Filter-equipped pipe and manufacturing method therefor

Abstract

To provide a filter-equipped pipe and a manufacturing method therefor which can reduce filter assembling steps and the number of components of constitutive members.SOLUTION: A filter-equipped pipe comprises: a filter 2 which includes: a mesh part 20 formed of a conical net-like body which narrows from an upstream side to a downstream side in a flow direction of a fluid flowing in a pipe body 3; and a flange part 23 provided at an end part of the mesh part on the upstream side and formed so as to be bent outward. The flange part is embedded, by insert molding, into an inner circumferential wall 3a of the pipe body, and the filter is molded integrally inside the pipe body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe with a filter that collects impurities contained in a fluid flowing through a pipe body, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Examples of such filters include Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 listed below. Patent Document 1 below discloses a filter that includes an annular fixed lid provided at one end where air is introduced, a base provided at the other end and with a larger diameter than the annular fixed lid, and a filter core that is frustum-shaped and has multiple pleats provided between the annular fixed lid and the base.Patent Document 2 below discloses a filter that includes a metal mesh body, an introduction part that closes one end of the mesh body and has a circular hole for guiding fluid inside, and a support part that closes the other end of the mesh body, and the diameter of the mesh body gradually decreases from one end to the other end. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3107301 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-30143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such filters are disposed in pipes through which a fluid flows to capture impurities contained in the fluid, but the filter disclosed in Patent Document 1 is structured to be interposed between pipes, not to be disposed within the pipes. Furthermore, the filter disclosed in Patent Document 2 is disposed at the connection between a first flow path member and a second flow path member, but it is necessary to provide a groove in the inner peripheral wall of the second flow path member, place the filter therein, and further to interpose an O-ring at the connection with the first flow path member to provide a seal, which requires a filter assembly process and results in a large number of component parts.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a filter-equipped pipe and a manufacturing method thereof that can reduce the filter assembly process and the number of component parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the filter-equipped pipe of the present invention comprises a filter having a mesh portion consisting of a conical mesh body that narrows from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of the fluid flowing inside the pipe body, and a flange portion that is provided at the upstream end of the mesh portion and is formed by bending it outward, and is characterized in that the flange portion is embedded in the inner wall of the pipe body by insert molding, and the filter is molded integrally within the pipe body.

[0007] Furthermore, an annular protrusion protruding outward may be provided on the outer peripheral wall of the pipe body in which the flange portion is embedded. The net-like body may be made of a metal material, and the mesh portion may have a conical shape obtained by pleating the circular net-like body.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the manufacturing method of the present invention for manufacturing a filtered pipe is a manufacturing method of a filtered pipe in which the above-mentioned filtered pipe is manufactured using a first mold and a second mold, wherein the first mold is provided with a first pleat forming portion having a plurality of recesses and protrusions for forming pleats in the filter, and a first apex that forms the apex that is the most protruding part of the conical shape and is located at approximately the center of the mesh body, and the second mold is provided with a second pleat forming portion that is formed in approximately the same shape as the first pleat forming portion and has a plurality of recesses and protrusions, and a second apex that is formed to match the shape of the first apex, and the filter is manufactured by closing the first mold and the second mold with the mesh body interposed between the first pleat forming portion and the second pleat forming portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] Since the filter-equipped pipe and the manufacturing method thereof of the present invention are configured as described above, it is possible to reduce the number of filter assembly steps and component parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing a filter-equipped pipe according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating the manufacturing process of a filter constituting a filter-equipped pipe according to the embodiment, in which (a) is a plan view showing a wire mesh before a wire mesh punching process, (b) is a plan view showing a wire mesh after the wire mesh punching process, (c) is a perspective view of a filter obtained through a filter forming process, and (d) is a side view of the same filter. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a molding die for molding the filter. [Figure 4] 3. (a) is a diagram for explaining the first mold of the same mold, and is a view taken along the line XX' in FIG. 3. (b) is a diagram for explaining the second mold of the same mold, and is a view taken along the line YY' in FIG. 3. [Figure 5]10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the resin molding molds used to insert-mold the filter-equipped pipe, where FIG. 10A shows the first resin molding mold and the second resin molding mold in an open state, and FIG. 10B shows the first resin molding mold and the second resin molding mold in a closed state. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the resin molding molds used to insert-mold the filter-equipped pipe, where FIG. 10A shows the third resin molding mold and the fourth resin molding mold in an open state, and FIG. 10B shows the third resin molding mold and the fourth resin molding mold in a closed state. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing process of the filter-equipped pipe. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the filter-equipped pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a filter-equipped pipe and a manufacturing method thereof according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in some drawings, some of the detailed reference numerals used in other drawings are omitted.

[0012] The filter-equipped pipe 1 is equipped with a filter 2 having a mesh portion 20 made of a cone-shaped mesh body (4) that narrows from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of the fluid flowing inside the pipe main body 3, and a flange portion 23 that is provided at the upstream end 20a of the mesh portion 20 and formed by bending it outward. The flange portion 23 is embedded in the inner peripheral wall 3a of the pipe main body 3 by insert molding, and the filter 2 is molded integrally within the pipe main body 3. Details are provided below.

[0013] First Embodiment The filter-equipped pipe 1 is configured such that the filter 2 captures impurities such as dust contained in the fluid flowing through the pipe body 3. The filter-equipped pipe 1 can be applied to a pipe that supplies air to, for example, a fuel cell for a vehicle. In this case, the filter-equipped pipe 1 may be formed as a component that constitutes a fluid flow path by being connected to other pipes, hoses 9, etc. In this case, the pipe body 3 may be formed in a shape appropriate to the application location, and may be configured to be connectable to other pipes, hoses 9, etc. that are arranged adjacently.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the filter-equipped pipe 1 includes a filter 2 having a mesh portion 20 made of a conical mesh body (4) that narrows from upstream to downstream in the direction of fluid flow through the pipe body 3, and a flange portion 23 provided at the upstream end 20a of the mesh portion 20 and formed by bending it outward. The filter 2 is made of a metal mesh body (4) as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). The mesh portion 20 may be formed by pleating a circular mesh body (4) as shown in FIG. 2(b). In this configuration, the mesh portion 20 is formed by pleating the circular mesh body (4), so there are no seams in the mesh portion 20. This increases the filtration area while suppressing pressure loss of the fluid passing through the filter 2, and simplifies the components constituting the filter 2. In the illustrated example, pleating is performed to form an apex 21, which is the most protruding portion of the cone shape, and a pleated portion 22 having multiple pleats 22a and multiple gusset portions 22b located upstream of the apex 21, in the mesh portion 20. The metal material constituting the filter 2 (mesh body 4) is not particularly limited, but may be a wire mesh made of stainless steel, brass, or the like. The apex 21 has no folds and is formed in a bowl shape. This allows the cone shape to concentrate the captured foreign matter at the apex 21.

[0015] The pleats 22a are formed by folds extending from the upstream end 20a of the mesh portion 20 toward the apex 21, and are configured to include peaks 22aa, valleys 22ab, and side surfaces 22ac. The pleats 22a are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the mesh portion 20. The side surfaces 22ac are formed in a substantially triangular shape. The gusset portions 22b are formed in a substantially triangular shape so as to fill the gaps between the side surfaces 22ac, 22ac of adjacent pleats 22a, 22a. The number of pleats 22a and gusset portions 22b provided in the pleated portion 22 is determined according to the inner diameter of the piping main body 3, and is not particularly limited. In the illustrated example, 16 pleats 22a are formed (16 peaks 22aa, 16 valleys 22ab, and 16 gusset portions 22b).

[0016] The flange portion 23 is formed integrally with the mesh portion 20, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(c) and (d), is formed in a circular ring shape that protrudes outward (diametrically outward in the piping body 3) from the upstream end 20a of the mesh portion 20. The outer diameter of the flange portion 23 is larger than the inner diameter of the piping body 3 (diameter of the inner circumferential wall 3a) so that at least the outer diameter end is embedded in the inner circumferential wall 3a of the piping body 3. In the illustrated example, the outer diameter of the flange portion 23 is formed to be approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the piping body 3 (diameter of the outer circumferential wall 3b). The flange portion 23 is embedded in a mid-portion of the piping body 3 in the flow direction.

[0017] The pipe body 3 is made of synthetic resin and has a straight, hollow, and generally cylindrical shape. A flange portion 23 is embedded in the inner peripheral wall 3a of the pipe body 3 by insert molding, and the filter 2 is molded integrally within the pipe body 3. An annular, outwardly protruding portion 30 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 3b of the pipe body 3 corresponding to the portion where the flange portion 23 is embedded. With this configuration, the protrusion 30 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 3b of the pipe body 3 where the flange portion 23 is embedded. This allows the portion of the pipe body 3 where the flange portion 23 is embedded to be thickened without narrowing the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe body 3, resulting in a strong pipe. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the protrusion 30 can also serve as a hose stopper against which the end face of a hose 9 connected to the pipe body 3 abuts. The protrusion 30 is formed so that its dimension along the flow direction of the pipe body 3 is larger than that of the flange portion 23. Furthermore, since the protrusion 30 is used as a hose stopper for the hose 9 provided on the upstream side of the piping main body 3, the upstream end surface 30a that comes into contact with the hose 9 is formed as a flat surface. The outer diameter of the protrusion 30 may be equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the hose 9 to be connected. In the illustrated example, the outer diameter of the protrusion 30 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the hose 9.

[0018] Furthermore, the pipe body 3 is formed with an annular protrusion 31 downstream of the filter 2 and midway in the flow direction of the pipe body 3. This protrusion 31 may be used as a hose stopper for a hose provided downstream of the pipe body 3, and the downstream end face 31a is formed into a flat surface. Furthermore, the upstream end and downstream end of the pipe body 3 are provided with bead portions 3c, 3d formed so as to bulge outward in the radial direction.

[0019] Next, a method for manufacturing the filter-equipped pipe 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. First, in the manufacture of the filter-equipped pipe 1, the molding die 6 equipped with the first die 7 and the second die 8 used when manufacturing the filter 2 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0020] <Mold> 3 and 4 show an example of a molding die 6 used to perform pleating on the circular mesh body 4 constituting the filter 2 shown in FIG. 1 and other figures. The molding die 6 includes a first die 7 and a second die 8, which are disposed opposite each other and are configured to be movable toward and away from each other. At least one of the first die 7 and the second die 8 may be movable so that it can move toward and away from the other, while the other may be fixed, or both may be movable. The first die 7 includes a first pleat-forming section 70 having a plurality of recesses (first recesses 70b) and protrusions (first protrusions 70a) for forming pleats 22a in the filter 2, and a first apex 71 that forms the apex 21, which is the most protruding portion of the cone shape, and is located approximately in the center of the mesh body 4. Specifically, the first die 7 includes an inner die 7A and an outer die 7B, and the inner die 7A and the outer die 7B are configured separately. The outer mold 7B includes a cylindrical base 73 and a first joining portion 72 provided on one side of the base 73 and joined to the second mold 8. The first joining portion 72 has a plurality of first recesses 70b and a plurality of first protrusions 70a. A circular through-hole 74 is bored out at the center of the base 73. The intermediate mold 7A is inserted into the through-hole 74 and is provided so as to be movable relative to the outer mold 7B in the axial direction (see the white arrow D1 in FIG. 3). A groove 75 is provided on the lower side of the base 73 to fit an O-ring (not shown) that seals the gap with an outer cylinder (not shown) that moves the outer mold 7B up and down using air. The medium size 7A is approximately conical in shape and includes a first pleat forming portion 70 that forms a mesh portion 20 having a plurality of uniform pleats 22a, and a first apex 71 that is the most protruding portion, is located approximately in the center of the circular mesh body 4 (see Figure 2(b)), and forms the apex 21 of the conical filter 2.

[0021] The second die 8 is provided with a second fold forming portion 80 that is formed in approximately the same shape as the first fold forming portion 70 and has a plurality of recesses (second recesses 80b) and protrusions (second protrusions 80a), and a second apex 81 that is formed to match the shape of the first apex 71. Specifically, the second die 8 is provided with a second joining portion 82 that is joined to the first die 7, the second fold forming portion 80 that is formed in approximately the same shape as the first fold forming portion 70 and has a plurality of second recesses 80b and second protrusions 80a, and the second apex 81 that is formed to match the shape of the first apex 71.

[0022] The first pleat-forming portion 70 is in direct contact with the back surface side of the mesh body 4 (the inner surface side of the mesh portion 20 after the filter 2 is formed) and folds the mesh body 4 constituting the filter 2 to form pleats 22a. The first pleat-forming portion 70 includes a first convex portion 70a provided to protrude to form the peak portions 22aa, a first concave portion 70b provided to recess to form the valley portions 22ab, a first side surface-forming portion 70c having a substantially triangular flat surface that gradually tapers toward the first apex 71 to form the side surface portion 22ac, a first gusset-forming portion 70d having a substantially isosceles triangular flat surface with the first concave portion 70b as its apex to form the gusset portion 22b, and a first flange-forming portion 70e having a circular flat surface that surrounds the periphery of the first gusset-forming portion 70d to form the flange portion 23. The first apex 71 is circular and flat, forming the apex 21, which is the most protruding portion of the mesh portion 20, which is conical in shape. The first apex 71 is located approximately at the center of the net-like body 4 that will become the mesh portion 20. The first bonding portion 72 is provided so that it and the second bonding portion 82 of the second mold 8 interlock with each other to prevent rotation when the mold is closed. The first bonding portion 72 of the first mold 7 is provided with alternating, continuous, and evenly spaced first bonding protrusions 72a and first bonding recesses 72b, each of which has a substantially triangular shape in side view. The second bonding protrusions 82a of the second bonding portion 82 of the second mold 8 are bonded to the first bonding recesses 72b of the first bonding portion 72 of the first mold 7, and the second bonding recesses 82b of the second bonding portion 82 of the second mold 8 are bonded to the first bonding protrusions 72a of the first bonding portion 72 of the first mold 7 (a convex-concave bond).

[0023] The second pleat-forming portion 80 is in direct contact with the surface side of the mesh body 4 (which becomes the outer surface side of the mesh portion 20 after the filter 2 is formed) to fold the mesh body 4 constituting the mesh portion 20 to form pleats 22a. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the second pleat-forming portion 80 includes: a second convex portion 80a formed to match the shape of the first convex portion 70a of the first mold 7 to form the peak portion 22aa; a second concave portion 80b formed to match the shape of the first concave portion 70b to form the valley portion 22ab; a second side surface-forming portion 80c gradually tapering toward the second apex 81 to form the side surface portion 22ac and formed to match the shape of the first side surface-forming portion 70c; a second gusset-forming portion 80d formed to form the gusset portion 22b and having a flat surface and shaped like an approximately isosceles triangle with the second concave portion 80b as its apex; and a second flange-forming portion 80e corresponding to the first flange-forming portion 70e to form the flange portion 23. The second apex 81 is a circular, curved surface that forms the apex 21, which is the most protruding part of the mesh portion 20, which has a conical shape, and when the mold is closed, the approximate center of the mesh body 4 that becomes the mesh portion 20 is pressed against this second apex 81.

[0024] By using the above-described molding die 6, the first and second dies 7 and 8 can be closed together with the mesh body 4 interposed between the first pleat-forming section 70 and the second pleat-forming section 80, eliminating the need for welding or other processes to form the mesh portion 20, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the filter 2 and simplifying the manufacturing process. Furthermore, by using the molding die 6, the mesh body 4 is placed on the first pleat-forming section 70 of the intermediate die 7A with its center aligned, the first and second dies 7 and 8 are closed together, and the intermediate die 7A having the first peak 71 is pushed up into the second die 8, thereby easily forming the conical mesh portion 20 having the multiple pleats 22a in one go without causing wrinkles or collapse of the folds. Specifically, by closing the dies, the mesh body 4 is sandwiched between the first peak 71 and the second peak 81, thereby forming the peak 21. Furthermore, by sandwiching the mesh body 4 between the first pleat-forming portion 70 and the second pleat-forming portion 80, the first convex portion 70a and the second convex portion 80a can form the peak portion 22aa of the pleats 22a, and the first concave portion 70b and the second concave portion 80b can form the valley portion 22ab of the pleats 22a. Furthermore, by sandwiching the mesh body 4 between the first pleat-forming portion 70 and the second pleat-forming portion 80, the first side surface-forming portion 70c and the second side surface-forming portion 80c can form the side surface portion 22ac of the pleats 22a while suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles, and the first gusset-forming portion 70d and the second gusset-forming portion 80d can form the gusset portion 22b. Furthermore, by sandwiching the mesh body 4 between the first flange-forming portion 70e and the second flange-forming portion 80e, the flange portion 23 to be embedded during insert molding can be formed with high precision. Furthermore, when the molding die 6 is closed, the second joining convex portion 82a is joined to the first joining concave portion 72b, and the second joining concave portion 82b is joined to the first joining convex portion 72a. Therefore, the first die 7 and the second die 8 are joined by meshing with each other when the molding die 6 is closed, and since the molding die 6 has an interlocking structure that does not rotate, the plurality of pleats 22a can also be formed in the mesh body 4 with high precision.

[0025] <Resin mold> Next, the resin molding die 10 for insert-molding the filter 2 manufactured by the molding die 6 into the piping main body 3 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In the following description, the filter 2 is placed on the first resin molding die 11, and the top 21 side of the filter 2 is the lower side (the downstream side in the state shown in Figure 1), and the flange portion 23 side of the filter 2 is the upper side (the upstream side in the state shown in Figure 1).

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5(a), the resin molding die 10 includes a first resin molding die 11 on which the mesh portion 20 is placed, and a second resin molding die 12 which is disposed opposite the first resin molding die 11 and has a protrusion 12c which sandwiches the filter 2 from above. As shown in Fig. 6(a), the resin molding die 10 also includes a third resin molding die 13 which is disposed on one side of the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12 (the left side of the paper in Fig. 6(a)), and a fourth resin molding die 14 which is disposed on the other side of the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12 (the right side of the paper in Fig. 6(b)).

[0027] In the insert molding process S2 (see FIG. 7 ), the mesh section 20 is placed between the first resin mold 11 and the second resin mold 12 and then closed. Then, the third resin mold 13 and the fourth resin mold 14 are positioned adjacent to the first resin mold 11 and the second resin mold 12 to form a cavity 15 for injection molding the piping body 3. The first resin mold 11 and the second resin mold 12 are configured to be movable toward and away from each other in the flow direction. Either the first resin mold 11 or the second resin mold 12 may be movable toward the other. One may be movable and the other may be fixed, or both may be movable. The third resin mold 13 and the fourth resin mold 14 are configured to be movable toward and away from the first resin mold 11 and the second resin mold 12. In the illustrated example, both the third resin mold 13 and the fourth resin mold 14 are configured as movable molds. The first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12 are formed so that, when closed, they define cavity surfaces (side peripheral surfaces 11ba and 12ba) for molding the inner peripheral wall 3a of the piping main body 3. The third resin molding die 13 and the fourth resin molding die 14 are formed so that, when closed, they define cavity surfaces (side peripheral surfaces 13ba and 14ba) for molding the outer peripheral wall 3b of the piping main body 3. In other words, the resin molding die 10 has the first resin molding die 11, the second resin molding die 12, the third resin molding die 13, and the fourth resin molding die 14 formed so as to define a cavity 15 (see FIG. 6(b)) for molding the piping main body 3.

[0028] The first resin molding die 11 has a base 11a on the lower side that is trapezoidal in cross section, a substantially cylindrical pillar portion 11b, a mortar-shaped (concave shape tapering downward and inward) recess 11c in the approximate center of pillar portion 11b into which mesh portion 20 is inserted, and a mounting portion 11d on which the upper side of mesh portion 20 and flange portion 23 are mounted. The shape and size of recess 11c are configured so that it can accommodate mesh portion 20 of filter 2 with flange portion 23 mounted on mounting portion 11d, and it is sufficient that mesh portion 20 does not deform within recess 11c when mesh portion 20 is inserted and mounted in recess 11c. The recess 11c in the illustrated example is formed according to the shape and size of the mesh portion 20 and includes a circular bottom portion 11ca that defines the bottom of the recess 11c and a tapered inner peripheral wall 11cb that rises from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion 11ca and defines the radial direction of the recess 11c. The recess 11c in the illustrated example is formed with a depth dimension such that the top portion 21 of the filter 2 does not contact the bottom portion 11ca of the recess 11c when the flange portion 23 is placed on the mounting portion 11d. Furthermore, the recess 11c in the illustrated example is formed such that the upper portion of the inner peripheral wall 11cb contacts the upper portion of the mesh portion 20 when the flange portion 23 is placed on the mounting portion 11d. The diameter of the base 11a is larger than the diameter of the column portion 11b, and the stepped upper surface 11aa of the base 11a is an annular flat surface in a plan view. The base 11a is configured so that, when the third resin molding die 13 and the fourth resin molding die 14 are closed, the protrusions 13b of the third resin molding die 13 and the protrusions 14b of the fourth resin molding die 14 can slide laterally above the upper surface 11aa. The side peripheral surface 11ba of the column portion 11b serves as a cavity surface for molding the inner peripheral wall 3a on the lower side of the piping main body 3, and is formed into a flat surface.

[0029] The mounting portion 11d is provided at the upper end of the pillar portion 11b and is formed to surround the periphery of the recess 11c. The mounting portion 11d is provided continuous with the inner peripheral wall 11cb of the recess 11c and includes a gusset mounting portion 11da on which the plurality of gusset portions 22b provided on the upper side of the mesh portion 20 are placed, and a flange mounting portion 11db above the gusset mounting portion 11da on which the flange portion 23 is placed. The gusset mounting portion 11da is formed so as to gradually incline radially outward and to abut against the surface of the installed gusset portion 22b. The flange mounting portion 11db is a corner portion at the upper tip of the pillar portion 11b and is formed in a circumferentially continuous annular shape so as to abut against the entire circumference of the lower surface of the flange portion 23.

[0030] The second resin molding die 12 has a base 12a on the upper side that is trapezoidal in cross section and a column portion 12b that is approximately cylindrical. The lower surface 12aa of the base 12a is formed as a flat, annular surface when viewed from below. The diameter of the base 12a is larger than the diameter of the column portion 12b, and the stepped lower surface 12aa of the base 12a is formed as a flat, annular surface when viewed from above. The base 12a is configured so that, when the third resin molding die 13 and the fourth resin molding die 14 are closed, the protrusions 13b of the third resin molding die 13 and the protrusions 14b of the fourth resin molding die 14 can slide below the lower surface 12aa from the side. In addition, the side peripheral surface 12ba of the column portion 12b serves as a cavity surface for molding the inner peripheral wall 3a of the upper side of the piping main body 3 and is formed as a flat surface. The lower end of the column portion 12b is provided with a projection 12c where a corner 12ca is chamfered.

[0031] When the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12 are closed, the convex portion 12c abuts against the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion 23 of the filter 2, and the concave portion 11c and the convex portion 12c prevent the formation of a gap that would allow communication from the cavity 15 to the pleat portion 22. In other words, when the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12 are closed, the concave portion 11c and the convex portion 12c make it difficult for the molten resin injected into the cavity 15 (see FIG. 6(b)) to reach the pleat portion 22. The concave portion 11c and the convex portion 12c also hold and fix the filter 2 so that the filter 2 does not move due to the injection pressure of the molten resin injected into the cavity 15.

[0032] Next, the third resin molding die 13 and the fourth resin molding die 14 will be described. The third resin molding die 13 and the fourth resin molding die 14 have the same configuration, and therefore the following description will mainly focus on the third resin molding die 13. When the third resin molding die 13 and the fourth resin molding die 14 are closed, they abut against the side peripheral surfaces 11ab, 12ab of the bases 11a, 12a of the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12, but do not abut against the side peripheral surfaces 11ba, 12ba of the column portions 11b, 12b, forming a cavity 15 between them (see FIG. 6(b)). The third resin molding die 13 is formed in the shape of a roughly half cylinder, and the inner peripheral surface facing the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12 is formed in a concave curve. The third resin molding die 13 includes recesses 13a, 13a having inner peripheral surfaces that abut against side peripheral surfaces 11ab, 12ab of bases 11a, 12a of the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12, respectively, when the die is closed, and a protrusion 13b having an inner peripheral surface that forms a cavity 15 between the recesses 13a, 13a and the side peripheral surfaces 11ba, 12ba of the pillars 11b, 12b. The recesses 13a are provided at the upper and lower ends of the third resin molding die 13, respectively, and are formed as flat surfaces that are slightly inclined along the side peripheral surfaces 11ab, 12ab of the bases 11a, 12a. The protrusion 13b is provided between the recesses 13a, 13a, and is formed so as to protrude toward the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12 beyond the recesses 13a, 13a. Further, groove-like recesses 13c and 13d are formed in protrusion 13b for forming protrusions 30 and 31 (see FIG. 1) of piping body 3. Further, groove-like recesses 13e and 13f are formed in protrusion 13b for forming bead portions 3c and 3d of piping body 3.

[0033] The fourth resin molding die 14 has recesses 14a, 14a corresponding to the recesses 13a, 13a of the third resin molding die 13, a convex portion 14b corresponding to the convex portion 13b of the third resin molding die 13, and recesses 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f corresponding to the recesses 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f of the third resin molding die 13.

[0034] The cavity 15 formed when the first resin molding die 11, the second resin molding die 12, the third resin molding die 13, and the fourth resin molding die 14 are closed is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that follows the outer shape of the piping main body 3 to be molded. In addition, any of the first resin molding die 11, the second resin molding die 12, the third resin molding die 13, and the fourth resin molding die 14 is formed with a gate portion (not shown) for injecting molten resin supplied from the outside into the cavity 15.

[0035] A method for manufacturing the filter-equipped pipe 1 using the above-described molding die 6 and resin molding die 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0036] <Filter Forming Steps (S100 to S103)> First, the filter formation step S1 will be described. A long, strip-shaped wire mesh 4' is prepared (see FIG. 2(a)) and punched into a circular shape as shown in FIG. 2(b) (wire mesh punching step S100). Then, a forming die 6 is prepared, and the circular (perfect circle) mesh body 4 formed by punching is placed on the first pleat forming section 70 of the first die 7. At this time, the mesh body 4 is placed so that its approximate center is positioned at the first apex 71 (mesh body installation step S101). Next, a second die 8 is moved onto the first die 7, and the first die 7 and the second die 8 are joined together. The die is then closed with the mesh body 4 sandwiched between them. As a result, the mesh body 4 is sandwiched between the first die 7 and the second die 8, and the conical filter 2 can be formed in one go from the circular mesh body 4, and the mesh body 4 is pleated to form uniform pleats 22a in the mesh body 4 (mold closing S102, pleat forming step S103). After the pleat forming step S103, the mold is opened and the mesh body 4 is removed from the first die 7, to obtain the filter 2 having the flange portion 23 shown in Figure 2(c).

[0037] <Insert molding process (S104 to S108)> Next, the insert molding step S2 using the resin molding die 10 will be described. The first die 7 and the second die 8 are opened to remove the filter 2 with the pleats 22a formed therein. The filter 2 is then placed in the resin molding die 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the mesh portion 20 is placed in the recess 11c of the first resin molding die 11, and the filter 2 is placed in the first resin molding die 11 so that the flange portion 23 and an upper portion of the mesh portion 20 abut against the mounting portion 11d (filter placement in resin molding die - S104). Then, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the filter 2 is sandwiched and held between the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12. At this time, the flange portion 23 of the filter 2 is firmly held without gaps between the flange mounting portion 11db of the first resin molding die 11 and the corner portion 12ca of the second resin molding die 12, and between the gusset mounting portion 11da and the corner portion 12ca.

[0038] 6(a), the third resin molding die 13 and the fourth resin molding die 14 are closed toward the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12 so as to be disposed adjacent to the first resin molding die 11 and the second resin molding die 12, thereby forming a cavity 15 (mold closing step S105). At this time, the outer diameter side end of the flange portion 23 of the filter 2 is disposed within the recesses 13c, 14c of the third resin molding die 13 and the fourth resin molding die 14, which form the protrusion 30 of the piping main body 3. Thereafter, in the closed mold state, molten resin is filled into the cavity 15 to perform injection molding (resin injection step S106). The molten resin is then solidified (solidification step S107), the resin molding die 10 is opened (mold opening step S108), and the piping main body 3 with the filter 2 integrally insert-molded is removed, thereby obtaining the filtered piping 1.

[0039] According to the above, since the filter 2 is integrally molded into the piping body 3 by insert molding, no gap is formed between the inner peripheral wall 3a of the piping body 3 and the installation location of the filter 2. Furthermore, since the manufacturing process is completed within the resin molding die 10, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of contaminants that occur during the manufacturing process. Conventionally, a groove was provided in the inner peripheral wall of the piping body on the side of the piping body where the filter was to be disposed, and a process of assembling an O-ring and the filter was required. However, according to the above, since the filter 2 is integrally insert molded into the piping body 3, an O-ring is not required, which reduces the number of components and omits the assembly process. In addition, since no groove is required in the inner peripheral wall of the piping body, there are no locations where the thickness of the piping body is thin, and the rigidity of the entire piping can be increased.

[0040] <Modification> Next, a modified filter-equipped pipe 1A shown in Fig. 8 will be described. Note that the configuration and effects common to the above-described filter-equipped pipe 1 will be omitted or briefly described. In the modified example shown in Fig. 8, the configuration of the pipe main body 3A is different from that described above.

[0041] The piping main body 3A includes a cylindrical portion 32, a substantially hemispherical bowl-shaped portion 33 provided at the downstream end of the cylindrical portion 32, and a flange portion 34 protruding radially from the downstream end of the bowl-shaped portion 33. The filter 2 is insert-molded so that the flange portion 23 is embedded in the downstream end of the cylindrical portion 32 and most of the mesh portion 20 is located within the bowl-shaped portion 33. The mesh portion 20 is provided so that the downstream end of the pleated portion 22 and the apex 21 are located downstream of the bowl-shaped portion 33 and exposed from the bowl-shaped portion 33. The piping main body 3A is provided with a protrusion 30 similar to the above at the downstream end of the cylindrical portion 32 in which the flange portion 23 of the filter 2 is embedded. In addition, a bead portion 3c similar to the above is formed at the upstream end of the cylindrical portion 32, which is the upstream end of the piping main body 3A. In the illustrated example, the cylindrical portion 32 is provided at an angle relative to the top of the hemispherical bowl-shaped portion 33 .

[0042] The configurations of the filter-equipped pipes 1, 1A, which are different from each other in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, may be appropriately modified, rearranged, or combined as needed. Furthermore, the components are not limited to the above-described configurations. For example, the flange portion 23 of the filter 2 may be embedded within the upstream end of the pipe body 3, 3A. Furthermore, the flange portion 23 of the filter 2 may be embedded within the downstream end of the pipe body 3, 3A. Although the mesh portion 20 is contained within the pipe body 3, 3A in the illustrated example, the mesh portion 20 may be located outside the pipe body 3, 3A. Furthermore, the filter 2 may have folds (pleats) formed at the top 21. Furthermore, the pipe body 3, 3A may be a T-shaped or Y-shaped pipe with a branching passage, and the application of the filter-equipped pipes 1, 1A is not limited to vehicles. Furthermore, the molding die 6 and resin molding die 10 of the above embodiment and the manufacturing method of the filter-equipped pipe 1, 1A are not limited to the above-mentioned configurations, but are configured according to the shape and size of the pipe main body 3, 3A and the filter 2, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1,1A piping with filter 2. Filters 20 mesh section 21 Top 22a Pleats 23 Flange 3,3A piping body 3a Inner wall 3b Outer wall 30 protrusion 7 Type 1 70 First fold forming part 70a Convex part (first convex part) 70b Recess (first recess) 71 1st top 8 Type 2 80 Second fold forming part 80a Convex part (second convex part) 80b Recess (second recess) 81 2nd top 10 Resin mold 11 First resin mold 11c recess 11d Placement section 12 Second resin mold 12c convex place 13 Third resin mold 14 4th resin mold 15 Cavity

Claims

1. The filter includes a mesh portion made of a cone-shaped mesh body that narrows from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the fluid flowing inside the piping body, and a flange portion that is provided at the upstream end of the mesh portion and is formed by bending it outward, The filter-equipped pipe is characterized in that the flange portion is embedded in the inner peripheral wall of the pipe body by insert molding, and the filter is molded integrally within the pipe body.

2. In claim 1, The mesh body is made of a metal material, The mesh portion is formed into a conical shape by pleating the circular mesh body, in accordance with a filter-equipped pipe.

3. In claim 1 or claim 2, The filter-equipped pipe is characterized in that an annular protrusion protruding outward is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the pipe body in which the flange portion is embedded.

4. A manufacturing method for a filter-equipped pipe using a first mold and a second mold, the method comprising: a filter having a mesh portion made of a cone-shaped mesh body that narrows from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the flow direction of a fluid flowing through a pipe main body; and a flange portion that is provided at the upstream end of the mesh portion and is formed by bending it outward; the flange portion being embedded in an inner peripheral wall of the pipe main body by insert molding; and the filter being integrally molded within the pipe main body, the method comprising: the first mold is provided with a first pleat forming portion having a plurality of concave and convex portions for forming pleats in the filter, and a first apex portion that forms the most protruding portion of the cone shape and in which a substantial center of the mesh body is disposed; the second mold is provided with a second fold forming portion having a shape substantially the same as that of the first fold forming portion and having a plurality of recesses and protrusions, and a second apex portion provided to match the shape of the first apex portion, A method for manufacturing a filter-equipped pipe, characterized in that the filter is manufactured by closing the first mold and the second mold with the mesh body interposed between the first pleat forming portion and the second pleat forming portion.

5. In claim 4, A method for manufacturing a pipe with a filter, characterized in that the first mold and the second mold are opened to remove the filter with the pleats formed, the filter is then placed in a resin molding mold, and the filter is integrally molded into the pipe body through an insert molding process.

6. In claim 5, The resin molding die is a first resin molding die having a recess into which the mesh portion is inserted and a mounting portion on which the upstream side of the mesh portion and the flange portion are mounted; a second resin molding die disposed opposite the first resin molding die and having a protrusion for sandwiching the filter from the upstream side;

7. In claim 6, the resin molding die further includes a third resin molding die disposed on one side of the first resin molding die and the second resin molding die; a fourth resin molding die disposed on the other side of the first resin molding die and the second resin molding die, A method for manufacturing a pipe with a filter, characterized in that in the insert molding process, the mesh part is placed between the first resin molding die and the second resin molding die and the molds are closed, and then the third resin molding die and the fourth resin molding die are arranged close to the first resin molding die and the second resin molding die so as to form a cavity for injection molding the pipe body.

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