Pipe fixing structure and pipe connection unit

Abstract

To provide a piping fixing structure and a piping connection unit capable of properly and easily fixing piping composed of a plurality of screw-in type pipes to a fixing object.SOLUTION: The pipe fixing structure 100 fixes a pipe 10 composed of a plurality of screw type pipes to a fixing object by using a fixing member 20. The pipe 10 includes a first pipe 11 extending in the x-axis direction, a second pipe 12 extending in the y-axis direction and at least partially formed of a flexible hose 12a, and a third pipe 13 connecting the first pipe 11 and the second pipe 12. The fixing member 20 has a first fixture 21 of which one end is fixed to a fixing object, and a second fixture 22 which is fixed to the other end of the first fixture 21 and fixes a part except the flexible hose 12a in the second tube 12 or the third tube 13. The second fixture 22 is formed in a substantially L-shape, and long holes 221a and 222a extending in the extending direction are respectively provided in each portion constituting the second fixture 22 in the L-shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe fixing structure and a pipe connection unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorption chiller / heater, which is used by connecting it to, for example, a cooling tower. When connecting two components in this way, flexible hoses are sometimes used to accommodate tolerances between the components. However, flexible hoses, by their very nature, expand and deform when a fluid (e.g., a liquid such as water) passes through them. This expansion and deformation then generates stress in the direction of extension of the flexible hose. For example, in threaded piping, this stress may act to release the threaded state of the piping to which the flexible hose is indirectly connected.

[0003] Specifically, in a pipe consisting of a first pipe extending along the x-axis, a second pipe (including a flexible hose) extending along the y-axis, and a third pipe connecting the first and second pipes, if stress is generated in the y-axis direction due to expansion and deformation of the flexible hose, this stress will cause the third pipe to rotate around the x-axis, and accordingly, the first pipe connected to the third pipe will also rotate around the x-axis. If this rotation direction coincides with the direction in which the first pipe is unscrewed from its connected end, the screwed state between the first pipe and the connected end will loosen, and fluid passing through the pipe may leak out of the pipe.

[0004] Furthermore, a fixture is generally used to secure a pipe to a target component (hereinafter also referred to as a "fixed object"). In this case, one end of the fixture is secured to the target component, such as a wall or a housing, and the other end of the fixture is secured to a location on the pipe. However, in many cases, the pipe is simply secured to the target component, and even if it happens to be possible to restrict the rotation of the third pipe about the x-axis (i.e., the rotation of the first pipe), this does not necessarily mean that the rotation of the third pipe about the x-axis is restricted. Furthermore, if there is a manufacturing tolerance in the pipe or depending on the extension direction (axis) of the pipe, it can be difficult to secure the pipe to the target component. Even if the pipe can be secured, not only is the securing process complicated, but the proper fixed state cannot be obtained, making it difficult to adequately restrict the rotation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-058208 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, in a piping fixing structure, it is required that a piping structure consisting of a plurality of threaded pipes can be properly and easily fixed to a fixing object.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and its purpose is to provide a pipe fixing structure and a pipe connection unit that can properly and easily fix a pipe consisting of multiple threaded pipes to a fixing object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the piping fixing structure according to the present invention comprises: A piping fixing structure that fixes a piping composed of a plurality of threaded pipes to a fixing target using a fixing member, The piping is a first tube extending in an x-axis direction, which is a predetermined direction; a second pipe extending in a y-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction and at least a portion of which is made of a flexible hose; a third pipe connecting the first pipe and the second pipe, The fixing member is a first fixing device having one end fixed to the fixing object; a second fixture fixed to the other end of the first fixture and configured to fix a portion of the second pipe excluding the flexible hose or the third pipe, The second fixture is The second fixing device is formed in a substantially L-shape, and each portion constituting the L-shape is provided with a long hole extending in each extension direction. The piping must be fixed.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the pipe connection unit according to the present invention comprises: A piping connection unit comprising a first member and a second member to be connected to each other, wherein a piping consisting of a plurality of threaded pipes is fixed to the first member by using a fixing member, The piping is a first tube extending in an x-axis direction, which is a predetermined direction; a second pipe extending in a y-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction and at least a portion of which is made of a flexible hose; a third pipe connecting the first pipe and the second pipe, The fixing member is a first fastener having one end fixed to the first member; a second fixture fixed to the other end of the first fixture and configured to fix a portion of the second pipe excluding the flexible hose or the third pipe, The second fixture is The second fixing device is formed in a substantially L-shape, and each portion constituting the L-shape is provided with a long hole extending in each extension direction. It is a piping connection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pipe fixing structure and a pipe connection unit that can properly and easily fix a pipe made up of a plurality of threaded pipes to a fixing object.

[0011] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a pipe connection unit including a pipe fixing structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fixture shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a piping fixing structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, a pipe fixing structure 100 according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] For ease of explanation, the following definitions are used for "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down," as shown in FIG. 1 and elsewhere. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to one another. In the first embodiment, the front-rear direction corresponds to the "x-axis direction," the left-right direction corresponds to the "y-axis direction," and the up-down direction corresponds to the "z-axis direction." In the second embodiment, the front-rear direction corresponds to the "x-axis direction," the up-down direction corresponds to the "y-axis direction," and the left-right direction corresponds to the "z-axis direction." Note that these directions are defined merely for ease of explanation.

[0015] (Piping connection unit 1) 1, the pipe connection unit 1 is a unit including a first member 2 and a second member 3, in which a pipe 10 consisting of a plurality of threaded pipes is fixed to the first member 2 as a fixing target using a fixing member 20. Possible examples of the first member 2 and the second member 3 include an absorption chilled / hot water supply and a cooling tower. However, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are not limited to the above as long as they are two members that can use the pipe fixing structure 100.

[0016] [First embodiment] A piping fixing structure 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The piping fixing structure 100 is a fixing structure for a piping 10, which typically uses a fixing member 20 to fix the piping 10, which is made up of a plurality of threaded pipes, to a piping connection unit 1 (in this example, a first member 2).

[0017] (Piping 10) First, the pipe 10 fixed by the pipe fixing structure 100 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the piping 10 has a first pipe 11, a second pipe 12, and a third pipe 13. The first pipe 11 extends in the front-rear direction. The second pipe 12 extends in the left-right direction, and at least a portion of the second pipe 12 is made of a flexible hose 12a (see also Fig. 1). The third pipe 13 extends in the up-down direction, and connects the first pipe 11 and the second pipe 12. The flexible hose 12a is a known type, and is, for example, a rubber pipe (hose).

[0018] These first pipe 11, second pipe 12, and third pipe 13 are threaded pipes, and the connection parts of each pipe are each provided with a thread, and the pipes are connected to each other by screwing each connection part into each connection destination.

[0019] The piping 10 also has an elbow pipe 14 that serves as a joint connecting the first pipe 11 and the third pipe 13, and an elbow pipe 15 that serves as a joint connecting the second pipe 12 and the third pipe 13. That is, the rear end of the first pipe 11 and the upper end of the third pipe 13 are screwed into each threaded portion of the elbow pipe 14, and similarly, the right end of the second pipe 12 and the lower end of the third pipe 13 are screwed into each threaded portion of the elbow pipe 15.

[0020] In this example, the front end of the first pipe 11 is screwed into the first member 2 constituting the piping connection unit 1 (see FIG. 2), and the left end of the second pipe 12 is screwed into the second member 3 constituting the piping connection unit 1 (see FIG. 1). That is, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected (piped connected) by the pipe 10.

[0021] (Fixing member 20) Next, the fixing member 20 for fixing the pipe 10 to a fixing target (in this example, the first member 2) by the pipe fixing structure 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the fixing member 20 has a first fixing tool 21 and a second fixing tool 22.

[0022] The first fixing device 21 is integrally formed with a flat main body 211 extending in the front-rear direction, a first connecting portion 212 extending leftward in a rectangular shape from the front end of the main body 211, and a second connecting portion 213 extending rightward in a rectangular shape from the rear end of the main body 211. The first connecting portion 212 functions as a connecting portion with the first member 2 that constitutes the piping connection unit 1. The second connecting portion 213 functions as a connecting portion with the second fixing device 22.

[0023] An attachment hole 212a is provided in the first connecting portion 212, and the first connecting portion 212 and the first member 2 are fastened together by, for example, a fastening member (not shown), thereby fixing the first fixing device 21 to the first member 2. Similarly, an attachment hole 213a is provided in the second connecting portion 213, and the second connecting portion 213 and the second fixing device 22 are fastened together by, for example, a fastening member (not shown), thereby fixing the second fixing device 22 to the first fixing device 21.

[0024] Second fixing device 22 is formed in a substantially L-shape and includes a first portion 221 extending in the left-right direction and a second portion 222 extending in the front-rear direction. First portion 221 functions as a connecting portion with first fixing device 21. Second portion 222 functions as a connecting portion that is fastened and connected to piping 10 (third pipe 13 in this example) by U-bolt 23.

[0025] The first portion 221 is provided with an elongated hole 221a extending in the left-right direction, which is the extension direction of the first portion 221, and the first portion 221 and the second connection portion 213 of the first fixing device 21 are fastened together by, for example, a fastening member (not shown), thereby fixing the second fixing device 22 to the first fixing device 21. Similarly, the second portion 222 is provided with an elongated hole 222a extending in the front-rear direction, which is the extension direction of the second portion 222, and the second portion 222 and the third pipe 13 are fastened together by a U-bolt 23, thereby fixing the piping 10 to the first member 2 by the fixing member 20.

[0026] (Method of fixing the pipe 10) Next, a method for fixing the pipe 10 will be described. Before describing the method for fixing the pipe 10, the problem to be solved by the present invention in this example will be described.

[0027] In the piping 10, the flexible hose 12a is used to absorb the dimensional tolerance between the first member 2 and the second member 3 that constitute the piping connection unit 1, or to absorb vibrations that occur when the first member 2 is an absorption chiller / heater, etc. However, due to its nature, the flexible hose 12a expands and deforms when fluid passes through it, and this expansion and deformation generates stress in the direction in which the flexible hose 12a extends (in this example, the left-right direction).

[0028] As a result, the stress pushes the lower end of third pipe 13 to the right, causing third pipe 13 to rotate in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., counterclockwise around the front-to-rear direction as an axis, and as a result, first pipe 11 or elbow pipe 14 connected to third pipe 13 also rotates counterclockwise, which may loosen the threaded engagement between first pipe 11 and first member 2 or between first pipe 11 and elbow pipe 14, and cause fluid passing through piping 10 to leak out of piping 10. In other words, to restrict this rotation, piping 10 needs to be properly fixed to first member 2, and fixing member 20 is used.

[0029] The following describes an example of a method for fixing the pipe 10. First, a fastening member (not shown) is used to fasten and connect the first connection portion 212 of the first fixing device 21 to the first member 2. This fixes the first fixing device 21 to the first member 2.

[0030] Next, the pipes to be fixed with fixing member 20 are selected based on the target to be fixed and the extension direction of each pipe. In this example, as described above, it is necessary to restrict the counterclockwise rotation of third pipe 13, and third pipe 13 is fixed with fixing member 20 based on the positional relationship between flexible hose 12a and third pipe 13, etc. For this purpose, for example, second fixing member 22 is placed in a position where it contacts third pipe 13 and the second connecting portion 213 of first fixing member 21, and second connecting portion 213 of first fixing member 21 and first portion 221 of second fixing member 22 are fastened and connected. In this way, second fixing member 22 is fixed to first fixing member 21.

[0031] Next, second portion 222 of second fixing device 22 fixed to first fixing device 21 is fastened and connected to third pipe 13 by U-bolt 23. As a result, third pipe 13 is fixed to second fixing device 22, and piping 10 is fixed to first member 2.

[0032] [Second embodiment] A pipe fixing structure 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The piping fixing structure 100 is a fixing structure for a piping 10, which typically uses a fixing member 20 to fix the piping 10, which is made up of a plurality of threaded pipes, to a piping connection unit 1 (in this example, a first member 2).

[0033] (Piping 10) First, the pipe 10 fixed by the pipe fixing structure 100 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the piping 10 has a first pipe 11, a second pipe 12, and a third pipe 13. The first pipe 11 extends in the front-rear direction. The second pipe 12 extends in the up-down direction, and at least a portion of it is made of a flexible hose 12a. The third pipe 13 extends in the left-right direction, and connects the first pipe 11 and the second pipe 12. The flexible hose 12a is a known type, and is, for example, a rubber pipe (hose).

[0034] These first pipe 11, second pipe 12, and third pipe 13 are threaded pipes, and the connection parts of each pipe are each provided with a thread, and the pipes are connected to each other by screwing each connection part into each connection destination.

[0035] The piping 10 also has a tee pipe 16, which serves as a joint connecting the first pipe 11 and the third pipe 13, and an elbow pipe 17, which serves as a joint connecting the second pipe 12 and the third pipe 13. That is, the rear end of the first pipe 11 and the left end of the third pipe 13 are screwed into each threaded portion of the tee pipe 16, and similarly, the upper end of the second pipe 12 and the right end of the third pipe 13 are screwed into each threaded portion of the elbow pipe 17.

[0036] In this example, the front end of the first pipe 11 is screwed into the first member 2 constituting the piping connection unit 1 (see FIG. 4), and the left end of the second pipe 12 is screwed into the second member 3 constituting the piping connection unit 1 (see, for example, FIG. 1). That is, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are connected (piped connected) by the pipe 10.

[0037] (Fixing member 20) The fixing member 20 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] (Method of fixing the pipe 10) Next, a method for fixing the pipe 10 will be described. Before describing the method for fixing the pipe 10, the problem to be solved by the present invention in this example will be described.

[0039] In this example, expansion and deformation that occurs when fluid passes through the interior of flexible hose 12a generates stress in the vertical direction, and this stress pushes the right end of third pipe 13 upward, causing third pipe 13 to rotate in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., counterclockwise around the front-to-rear direction as its axis, and as a result, first pipe 11 or tee pipe 16 connected to third pipe 13 also rotates counterclockwise, which loosens the threaded engagement between first pipe 11 and first member 2, or between first pipe 11 and tee pipe 16, and there is a risk that fluid passing through piping 10 will leak out of piping 10. That is, to restrict this rotation, piping 10 needs to be properly fixed to first member 2, and fixing member 20 is used.

[0040] The following describes an example of a method for fixing the pipe 10. First, a fastening member (not shown) is used to fasten and connect the first connection portion 212 of the first fixing device 21 to the first member 2. This fixes the first fixing device 21 to the first member 2.

[0041] Next, pipes to be fixed with fixing member 20 are selected based on the target to be fixed and the extending direction of each pipe. In this example, as described above, it is necessary to restrict the counterclockwise rotation of third pipe 13, and based on the overall configuration of piping 10 and the positional relationship between flexible hose 12a and third pipe 13, a portion of second pipe 12 excluding flexible hose 12a (in this example, the upper end) is fixed with fixing member 20. For this purpose, for example, second fixing device 22 is placed in a position where it contacts the upper end of second pipe 12 and the second connecting portion 213 of first fixing device 21, and second connecting portion 213 of first fixing device 21 and first portion 221 of second fixing device 22 are fastened and connected. In this way, second fixing device 22 is fixed to first fixing device 21.

[0042] Next, second portion 222 of second fixture 22 fixed to first fixture 21 is fastened to the upper end of second pipe 12 by U-bolt 23. As a result, second pipe 12 is fixed to second fixture 22, and piping 10 is fixed to first member 2.

[0043] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to this embodiment, as the flexible hose expands and deforms due to the passage of fluid through it, stress is applied to the third pipe from the second pipe in the y-axis direction, but by intentionally fixing the second pipe or the third pipe with a fixing member, rotation of the third pipe about the x-axis (i.e., rotation of the first pipe) due to the above stress can be restricted. Furthermore, by forming a long hole in the second fixing device, the long hole can absorb the tolerances of each pipe, and further, the orientation of the second fixing device can be adjusted as needed.

[0044] That is, according to this embodiment, a pipe made up of a plurality of threaded pipes can be properly and easily fixed to a fixing object.

[0045] <Other forms> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0046] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the pipe fixing structure and the pipe connection unit according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [3]. [1] A piping fixing structure (100) that fixes a piping (10) consisting of a plurality of threaded pipes to a fixing target (for example, a first member 2) using a fixing member (20), The piping (10) a first tube (11) extending in an x-axis direction, which is a predetermined direction; a second pipe (12) extending in a y-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction and at least a portion of which is made of a flexible hose (12a); a third pipe (13) connecting the first pipe (11) and the second pipe (12); The fixing member (20) is A first fixing device (21) whose one end (for example, a first connecting portion 212) is fixed to the fixing object; a second fixing device (22) fixed to the other end (e.g., the second connection portion 213) of the first fixing device (21) and used to fix a portion of the second pipe (12) excluding the flexible hose (12a) or the third pipe (13), The second fixing device (22) is The second fixing member (22) is formed in a substantially L-shape, and each part (e.g., the first part 221 and the second part 222) constituting the L-shape is provided with a long hole (221a, 222a) extending in each extension direction. Piping fixed structure (100). [2] The piping fixing structure (100) according to the above [1], The third pipe (13) extends in a z-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. Piping fixed structure (100). [3] A piping connection unit (1) includes a first member (2) and a second member (3) to be connected to each other, and a piping (10) consisting of a plurality of threaded pipes is fixed to the first member (2) as a fixing target using a fixing member (20), The piping (10) a first tube (11) extending in an x-axis direction, which is a predetermined direction; a second pipe (12) extending in a y-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction and at least a portion of which is made of a flexible hose (12a); a third pipe (13) connecting the first pipe (11) and the second pipe (12); The fixing member (20) is a first fixing device (21) having one end (for example, a first connecting portion 212) fixed to the first member (2); a second fixing device (22) fixed to the other end (e.g., the second connection portion 213) of the first fixing device (21) and used to fix a portion of the second pipe (12) excluding the flexible hose (12a) or the third pipe (13), The second fixing device (22) is The second fixing member (22) is formed in a substantially L-shape, and each part (e.g., the first part 221 and the second part 222) constituting the L-shape is provided with a long hole (221a, 222a) extending in each extension direction. Pipe connection unit (1).

[0047] According to the configurations [1] to [3] above, as the flexible hose expands and deforms due to the passage of a fluid through the flexible hose, stress is applied to the third pipe from the second pipe in the y-axis direction. However, by intentionally fixing the second or third pipe with the fixing member, rotation of the third pipe about the x-axis (i.e., rotation of the first pipe) due to this stress can be restricted. The pipe (second or third pipe) to be fixed by the fixing member can be appropriately determined based on the extension direction (axial direction) of the second or third pipe relative to the object to be fixed. This is because the fixing member is composed of two members, a first fixing device and a second fixing device, and the second fixing device is formed in a substantially L-shape. Specifically, because the fixing member is composed of two members and the second fixing device is formed in a substantially L-shape, the orientation of the second fixing device (i.e., the substantially L-shape) can be appropriately adjusted depending on the extension direction (axial direction) of the selected pipe and its positional relationship with the object to be fixed. As a result, the piping can be properly fixed to the object to be fixed. Furthermore, by forming a long hole in the second fixture, the tolerance of each pipe can be accommodated and the orientation of the second fixture (i.e., the approximately L-shape) can be properly adjusted. In other words, with this configuration, piping made up of multiple threaded pipes can be properly and easily fixed to a fixing target. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Piping connection unit 2 First member 3 Second member 10 Piping 11 First tube 12 Second pipe 12a flexible hose 13 Third pipe 20 Fixing member 21 First fixture 22 Second fixture 23 U-bolt 100 Piping fixed structure 211 Main body 212 First connection part 213 Second connection part 221 Part 1 221a long hole 222 Second part 222a long hole

Claims

1. A piping fixing structure that fixes a piping composed of a plurality of threaded pipes to a fixing target using a fixing member, The piping is a first tube extending in an x-axis direction, which is a predetermined direction; a second pipe extending in a y-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction and at least a portion of which is made of a flexible hose; a third pipe connecting the first pipe and the second pipe, The fixing member is a first fixing device having one end fixed to the fixing object; a second fixture fixed to the other end of the first fixture and configured to fix a portion of the second pipe excluding the flexible hose or the third pipe, The second fixture is The second fixing device is formed in a substantially L-shape, and each portion of the second fixing device that forms the L-shape is provided with a long hole extending in each extension direction. Piping fixed structure.

2. The piping fixing structure according to claim 1, The third tube extends in a z-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. Piping fixed structure.

3. A piping connection unit comprising a first member and a second member to be connected to each other, wherein a piping consisting of a plurality of threaded pipes is fixed to the first member by using a fixing member, The piping is a first tube extending in an x-axis direction, which is a predetermined direction; a second pipe extending in a y-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction and at least a portion of which is made of a flexible hose; a third pipe connecting the first pipe and the second pipe, The fixing member is a first fastener having one end fixed to the first member; a second fixture fixed to the other end of the first fixture and configured to fix a portion of the second pipe excluding the flexible hose or the third pipe, The second fixture is The second fixing device is formed in a substantially L-shape, and each portion of the second fixing device that forms the L-shape is provided with a long hole extending in each extension direction. Piping connection unit.

Images