insertion opening side is larger than a diameter of the bottom of the groove.

6. The tapered portion is formed in a plurality of portions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, A recess is formed between each of the tapered portions so as to cut out the inner surface of the connector body, 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein a circumferential width of the tapered portion is smaller than a circumferential width of the recess and is larger than half the circumferential width of the recess.

7. 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein a circumferential width of the tapered portion narrows toward a rear side in an insertion direction of the connection pipe.

8. 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the tapered portion has an axial length smaller than the axial length of the groove bottom portion.

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