Joint for flexible pipe

Abstract

To reduce attention to be paid in checking whether a tip of a flexible pipe sufficiently projects more than a pipe engaging part.SOLUTION: A joint 10 for a flexible pipe includes a joint body 20, a flexible pipe sealer 22, a pipe engaging part 24, and a push ring 26. A retainer part of the pipe engaging part 24 can engage a flexible pipe 300. A sealer opposite part of the pipe engaging part 24 is disposed so as to be opposite to the flexible pipe sealer 22 in a position close to the sealer opposite part in the joint body 20. The sealer opposite part allows the flexible pipe 300 entering the inside of the joint body 20 to pass therethrough.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible pipe coupling. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a flexible pipe joint. This flexible pipe joint comprises a joint body, a pipe engaging portion, and a press ring. The pipe engaging portion is housed within the joint body. The press ring enters the joint body. The joint body has an inlet for the flexible pipe and an inlet path for the flexible pipe. The pipe engaging portion is disposed in the inlet path. The inlet path is connected to the outside of the joint body via the inlet. The pipe engaging portion surrounds a through-space through which the flexible pipe passes. When the flexible pipe passes through the through-space, the pipe engaging portion prevents the flexible pipe from retracting and slipping out of the through-space. The press ring prevents the pipe engaging portion from slipping out of the joint body together with the flexible pipe. The pipe engaging portion has multiple hooking portions and a fixing portion. The hooking portions each hook onto the outer circumferential surface of the flexible pipe. The multiple hooking portions are fixed to the fixing portion.

[0003] The flexible pipe joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be easily connected to a flexible pipe installed in a narrow space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 132585 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The flexible pipe coupling disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following non-trivial problem: The worker using the flexible pipe coupling must pay attention to whether the tip of the flexible pipe sufficiently protrudes beyond the pipe engagement portion.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and its object is to provide a flexible pipe coupling that reduces the need to pay attention to whether or not the tip of the flexible pipe sufficiently protrudes beyond the pipe engaging portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The flexible pipe coupling of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The use of the reference numerals in the drawings in this section is for the purpose of aiding understanding of the invention. The use of the reference numerals in the drawings in this section is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to that shown in the drawings.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a flexible pipe coupling (10) includes a coupling body (20), a flexible pipe sealant (22), a pipe engaging portion (24, 424), and a press ring (26). The flexible pipe sealant (22) seals between the coupling body (20) and the outer peripheral surface of the flexible pipe (300) when the flexible pipe (300) is inserted into the coupling body (20). The pipe engaging portion (24, 424) engages with the flexible pipe (300) within the coupling body (20). The press ring (26) prevents the pipe engaging portion (24, 424) from falling off the coupling body (20). The flexible pipe (300) has peaks (310) and valleys (312) extending around the entire circumference, alternately arranged in the axial direction of the pipe. The coupling body (20) has an inlet (54) for the flexible pipe (300) and an inlet (56) for the flexible pipe (300). The entrance path 56 communicates with the outside of the fitting body 20 via the entrance 54. The entrance path 56 has a sealant standby section 72 and a sealant accommodating section 76. The sealant standby section 72 communicates with the entrance 54. At least a portion of the flexible pipe sealant 22 is pre-positioned in the sealant standby section 72. The sealant accommodating section 76 communicates with the sealant standby section 72. The sealant accommodating section 76 is positioned further back than the sealant standby section 72 when viewed from the entrance 54. The sealant accommodating section 76 has a smaller inner diameter than the sealant standby section 72. As the flexible pipe sealant 22 is drawn from the sealant standby section 72 into the sealant accommodating section 76, it engages with the valley portion 312 of the flexible pipe 300. The pipe engaging portion 24, 424 has a retainer portion 80, 480 and a sealant facing portion 82, 482. The retainer portions 80, 480 are engageable with the flexible pipe 300. The sealant facing portions 82, 482 are disposed in the sealant standby portion 72 so as to face the flexible pipe sealant 22 at a position closer to the sealant accommodating portion 76 than the retainer portions 80, 480. The flexible pipe 300 that has entered the joint body 20 can pass through the sealant facing portions 82, 482.

[0009] If the sealant storage section 76, which has a smaller inner diameter than the sealant standby section 72, is positioned further back than the sealant standby section 72 when viewed from the entrance 54, a step will be formed between the sealant standby section 72 and the sealant storage section 76. Additionally, the sealant facing section 82, 482 is positioned in the sealant standby section 72 so as to face the flexible pipe sealant 22 at a position closer to the sealant storage section 76 than the retainer section 80, 480. In this case, if the tip of the flexible pipe 300 does not sufficiently protrude beyond the sealant facing section 82, 482, the following phenomenon will occur before the flexible pipe sealant 22 is drawn from the sealant standby section 72 into the sealant storage section 76. This phenomenon is where the sealant facing section 82, 482 presses the flexible pipe sealant 22 against the step between the sealant standby section 72 and the sealant storage section 76. When this phenomenon occurs, the flexible pipe sealant 22 will not be able to engage with the valley section 312 of the flexible pipe 300. Furthermore, the pipe engaging portion 24, 424 cannot be advanced any further inside the coupling body 20. The feeling that an operator using this flexible pipe coupling 10 receives through the flexible pipe 300 is different between a case in which the pipe engaging portion 24, 424 cannot be advanced any further in this way and a case in which the above-described phenomenon does not occur and the flexible pipe sealing material 22 engages with the valley portion 312 of the flexible pipe 300. This is because the phenomena that cause this feeling are different. Depending on the difference in feeling, it can be confirmed whether the tip of the flexible pipe 300 sufficiently protrudes beyond the pipe engaging portion 24, 424. Because this can be confirmed, the care that needs to be taken in this confirmation can be further reduced.

[0010] It is also desirable that the above-described seal material facing portion 82 be disposed in advance in the seal material standby portion 72. In this case, it is desirable that the retainer portion 80 be a separate body from the seal material facing portion 82.

[0011] The sealing material facing portion 82 is placed in advance in the sealing material standby portion 72. The retainer portion 80 is separate from the sealing material facing portion 82. As a result, it is not necessary to consider the orientation of the sealing material facing portion 82 when engaging the retainer portion 80 with the flexible pipe 300.

[0012] Alternatively, it is desirable that the seal material facing portion 82 described above has a seal material side arrangement portion 200 and an inlet side arrangement portion 202. The seal material side arrangement portion 200 is arranged on the flexible pipe seal material 22 side. The inlet side arrangement portion 202 is arranged on the inlet 54 side. The retainer portion 80 can enter the inlet side arrangement portion 202.

[0013] When the inlet-side portion 202, into which the retainer part 80 can enter, is positioned on the inlet 54 side, the retainer part 80 that has entered the fitting body 20 enters the inlet-side portion 202. As a result, the entry direction of the seal material facing part 82 is affected by the entry direction of the retainer part 80. When the entry direction of the seal material facing part 82 is affected by the entry direction of the retainer part 80, it becomes difficult for a deviation to occur between the direction in which the seal material facing part 82 presses the flexible pipe seal material 22 and the entry direction of the retainer part 80.

[0014] It is also desirable that the above-described sealant facing portions 82, 482 form the curved surface described below. The curved surface is disposed so as to face the flexible pipe sealant 22. The curved surface narrows so that the outer diameter becomes smaller as it approaches the flexible pipe sealant 22.

[0015] A curved surface is formed such that the outer diameter decreases as the flexible pipe sealant 22 approaches. This curved surface is positioned on the flexible pipe sealant 22 side. As a result, when the sealant facing portion 82, 482 presses the flexible pipe sealant 22 against the step between the sealant standby portion 72 and the sealant storage portion 76, the flexible pipe sealant 22 is pressed so that its inner diameter expands. This pressing force makes it more difficult for the flexible pipe sealant 22 to engage with the valley portion 312 of the flexible pipe 300. As the flexible pipe sealant 22 becomes less able to engage with the valley portion 312, the pipe engaging portion 24, 424 cannot be advanced any further. As the pipe engaging portion 24, 424 cannot be advanced any further, the difference in sensation described above becomes even greater. As a result, less care needs to be taken to confirm whether the tip of the flexible pipe 300 sufficiently protrudes beyond the pipe engaging portion 24, 424.

[0016] It is also desirable that the above-described press ring 26 be connected to the fitting body 20 at a predetermined location within the fitting body 20 to prevent the pipe engaging portion 24, 424 from falling off from the fitting body 20. In this case, when the press ring 26 is connected to the fitting body 20 at that predetermined location within the fitting body 20, it is desirable that any location of the press ring 26 be positioned at the location described below. This location is a location where any location of the pipe engaging portion 24, 424 is positioned when at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 is positioned in the sealant standby portion 72, and where the pipe engaging portion 24, 424 is no longer positioned when at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 is drawn into the sealant accommodating portion 76.

[0017] When at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 is disposed in the sealant standby section 72, no portion of the press ring 26 is disposed at a location where any of the pipe engaging portions 24, 424 is disposed. When at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 is drawn into the sealant accommodating section 76, the pipe engaging portion 24, 424 is no longer disposed at the location where any of the pipe engaging portions 24, 424 is disposed. In this case, depending on whether the press ring 26 is connected to the fitting body 20 at a predetermined location within the fitting body 20, it can be confirmed whether the tip of the flexible pipe 300 sufficiently protrudes beyond the pipe engaging portion 24, 424. Because this can be confirmed, the amount of care required for this confirmation can be reduced.

[0018] It is also preferable that the above-described retainer portion 80, 480 has a pair of connection target hook portions 94, 94, 494, 494 and a fixing portion 96. The connection target hook portions 94, 494 have base portions 100, 500 and claw portions 102, respectively. The claw portions 102 protrude from the base portions 100, 500. The pair of connection target hook portions 94, 94, 494, 494 is fixed to the fixing portion 96. In this case, it is preferable that the material of the fixing portion 96 includes expandable graphite.

[0019] If the material of the fixing portion 96 contains expanded graphite, when the retainer portion 80, 480 is exposed to high temperatures, the expanded graphite will expand and fill the area around the flexible pipe 300. As a result, leakage of fluid passing around the flexible pipe 300 is suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, less care needs to be taken to check whether the tip of the flexible tube is sufficiently protruding from the tube engaging portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of a flexible pipe coupling according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fitting body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an external view of a tube engaging portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a retainer portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealing material facing portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a flexible pipe seal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a side view of a press ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a view showing a flexible tube passing through the through space of the tube engaging portion and the press ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a sealing portion is engaging with a valley portion of a flexible pipe in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of each element of a flexible pipe coupling when the connection of a flexible pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is completed. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a sealing material facing portion presses a flexible pipe sealing material against a step between a sealing material standby portion and a sealing material storage portion in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is an external view of a pipe engaging portion according to a modified example of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a flexible pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0023] [Structure description] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a flexible pipe joint 10 according to this embodiment. A portion of the flexible pipe joint 10 is cut away in Fig. 1. The configuration of the flexible pipe joint 10 of this embodiment will be described based on Fig. 1.

[0024] The flexible pipe coupling 10 according to this embodiment is to be connected to a flexible pipe 300. The flexible pipe 300 has peaks 310 extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction and valleys 312 extending over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The peaks 310 and valleys 312 are arranged alternately in the direction of the pipe axis (in FIG. 1, the pipe axis is integrated with the central axis 320 of the flexible pipe coupling 10). The surfaces of the peaks 310 and the valleys 312 form the outer periphery of the flexible pipe 300. The outer periphery of the flexible pipe 300 is covered with a coating layer 314.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible pipe joint 10 comprises a joint body 20, a flexible pipe sealant 22, a pipe engaging portion 24, a pressure ring 26, a retaining body 28, a peripheral sealant 30, and a waterproof gasket 32.

[0026] A connectable body is connected to one end of the joint body 20. An example of the connectable body is a socket. In the following description, the connectable body is not shown. The tip portion of the flexible pipe 300 is inserted into the other end of the joint body 20. The specific configuration of the joint body 20 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0027] In this embodiment, the flexible pipe sealant 22 is made of an elastomer containing a metal reinforcing member 166. The flexible pipe sealant 22 is housed in the joint body 20 in advance. When the flexible pipe 300 enters the joint body 20, the flexible pipe sealant 22 seals between the joint body 20 and the outer periphery of the flexible pipe 300. The specific configuration of the flexible pipe sealant 22 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0028] The pipe engaging portion 24 engages with the flexible pipe 300 inside the joint body 20. The specific configuration of the pipe engaging portion 24 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0029] One end of the pressure ring 26 enters the joint body 20. The pressure ring 26 is connected to the joint body 20 at a retaining member fitting groove forming portion 86, which will be described later, in the joint body 20. By being connected in this manner, the pressure ring 26 prevents the pipe engaging portion 24 from retracting and coming off together with the flexible pipe 300 from the joint body 20. The specific configuration of the pressure ring 26 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0030] The retaining body 28 connects the press ring 26 to the joint body 20 at a retaining body fitting groove forming portion 86, which will be described later, inside the joint body 20. The retaining body 28 in this embodiment is made of a metal ring with a circular cross section and a portion cut out.

[0031] In this embodiment, the peripheral sealant 30 has an annular shape. The cross section of the peripheral sealant 30 is circular. The peripheral sealant 30 is made of rubber. When a flexible pipe 300 is connected to the flexible pipe joint 10 of this embodiment, the peripheral sealant 30 is housed within the joint body 20. The peripheral sealant 30 provides a seal between the joint body 20 and the outer periphery of the press ring 26.

[0032] In this embodiment, the waterproof gasket 32 ​​is made of EPDM or the like. The cross section of the waterproof gasket 32 ​​is T-shaped. The waterproof gasket 32 ​​is pre-placed inside the press ring 26. The waterproof gasket 32 ​​seals the gap between the inner periphery of the press ring 26 and the outer periphery of the coating layer 314. Selectively permeable members are embedded in several locations around the circumference of the waterproof gasket 32. The selectively permeable members are pin-shaped. The selectively permeable members are permeable to gas but not to solids or liquids. This enables gas leak testing. The selectively permeable member is, for example, a member including a continuous porous membrane or a porous body with continuous pores. The former continuous porous membrane can be obtained by molding tetrafluoroethylene resin powder. The latter porous body can be obtained by molding thermoplastic resin powder such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polymethyl acrylate.

[0033] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the joint body 20 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the joint body 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0034] The joint body 20 has a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 1, a nut-shaped portion 50 is provided on the outer surface of the joint body 20. The nut-shaped portion 50 is held by a tool such as a wrench. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a threaded portion 52 is provided on one end of the joint body 20. The above-mentioned connected body is connected to the threaded portion 52. In this embodiment, a male thread is formed on the threaded portion 52.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2 , an inlet 54 for the flexible pipe 300 is provided at the other end of the fitting body 20. The fitting body 20 has an inlet passage 56 and a fluid passage 58 inside. The inlet passage 56 communicates with the outside of the fitting body 20 via the inlet 54. The fluid passage 58 is provided at the back of the inlet passage 56 when viewed from the inlet 54. The fluid passage 58 communicates with the inlet passage 56. The inner diameter of the fluid passage 58 is smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible pipe 300. In addition to the threaded portion 52, a passage opening 60 is provided at one end of the fitting body 20. The fluid passage 58 communicates with the outside of the fitting body 20 via the passage opening 60.

[0036] The entrance passage 56 is disposed to extend along the central axis 320 of the flexible pipe coupling 10. The entrance passage 56 has a pressure ring arrangement section 70, a sealant standby section 72, a sealant retraction section 74, a sealant storage section 76, and an entrance opening opposing section 78.

[0037] The pressure ring arrangement portion 70 is provided at the back of the entrance 54 when viewed from the outside of the joint body 20. A part of the pressure ring 26 is arranged in the pressure ring arrangement portion 70.

[0038] In this embodiment, the pressure ring arrangement portion 70 has a mouth-side pressure ring accommodating portion 84 and a retaining body fitting groove forming portion 86 .

[0039] The mouth-side press ring housing 84 is directly connected to the entrance 54. The mouth-side press ring housing 84 houses the portion of the press ring 26 that is close to the entrance 54. It is the mouth-side press ring housing 84 that is sealed from the outer periphery of the press ring 26 by the outer periphery sealant 30 of the joint body 20.

[0040] The retaining body fitting groove forming portion 86 is provided at the back of the mouth-side press ring accommodating portion 84 when viewed from the outside of the joint body 20. The retaining body fitting groove forming portion 86 forms a groove into which the retaining body 28 fits. As described above, the press ring 26 is connected to the joint body 20 at this retaining body fitting groove forming portion 86.

[0041] The sealing material standby section 72 is provided at the back of the retaining body fitting groove forming section 86 when viewed from the outside of the joint body 20. The sealing material standby section 72 communicates with the inlet 54. A portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 is placed in advance in the sealing material standby section 72. The portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 that is placed in the sealing material standby section 72 will be described later. In the case of this embodiment, the pipe engaging section 24 and the tip portion of the press ring 26 are placed in the sealing material standby section 72 together with a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22.

[0042] The sealing material retraction portion 74 is provided at the back of the sealing material standby portion 72 when viewed from the outside of the joint body 20. The sealing material retraction portion 74 is arranged at a location that forms a step between the sealing material standby portion 72 and the sealing material accommodating portion 76. In the case of this embodiment, the sealing material retraction portion 74 has an annular portion that continues to the end of the sealing material standby portion 72 and faces the inlet 54, and a portion that forms a curved surface that narrows as it moves away from the sealing material standby portion 72.

[0043] The sealant accommodating section 76 is disposed further back than the sealant standby section 72 when viewed from the entrance 54. The sealant accommodating section 76 is in communication with the sealant standby section 72. The sealant accommodating section 76 has a smaller inner diameter than the sealant standby section 72. This difference in inner diameter results in a step being formed between the sealant standby section 72 and the sealant accommodating section 76.

[0044] The inlet facing portion 78 is positioned further back than the sealant accommodating portion 76 when viewed from the inlet 54. The inlet facing portion 78 faces the inlet 54. The inlet facing portion 78 prevents the flexible pipe sealant 22 from penetrating the sealant accommodating portion 76. An opening is formed in the inlet facing portion 78. The inlet path 56 and the fluid path 58 communicate with each other through the opening.

[0045] Fig. 3 is an external view of the pipe engaging portion 24 according to this embodiment. A portion of the pipe engaging portion 24 is cut away in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a retainer portion 80 according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a seal material facing portion 82 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the pipe engaging portion 24 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5.

[0046] The pipe engaging portion 24 according to this embodiment has a retainer portion 80 and a seal material facing portion 82. The retainer portion 80 is capable of engaging with the flexible pipe 300. In this embodiment, the seal material facing portion 82 is pre-positioned in the seal material standby portion 72. The seal material facing portion 82 is positioned in the seal material standby portion 72 so as to face the flexible pipe seal material 22 at a position closer to the seal material accommodating portion 76 than the retainer portion 80. The seal material facing portion 82 allows the flexible pipe 300 that has entered the fitting body 20 to pass through. As is clear from FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the retainer portion 80 is separate from the seal material facing portion 82.

[0047] 4, the outer shape of the retainer portion 80 is substantially cylindrical. The retainer portion 80 is accommodated in the sealant standby portion 72 of the entry path 56 of the joint body 20. The retainer portion 80 forms a through space 116.

[0048] In this embodiment, the retainer portion 80 has a pair of connection object hook portions 94, 94 and a fixing portion 96.

[0049] In this embodiment, the connection object hook portion 94 is made of metal. As is clear from FIG. 4, the connection object hook portion 94 has a base portion 100 and three claw portions 102, 102, 102. The base portion 100 has a shape like a cylinder split in half. The claw portion 102 is provided so as to protrude from the concave surface of the base portion 100. The three claw portions 102, 102, 102 are arranged so as to be aligned along the central axis 250 of the pipe engaging portion 24. In this embodiment, the base portion 100 and the three claw portions 102, 102, 102 are integral with each other.

[0050] In this embodiment, the base portion 100 has notches 112 formed at both ends. Furthermore, as is clear from Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, a fitting groove 110 is provided on the convex surface of the base portion 100, and therefore on the outer peripheral surface of the connection object hook portion 94. The fitting groove 110 forms openings at both ends.

[0051] In this embodiment, the fixing portion 96 is made of polyethylene containing expanded graphite. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 96 has a band portion 120 and four protrusions 122. The band portion 120 is fitted into the fitting groove 110 of the connection object hook portion 94. The four protrusions 122 protrude from both ends of the band portion 120 and from near the center of the band portion 120. One of the two protrusions 122 protruding from near the center of the band portion 120 and one of the protrusions 122 protruding from one end of the band portion 120 engage with one of the pair of connection object hook portions 94, 94. The other of the two protrusions 122 protruding from near the center of the band portion 120 and the protrusion 122 protruding from the other end of the band portion 120 engage with the other of the pair of connection object hook portions 94, 94. These protrusions 122 engage with the notches 112 of the base portion 100. As a result, the connection object hook portion 94 is fixed to the fixing portion 96.

[0052] In this embodiment, the sealant facing portion 82 has a sealant-side disposition portion 200 and an inlet-side disposition portion 202. The sealant-side disposition portion 200 is disposed on the flexible pipe sealant 22 side within the joint body 20. As is clear from FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the sealant-side disposition portion 200 forms a curved surface as described below. The curved surface narrows so that the outer diameter decreases as it approaches the flexible pipe sealant 22. The curved surface is disposed on the flexible pipe sealant 22 side of the sealant-side disposition portion 200. The inlet-side disposition portion 202 is disposed on the inlet 54 side within the joint body 20. The inlet-side disposition portion 202 has a cylindrical shape. The retainer portion 80 can enter into the inlet-side disposition portion 202. The inlet-side disposition portion 202 extends along the central axis 250 of the pipe engaging portion 24. The pipe engaging portion 24 is arranged so that its central axis 250 is aligned with the central axis 320 of the flexible pipe coupling 10. As described above, the access passage 56 is arranged to extend along the central axis 320 of the flexible pipe coupling 10. As a result, the access opening side portion 202 is arranged to extend in the same direction as the access passage 56 extends.

[0053] 6 is a perspective view of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] In this embodiment, the flexible pipe sealing material 22 has an annular shape and includes a sealing portion 160, a cylindrical body portion 162, a penetration prevention portion 164, and a metallic annular reinforcing member 166.

[0055] The sealing portion 160 has an annular shape. The cross section of the sealing portion 160 is circular except for the connection portion with the body portion 162. The sealing portion 160 is connected to the body portion 162 at its inner peripheral end. This allows the sealing portion 160 to engage with the valley portions 312 of the flexible pipe 300 as it is drawn into the seal material accommodating portion 76. As the sealing portion 160 engages with the valley portions 312 of the flexible pipe 300, the sealing portion 160 seals between the peak portions 310 and valley portions 312 of the flexible pipe 300 and the seal material accommodating portion 76.

[0056] In this embodiment, the body portion 162 is directly connected to the inner peripheral end of the sealing portion 160. The body portion 162 has an inner diameter that allows the flexible pipe 300 to enter. In this embodiment, grooves 180 are provided at four locations on the outer periphery of the body portion 162. In this embodiment, these grooves 180 extend in a direction along the central axis 252 of the body portion 162. These grooves 180 extend from one end of the outer periphery of the body portion 162 with respect to the central axis 252 of the body portion 162 to the other end.

[0057] In this embodiment, the penetration prevention portion 164 is directly connected to the body portion 162. The penetration prevention portion 164 prevents the flexible tube 300 from penetrating the body portion 162.

[0058] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 166 described above is disposed within the penetration prevention portion 164. In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 166 reinforces the penetration prevention portion 164.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a side view of the press ring 26 according to this embodiment. A portion of the press ring 26 is cut away in FIG. 7 . The configuration of the press ring 26 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . A flexible pipe 300 can pass through the press ring 26. The press ring 26 has a retainer-facing portion 140, a retainer-retaining groove-forming portion 142, a press ring-side seal material-retaining groove-forming portion 144, and a base-end seal material-retaining groove-forming portion 146. The retainer-facing portion 140 faces the pipe engaging portion 24 within the fitting body 20. The retainer-retaining groove-forming portion 142 forms a groove into which the retainer 28 fits. The press ring-side seal material-retaining groove-forming portion 144 also forms a groove into which the peripheral seal material 30 fits. The base-end seal material-retaining groove-forming portion 146 also forms a groove. The groove is formed to surround the flexible pipe 300 when the tip of the flexible pipe 300 passes through the press ring 26. A waterproof packing 32 is fitted into the groove.

[0060] [Connection instructions] Next, a method for connecting a flexible pipe 300 to the flexible pipe joint 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0061] (When the flexible pipe is connected correctly) The flexible pipe sealant 22 is pre-positioned from the sealant accommodating portion 76 of the joint body 20 to the sealant standby portion 72. The penetration prevention portion 164 and the body portion 162 of the flexible pipe sealant 22 are placed in the sealant accommodating portion 76. The sealing action portion 160 of the flexible pipe sealant 22 is placed in the sealant standby portion 72. The sealant facing portion 82 of the pipe engaging portion 24 is also pre-positioned in the sealant standby portion 72. The waterproof packing 32 is fitted in the groove formed by the base end sealant accommodating groove forming portion 146 of the press ring 26. The peripheral sealant 30 is fitted in the groove formed by the press ring side sealant accommodating groove forming portion 144 of the press ring 26. The retaining body 28 is fitted in the groove formed by the retaining body accommodating groove forming portion 142 of the press ring 26.

[0062] The worker removes a predetermined portion of the end of the coating layer 314 of the flexible pipe 300 using a well-known method. In this embodiment, six ridges 310 of the coating layer 314 are removed and exposed. Next, the worker passes the press ring 26 through the flexible pipe 300. As a result, the tip of the flexible pipe 300 protrudes from the retainer-facing portion 140 of the press ring 26.

[0063] Next, the worker elastically deforms the band portion 120 of the retainer portion 80 so that the gap between the opposing ends of the band portion 120 widens. Once the gap has widened, the worker fits the claws 102 of the retainer portion 80 into the valleys 312 of the flexible pipe 300. In this manner, the retainer portion 80 is fitted to the flexible pipe 300. In the case of this embodiment, the claws 102 of the retainer portion 80 are fitted to the flexible pipe 300 at this point so that the three peaks 310 are exposed from the end of the retainer portion 80. When the claws 102 of the retainer portion 80 are fitted to the flexible pipe 300, the retainer portion 80 becomes caught on the outer circumferential surface of the flexible pipe 300. Once the claws 102, 102, 102 of the retainer part 80 are fitted onto the flexible pipe 300, the operator brings the press ring 26 into contact with the retainer part 80. Figure 8 shows the flexible pipe 300 passing through the through space 116 of the pipe engaging part 24 and the press ring 26. In Figure 8, parts of these parts are cut away.

[0064] Next, the worker inserts the flexible pipe 300 together with the retainer portion 80 and the press ring 26 into the entry path 56 of the joint body 20. The flexible pipe 300 advances to the interior of the joint body 20.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the sealing action portion 160 of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 is disposed within the sealing material standby portion 72. The body portion 162 and the penetration prevention portion 164 are disposed within the sealing material accommodating portion 76. The flexible pipe 300 that has advanced to the depth of the joint body 20 passes through the sealing action portion 160, enters the body portion 162, and then abuts against the penetration prevention portion 164.

[0066] As the flexible pipe 300 abutting against the penetration prevention portion 164 continues to move forward, the body portion 162 and penetration prevention portion 164 of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 move deeper into the coupling body 20 together with the flexible pipe 300. As they move deeper into the coupling body 20, the sealing action portion 160 moves from the seal material standby portion 72 into the seal material accommodating portion 76 and is accommodated therein. As the sealing action portion 160 is accommodated in the seal material accommodating portion 76 together with the flexible pipe 300, it engages with the valley portion 312 of the flexible pipe 300. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the state in which the sealing action portion 160 is engaging with the valley portion 312 of the flexible pipe 300.

[0067] As the flexible pipe 300, with the sealing portion 160 engaging with the valley portion 312, continues to move forward, the entire flexible pipe sealant 22 is accommodated within the sealant accommodation portion 76. Accordingly, the engagement of the sealing portion 160 with the valley portion 312 of the flexible pipe 300 is completed. Concurrently, the retaining body 28 fits into the groove formed by the retaining body fitting groove forming portion 86 of the fitting body 20. The outer peripheral sealant 30 seals between the inner peripheral surface of the fitting body 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the press ring 26. This completes the connection of the flexible pipe 300 to the flexible pipe coupling 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the various elements of the flexible pipe coupling 10 according to this embodiment when the connection of the flexible pipe 300 is complete. 1 and 10, in this embodiment, when the pressure ring 26 is connected to the joint body 20 at a predetermined location in the joint body 20 (in this case, the location where the retaining body fitting groove forming portion 86 is located), one location of the pressure ring 26 is located at the location described below. This location is a location where one location of the pipe engaging portion 24 is located when at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 is located in the sealing material standby portion 72, and where the pipe engaging portion 24 is no longer located when at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material 22 is drawn into the sealing material accommodating portion 76.

[0068] (When flexible pipes are connected incorrectly) In this case, the claws 102, 102, 102 of the retainer part 80 are fitted into the flexible pipe 300 so that only two peaks 310 are exposed from the end of the retainer part 80. In this state, when the flexible pipe 300 advances deeper into the joint body 20, the retainer part 80 advances into the entrance-side arrangement part 202 of the seal material facing part 82. The advanced retainer part 80 comes into contact with the seal material-side arrangement part 200 of the seal material facing part 82. The seal material-side arrangement part 200 that the retainer part 80 comes into contact with is pushed by the retainer part 80. As a result, the seal material facing part 82 advances deeper into the joint body 20.

[0069] While the sealant facing portion 82 advances deeper into the fitting body 20, the body portion 162 and the penetration prevention portion 164 of the flexible pipe sealant 22 do not advance deeper into the fitting body 20. This is because the flexible pipe 300 does not press against the penetration prevention portion 164. The flexible pipe 300 does not press against the penetration prevention portion 164 because the tip of the flexible pipe 300 does not protrude sufficiently. Because the body portion 162 and the penetration prevention portion 164 of the flexible pipe sealant 22 do not advance deeper into the fitting body 20, the seal action portion 160 of the flexible pipe sealant 22 remains positioned within the sealant standby portion 72. The sealant-side placement portion 200, which has advanced deeper into the fitting body 20, presses the seal action portion 160 against the sealant retraction portion 74. As a result, the sealant facing portion 82 presses the flexible pipe sealant 22 against the step between the sealant standby portion 72 and the sealant accommodating portion 76. 11 is a diagram showing the state in which the sealant facing portion 82 presses the flexible pipe sealant 22 against the step between the sealant standby portion 72 and the sealant accommodating portion 76. At this time, the retaining body 28 cannot reach the retaining body fitting groove forming portion 86 of the coupling body 20. As a result, the press ring 26 is not connected to the coupling body 20. As a result, the connection of the flexible pipe 300 to the flexible pipe coupling 10 is not completed.

[0070] [Effects of the flexible pipe joint according to this embodiment] As is clear from the above explanation, with the flexible pipe coupling 10 according to this embodiment, it is possible to confirm whether or not the tip of the flexible pipe 300 sufficiently protrudes beyond the pipe engaging portion 24. Because this can be confirmed, the care that must be taken by the worker using this flexible pipe coupling 10 in making this confirmation is further reduced. Moreover, because the inner diameter is pressed to expand, the flexible pipe sealant 22 is less likely to engage with the valley portion 312 of the flexible pipe 300. As a result, the above-mentioned care is further reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the seal material facing portion 82 is pre-positioned inside the joint body 20. As a result, when engaging the retainer part 80 with the flexible pipe 300, the worker does not need to consider the orientation of the seal material facing portion 82.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to check whether the tip of the flexible tube 300 sufficiently protrudes beyond the tube engaging portion 24 depending on whether the press ring 26 is connected to the coupling body 20 at a predetermined location within the coupling body 20. Because this can be checked, the above-mentioned precautions can be alleviated.

[0073] <Description of Modifications> The embodiments disclosed herein are examples in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0074] For example, the pipe engaging portion 24 according to the present invention is not limited to having a retainer portion 80 and a seal material facing portion 82 that are separate bodies. Fig. 12 is an external view of a pipe engaging portion 424 according to a modification of the embodiment described above. In Fig. 12, a portion of the pipe engaging portion 424 is cut out. The pipe engaging portion 424 according to this modification is made of metal. The configuration of the pipe engaging portion 424 according to this modification will be described with reference to Fig. 12.

[0075] The pipe engaging portion 424 according to this modification has a retainer portion 480 and a seal material facing portion 482. In the pipe engaging portion 424 according to this modification, the retainer portion 480 and the seal material facing portion 482 are integral with each other.

[0076] The retainer portion 480 is engageable with the flexible pipe 300. The seal material facing portion 482 is disposed in the seal material standby portion 72 so as to face the flexible pipe seal material 22 at a position closer to the seal material accommodating portion 76 than the retainer portion 480. The seal material facing portion 482 allows the flexible pipe 300 that has entered the joint body 20 to pass through.

[0077] The retainer portion 480 has a pair of connection object hook portions 494, 494 and a fixing portion 96. As is clear from FIG. 12, the connection object hook portion 494 has a base portion 500 shaped like a cylinder split in half and three claw portions 102, 102, 102. The base portion 500 shown in FIG. 12 has notches 112 formed at both ends. The protrusions 122 of the fixing portion 96 engage with the notches 112. Furthermore, as is clear from FIG. 12, a fitting groove 110 is formed on the convex surface of the base portion 500 and, therefore, on the outer peripheral surface of the connection object hook portion 494. Since the retainer portion 480 is otherwise similar to the embodiment described above, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0078] The seal material facing portion 482 according to this modification has a pair of members shaped like a cylinder split in half. Both of these members are integrally connected to the connection object hook portion 494. As is clear from FIG. 12 , the members of the seal material facing portion 482 form the following curved surface. The curved surface tapers so that the outer diameter becomes smaller as it approaches the flexible pipe seal material 22. As a result, the seal material facing portion 482 also forms a curved surface that tapers so that the outer diameter becomes smaller as it approaches the flexible pipe seal material 22.

[0079] 12 is provided instead of the above-described pipe engaging portion 24, it is also possible to check whether the tip of the flexible pipe 300 sufficiently protrudes beyond the pipe engaging portion 424. Since this can be checked, the care that must be taken by the worker using the flexible pipe coupling of the present invention in checking this is further reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10...Flexible pipe fittings 20...Joint body 22...Flexible pipe sealant 24,424...Pipe engagement part 26...Push ring 28...Removal stopper 30...Periphery seal material 32...Waterproof packing 50...Nut type part 52...Threaded section 54...Entrance 56... Approach road 58...Fluid path 60…Passing opening 70...Push ring arrangement part 72...Sealing material standby section 74...Sealing material inlet 76...Sealing material storage section 78…Entrance Opposite Part 80...Retainer part 82... Sealing material facing portion 84... Mouth side pressure wheel housing 86...Prevention body fitting groove forming portion 94,494...Connection target hook part 96…Fixed part 100...Base 102...Claw part 110...Fitting groove 112...Notch 116...Through space 120...Obi section 122…Protrusion 140...Retainer opposing portion 142...Prevention body receiving groove forming portion 144... Press ring side seal material receiving groove forming portion 146... Base end seal material receiving groove forming portion 160...Sealing portion 162...Torso 164...Penetration prevention part 166...Reinforcement material 180...Groove 200...Sealing material side arrangement portion 202...Inlet side arrangement part 250,252,320…center axis 252…Central axis 300...Flexible pipe 310…Yamabe 312... Valley 314...Covering layer

Claims

1. A joint body; a flexible pipe sealant that seals between the joint body and an outer peripheral surface of the flexible pipe when the flexible pipe enters the joint body; a pipe engaging portion that engages with the flexible pipe within the joint body; a press ring that prevents the pipe engaging portion from falling off the joint body, The flexible pipe has peaks and valleys extending around the entire circumference and arranged alternately in the pipe axis direction, The joint body is an entry port of the flexible pipe; an inlet for the flexible pipe that communicates with the outside of the joint body through the inlet, The approach road is a sealant standby section communicating with the inlet and in which at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealant is pre-positioned; a sealing material storage section that is in communication with the sealing material standby section, is positioned further back than the sealing material standby section as viewed from the entrance, and has an inner diameter smaller than that of the sealing material standby section; a flexible pipe joint that engages with the valley portion of the flexible pipe as the flexible pipe sealant is drawn from the sealant standby portion into the sealant accommodating portion, The pipe engaging portion is a retainer portion engageable with the flexible pipe; A flexible pipe joint characterized by having a sealing material facing portion that is positioned in the sealing material waiting portion so as to face the flexible pipe sealing material at a position closer to the sealing material accommodating portion than the retainer portion, and through which the flexible pipe that has entered the joint main body can pass.

2. the sealing material facing portion is disposed in advance in the sealing material standby portion, 2. A flexible pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the retainer portion is a separate body from the sealing material facing portion.

3. The sealing material facing portion is a sealant side arrangement portion arranged on the flexible pipe sealant side; 3. The flexible pipe joint according to claim 2, further comprising an inlet-side portion disposed on the inlet side and into which the retainer portion can enter.

4. A flexible pipe joint as described in claim 1, characterized in that the sealing material facing portion is arranged to face the flexible pipe sealing material and forms a curved surface that narrows so that the outer diameter becomes smaller as it approaches the flexible pipe sealing material.

5. The press ring is connected to the joint body at a predetermined location within the joint body to prevent the pipe engaging portion from falling off from the joint body, 2. A flexible pipe joint as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the pressure ring is connected to the joint body at the predetermined location within the joint body, any location of the pressure ring is positioned at a location where any location of the pipe engaging portion is positioned when at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material is positioned in the sealing material waiting portion, and where the pipe engaging portion is no longer positioned when at least a portion of the flexible pipe sealing material is drawn into the sealing material accommodating portion.

6. The retainer portion is a pair of connection target hooking portions each having a base portion and a claw portion protruding from the base portion; a fixing portion to which the pair of connection target hook portions are fixed, 2. The flexible pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the material of the fixing portion includes expanded graphite.

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