Joint

Abstract

To provide a new joint which is increased in the working efficiency of the assembly work thereof.SOLUTION: A joint is provided which is connected to a pipe or hose. The joint comprises a cylindrical core, an annular clamp into which the cylindrical core is inserted, and a cylindrical cover which houses the cylindrical core and the annular clamp. The cylindrical cover includes, in a front-rear direction along a central axis of the cylindrical cover, a proximal end part, a distal end part, and an intermediate part located between the proximal end part and the distal end part. The intermediate part has an annular clamp introduction port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to fittings that are connected to, for example, pipes or hoses. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a pipe joint for connecting a deformable conduit such as a pipe or hose. The pipe joint includes a cylindrical nipple and a clamping ring into which the nipple is inserted. The clamping ring is a so-called clamp, and includes a clamp body and two upright pieces connected to the clamp body. When these upright pieces are brought closer together by pinching them with a tool or fingers, the clamp body expands in diameter. Conversely, when the upright pieces are moved apart, the clamp body contracts in diameter. The clamp body expands in diameter to receive a conduit between the nipple and the clamp body, and contracts in diameter to secure the conduit between the nipple and the clamp body. The pipe joint also includes an outer tube having a locking portion that locks the upright pieces to maintain the clamp body in an expanded state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-270622 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a novel joint that improves assembly workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A coupling according to the present disclosure is a coupling to be connected to a pipe or hose. The coupling includes a cylindrical core, an annular clamp into which the cylindrical core is inserted, and a cylindrical cover that houses the cylindrical core and the annular clamp. The cylindrical cover includes, in the front-rear direction along the central axis of the cylindrical cover, a base end, a tip end, and an intermediate portion located between the base end and the tip end. The intermediate portion has an annular clamp inlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The present disclosure can provide a novel joint that improves the workability of assembly work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fitting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a fitting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fitting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a fitting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional front view showing the AA section of FIG. [Figure 6] Top view showing the cylindrical cover DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the joint 1 includes a cylindrical core 2, an annular clamp 4, a cylindrical cover 6, and a cylindrical connector 8. In this embodiment, the joint 1 is used, for example, for hot and cold water supply piping, and receives a plastic pipe (hose or tube) from the front opening 11 and a water pipe from the rear. The plastic pipe is, for example, a cross-linked polyethylene pipe, a polybutene pipe, or a polyethylene pipe. The water pipe is, for example, a plastic pipe, a steel pipe, or a copper pipe.

[0010] 2, the cylindrical core 2 includes a cylindrical portion 21, a flange 22 connected to the rear end of the cylindrical portion 21, and an O-ring 23 fixed to the cylindrical portion 21. The cylindrical portion 21 has an outer diameter that allows it to be inserted into a resin pipe. The cylindrical portion 21 has an outer surface with a plurality of annular protrusions that bite into the resin pipe.

[0011] The annular clamp 4 is disposed coaxially with the cylindrical core 2. The annular clamp 4 can be selectively placed in an expanded state or a contracted state. In the expanded state, the annular clamp 4 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the resin pipe, and in the contracted state, the annular clamp 4 has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the resin pipe.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 5 , the annular clamp 4 includes an annular clamp body 41, a first knob 42 connected to a first end of the annular clamp body 41, and a second knob 43 connected to a second end of the annular clamp body 41. The annular clamp body 41 is formed, for example, from spring steel. In its natural state, the annular clamp body 41 is in a contracted state, and the first knob 42 and the second knob 43 are spaced apart. When the first knob 42 and the second knob 43 approach each other, the annular clamp body 41 is in an expanded state. The annular clamp 4 further includes a clamping pin 44 that clamps the first knob 42 and the second knob 43 and maintains them in a close proximity. The clamping pin 44 is detachable from the first knob 42 and the second knob 43.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical cover 6 accommodates the cylindrical core 2. The cylindrical cover 6 is formed of, for example, resin. The resin may be, for example, polycarbonate, nylon, or acrylic. The cylindrical cover 6 may be transparent or opaque. A transparent cylindrical cover 6 is useful for an operator to check the insertion length of the resin tube while inserting the resin tube into the cylindrical cover 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the cylindrical cover 6 includes, in the front-rear direction along the central axis C, a base end portion 61, a tip end portion 62, and an intermediate portion 63 located between the base end portion 61 and the tip end portion 62. The intermediate portion 63 has an annular clamp introduction port 64.

[0014] The tubular connector 8 is connected to the tubular cover 6 so as to be rotatable around a central axis C. The tubular connector 8 can be directly connected to a water pipe inserted from the rear. In this embodiment, the tubular connector 8 has a hexagonal nut shape so that it can be rotated with a tool. As shown in FIG. 2, the tubular connector 8 has a female thread 82 that can be threaded onto a water pipe. The tubular connector 8 is made of, for example, brass, copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, or other metals.

[0015] Next, the assembly procedure of the joint 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] First, the annular clamp 4 is housed in the cylindrical cover 6 through the annular clamp introduction port 64 .

[0017] The annular clamp body 41 of the annular clamp 4 is housed within the cylindrical cover 6, and the first and second tabs 42 and 43 protrude outside the cylindrical cover 6. The annular clamp 4 is not simply annular because it has the first and second tabs 42 and 43. If such an annular clamp 4 were to be introduced through an opening in front or behind the central axis C of the cylindrical cover 6, the workability of assembling the joint 1 would be reduced. For example, an operator would first introduce the first and second tabs 42 and 43 into the cylindrical cover 6 through the opening in the front or rear of the cylindrical cover 6, and then remove the first and second tabs 42 and 43 from the opening on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical cover 6. In contrast, in this embodiment, an operator only needs to introduce the annular clamp body 41 into the cylindrical cover 6 through the annular clamp introduction port 64, without having to introduce the first and second tabs 42 and 43 into the cylindrical cover 6. Therefore, this embodiment can provide a joint 1 that improves the workability of assembly work.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , the annular clamp 4 has a length L1 in the axial direction along the central axis C. The annular clamp inlet 64 has a length L2 in the axial direction along the central axis C. The length L2 is greater than the length L1. The annular clamp 4 is maintained in an expanded state by the clamping pin 44. The annular clamp 4 has a first outer diameter W1 in the expanded state. The annular clamp inlet 64 has an opening width W2 in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the central axis C. The opening width W2 may be greater or smaller than the first outer diameter W1. In this embodiment, the opening width W2 is smaller than the first outer diameter W1. When the annular clamp 4 is pressed against the annular clamp inlet 64, the annular clamp inlet 64 elastically deforms, allowing passage of the annular clamp through the annular clamp inlet 64. Because the opening width W2 is smaller than the first outer diameter W1, the annular clamp 4 is less likely to slip out of the tubular cover 6, improving the workability of the fitting 1 assembly.

[0019] Next, the cylindrical cover 6 is connected to the cylindrical connector 8. As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the cylindrical cover 6 has an annular protrusion 65, while the cylindrical connector 8 has an annular groove 84 that engages with the annular protrusion 65. By engaging the annular protrusion 65 with the annular protrusion 65, the cylindrical cover 6 is connected to the cylindrical connector 8 so as to be rotatable about the central axis C.

[0020] Finally, the cylindrical core 2 is inserted from the rear of the cylindrical connector 8 toward the cylindrical cover 6. In this embodiment, the cylindrical core 2 has a flange 22, while the cylindrical connector 8 has an annular protrusion 83 that abuts against the flange 22. The annular protrusion 83 abuts against the flange 22, thereby acting as a stopper that restricts the forward movement of the cylindrical core 2.

[0021] The cylindrical core 2 may be integral with or separate from the cylindrical connector 8. In this embodiment, the cylindrical core 2 is separate from the cylindrical connector 8. Because the cylindrical core 2 is separate from the cylindrical connector 8, it is possible to replace the cylindrical core 2 with a different size and to replace it with a different size cylindrical connector 8. This type of fitting 1 can be connected to a variety of resin pipes with different pipe diameters by changing the size of the cylindrical core 2, and can be connected to a variety of water pipes with different pipe diameters by changing the size of the tubular connector 8. The fitting 1 manufacturer can prepare multiple types of cylindrical cores 2 and multiple types of tubular connectors 8 with different sizes and combine them to create a lineup of fittings 1 that can accommodate a variety of pipes. The annular clamp 4 is separate from the cylindrical core 2, the cylindrical cover 6, and the cylindrical connector 8. Because the annular clamp 4 is separate from these, it is possible to provide a fitting 1 that can accommodate a variety of pipes with different specifications by changing the annular clamp 4 to one with a different inner diameter, outer diameter, tightening strength, or other specifications.

[0022] The cylindrical cover 6 is separate from the cylindrical core 2, the annular clamp 4, and the cylindrical connector 8. Because the cylindrical cover 6 is separate from these, by changing to a cylindrical cover 6 with a different shape, size, color, material, or other specifications, it is possible to provide a fitting 1 that can be used with a wide variety of pipes with different specifications.

[0023] The inner diameter of the cylindrical cover 6 may be constant or may vary in the axial direction along the central axis C. As shown in FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the cylindrical cover 6 varies in the direction along the central axis C. Specifically, the cylindrical cover 6 has an annular recess 66 on its inner circumferential surface that can accommodate the annular clamp 4. By accommodating the annular clamp 4 in the annular recess 66, it is possible to prevent the plastic pipe from colliding with the annular clamp 4 during insertion into the cylindrical cover 6, making it easier to insert the plastic pipe into the cylindrical cover 6.

[0024] The annular clamp introduction port 64 penetrates the intermediate portion 63 of the cylindrical cover 6 from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface. The opening width W2 of the annular clamp introduction port 64 may be constant or may vary from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface. As shown in FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the annular clamp introduction port 64 has an opening width W2e at a position 64e on the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 63 and an opening width W2f at a position 64f on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 63. The opening width W2f is larger than the opening width W2e. More specifically, the opening width W2 of the annular clamp introduction port 64 increases from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 63. The widening of the annular clamp introduction port 64 from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 63 makes it easier for the annular clamp introduction port 64 to receive the annular clamp 4, improving the workability of inserting the annular clamp 4 into the annular clamp introduction port 64.

[0025] The opening width W2e at the position of the inner circumferential surface of the annular clamp introduction port 64 may be the same as the inner diameter W3 of the middle portion 63 of the cylindrical cover 6, or may be smaller than the inner diameter W3. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the opening width W2e is smaller than the inner diameter W3. Because the opening width W2e is smaller than the inner diameter W3, it is possible to prevent the annular clamp 4 from coming off.

[0026] The contour of the annular clamp introduction port 64 in a top view may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or another polygonal shape. As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the contour of the annular clamp introduction port 64 in a top view is rectangular. This rectangle includes a first side 64a, a second side 64b parallel to the first side 64a, a third side 64c connecting the first side 64a and the second side 64b, and a fourth side 64d connecting the first side 64a and the second side 64b and parallel to the third side 64c.

[0027] The contour of the annular clamp introduction port 64 on the tip end 62 side in top view may be linear, curved, or bent. A bent shape refers to having two straight lines connected at an angle. In this embodiment, the contour of the annular clamp introduction port 64 on the tip end 62 side in top view (second side 64b) is linear. By making the second side 64b linear, stress concentration on the second side 64b can be prevented, and the strength of the tip end 62 of the tubular cover 6 can be increased. Even if the second side 64b is curved, stress concentration on the second side 64b can be prevented, and the strength of the tip end 62 of the tubular cover 6 can be increased.

[0028] In this embodiment, it is possible to use an annular clamp 4 with a high clamping force, and therefore it is possible to provide a joint 1 that can be used in piping through which high-pressure fluid flows.

[0029] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiment, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the multiple modifications described in this specification can be combined as desired. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1 Joint 1 2 Cylindrical core 4 Circular Clamps 6 Cylindrical cover 8 Tubular Connector

Claims

1. A fitting for connection to a pipe or hose, A cylindrical core; an annular clamp into which the cylindrical core is inserted; a cylindrical cover that houses the cylindrical core and the annular clamp, The cylindrical cover includes, in a front-rear direction along a central axis of the cylindrical cover, a base end portion, a tip end portion, and an intermediate portion located between the base end portion and the tip end portion, The intermediate portion has an annular clamp inlet. Fitting.

2. the annular clamp selectively assumes an expanded state and a contracted state; the annular clamp has a first outer diameter in the expanded state; The opening width of the annular clamp introduction port in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the first outer diameter.

2. The joint of claim 1.

3. The opening width increases from the position of the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate portion toward the position of the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate portion.

3. The joint of claim 2.

4. The contour of the annular clamp introduction port on the tip end side is linear or curved. A joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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