Seal member, joint structure, and attachment method of seal member

Abstract

To provide a seal member which may be easily inserted into a socket and is inhibited from being removed from an opening of the socket.SOLUTION: A seal member 4 includes: an annular seal body 41 formed by an elastic member; and an engagement part 42 which has rigidity higher than that of the seal body 41, is connected to one end in an axial direction of the seal body 41, and may be inserted into a seal engagement groove part 23 provided on an inner peripheral surface 21 of a socket 2. The engagement part 42 has a taper shape in which an outer diameter and an inner diameter becomes larger gradually in a direction away from the seal body 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing member for sealing between the outer peripheral surface of an insertion port of a pipe and the inner peripheral surface of a receiving port of a joined pipe joined to the pipe.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a sealing member used for a joint structure between an insertion port of a pipe and a receiving port of a joined pipe joined to the pipe, for sealing between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port. As such a sealing member, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rubber ring including a heel portion that fits and engages in a locking groove formed in the peripheral surface of a rubber ring arrangement recess of the receiving port, and a valve portion that is compressed between the peripheral surface of the rubber ring arrangement recess and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port to generate a sealing surface pressure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, the sealing member is configured by integrating a hard portion and a soft portion. When attaching the sealing member, first, the hard portion is fitted into a groove provided in the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port to fix the sealing member to the receiving port. Then, the soft portion is pushed inward by the tip of the insertion port inserted into the receiving port, so that the soft portion is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port.

[0005] Generally, the insertion port has an insertion port protrusion that protrudes radially outward at the tip. Therefore, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port is narrow at the position of the insertion port protrusion. Therefore, when inserting the insertion port into the receiving port, a high insertion force is required when the insertion port protrusion passes through the sealing member.

[0006] On the other hand, for example, it is conceivable to reduce the size of the sealing member or make it softer. However, if the sealing member is reduced in size or made softer, the sealing performance between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port may decrease, or the sealing member may come out from between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port. Therefore, there is a need for a configuration of a sealing member that can be easily inserted into the receiving port and is suppressed from coming out of the receiving port.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration of a sealing member that seals between an insertion port of a pipe and a receiving port of a pipe to be joined, which can be easily inserted into the receiving port and is suppressed from coming out of the receiving port.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a joint structure having an insertion port of a pipe and a receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe, and seals between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port of the pipe and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. This sealing member includes an annular sealing body portion formed of an elastic member, and a locking portion having higher rigidity than the sealing body portion, which is connected to one end portion of the sealing body portion in the axial direction and is configured to be insertable into a groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port. The locking portion has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter increase as it moves away from the sealing body portion (first configuration).

[0009] In the above configuration, the locking portion has a tapered shape with an outer diameter and an inner diameter that decrease toward the seal main body portion side. As a result, the seal member can be easily inserted into the receiving port from the seal main body portion side. Further, since the locking portion has a tapered shape, the end portion of the locking portion can be easily fitted into the groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port.

[0010] Further, the locking portion has a tapered shape with an outer diameter and an inner diameter at the tip being larger than those on the seal main body portion side and has higher rigidity than the seal main body portion. Therefore, when a force acting toward the opening side of the receiving port is applied to the locking portion inserted into the groove portion, the tip of the locking portion is pressed against the bottom surface of the groove portion. As a result, the movement of the seal member toward the opening side of the receiving port is suppressed.

[0011] Therefore, it is possible to provide a seal member that can be easily inserted into the receiving port and is prevented from coming out of the receiving port.

[0012] In the first configuration, the locking portion has a displacement allowance portion that allows the end portion in the axial direction to be displaced radially inward of the seal main body portion (second configuration).

[0013] The displacement allowance portion enables the locking portion to be displaced radially inward. As a result, the seal member can be easily inserted into the receiving port from the seal main body portion side.

[0014] In the second configuration, the locking portion has a plurality of divided locking portions divided in the circumferential direction. The displacement allowance portion is constituted by the gaps between the plurality of divided locking portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction (third configuration). As a result, a configuration in which the end portion of the locking portion can be easily displaced in the radial direction can be realized.

[0015] The joint structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is a joint structure having an insertion port of a pipe, a receiving port of a pipe to be joined joined to the pipe, and a seal member that seals between an outer peripheral surface of the insertion port of the pipe and an inner peripheral surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined. The receiving port has a groove portion on its inner peripheral surface. The seal member includes an annular seal main body portion formed of an elastic member, and a locking portion having higher rigidity than the seal main body portion, the locking portion being connected to an end portion on the opening side of the receiving port in the seal main body portion and configured to be insertable into the groove portion of the receiving port. The locking portion has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter increase as it moves away from the seal main body portion. The receiving port has a tapered opening portion in which the inner diameter increases as it approaches the opening (fourth configuration).

[0016] The locking portion has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter decrease as it moves toward the seal main body portion side, and the receiving port has a tapered opening portion in which the inner diameter increases as it approaches the opening. Therefore, the seal member can be easily inserted into the receiving port. Further, since the locking portion has a tapered shape, the end portion of the locking portion can be easily fitted into the groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port.

[0017] Further, the locking portion has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter at the tip are larger than those on the seal main body portion side and has higher rigidity than the seal main body portion. Therefore, when a force is applied to the locking portion inserted into the groove portion toward the opening side of the receiving port, the tip of the locking portion is pressed against the bottom surface of the groove portion. Thereby, the seal member is suppressed from moving toward the opening side of the receiving port.

[0018] Therefore, it is possible to provide a joint structure in which the seal member can be easily inserted into the receiving port and the seal member is suppressed from coming out of the opening of the receiving port.

[0019] A method for attaching a seal member according to an embodiment of the present invention is an attachment method for attaching the seal member of the first configuration between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port. This attachment method includes a seal member arrangement step of arranging the seal member on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body portion of the pipe having the insertion port in a posture where the seal main body portion of the seal member is located on the opening side of the insertion port with respect to the locking portion, an insertion port insertion step of inserting the insertion port into the receiving port, a seal member displacement step of applying a force to the seal member arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body portion so that the end portion in the axial direction of the locking portion is displaced inward in the radial direction of the pipe, and a seal member movement step of moving the seal member in the axial direction of the pipe until the locking portion is inserted into the groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port while releasing the force applied to the seal member (first method).

[0020] In the above method, with the insertion port inserted into the receiving port, the seal member is moved in the axial direction of the pipe, and the seal member is inserted between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port. The force for moving only the seal member is smaller than the force for inserting the insertion port into the receiving port in which the seal member is arranged. Therefore, the above method can provide an attachment method capable of easily arranging the seal member between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port.

[0021] Also, in the above method, since the seal member is inserted into the receiving port with the end portion in the axial direction of the tapered locking portion displaced inward in the radial direction, the force for inserting the seal member can be reduced. Thereby, the seal member can be easily inserted into the receiving port.

[0022] In the first method, in the seal member displacement step, on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion and at a position overlapping with the end portion of the receiving port when viewed in the axial direction of the tube, a locking portion displacement jig is disposed to apply a force to the seal member such that the end portion in the axial direction of the locking portion is displaced radially inward. In the seal member movement step, the seal member with the locking portion displacement jig disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion is pushed in the axial direction of the tube toward the opening of the receiving port until the locking portion displacement jig contacts the end portion of the receiving port, and with the locking portion displacement jig in contact with the end portion of the receiving port, the force applied to the seal member is released by pushing the seal member between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port (second method).

[0023] By using the locking portion displacement jig, the end portion in the axial direction of the locking portion can be easily displaced radially inward, and the displacement state of the end portion of the locking portion can be easily released.

[0024] Also, the locking portion displacement jig arranged as described above maintains the displacement of the end portion of the locking portion until the end portion of the locking portion is inserted into the receiving port. Thereby, the seal member can be easily inserted into the receiving port.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] A seal member according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an annular seal main body portion formed of an elastic member, and a locking portion having higher rigidity than the seal main body portion, connected to one end portion in the axial direction of the seal main body portion, and configured to be insertable into a groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port. The locking portion has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter increase as the distance from the seal main body portion increases.

[0026] Thereby, it is possible to provide a seal member that can be easily inserted into the receiving port and is prevented from coming out of the opening of the receiving port.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and the description of the same parts will not be repeated. Note that the dimensions of the constituent members in each figure do not faithfully represent the dimensions of the actual constituent members and the dimensional ratios of the respective constituent members.

[0029] In the following description, expressions such as "fixing", "connecting", and "attaching" (hereinafter referred to as fixing, etc.) include not only the case where members are directly fixed, etc., but also the case where they are fixed, etc. via other members. That is, in the following description, the expression of fixing, etc. includes the meanings of direct and indirect fixing, etc. of members to each other.

[0030] (Joint structure) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a joint structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the receiving port 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the joint structure 1 has an insertion port 3 of a pipe W2, a receiving port 2 of a pipe W1 to be joined, and a seal member 4. The seal member 4 is disposed between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3. The seal member 4 seals between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3.

[0031] The pipes W1 to be joined and the pipe W2 are, for example, water pipes. The pipes W1 to be joined and the pipe W2 may be pipes other than water pipes, such as sewer pipes, agricultural water pipes, and gas pipes. The pipes W1 to be joined and the pipe W2 may be ductile cast iron pipes, other metal pipes, or resin pipes.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving port 2 has a lock ring groove 22 and a seal member groove 23 on the inner peripheral surface 21. The seal member groove 23 is located closer to the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2 than the lock ring groove 22.

[0033] The lock ring groove 22 is an annular groove provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. A lock ring 5 is disposed in the lock ring groove 22. The lock ring 5 disposed in the lock ring groove 22 restricts the insertion port 3 of the pipe W2 inserted into the receiving port 2 of the pipe W1 to be joined from coming out of the receiving port 2. The configurations of the lock ring groove 22 and the lock ring 5 are the same as those of a general lock ring groove and lock ring. Therefore, the description of the lock ring groove 22 and the lock ring 5 will be omitted.

[0034] The groove 23 for the seal member is an annular groove provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. A seal member 4 is disposed within the groove 23 for the seal member. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 23 for the seal member has a first bottom surface 23a and a second bottom surface 23b that constitute the bottom surface of the groove, and a first side surface 23c and a second side surface 23d that constitute the side surface of the groove. The first bottom surface 23a and the second bottom surface 23b are arranged in this order toward the opening 2a.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, when the joined pipe W1 is viewed in cross section, the first bottom surface 23a extends in the axial direction of the joined pipe W1. The inner diameter L1 of the first bottom surface 23a is equal over the axial direction of the joined pipe W1. Note that the axial direction of the joined pipe W1 means the direction in which the central axis P of the joined pipe W1 extends.

[0036] When the joined pipe W1 is viewed in cross section, the second bottom surface 23b extends in a direction away from the central axis P of the joined pipe W1 from the side of the first bottom surface 23a toward the opening 2a. That is, the inner diameter L2 on the opening 2a side of the second bottom surface 23b is larger than the inner diameter L1 on the first bottom surface 23a side.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the first side surface 23c extends in the radial direction of the joined pipe W1 from the end of the first bottom surface 23a on the side of the locking ring groove 22. The second side surface 23d extends in the radial direction of the joined pipe W1 from the end of the second bottom surface 23b on the opening 2a side.

[0038] The groove 23 for the seal member has a groove portion 24 for the seal body with the first bottom surface 23a as the bottom surface, and a groove portion 25 for seal locking with the second bottom surface 23b as the bottom surface. The seal body portion 41 of the seal member 4 is disposed in the groove portion 24 for the seal body. The locking portion 42 of the seal member 4 is disposed in the groove portion 25 for seal locking.

[0039] In this embodiment, the receiving port 2 has a tapered opening 26 whose inner diameter increases toward the opening 2a. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner diameter L4 on the opening 2a side of the opening 26 is larger than the inner diameter L3 on the seal member groove 23 side. Further, the inner diameter L3 on the seal member groove 23 side in the opening 26 is equal to or larger than the inner diameter L1 of the first bottom surface 23a.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion port 3 has an insertion port protrusion 32 at the end on the opening 3a side. The insertion port protrusion 32 protrudes radially outward with respect to the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3. In a state where the joined pipe W1 and the pipe W2 are joined, the insertion port protrusion 32 of the pipe W2 is located on the side opposite to the opening 2a of the receiving port 2 with respect to the lock ring 5 attached to the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 of the joined pipe W1. The insertion port protrusion 32 comes into contact with the lock ring 5 when the pipe W2 moves to the opening 2a side of the joined pipe W1. Thereby, the insertion port 3 is prevented from coming out of the receiving port 2.

[0041] The seal member 4 is disposed between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the seal member 4 is disposed in a seal member groove 23 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2. The seal member 4 seals between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3.

[0042] (Configuration of the seal member) With reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the seal member 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the seal member 4 in a state where it is not disposed between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the seal member 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the seal member 4. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the seal member 4 before being inserted into the receiving port 2 and the receiving port 2.

[0043] The seal member 4 has a seal main body portion 41 and a locking portion 42. The seal main body portion 41 is configured to be disposed within a seal main body groove portion 24 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2. The locking portion 42 is configured to be disposed within a seal locking groove portion 25 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2.

[0044] Specifically, the seal main body portion 41 is annular. The seal main body portion 41 is constituted by an elastic member. The elastic member is, for example, rubber. The seal main body portion 41 has an annular portion 411 with a circular cross-sectional shape and a protruding portion 412 that protrudes from the annular portion 411 in one axial direction of the seal main body portion 41. In the seal member 4, the axial direction means the direction in which the central axis Q of the seal main body portion 41 extends.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, when the seal member 4 is viewed in cross section, the width dimension H1 of the annular portion 411 is larger than the distance H2 between the first bottom surface 23a of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 in a state where the pipe W2 and the pipe W1 to be joined are joined. The width dimension of the annular portion 411 means the distance between the radially inner surface and the radially outer surface of the annular portion 411.

[0046] The seal main body portion 41 constituted by the elastic member is elastically deformable. Therefore, when the seal member 4 having the above-described configuration is inserted into the seal main body groove portion 24 of the seal member groove 23, the seal main body portion 41 is compressed in the radial direction by the first bottom surface 23a of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 (see FIG. 2). That is, the compressed seal main body portion 41 is disposed within the seal main body groove portion 24. The compressed seal main body portion 41 generates a surface pressure against the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3. Thereby, the space between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 is sealed.

[0047] The locking portion 42 is connected to one end of the protruding portion 412 in the axial direction. The locking portion 42 has higher rigidity than the seal main body portion 41. The locking portion 42 is made of resin, for example. Note that the locking portion 42 may be made of metal, for example, as long as it is made of a material having higher rigidity than the seal main body portion 41 and can be connected to the seal main body portion 41. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 42 is separate from the seal main body portion 41, but the locking portion and the seal main body portion may be integrated. In this case, it is sufficient that the portion constituting the locking portion has higher rigidity than the portion constituting the seal main body portion.

[0048] The locking portion 42 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter increase as it moves away from the seal main body portion 41. The outer diameter of the tip 42a of the locking portion 42 is larger than the inner diameter L4 on the opening 2a side of the opening 26.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the locking portion 42 has a displacement allowance portion that allows the end portion to be displaced radially inward of the seal main body portion 41. Thereby, for example, the outer diameter of the tip 42a of the locking portion 42 can be made smaller than the inner diameter L4 on the opening 2a side of the opening 26.

[0050] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the locking portion 42 has a plurality of divided locking portions 421 divided in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the locking portion 42 has a gap S between the divided locking portions 421 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the end portions of the respective divided locking portions 421 can be displaced radially inward. That is, in the present embodiment, the displacement allowance portion is constituted by the gaps S between the plurality of divided locking portions 421 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Note that the displacement allowance portion may have another configuration as long as it is configured to make the outer diameter of the tip 42a of the locking portion 42 smaller than the inner diameter L4 on the opening 2a side of the opening 26. For example, the displacement allowance portion may be constituted by a plurality of slits extending from the tip of the locking portion toward the seal main body portion.

[0051] The seal member 4 having the above-described configuration is inserted through the opening 2a of the receiving port 2 in the pipe W1 to be joined and is disposed in a seal member groove 23 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the seal body portion 41 of the seal member 4 is disposed in a seal body groove portion 24. The locking portion 42 of the seal member 4 is disposed in a seal locking groove portion 25.

[0052] As described above, the locking portion 42 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter become smaller toward the seal body portion 41 side. The receiving port 2 has a tapered opening portion 26 in which the inner diameter becomes larger toward the opening 2a. Further, in the present embodiment, the inner diameter L3 on the seal member groove 23 side in the opening portion 26 is equal to or larger than the inner diameter L1 of the first bottom surface 23a. Therefore, the seal member 4 can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2. Further, since the locking portion 42 has a tapered shape, the end portion of the locking portion 42 can be easily fitted into the seal locking groove portion 25 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2.

[0053] The end portion on the lock ring groove 22 side of the seal body portion 41 disposed in the seal body groove portion 24 faces the first side surface 23c extending in the radial direction of the pipe W1 to be joined. Therefore, when a force is applied to the seal member 4 toward the lock ring groove 22 side, the end portion of the seal body portion 41 comes into contact with the first side surface 23c. Thereby, the seal member 4 is suppressed from moving from the seal member groove 23 toward the lock ring groove 22 side.

[0054] As described above, the locking portion 42 has a tapered shape and has higher rigidity than the seal body portion 41. Further, the tip 42a of the locking portion 42 disposed in the seal locking groove portion 25 faces the second side surface 23d extending in the radial direction of the pipe W1 to be joined. Therefore, when a force is applied to the locking portion 42 inserted into the seal locking groove portion 25 toward the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2, the tip 42a of the locking portion 42 comes into contact with the second side surface 23d and is pressed against the second bottom surface 23b of the seal locking groove portion 25. Thereby, the seal member 4 is suppressed from moving toward the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2.

[0055] Therefore, it is possible to provide a seal member 4 that can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2 and is prevented from coming out of the receiving port 2.

[0056] The seal member 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration is used in a joint structure 1 having an insertion port 3 of a pipe W2 and a receiving port 2 of a pipe W1 to be joined to the pipe W2, and seals between the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 of the pipe W2 and the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 of the pipe W1 to be joined. The seal member 4 includes an annular seal main body portion 41 formed of an elastic member, and a locking portion 42 that has higher rigidity than the seal main body portion 41 and is connected to one end portion of the seal main body portion 41 in the axial direction and is configured to be insertable into a seal locking groove portion 25 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 2. The locking portion 42 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter increase as it moves away from the seal main body portion 41.

[0057] The locking portion 42 of the seal member 4 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter decrease as it moves toward the seal main body portion 41. Thereby, the seal member 4 can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2 from the side of the seal main body portion 41. Further, since the locking portion 42 has a tapered shape, the end portion of the locking portion 42 can be easily fitted into the seal locking groove portion 25 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2.

[0058] Further, the locking portion 42 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the tip 42a are larger than those on the seal main body portion 41 side and has higher rigidity than the seal main body portion 41. Therefore, when a force is applied to the locking portion 42 inserted into the seal locking groove portion 25 toward the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2, the tip 42a of the locking portion 42 is pressed against the second bottom surface 23b of the seal locking groove portion 25. Thereby, the seal member 4 is prevented from moving toward the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2.

[0059] Therefore, it is possible to provide a seal member 4 that can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2 and is prevented from coming out of the receiving port 2.

[0060] The locking portion 42 has a displacement tolerance portion that allows the end portion in the axial direction to be displaced radially inward of the seal main body portion 41.

[0061] Due to the displacement tolerance portion, the locking portion 42 can be displaced radially inward. As a result, the seal member 4 can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2 from the side of the seal main body portion 41.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the locking portion 42 has a plurality of divided locking portions 421 divided in the circumferential direction. The displacement tolerance portion is constituted by a gap S between a plurality of adjacent divided locking portions 421 in the circumferential direction. Thereby, a configuration in which the end portion of the locking portion 42 can be easily displaced in the radial direction can be realized.

[0063] Moreover, the joint structure 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an insertion port 3 of the pipe W2, a receiving port 2 of the joined pipe W1 joined to the pipe W2, and a seal member 4 that seals between the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 of the pipe W2 and the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 of the joined pipe W1. The receiving port 2 has a seal locking groove portion 25 on the inner peripheral surface 21. The seal member 4 includes an annular seal main body portion 41 constituted by an elastic member, and a locking portion 42 having higher rigidity than the seal main body portion 41, connected to the end portion on the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2 in the seal main body portion 41, and configured to be insertable into the seal locking groove portion 25 of the receiving port 2. The locking portion 42 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter increase as it moves away from the seal main body portion 41. The receiving port 2 has a tapered opening portion 26 in which the inner diameter increases as it approaches the opening 2a.

[0064] The locking portion 42 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter and the inner diameter decrease as it moves toward the seal main body portion 41, and the receiving port 2 has a tapered opening portion 26 in which the inner diameter increases as it approaches the opening 2a. Thereby, the seal member 4 can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2 from the side of the seal main body portion 41. Further, since the locking portion 42 has a tapered shape, the end portion of the locking portion 42 can be easily fitted into the seal locking groove portion 25 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2.

[0065] Further, the locking portion 42 has a tapered shape with an outer diameter and an inner diameter at the tip 42a larger than those on the seal main body portion 41 side and has higher rigidity than the seal main body portion 41. Therefore, when a force acting toward the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2 is applied to the locking portion 42 inserted into the seal locking groove portion 25, the tip 42a of the locking portion 42 is pressed against the second bottom surface 23b of the seal locking groove portion 25. As a result, the movement of the seal member 4 toward the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2 is suppressed.

[0066] Therefore, it is possible to provide the joint structure 1 in which the seal member 4 can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2 and the seal member 4 is prevented from coming out of the opening 2a of the receiving port 2.

[0067] (Method for attaching the seal member) Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12, a method for attaching the seal member 4 having the above-described configuration between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the method for attaching the seal member 4. FIGS. 7 to 12 are diagrams schematically explaining the method for attaching the seal member 4.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6, the method for attaching the seal member 4 includes a seal member placement step S1, an insertion port insertion step S2, a seal member displacement step S3, and a seal member movement step S4.

[0069] The seal member placement step S1 is a step of placing the seal member 4 on the outer peripheral surface 31 of the pipe W2. Specifically, in the seal member placement step S1, as shown in FIG. 7, the seal member 4 is placed on the outer peripheral surface 31 of the pipe W2 in a posture where the seal main body portion 41 is located on the opening 3a side of the insertion port 3 with respect to the locking portion 42. Note that the seal member 4 is placed on a portion of the pipe W2 other than the insertion port 3. In FIG. 7, the portion of the insertion port 3 in the pipe W2 is shown hatched.

[0070] The insertion port insertion step S2 is a step of inserting the insertion port 3 into the receiving port 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where the insertion port 3 is inserted into the receiving port 2. As shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the insertion port 3 is inserted into the receiving port 2, the seal member 4 is not inserted into the receiving port 2 of the pipe W1 to be joined.

[0071] The seal member displacement step S3 is a step of displacing the end portion of the locking portion 42 of the seal member 4 radially inward. That is, a force that causes the end portion of the locking portion 42 of the seal member 4 to displace radially inward of the pipe W2 is applied to the axial end portion of the locking portion 42 of the seal member 4.

[0072] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, in the seal member displacement step S3, the force is applied to the end portion of the locking portion 42 of the seal member 4 by disposing the locking portion displacement jig T1 on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion 42. The locking portion displacement jig T1 is, for example, a ring-shaped member disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion 42. The locking portion displacement jig T1 displaces the end portion of the locking portion 42 radially inward by sandwiching the locking portion 42 between the outer peripheral surface 31 of the pipe W2.

[0073] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the locking portion displacement jig T1 has a shape that overlaps with the end portion 2b on the opening 2a side of the receiving port 2 when viewed in the axial direction of the pipe W2. Note that the axial direction of the pipe W2 means the direction in which the central axis of the pipe W2 extends.

[0074] The seal member movement step S4 is a step of pushing the seal member 4 between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3. In the seal member movement step S4, while releasing the force applied to the seal member 4 in the seal member displacement step S3, the seal member 4 is moved in the axial direction of the pipe W2 until the locking portion 42 is inserted into the seal locking groove portion 25 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2.

[0075] In this embodiment, the seal member moving step S4 is performed using the pushing jig T2. First, as shown in FIG. 10, the seal member 4 with the locking portion displacement jig T1 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion 42 is pushed toward the opening 2a of the receiving port 2 using the pushing jig T2. When the seal member 4 is pushed forward by the pushing jig T2, the locking portion displacement jig T1 having a shape overlapping with the end portion 2b of the receiving port 2 as viewed in the axial direction of the pipe W2 comes into contact with the end portion 2b of the receiving port 2.

[0076] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11, with the locking portion displacement jig T1 in contact with the end portion 2b of the receiving port 2, the seal member 4 is pushed between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3. That is, the pushing jig T2 is configured to be able to push only the seal member 4 without pushing the locking portion displacement jig T1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the locking portion displacement jig T1 comes off from the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 4, and the force applied to the seal member 4 is released. Thereafter, by further pushing the seal member 4 with the pushing jig T2, the seal member 4 is inserted into the seal member groove 23.

[0077] Generally, the seal member is disposed in a seal member groove provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port before the insertion port is inserted into the receiving port. Then, the insertion port is inserted into the receiving port with the seal member disposed in the seal member groove. In this case, when the insertion port is inserted into the receiving port, the seal member interferes with the insertion port protrusion provided at the end of the insertion port, so a high insertion force is required.

[0078] On the other hand, in the method of attaching the seal member 4 according to this embodiment, the seal member 4 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 before the insertion port 3 is inserted into the receiving port 2. Thereby, the seal member 4 does not interfere with the insertion port protrusion 32. Therefore, by using the seal member 4 of this embodiment, the insertion force when inserting the insertion port 3 of the pipe W2 into the receiving port 2 of the pipe to be joined W1 can be reduced.

[0079] As described above, the method for attaching the seal member 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a method for attaching the seal member 4 between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3. The method for attaching the seal member 4 includes a seal member arranging step S1 of arranging the seal member 4 on the outer peripheral surface 31 of the pipe body portion of the pipe W2 having the insertion port 3 in a posture where the seal main body portion 41 of the seal member 4 is located on the opening 3a side of the insertion port 3 with respect to the locking portion 42, an insertion port inserting step S2 of inserting the insertion port 3 into the receiving port 2, a seal member displacing step S3 of applying a force to the seal member 4 arranged on the outer peripheral surface 31 of the pipe body portion so that the end portion of the locking portion 42 in the axial direction is displaced inward in the radial direction of the pipe W2, and a seal member moving step S4 of moving the seal member 4 in the axial direction of the pipe W2 until the locking portion 42 is inserted into the seal locking groove portion 25 provided on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 while releasing the force applied to the seal member 4.

[0080] In the above method, with the insertion port 3 inserted into the receiving port 2, the seal member 4 is moved in the axial direction of the pipe W2, and the seal member 4 is inserted between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3. The force for moving only the seal member 4 is smaller than the force for inserting the insertion port 3 into the receiving port 2 in which the seal member 4 is arranged. Therefore, by the above method, it is possible to provide an attachment method capable of easily arranging the seal member 4 between the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 and the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2.

[0081] Further, in the above method, since the seal member 4 is inserted into the receiving port 2 with the end portion of the tapered locking portion 42 in the axial direction displaced inward in the radial direction, the force for inserting the seal member 4 can be reduced. Thereby, the seal member 4 can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2.

[0082] Also, in the present embodiment, in the seal member displacement step S3, on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion 42 and at a position overlapping with the end portion 2b of the receiving port 2 when viewed in the axial direction of the pipe W2, a locking portion displacement jig T1 is disposed to apply a force to the seal member 4 such that the end portion of the locking portion 42 in the axial direction is displaced radially inward. In the seal member movement step S4, the seal member 4 with the locking portion displacement jig T1 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion 42 is pushed in the axial direction of the pipe W2 toward the opening 2a of the receiving port 2 until the locking portion displacement jig T1 contacts the end portion 2b of the receiving port 2. Then, with the locking portion displacement jig T1 in contact with the end portion 2b of the receiving port 2, the seal member 4 is pushed between the inner peripheral surface 21 of the receiving port 2 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the insertion port 3 to release the force applied to the seal member 4.

[0083] By using the locking portion displacement jig T1, the end portion of the locking portion 42 in the axial direction can be easily displaced radially inward, and the displaced state of the end portion of the locking portion 42 can be easily released.

[0084] Also, the locking portion displacement jig T1 arranged as described above maintains the displacement of the end portion of the locking portion 42 until the end portion of the locking portion 42 is inserted into the receiving port 2. Thereby, the seal member 4 can be easily inserted into the receiving port 2.

[0085] (Other Embodiments) The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the above-described embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention. Therefore, without being limited to the above-described embodiments, the above-described embodiments can be appropriately modified and implemented within the scope not departing from the gist thereof.

[0086] In the above embodiment, when the joined pipe W1 is viewed in cross section, the first bottom surface 23a of the seal member groove 23 extends in the axial direction of the joined pipe W1. However, when viewed in the cross section, the first bottom surface may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the first side surface 23c of the seal member groove 23 extends in the radial direction of the pipe W1 to be joined. However, the first side surface does not necessarily have to extend in the radial direction as long as it can restrict the movement of the seal member disposed in the seal member groove toward the lock ring groove side.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the second side surface 23d of the seal member groove 23 extends in the radial direction of the pipe W1 to be joined. However, the second side surface does not necessarily have to extend in the radial direction as long as it can restrict the movement of the seal member disposed in the seal member groove toward the opening side.

[0089] In the seal member displacement step S3 in the method for attaching the seal member according to the above-described embodiment, by disposing the locking portion displacement jig T1 on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion 42, a force is applied to the end portion in the axial direction of the locking portion 42 of the seal member 4 so that the end portion is displaced inward in the radial direction of the pipe W2. However, in the seal member displacement step, as long as the end portion of the locking portion of the seal member can be displaced inward in the radial direction, the force may be applied to the end portion by other methods. For example, the force may be applied to the end portion without using a jig.

[0090] In the seal member displacement step S3 in the above-described embodiment, the locking portion displacement jig T1 is disposed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the locking portion 42 of the seal member 4. However, the locking portion displacement jig may be disposed only on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the locking portion. That is, the locking portion displacement jig only needs to be able to displace the end portion of the locking portion inward in the radial direction.

[0091] In the seal member movement step S4 in the method for attaching the seal member according to the above-described embodiment, the seal member 4 is pushed toward the opening 2a of the receiving port 2 using the pushing jig T2. However, in the seal member movement step, as long as the force applied to the seal member can be released and the seal member can be moved in the axial direction of the pipe until the locking portion is inserted into the seal locking groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port, the seal member may be moved in the axial direction by other methods.

Industrial Applicability

[0092] The present invention can be used for a sealing member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of an insertion port of a pipe and the inner peripheral surface of a receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe.

Explanation of Signs

[0093] 1 Joint structure 2 Receiving port 2a Opening 2b End 21 Inner peripheral surface 22 Groove for lock ring 23 Groove for sealing member 23a First bottom surface 23b Second bottom surface 23c First side surface 23d Second side surface 24 Groove portion for seal body 25 Groove portion for seal locking (groove portion) 26 Opening portion 3 Insertion port 3a Opening 31 Outer peripheral surface 32 Insertion port protrusion 4 Sealing member 41 Seal body portion 411 Annular portion 412 Protrusion 42 Locking portion 42a Tip 421 Split locking portion 5 Lock ring S Gap (displacement allowance portion) H1 Width dimension of annular portion H2 Distance between first bottom surface of receiving port and outer peripheral surface of insertion port L1 Inner diameter of first bottom surface L2 Inner diameter on opening side of receiving port at second bottom surface L3 Inner diameter on sealing member groove side of opening portion L4 Inner diameter on opening side of opening portion T1 Locking portion displacement jig T2 Pushing jig W1 Pipe to be joined W2 Pipe

Claims

1. A sealing member used in a joint structure having an insertion port of a pipe and a receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe, for sealing between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port of the pipe and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined, An annular seal main body portion constituted by an elastic member, A locking portion having higher rigidity than the seal main body portion, connected to one end portion of the seal main body portion in the axial direction, and configured to be insertable into a groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port, having, The locking portion, is tapered such that the outer diameter and the inner diameter increase as it moves away from the seal main body portion, sealing member.

2. In the sealing member according to Claim 1, The locking portion, has a displacement allowing portion that allows the end portion in the axial direction to be displaced radially inward of the seal main body portion, sealing member.

3. In the sealing member according to Claim 2, The locking portion, has a plurality of divided locking portions divided in the circumferential direction, The displacement allowing portion, is constituted by gaps between a plurality of adjacent divided locking portions in the circumferential direction, sealing member.

4. An insertion port of a pipe, A receiving port of a pipe to be joined to the pipe, A sealing member for sealing between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port of the pipe and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port of the pipe to be joined, having, The receiving port, has a groove portion on the inner peripheral surface, The sealing member, has an annular seal main body portion constituted by an elastic member, A locking portion having higher rigidity than the seal main body portion, connected to an end portion of the seal main body portion on the opening side of the receiving port, and configured to be insertable into the groove portion of the receiving port, having, The locking portion, is tapered such that the outer diameter and the inner diameter increase as it moves away from the seal main body portion, The receiving port, has a tapered opening portion whose inner diameter increases toward the opening, joint structure.

5. An attachment method for attaching the sealing member according to Claim 1 between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port, A seal member arranging step of arranging the seal member on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe main body portion of the pipe having the insertion port in a posture where the seal main body portion of the seal member is located on the opening side of the insertion port with respect to the locking portion, An insertion port insertion step of inserting the insertion port into the receiving port, A seal member displacement step of applying a force to the seal member arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe main body portion such that the end portion in the axial direction of the locking portion is displaced radially inward of the pipe, A seal member moving step of moving the seal member in the axial direction of the pipe until the locking portion is inserted into the groove portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port while releasing the force applied to the seal member; having a method of attaching a seal member.

6. In the method of attaching a seal member according to claim 5, in the seal member displacement step, a force is applied to the seal member by a locking portion displacement jig disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion and at a position overlapping the end portion of the receiving port when viewed in the axial direction of the pipe, such that the end portion of the locking portion in the axial direction is displaced inward in the radial direction; in the seal member moving step, the seal member with the locking portion displacement jig disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the locking portion is pushed in the axial direction of the pipe toward the opening of the receiving port until the locking portion displacement jig contacts the end portion of the receiving port; with the locking portion displacement jig in contact with the end portion of the receiving port, the force applied to the seal member is released by pushing the seal member between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port; a method of attaching a seal member.

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