Pipe cover joint and pipe system

Abstract

To provide a pipe cover joint which enables a refrigerant pipe to be arranged easily in the pipe cover joint, and to provide a pipe system.SOLUTION: A pipe cover joint 10 has a joint body 20. At the joint body 20, in a second direction D2, a first distance L1 between a first end 31A at a second surface part 22 side in a first opening 31 and a second surface part 22 is larger than or equal to a first predetermined distance. In a third direction D3, a second distance L2 between a second end 31B at the fourth surface part 24 side in the first opening 31 and a fourth surface part 24 is larger than or equal to a second predetermined distance. In a first direction D1, a third distance L3 between a third end 32A at the first surface part 21 side in a second opening 32 and the first surface part 21 is larger than or equal to a third predetermined distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to piping cover fittings and piping systems. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique for housing refrigerant pipes in a pipe cover, whether indoors or outdoors, is known. In this case, the refrigerant pipes may be bent at right angles. A pipe cover joint is used at the bent portion of the refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant pipes are housed in the pipe cover joint in a bent state.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a connecting joint for a pipe cover. The connecting joint for a pipe cover has a cylindrical body having one end that opens as a first opening. A second opening is provided on the side surface of the cylindrical body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-221394 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Because refrigerant piping is made of copper tubes, the curvature of the refrigerant piping is limited. This means that the refrigerant piping cannot be bent freely. Therefore, it is time-consuming to arrange multiple refrigerant piping within a piping cover joint. Therefore, we provide a piping cover joint and a piping system that make it easy to arrange refrigerant piping within a piping cover joint. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A piping cover joint according to a first aspect of the present invention is a piping cover joint having a joint body that connects a first piping cover, a second piping cover, and a third piping cover, wherein the joint body includes a first surface portion provided with a first opening to which the first piping cover is connected, a second surface portion provided with a second opening to which the second piping cover is connected, a third surface portion provided with a third opening to which the third piping cover is connected, and a fourth surface portion directly or indirectly connected to the first surface portion and the second surface portion, wherein the second surface portion is disposed so as to intersect with the first surface portion and is directly or indirectly connected to the first surface portion, and the third surface portion is disposed at a position opposite the second surface portion with respect to the first surface portion and is directly or indirectly connected to the first surface portion. a first direction defining a direction perpendicular to the first surface portion, a second direction defining a direction perpendicular to the second surface portion, and a third direction defining a direction perpendicular to the fourth surface portion; a first distance in the second direction between a first end of the first opening on the second surface portion side and the second surface portion is equal to or greater than a first predetermined distance; a second distance in the third direction between a second end of the first opening on the fourth surface portion side and the fourth surface portion is equal to or greater than a second predetermined distance; and a third distance in the first direction between a third end of the second opening on the first surface portion side and the first surface portion is equal to or greater than a third predetermined distance.

[0007] This configuration makes it easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe so that it passes near the corner inside the pipe cover joint, making it easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe inside the pipe cover joint.

[0008] A piping cover fitting of a second aspect is a piping cover fitting of the first aspect, wherein the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening are configured to have a shape having a longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal direction of the second opening is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first opening in a planar view, and the longitudinal direction of the third opening is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first opening in a planar view.

[0009] When the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening are arranged in this relationship, it is easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe inside the pipe cover joint.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention relates to the piping cover joint of the first aspect, wherein the joint body has an upper opening that opens to face the first direction, the first surface portion is formed by a cover that covers the upper opening, and the cover is provided with the first opening. With this configuration, the refrigerant piping can be easily arranged by removing the cover.

[0011] A pipe cover joint according to a fourth aspect is the pipe cover joint according to the third aspect, wherein the cover is made up of a plurality of cover pieces.

[0012] If the cover deforms, it becomes difficult to attach the cover to the upper opening. In this regard, according to the piping cover fitting of the fourth aspect, the cover piece is smaller than the cover and therefore less likely to deform. Therefore, the cover piece is easy to attach to the upper opening. Therefore, the cover can be efficiently configured to fit the upper opening.

[0013] A pipe cover joint from a fifth aspect is the pipe cover joint from the third aspect, wherein a support portion for supporting the first pipe cover is provided at the upper opening of the joint body. With this configuration, the first pipe cover can be supported in an appropriate manner.

[0014] A piping cover fitting of a sixth aspect is a piping cover fitting of the third aspect, wherein a mark indicating the center of the piping cover fitting or the first opening in the second direction is provided on the upper opening of the fitting body, near the upper opening, or on the first surface portion.

[0015] This configuration makes it easy to position the pipe cover joint. For example, when positioning the pipe cover joint relative to a pipe opening in a building, the pipe cover joint is marked vertically so that it passes through the center of the opening. In this case, the mark can be aligned with the reference line formed by the marking, making it easy to place the pipe cover joint in the desired installation position.

[0016] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a pipe cover fitting according to the second aspect, wherein a ratio of a second dimension, which is the length of the pipe cover fitting in the second direction, to a first dimension, which is the length of the first opening in the second direction, is 1.05 or more and 1.80 or less. This configuration makes it possible to preferably ensure bending space for the refrigerant pipe in the second direction. This makes it easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe within the pipe cover fitting.

[0017] In an eighth aspect, the piping cover joint of the seventh aspect is characterized in that a ratio of a fourth dimension, which is the length of the piping cover joint in the first direction, to a third dimension, which is the length of the second opening in the first direction, is 1.10 or more and 2.5 or less. This configuration makes it possible to preferably ensure bending space for the refrigerant piping in the first direction. This makes it easy to arrange the refrigerant piping within the piping cover joint.

[0018] A ninth aspect of the present invention provides the piping cover joint of the second aspect, wherein the first distance is 25 mm or more.

[0019] For a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm, when the refrigerant pipe is bent 90 degrees around the third axis along the third direction, it is preferable to bend the refrigerant pipe along a circle with an inner diameter larger than 50 mm. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is easy to arrange a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm or less.

[0020] A piping cover joint according to a tenth aspect is the piping cover joint according to the ninth aspect, wherein the first distance is 115 mm or more.

[0021] For a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm, when the refrigerant pipe is bent 90 degrees around the third axis along the third direction, it is preferable to bend the refrigerant pipe along a circle with an inner diameter larger than 230 mm. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is easy to arrange a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm or less.

[0022] A piping cover joint according to an eleventh aspect is the piping cover joint according to the second aspect, wherein the second distance is 30 mm or more.

[0023] For a refrigerant pipe that is wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and has a diameter of 12.7 mm, if the refrigerant pipe is bent 30 degrees in a first turn around a fifth axis along the second direction, and then bent 30 degrees in a second turn in the opposite direction to the first turn around a sixth axis along the second direction, the center position of the refrigerant pipe will change by 30 mm. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is easy to arrange a refrigerant pipe that is wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and has a diameter of 12.7 mm or less.

[0024] A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides a piping cover joint according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, wherein the third distance is 25 mm or more.

[0025] For a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm, when bending the refrigerant pipe 90 degrees around a third axis along the third direction, it is preferable to bend the refrigerant pipe along a circle with an inner diameter greater than 50 mm. Therefore, with the above configuration, a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm or less can be easily arranged. For example, when arranging a refrigerant pipe to pass through the first opening and the second opening, it is easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe so that it passes near the third end of the second opening and near the first end of the first opening. In this way, the refrigerant pipe can be positioned close to the ends of the first opening and the second opening, making it easier to arrange other refrigerant pipes.

[0026] A piping cover fitting of a thirteenth aspect is a piping cover fitting of any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, further having a fifth surface portion on the opposite side of the first surface portion from the second surface portion in the first direction, and a fourth distance in the first direction between a fourth end of the second opening on the fifth surface portion side and the first surface portion is 530 mm or more.

[0027] In the case where a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm is arranged on the fourth surface side of the second opening, the refrigerant pipe may be bent three times when arranged to pass through the first opening and the second opening. To accommodate a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm that is bent three times, a height of 530 mm is required. With the above configuration, because the fourth distance is 530 mm or more, it is easy to arrange a refrigerant pipe wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm or less to pass through the first opening and the second opening.

[0028] A piping system according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a piping system provided between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the piping system comprising: the pipe cover fitting according to any one of the above-described first to thirteenth aspects; a first pipe cover extending in a vertical direction and connected to the first opening of the pipe cover fitting; a second pipe cover extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and connected to the second opening of the pipe cover fitting; and a refrigerant pipe passing through the second pipe cover, the pipe cover fitting, and the first pipe cover. With this configuration, the piping system comprises the pipe cover fitting according to any one of the above-described first to thirteenth aspects, and therefore it is easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe so that it passes near a corner within the pipe cover fitting.

[0029] The piping system of a fifteenth aspect is the piping system of the fourteenth aspect, wherein the refrigerant piping passes through the second opening, is arranged on the fourth surface portion side in the third direction, is bent within the piping cover joint around a third axis along the third direction, is bent a first time around a second axis along the second direction, and is further bent a second time in the opposite direction to the first time around a fourth axis along the second direction, and passes through an additional space configured based on the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance.

[0030] With this configuration, the refrigerant pipes arranged on the fourth side in the third direction pass through the additional space, making it difficult for excessive bending loads to be applied to the refrigerant pipes. This reduces deterioration of the refrigerant pipes due to bending. Furthermore, because the refrigerant pipes arranged on the fourth side in the third direction can be arranged to pass diagonally through the additional space, the curvature of the bent portions of the refrigerant pipes can be reduced. This makes it easier to accommodate the refrigerant pipes in the pipe cover joint.

[0031] In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the piping system of the fifteenth aspect, the refrigerant pipe passes through the pipe cover joint near the first end of the first opening on the second surface side in plan view. This configuration increases the number of other refrigerant pipes that can be arranged in the first opening at positions far from the first end.

[0032] A piping system of a seventeenth aspect is the piping system of the sixteenth aspect, further comprising an additional refrigerant pipe as a refrigerant pipe different from the refrigerant pipe, the additional refrigerant pipe being arranged at a position farther from the fourth surface portion than the refrigerant pipe in the third direction, the refrigerant pipe passing over the additional refrigerant pipe within the piping cover joint, and passing at a position closer to the first end than the additional refrigerant pipe in the first opening in the second direction.

[0033] With this configuration, the additional refrigerant pipe passes through a position farther from the first end than the refrigerant pipe. The additional refrigerant pipe can be placed inside the pipe cover joint while being bent with a small curvature. This makes it difficult for excessive bending load to be applied to the additional refrigerant pipe. This helps prevent deterioration of the additional refrigerant pipe due to bending. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piping system. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first piping cover. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a first schematic diagram of a joint body for explaining a first distance and a third distance of the piping cover joint. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a second schematic diagram of the joint body for explaining the first distance and the third distance of the piping cover joint. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a joint body for explaining a second distance of the piping cover joint. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram of a joint body for explaining a fourth distance of the piping cover joint. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the piping cover joint with the cover removed. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piping system showing an example of the arrangement of refrigerant piping. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a piping system showing an example of the arrangement of refrigerant piping. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a piping system illustrating the arrangement of refrigerant piping. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the piping system illustrating the arrangement of refrigerant piping. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The piping system 1 and the piping cover joint 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The piping system 1 is installed between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit of an air conditioner or a refrigerator. The piping system 1 houses refrigerant pipes 5 that connect the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The piping system 1 may also house signal wiring that connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The piping system 1 may also house refrigerant pipes 5 that extend from multiple outdoor units together.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the piping system 1 houses the portion of the refrigerant piping 5 extending from the outdoor unit that is placed outdoors. The refrigerant piping 5 placed outdoors extends along the floor on which the outdoor unit is installed, and also extends upward along the exterior wall 2 of the building. An opening 3 through which the refrigerant piping 5 passes is provided in the exterior wall 2. The refrigerant piping 5 is connected to the indoor unit through the opening 3.

[0037] Specifically, the refrigerant pipes 5 extend on the floor along the exterior wall 2. Then, the refrigerant pipes 5 are bent to extend upward near the area directly below the piping opening 3 provided in the upper part of the exterior wall 2. The refrigerant pipes 5 are then passed through the piping opening 3 into the room. The piping system 1 accommodates the refrigerant pipes 5 that can be bent in this manner.

[0038] The piping system 1 includes a piping cover joint 10, a first piping cover 11, a second piping cover 12, a third piping cover 13, and a refrigerant piping 5.

[0039] In order to protect the refrigerant pipes 5 from rain and ultraviolet rays, the pipe cover joint 10, the first pipe cover 11, the second pipe cover 12, and the third pipe cover 13 are made of metal. For example, the pipe cover joint 10, the first pipe cover 11, the second pipe cover 12, and the third pipe cover 13 are made of aluminum plate, iron plate, aluminum alloy plate, hot-dip aluminum zinc iron plate, hot-dip galvanized steel plate, hot-dip galvanized steel plate with a powder-coated finish, stainless steel plate, etc.

[0040] The first piping cover 11 extends in the vertical direction DY and is connected to a first opening 31 (see below) of the piping cover joint 10. The second piping cover 12 extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction DY and is connected to a second opening 32 (see below) of the piping cover joint 10. Typically, the second piping cover 12 extends horizontally. The third piping cover 13 extends in the same direction as the extension direction of the second piping cover 12 and is connected to a third opening 33 (see below) of the piping cover joint 10.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2 , the first piping cover 11 includes a first side plate 15, a second side plate 16 arranged parallel to the first side plate 15, and a canopy plate 17. The canopy plate 17 is arranged on top of the first side plate 15 and the second side plate 16. The canopy plate 17 is removably attached to the first side plate 15 and the second side plate 16. The first side plate 15 and the second side plate 16 are connected by a plurality of lower frame members 18 and one or more upper frame members 19. The refrigerant piping 5 is placed on the plurality of lower frame members 18.

[0042] [Pipe cover fitting] The pipe cover joint 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the piping cover fitting 10, the first direction D1, second direction D2, and third direction D3 are defined as follows: The first direction D1 is defined as a direction perpendicular to the first surface portion 21 (see below). The first surface portion 21 is a surface including the first opening 31. The second direction D2 is defined as a direction perpendicular to the second surface portion 22 (see below). The third direction D3 is defined as a direction perpendicular to the fourth surface portion 24 (see below).

[0043] The pipe cover joint 10 has a joint body 20. The joint body 20 connects the first pipe cover 11, the second pipe cover 12, and the third pipe cover 13. The joint body 20 has a first surface portion 21, a second surface portion 22, a third surface portion 23, and a fourth surface portion 24. The joint body 20 may further have a fifth surface portion 25 and a sixth surface portion 26.

[0044] The first surface portion 21 is provided with a first opening 31 to which the first piping cover 11 is connected. In this embodiment, the first surface portion 21 includes a main surface of the third cover piece 47 and a main surface of the fourth cover piece 48.

[0045] The second surface portion 22 is provided with a second opening 32 to which the second piping cover 12 is connected. The second surface portion 22 is arranged so as to intersect with the first surface portion 21. Here, "intersect" includes a case where the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22 intersect directly, and a case where an extension of the first surface portion 21 intersects with an extension of the second surface portion 22. The second surface portion 22 is connected to the first surface portion 21 directly or indirectly. In this embodiment, the second surface portion 22 is mainly constituted by the second opening portion 32. The second surface portion 22 is connected to the first surface portion 21 via the first cover piece 45.

[0046] The third surface portion 23 is provided with a third opening 33 to which the third piping cover 13 is connected. In a plan view, the third surface portion 23 is disposed at a position opposite the second surface portion 22 with respect to the first surface portion 21. The third surface portion 23 is connected to the first surface portion 21 directly or indirectly. In this embodiment, the third surface portion 23 is mainly constituted by the third opening portion 33. The third surface portion 23 is connected to the first surface portion 21 via the second cover piece 46.

[0047] The fourth surface portion 24 is directly or indirectly connected to the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22. The fourth surface portion 24 is arranged so as to intersect with the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22. Here, "intersect" includes cases where the fourth surface portion 24 directly intersects with the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22, and cases where the extension of the fourth surface portion 24 intersects with the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22.

[0048] The fifth surface portion 25 is located on the opposite side of the second surface portion 22 from the first surface portion 21 in the first direction D1 in a front view. The fifth surface portion 25 is connected to the second surface portion 22 directly or indirectly.

[0049] The sixth surface portion 26 is disposed at a position opposite to the fourth surface portion 24 with respect to the first surface portion 21 in the third direction D3 in a side view. The sixth surface portion 26 is connected to the first surface portion 21 directly or indirectly.

[0050] The first opening 31, the second opening 32 and the third opening 33 are configured to have a shape having a longitudinal direction DL.

[0051] The first opening 31 has a first end 31A, a second end 31B, a fifth end 31C, and a sixth end 31D. The first opening 31 is configured in a generally rectangular shape. The first end 31A is the end of the first opening 31 on the second surface 22 side. The second end 31B is the end of the first opening 31 on the fourth surface 24 side. The second end 31B is perpendicular to the first end 31A. The fifth end 31C is the end of the first opening 31 on the third surface 23 side. The fifth end 31C extends parallel to the first end 31A. The sixth end 31D is the end of the first opening 31 on the sixth surface 26 side. The sixth end 31D extends parallel to the second end 31B.

[0052] The second opening 32 has a third end 32A, a fourth end 32B, a seventh end 32C, and an eighth end 32D. The second opening 32 is configured in a generally rectangular shape. The third end 32A is the end of the second opening 32 facing the first surface 21. The fourth end 32B is the end of the second opening 32 facing the fifth surface 25. The fourth end 32B extends parallel to the third end 32A. The seventh end 32C is the end of the second opening 32 facing the fourth surface 24. The seventh end 32C is perpendicular to the third end 32A. The eighth end 32D is the end of the second opening 32 facing the sixth surface 26. The eighth end 32D extends parallel to the seventh end 32C.

[0053] The shape of the second opening 32 may be the same as the shape of the first opening 31. The shape of the third opening 33 may be the same as the shape of the first opening 31. When the shapes of the second opening 32 and the third opening 33 are the same as the shape of the first opening 31, the first piping cover 11, the second piping cover 12, and the third piping cover 13 can be configured to have a common shape. In this embodiment, the shapes of the second opening 32 and the third opening 33 are the same as the shape of the first opening 31.

[0054] The first opening 31, the second opening 32, and the third opening 33 are oriented as follows: The longitudinal direction DL2 of the second opening 32 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction DL1 of the first opening 31 in a plan view of the piping cover fitting 10. The longitudinal direction DL3 of the third opening 33 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction DL1 of the first opening 31 in a plan view of the piping cover fitting 10.

[0055] An additional space S is provided in the piping cover fitting 10 as follows: In the piping cover fitting 10, a first additional space SA is provided on the second surface 22 side of the first end 31A of the first opening 31 in a plan view. In the piping cover fitting 10, a second additional space SB is provided on the third surface 23 side of the fifth end 31C of the first opening 31 in a plan view.

[0056] The ratio of the first opening 31 to the piping cover fitting 10 will be described. The ratio of the second dimension LX2 to the first dimension LX1 is 1.05 or greater and 1.80 or less. The first dimension LX1 is the length of the first opening 31 in the second direction D2. The second dimension LX2 is the length of the piping cover fitting 10 in the second direction D2.

[0057] The ratio of the second opening 32 to the piping cover fitting 10 will be described. The ratio of the fourth dimension LX4 to the third dimension LX3 is 1.10 or greater and 2.5 or less. The third dimension LX3 is the length of the second opening 32 in the first direction D1. The fourth dimension LX4 is the length of the piping cover fitting 10 in the first direction D1.

[0058] The dimensional structure of the pipe cover joint 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. The refrigerant pipe 5 shown in Figures 4 to 7 is a refrigerant pipe 5 with heat insulation. For simplicity of explanation, the shape of the joint body 20 will be replaced with a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0059] The setting of the first distance L1 and the third distance L3 (see below) will be described with reference to FIGS. Because the refrigerant pipe 5 is made of metal, the curvature of the bent portion of the refrigerant pipe 5 is limited to a value smaller than a specified value. In other words, it is difficult to bend the refrigerant pipe 5 with a large curvature. The specified value is determined from a predetermined radius of curvature. A preferable lower limit of the radius of curvature is four times the diameter of the refrigerant pipe 5.

[0060] 4, when the distance between the vicinity of the first end 31A of the first opening 31 and the vicinity of the third end 32A of the second opening 32 is too short in front view, a dead space SD is generated in the first opening 31 through which the refrigerant pipes 5 cannot pass. This may limit the number of refrigerant pipes 5 that can be arranged to pass from the second piping cover 12 to the first piping cover 11. Alternatively, the refrigerant pipes 5 that can be arranged to pass from the second piping cover 12 to the first piping cover 11 may need to be bent at a curvature greater than or equal to a specified value.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, a first additional space SA is provided in the piping cover fitting 10 so that the refrigerant piping 5 can be arranged to pass through the vicinity of the first end 31A of the first opening 31 and the vicinity of the third end 32A of the second opening 32.

[0062] From this perspective, the first distance L1 and the third distance L3 are set. The first distance L1 is the distance between the first end 31A and the second surface portion 22 in the second direction D2. The first distance L1 is equal to or greater than a first predetermined distance. In one example, the first distance L1 is equal to or greater than 25 mm. In another example, the first distance L1 is equal to or greater than 25 mm and equal to or less than 115 mm. In yet another example, the first distance L1 is equal to or greater than 115 mm.

[0063] The third distance L3 is the distance between the third end 32A and the first surface portion 21 in the first direction D1. The third distance L3 is equal to or greater than the third predetermined distance. In one example, the third distance L3 is equal to or greater than 25 mm. In another example, the third distance L3 is equal to or greater than 25 mm and equal to or less than 115 mm. In yet another example, the third distance L3 is equal to or greater than 115 mm.

[0064] When the first distance L1 and the third distance L3 are 25 mm or more, thin refrigerant piping 5 available on the market can be arranged so that it passes near the third end 32A of the second opening 32 and near the first end 31A of the first opening 31.

[0065] An example of thin refrigerant pipe 5 is a refrigerant pipe 5 that is wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and has a diameter of 12.7 mm. When this refrigerant pipe 5 is bent 90 degrees around third axis A3 along third direction D3, it is preferable that the refrigerant pipe 5 be bent along a circle with an inner diameter greater than 50 mm. When first distance L1 and third distance L3 are 25 mm or greater, this refrigerant pipe 5 can be arranged to pass near third end 32A of second opening 32 and near first end 31A of first opening 31.

[0066] When the first distance L1 and the third distance L3 are 115 mm or more, almost all refrigerant pipes 5 available on the market, from thin refrigerant pipes 5 to thick refrigerant pipes 5, can be arranged so that they pass near the third end 32A of the second opening 32 and near the first end 31A of the first opening 31.

[0067] An example of a thick refrigerant pipe 5 is a refrigerant pipe 5 that is wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and has a diameter of 38.1 mm. When this refrigerant pipe 5 is bent 90 degrees around the third axis A3 along the third direction D3, it is preferable that the refrigerant pipe 5 be bent along a circle with an inner diameter greater than 230 mm. When the first distance L1 and the third distance L3 are 115 mm or greater, the refrigerant pipe 5 can be arranged to pass near the third end 32A of the second opening 32 and near the first end 31A of the first opening 31.

[0068] Furthermore, in another example of the piping cover fitting 10, the first distance L1 and the third distance L3 may be 115 mm or more. The piping cover fitting 10 of this example can accommodate a larger number of refrigerant pipes 5 than when the first distance L1 and the third distance L3 are 115 mm or less. Also, it is easier to accommodate thicker refrigerant pipes 5 than when the first distance L1 and the third distance L3 are 115 mm or less.

[0069] Setting of the second distance L2 (see below) will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a side view of the joint body 20, which is schematically simplified into a rectangular parallelepiped, as viewed from the second direction D2.

[0070] When the seventh end 32C of the second opening 32 is located closer to the fourth surface 24 than the second end 31B of the first opening 31 in a side view, the refrigerant pipe 5 closest to the seventh end 32C in the second opening 32 needs to be bent at least twice. Specifically, the refrigerant pipe 5 is bent twice to shift the center of the refrigerant pipe 5 in the third direction D3. As described above, it is difficult to bend the refrigerant pipe 5 with a large curvature. For this reason, the second distance L2 is set as a distance necessary to prevent dead space from being generated at the first opening 31 when the center of the refrigerant pipe 5 is shifted in the third direction D3. Note that although FIG. 6 shows the refrigerant pipe 5 bent twice in a side view, the refrigerant pipe 5 may also be bent twice in a plan view. Specifically, the refrigerant pipe 5 is bent about a first axis along the first direction D1.

[0071] 6, in this embodiment, the second distance L2 is set so that the refrigerant pipe 5 can be arranged to pass near the fourth surface portion 24 and near the second end 31B of the first opening 31. The second distance L2 is the distance between the second end 31B and the fourth surface portion 24 in the third direction D3. The second distance L2 is equal to or greater than the second predetermined distance. In one example, the second distance L2 is equal to or greater than 30 mm.

[0072] When the second distance L2 is 30 mm or more, for thin refrigerant pipes 5 available on the market, the refrigerant pipes 5 can be bent so that the center of the refrigerant pipes 5 is shifted in the third direction D3, and the refrigerant pipes 5 can be arranged so that they pass near the fourth surface portion 24 and near the second end 31B of the first opening 31.

[0073] In one example, a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulation material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm or less is bent 30 degrees in a first turn about a fifth axis A5 along the second direction D2. The refrigerant pipe 5 is then bent 30 degrees in a second turn in the opposite direction to the first turn about a sixth axis A6 along the second direction D2. When the refrigerant pipe 5 is bent twice in this manner, the center position of the refrigerant pipe 5 changes by 30 mm. When the second distance L2 is 30 mm or more, the refrigerant pipe 5 can be positioned so that it passes near the fourth surface 24 and near the second end 31B of the first opening 31.

[0074] Setting of the fourth distance L4 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a development view of the joint body 20, which is schematically simplified into a rectangular parallelepiped, including a part of a front view and a part of a side view.

[0075] In the pipe cover fitting 10 shown in FIG. 7 , the seventh end 32C of the second opening 32 is located closer to the fourth surface 24 than the second end 31B of the first opening 31. In addition to the refrigerant pipe 5R located on the fourth surface 24 side, another refrigerant pipe 5S is located on the sixth surface 26 side. In this case, simply bending the refrigerant pipe 5R located on the fourth surface 24 side upward is not enough to pass the refrigerant pipe 5R through the first opening 31. Furthermore, because of the presence of the other refrigerant pipe 5S, the refrigerant pipe 5R located on the fourth surface 24 side must be bent so that it passes over the other refrigerant pipe 5S. In this case, the refrigerant pipe 5R is bent once to create an upwardly extending portion from a horizontally extending portion. Furthermore, the refrigerant pipe 5R is bent once to shift the upwardly extending portion in the third direction D3. Furthermore, the refrigerant pipe 5R is bent once to create an upwardly extending portion from the portion extending in the third direction D3. In such a case, a space for bending is required in the vertical direction DY, that is, in the first direction D1, for each bend.

[0076] To ensure a space for these three bends, a fourth distance L4 is set. The fourth distance L4 is defined as the distance between the fourth end 32B and the first surface portion 21. The fourth distance L4 is equal to or greater than a fourth predetermined distance. For example, the fourth distance L4 is equal to or greater than 530 mm in the first direction D1. The fourth distance L4 is calculated based on the lower limit of the radius of curvature of the refrigerant pipe 5, the thickness of the heat insulating material, and the bender gripping allowance required for bending the refrigerant pipe 5 by the bender device.

[0077] When the fourth distance L4 is 530 mm or more, almost all refrigerant pipes 5 available on the market, from thin to thick refrigerant pipes 5, can be arranged so that the refrigerant pipes 5 climb over other refrigerant pipes 5 and pass through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32. In this case, the bent portions of the refrigerant pipes 5 can be housed within the pipe cover joint 10.

[0078] In one example, a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm is bent three times as described above. To accommodate a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm that is bent three times, a height of 530 mm is required. With the above configuration, because the fourth distance L4 is 530 mm or more, a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm or less can be arranged to pass through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32.

[0079] [Structure of fitting body] The structure of the joint body 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, the joint body 20 includes a first plate 41 that constitutes the fourth surface portion 24, a second plate 42 that constitutes the sixth surface portion 26, and a bottom plate 49 that constitutes the fifth surface portion 25. The joint body 20 further includes a cover 43 (see FIG. 3).

[0080] 8, the joint body 20 has an upper opening 29 that opens in the first direction D1. A cover 43 is attached to the upper opening 29. The cover 43 is provided with a first opening 31.

[0081] The cover 43 is made up of a plurality of cover pieces 44. The cover 43 includes a first cover piece 45, a second cover piece 46, a third cover piece 47, and a fourth cover piece 48.

[0082] 3, the first cover piece 45 covers the opening between the first end 31A of the first opening 31 and the second surface 22. The second cover piece 46 covers the opening between the fifth end 31C of the first opening 31 and the third surface 23. The third cover piece 47 covers the opening between the second end 31B of the first opening 31 and the fourth surface 24. The fourth cover piece 48 covers the opening between the sixth end 31D of the first opening 31 and the sixth surface 26.

[0083] A mark 60 indicating the center of the piping cover joint 10 or the first opening 31 in the second direction D2 is provided on the upper opening 29 of the joint body 20, near the upper opening 29, or on the first surface 21. In this embodiment, the mark 60 is provided on the fourth cover piece 48 that constitutes part of the first surface 21 (see FIG. 3). The mark 60 may also be provided near the upper opening 29. For example, the mark 60 is provided on the upper end of the sixth surface 26 (see FIG. 8).

[0084] 8, a support portion 50 that supports the first piping cover 11 is provided at the upper opening 29 of the joint body 20. The support portion 50 includes a first support portion 51, a second support portion 52, and a third support portion 53. The first support portion 51 and the second support portion 52 connect the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 across the upper opening 29. The first support portion 51 extends in the third direction D3. The second support portion 52 extends parallel to the first support portion 51. The third support portion 53 connects the first support portion 51 and the second support portion 52. The third support portion 53 extends in the second direction D2. The first support portion 51 and the second support portion 52 have guides 55 that protrude upward from the cover 43. The first support portion 51, the second support portion 52, and the third support portion 53 have grooves 56 that receive water.

[0085] The first piping cover 11 is fixed to the guides 55 of the first support part 51 and the second support part 52. The second piping cover 12 is connected to the second opening 32 by a connecting member 59. The third piping cover 13 is connected to the third opening 33 by a connecting member 59.

[0086] [Refrigerant piping layout] The piping system 1 accommodates one or more refrigerant piping 5 . One refrigerant pipe 5 passes through the second pipe cover 12, the pipe cover joint 10, and the first pipe cover 11. The other refrigerant pipe 5 passes through the third pipe cover 13, the pipe cover joint 10, and the first pipe cover 11. At the first pipe cover 11, the refrigerant pipe 5 passing through the second pipe cover 12 and the refrigerant pipe 5 passing through the third pipe cover 13 are gathered together.

[0087] An example of the arrangement of the refrigerant pipes 5 in the piping system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The piping system 1 includes one refrigerant pipe 5R that passes through the first piping cover 11 and the second piping cover 12. The piping system 1 further includes another refrigerant pipe 5, a refrigerant pipe 5S (hereinafter also referred to as additional refrigerant pipe 5A) that passes through the first piping cover 11 and the second piping cover 12.

[0088] The refrigerant pipe 5R passes through the second opening 32. The refrigerant pipe 5 is disposed on the fourth surface portion 24 side in the third direction D3. The refrigerant pipe 5R is bent inside the pipe cover joint 10 around a third axis A3 along the third direction D3. The refrigerant pipe 5R is bent a first way around a second axis A2 along the second direction D2. The refrigerant pipe 5R is further bent a second way around a fourth axis A4 along the second direction D2. The second way is in the opposite direction to the first way. The fourth axis A4 is an axis different from the second axis A2. The refrigerant pipe 5R passes obliquely through the additional space S (see FIG. 11).

[0089] The additional space S is configured based on the first distance L1, the second distance L2, and the third distance L3. Specifically, the first additional space SA as the additional space S is provided between the first end 31A of the first opening 31 and the second surface portion 22 by setting the first distance L1, the second distance L2, and the third distance L3 in the joint body 20.

[0090] In addition, in the joint body 20, a second additional space SB is also provided between the fifth end 31C of the first opening 31 and the third surface portion 23. The second additional space SB is configured in the same manner as the first additional space SA.

[0091] In the pipe cover joint 10, the refrigerant pipe 5R passes near the first end 31A of the first opening 31 on the second surface portion 22 side in plan view.

[0092] The additional refrigerant pipe 5A as the other refrigerant pipe 5S is disposed at a position farther from the fourth surface portion 24 in the third direction D3 than the refrigerant pipe 5R. The refrigerant pipe 5R passes over the additional refrigerant pipe 5A within the pipe cover joint 10, and passes through a position in the first opening 31 closer to the first end 31A in the second direction D2 than the additional refrigerant pipe 5A.

[0093] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, when multiple refrigerant pipes 5 are arranged from the second piping cover 12 to the first piping cover 11, the refrigerant pipes 5 are accommodated in the piping cover fitting 10 in a bent state. If dead space SD is formed in the first opening 31, the refrigerant pipes 5 may not be accommodated properly. When the refrigerant pipes 5 passing through the second opening 32 and the refrigerant pipes 5 passing through the third opening 33 converge at the first opening 31, it is particularly necessary to bend the refrigerant pipes 5 appropriately.

[0094] 10 and 11 show the arrangement of the refrigerant pipes 5 when all bends in the refrigerant pipes 5 are 90 degrees. By making all bends 90 degrees, the refrigerant pipes 5 can be neatly housed in the pipe cover fitting 10. However, because the refrigerant pipes 5 must be bent at 90 degrees, the work efficiency is not high. The work is particularly time-consuming for refrigerant pipes 5 that require multiple bends.

[0095] 12 and 13 show, by dashed lines, the refrigerant pipe 5 bent to pass through the first additional space SA of the pipe cover joint 10. The presence of the first additional space SA makes it possible to reduce the curvature of the bent portion of the refrigerant pipe 5. In other words, the refrigerant pipe 5 can be housed within the pipe cover joint 10 without bending the refrigerant pipe 5 significantly.

[0096] In particular, the refrigerant pipe 5R passing near the seventh end 32C of the second opening 32 needs to be disposed above the other refrigerant pipes 5S (i.e., additional refrigerant pipes 5A) so as to exceed the other refrigerant pipes 5S. In this case, the refrigerant pipe 5 can be disposed in a twisted manner in the first additional space SA so as to exceed the other refrigerant pipes 5S and extend toward the first opening 31. In this way, the pipe cover joint 10 makes it easy to dispose the refrigerant pipe 5 within the pipe cover joint 10.

[0097] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) In the fitting body 20 of the piping cover fitting 10, the first distance L1 is equal to or greater than a first predetermined distance. The second distance L2 is equal to or greater than a second predetermined distance. The third distance L3 is equal to or greater than a third predetermined distance. This configuration makes it easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5 so that it passes near a corner within the piping cover fitting 10. This makes it easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5 within the piping cover fitting 10.

[0098] (2) In a plan view, the longitudinal direction DL2 of the second opening 32 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction DL1 of the first opening 31. In a plan view, the longitudinal direction DL3 of the third opening 33 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction DL1 of the first opening 31. When the first opening 31, the second opening 32, and the third opening 33 are related in this way, it is easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5 inside the pipe cover joint 10.

[0099] An example will be described below. When the first opening 31 to the third opening 33 are arranged as described above, the refrigerant pipe 5R arranged on the fourth surface 24 side of the second opening 32 cannot be passed through the first opening 31 simply by bending it about the third axis A3 along the third direction D3. Furthermore, if there is another refrigerant pipe 5S, the refrigerant pipe 5R arranged on the fourth surface 24 side is bent so as to exceed the other refrigerant pipe 5S (see FIG. 10).

[0100] As a result, the refrigerant pipe 5R on the fourth surface portion 24 side is bent about the third axis A3, bent a first turn about the second axis A2 along the second direction D2, and bent a second turn in the opposite direction to the first turn about the fourth axis A4 along the second direction D2. In this way, the refrigerant pipe 5R on the fourth surface portion 24 side is bent so as to overlap vertically with the other refrigerant pipes 5.

[0101] Meanwhile, the pipe cover joint 10 is provided with a space (hereinafter referred to as additional space S) defined by the first distance L1, the second distance L2, and the third distance L3. Therefore, when the refrigerant pipe 5R on the fourth surface portion 24 side is arranged to pass through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32, the refrigerant pipe 5R can be arranged so that a portion of the refrigerant pipe 5R on the fourth surface portion 24 side passes obliquely through the additional space S (see FIG. 12). This makes it easier to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5R to pass through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32.

[0102] (3) In the joint body 20, the first surface portion 21 is configured by a cover 43 that covers the upper opening 29. The cover 43 is provided with the first opening 31. With this configuration, the refrigerant pipe 5 can be easily arranged by removing the cover 43.

[0103] (4) The cover 43 is made up of multiple cover pieces 44. If the cover 43 is deformed, it becomes difficult to attach the cover 43 to the upper opening 29. In this regard, when the cover 43 is made up of multiple cover pieces 44, the cover pieces 44 are smaller than the cover 43. Therefore, the cover pieces 44 are less likely to deform. Therefore, the cover pieces 44 are easier to attach to the upper opening 29. Therefore, the cover 43 can be efficiently configured to the upper opening 29.

[0104] (5) The upper opening 29 of the joint body 20 is provided with a support portion 50 that supports the first piping cover 11. With this configuration, the first piping cover 11 can be supported in an appropriate manner.

[0105] (6) A mark 60 indicating the center of the piping cover joint 10 or the first opening 31 in the second direction D2 is provided on the upper opening 29 of the joint body 20, near the upper opening 29, or on the first surface portion 21.

[0106] This configuration makes it easy to position the piping cover fitting 10. For example, when positioning the piping cover fitting 10 relative to a piping opening 3 in a building, the fitting is marked vertically so that it passes through the center of the opening 3. In this case, the mark 60 can be aligned with a reference line 61 (see FIG. 1) formed by marking, making it easy to place the piping cover fitting 10 in the desired installation position.

[0107] (7) In the fitting body 20, the ratio of the second dimension LX2 to the first dimension LX1 is 1.05 or more and 1.80 or less. This configuration ensures a suitable bending space for the refrigerant pipe 5 in the second direction D2. Specifically, this configuration makes it possible to provide the additional space S. This makes it easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5 inside the pipe cover fitting 10.

[0108] (8) In the fitting body 20, the ratio of the fourth dimension LX4 to the third dimension LX3 is 1.10 or greater and 2.5 or less. This configuration ensures a suitable bending space for the refrigerant pipe 5 in the first direction D1. Specifically, this configuration allows the additional space S to be provided. This makes it easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5 inside the pipe cover fitting 10.

[0109] (9) In the pipe cover joint 10, the first distance L1 is 25 mm or more. For a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm, when the refrigerant pipe 5 is bent 90 degrees around the third axis A3 along the third direction D3, it is preferable to bend the refrigerant pipe 5 along a circle with an inner diameter larger than 50 mm. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm or less.

[0110] (10) In the pipe cover joint 10, the first distance L1 may be 115 mm or more. For a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm, when the refrigerant pipe 5 is bent 90 degrees around the third axis A3 along the third direction D3, it is preferable to bend the refrigerant pipe 5 along a circle with an inner diameter greater than 230 mm. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm or less.

[0111] (11) In the pipe cover joint 10, the second distance L2 is 30 mm or more. The second distance L2 is related to the dimensions of the two-bend refrigerant pipe 5 as follows: A refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick thermal insulation material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm is bent as follows: The refrigerant pipe 5 is bent 30 degrees in a first turn around a fifth axis A5 along the second direction D2, and then bent 30 degrees in a second turn in the opposite direction to the first turn around a sixth axis A6 along the second direction D2. In this case, the center position of the refrigerant pipe 5 changes by 30 mm. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is easy to arrange a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick thermal insulation material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm or less.

[0112] (12) In the pipe cover joint 10, the third distance L3 is 25 mm or more. When refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm is bent 90 degrees around third axis A3 along third direction D3, it is preferable to bend the refrigerant pipe 5 along a circle with an inner diameter greater than 50 mm. Therefore, with the above configuration, refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 12.7 mm or less is easy to arrange.

[0113] For example, when arranging the refrigerant pipe 5 so that it passes through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32, it is easy to arrange the refrigerant pipe 5 so that it passes near the third end 32A of the second opening 32 and near the first end 31A of the first opening 31. In this way, the refrigerant pipe 5 can be positioned close to the ends of the first opening 31 and the second opening 32, making it easier to arrange other refrigerant pipes 5.

[0114] (13) In the pipe cover joint 10, the fourth distance L4 between the fourth end 32B on the fifth surface portion 25 side and the first surface portion 21 is 530 mm or more. In one example, a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm is disposed on the fourth surface 24 side of the second opening 32. In this case, the refrigerant pipe 5 may be bent three times when being disposed to pass through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32. To accommodate a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm bent three times, a height of 530 mm is required. With the above configuration, because the fourth distance L4 is 530 mm or more, it is easy to dispose a refrigerant pipe 5 wrapped in a 20 mm thick insulating material and having a diameter of 38.1 mm or less to pass through the first opening 31 and the second opening 32.

[0115] (14) The piping system 1 includes the above-described piping cover joint 10, the first piping cover 11, the second piping cover 12, and the refrigerant piping 5. The refrigerant piping 5 passes through the second piping cover 12, the piping cover joint 10, and the first piping cover 11. With this configuration, since the piping system 1 includes the above-described piping cover joint 10, it is easy to arrange the refrigerant piping 5 so that it passes near a corner within the piping cover joint 10.

[0116] (15) In the piping system 1, the refrigerant pipe 5 passes through the second opening 32 and is disposed on the fourth surface portion 24 side in the third direction D3. Then, within the pipe cover joint 10, the refrigerant pipe 5 is bent about a third axis A3 along the third direction D3 and bent a first way around a second axis A2 along the second direction D2. Furthermore, the refrigerant pipe 5 is bent a second way in the opposite direction to the first way around a fourth axis A4 along the second direction D2. Then, the refrigerant pipe 5 passes through an additional space S defined by the first distance L1, the second distance L2, and the third distance L3.

[0117] According to this configuration, the refrigerant pipe 5 arranged on the fourth surface portion 24 side in the third direction D3 passes through the additional space S, and therefore, excessive bending load is unlikely to be applied to the refrigerant pipe 5. For example, the curvature of the portion bent about the third axis A3 along the third direction D3 can be reduced. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the refrigerant pipe 5 due to bending. Furthermore, the refrigerant pipe 5 arranged on the fourth surface portion 24 side in the third direction D3 can be arranged so that it passes obliquely through the additional space S, and therefore the curvature of the portion that bends the refrigerant pipe 5 can be reduced. This makes it easy to accommodate the refrigerant pipe 5 within the pipe cover fitting 10.

[0118] (16) In the piping system 1, the refrigerant pipe 5 passes through the pipe cover joint 10 near the first end 31A on the second surface portion 22 side of the first opening 31 in plan view. With this configuration, the space far from the first end 31A in the first opening 31 is expanded, and therefore the number of other refrigerant pipes 5 that can be arranged far from the first end 31A in the first opening 31 can be increased.

[0119] (17) The piping system 1 includes a refrigerant pipe 5 and an additional refrigerant pipe 5A that is a refrigerant pipe 5 different from the refrigerant pipe 5. The additional refrigerant pipe 5A is disposed at a position farther from the fourth surface portion 24 than the refrigerant pipe 5 in the third direction D3. The refrigerant pipe 5 passes over the additional refrigerant pipe 5A within the pipe cover fitting 10, and passes through a position in the first opening 31 closer to the first end 31A in the second direction D2 than the additional refrigerant pipe 5A.

[0120] With this configuration, the additional refrigerant pipe 5A passes through a position farther from the first end 31A than the refrigerant pipe 5. The additional refrigerant pipe 5A can be placed inside the pipe cover joint 10 while being bent with a small curvature. This makes it difficult for excessive bending load to be applied to the additional refrigerant pipe 5A. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the additional refrigerant pipe 5A due to bending.

[0121] <Modification> In addition to the above-described embodiment, the piping cover joint 10 and piping system 1 of the present disclosure may be configured in the following modified examples, or in a combination of at least two mutually consistent modified examples.

[0122] In the joint body 20, the first opening 31 may be disposed at a middle position in the first surface portion 21 in the third direction D3.

[0123] The area of the opening portion of the first opening 31 may be larger than the area of the opening portion of the second opening 32. The area of the opening portion of the first opening 31 may be larger than the area of the opening portion of the third opening 33.

[0124] The third piping cover 13 may be omitted from the piping system 1. In this case, the third opening 33 is closed by a cover plate.

[0125] The first opening 31 does not have to be configured to align with the open end of the first piping cover 11. Specifically, the first opening 31 may be configured to be positioned inside the open end of the first piping cover 11. Similarly, the second opening 32 does not have to be configured to align with the open end of the second piping cover 12. The second opening 32 may be configured to be positioned inside the open end of the second piping cover 12. Similarly, the third opening 33 does not have to be configured to align with the open end of the third piping cover 13. The third opening 33 may be configured to be positioned inside the open end of the third piping cover 13.

[0126] The above describes embodiments and variations of the piping cover fitting 10 and piping system 1, but it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the piping cover fitting 10 and piping system 1 described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] A2...second axis, A3...third axis, A4...fourth axis, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, D3...third direction, DL...longitudinal direction, DL1...longitudinal direction, DL2...longitudinal direction, DL3...longitudinal direction, DY...vertical direction, L1...first distance, L2...second distance, L3...third distance, L4...fourth distance, LX1...first dimension, LX2...second dimension, LX3...third dimension, LX4...fourth dimension, S...additional space, 1...piping system, 5...refrigerant piping, 5A...additional refrigerant piping, 5R...refrigerant piping , 5S...refrigerant piping, 10...piping cover joint, 11...first piping cover, 12...second piping cover, 13...third piping cover, 20...joint body, 21...first surface part, 22...second surface part, 23...third surface part, 24...fourth surface part, 25...fifth Surface, 29...Upper opening, 31...First opening, 31A...First end, 31B...Second end, 32...Second opening, 32A...Third end, 32B...Fourth end, 33...Third opening, 43...Cover, 44...Cover piece, 50...Support part, 60...Mark.

Claims

1. A pipe cover joint (10) having a joint body (20) that connects a first pipe cover (11), a second pipe cover (12), and a third pipe cover (13), The joint body (20) a first surface portion (21) provided with a first opening portion (31) to which the first piping cover (11) is connected; a second surface portion (22) provided with a second opening portion (32) to which the second piping cover (12) is connected; a third surface portion (23) provided with a third opening portion (33) to which the third piping cover (13) is connected; a fourth surface portion (24) directly or indirectly connected to the first surface portion (21) and the second surface portion (22); The second surface portion (22) is arranged so as to intersect with the first surface portion (21) and is directly or indirectly connected to the first surface portion (21); The third surface portion (23) is disposed at a position opposite to the second surface portion (22) with respect to the first surface portion (21), and is directly or indirectly connected to the first surface portion (21); The fourth surface portion (24) is arranged so as to intersect with the first surface portion (21) and the second surface portion (22), A direction perpendicular to the first surface portion (21) is defined as a first direction (D1), A direction perpendicular to the second surface portion (22) is defined as a second direction (D2), A direction perpendicular to the fourth surface portion (24) is defined as a third direction (D3), In the second direction (D2), a first distance (L1) between a first end (31A) of the first opening (31) on the second surface portion (22) side and the second surface portion (22) is equal to or greater than a first predetermined distance, In the third direction (D3), a second distance (L2) between a second end (31B) of the first opening (31) on the fourth surface portion (24) side and the fourth surface portion (24) is equal to or greater than a second predetermined distance, In the first direction (D1), a third distance (L3) between a third end (32A) of the second opening (32) on the first surface portion (21) side and the first surface portion (21) is equal to or greater than a third predetermined distance. Pipe cover fittings.

2. The first opening (31), the second opening (32), and the third opening (33) are configured in a shape having a longitudinal direction (DL), The longitudinal direction (DL2) of the second opening (32) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (DL1) of the first opening (31) in a plan view, The longitudinal direction (DL3) of the third opening (33) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (DL1) of the first opening (31) in a plan view. The pipe cover joint according to claim 1 .

3. The joint body (20) has an upper opening (29) that opens in the first direction (D1), The first surface portion (21) is constituted by a cover (43) that covers the upper opening (29), The cover (43) is provided with the first opening (31). The pipe cover joint according to claim 1 .

4. The cover (43) is composed of a plurality of cover pieces (44). The pipe cover joint according to claim 3.

5. A support portion (50) for supporting the first piping cover (11) is provided at the upper opening (29) of the joint body (20). The pipe cover joint according to claim 3.

6. A mark (60) indicating the center of the piping cover joint (10) or the first opening (31) in the second direction (D2) is provided on the upper opening (29) of the joint body (20), near the upper opening (29), or on the first surface portion (21). The pipe cover joint according to claim 3.

7. a ratio of a second dimension (LX2) which is the length of the piping cover joint (10) in the second direction (D2) to a first dimension (LX1) which is the length of the first opening (31) in the second direction (D2) is 1.05 or more and 1.80 or less; The pipe cover joint according to claim 2.

8. a ratio of a fourth dimension (LX4) which is the length of the piping cover joint (10) in the first direction (D1) to a third dimension (LX3) which is the length of the second opening (32) in the first direction (D1) is 1.10 or more and 2.5 or less; The pipe cover joint according to claim 7.

9. The first distance (L1) is 25 mm or more. The pipe cover joint according to claim 2.

10. The first distance (L1) is 115 mm or more. The pipe cover joint according to claim 9.

11. The second distance (L2) is 30 mm or more. The pipe cover joint according to claim 2.

12. The third distance (L3) is 25 mm or more. The pipe cover joint according to claim 9.

13. Further, it has a fifth surface portion (25) on the opposite side of the first surface portion (21) with respect to the second surface portion (22) in the first direction (D1), In the first direction (D1), a fourth distance (L4) between a fourth end (32B) of the second opening (32) on the fifth surface portion (25) side and the first surface portion (21) is 530 mm or more. The pipe cover joint according to claim 9.

14. In a piping system (1) provided between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, A pipe cover joint (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a first pipe cover (11) extending in a vertical direction (DY) and connected to the first opening (31) of the pipe cover joint (10); a second pipe cover (12) extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction (DY) and connected to the second opening (32) of the pipe cover joint (10); a refrigerant pipe (5) passing through the second pipe cover (12), the pipe cover joint (10), and the first pipe cover (11), Piping system.

15. The refrigerant pipe (5) through the second opening (32); The fourth surface portion (24) is disposed on the side of the fourth surface portion (24) in the third direction (D3), Within the piping cover joint (10), the pipe cover joint (10) is bent around a third axis (A3) along the third direction (D3), bent in a first turn around a second axis (A2) along the second direction (D2), and further bent in a second turn in the opposite direction to the first turn around a fourth axis (A4) along the second direction (D2), passing through an additional space (S) configured based on the first distance (L1), the second distance (L2) and the third distance (L3); 15. The piping system of claim 14.

16. The refrigerant pipe (5) passes through the pipe cover joint (10) near the first end (31A) of the first opening (31) on the second surface portion (22) side in a plan view.

16. The piping system of claim 15.

17. Further, an additional refrigerant pipe (5A) is provided as a refrigerant pipe different from the refrigerant pipe (5), the additional refrigerant pipe (5A) is disposed at a position farther from the fourth surface portion (24) than the refrigerant pipe (5) in the third direction (D3); The refrigerant pipe (5) passes over the additional refrigerant pipe (5A) in the pipe cover joint (10) and passes through the first opening (31) at a position closer to the first end (31A) than the additional refrigerant pipe (5A) in the second direction (D2).

17. The piping system of claim 16.

Images