Tube fittings

Abstract

To provide a tube fitting that allows a male connector to be inserted into a female connector with minimal force. [Solution] The tube fitting is for connecting and linking tubes through which fluid flows, and comprises a male connector having a convex insertion portion in the axial direction which is the insertion direction, and a female connector having a concave insertion portion in the axial direction into which the insertion portion is inserted and linked, wherein the insertion portion has a convex portion on the axial side surface of the male connector, and the insertion portion has a first through hole on the axial side surface of the male connector that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction and into which the convex portion is movable, and the male connector is connected to the female connector by the convex portion being guided in the axial direction by the first through hole of the female connector.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tube joint having a connectable male connector and female connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a quick-connect coupling valve assembly including a male connection member, a female connection member, first and second poppet members, first and second sealing members, and clip means has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this quick-connect coupling valve assembly, each poppet member of the male and female connection members is axially movable, the tip portion protrudes from the housing member, and tapers as it moves axially apart. A liquid seal member that forms the maximum diameter at the tip portion is provided between the poppet member and the housing member, and the fluid flow is guided along the maximum diameter. With the above structure, when disconnecting the connection, the amount of stroke required for the fluid to be sealed is reduced, and the connection can be quickly disconnected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In conventional joints, a large force is required when inserting the male connector straight axially into the female connector, and it cannot be easily inserted.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a joint for a tube that can insert a male connector into a female connector with less force.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The tube fitting according to this disclosure is a tube fitting for connecting and linking tubes through which fluid flows, and comprises a male connector having a convex insertion portion in the axial direction which is the insertion direction, and a female connector having a concave insertion portion in the axial direction into which the insertion portion is inserted and linked, wherein the insertion portion has a convex portion on the axial side surface of the male connector, and the insertion portion has a first through hole on the axial side surface of the male connector that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction and into which the convex portion is movable, and the male connector is connected to the female connector by the convex portion being guided in the axial direction by the first through hole of the female connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the tube fittings described herein, a male connector can be inserted into a female connector with minimal force, and even when the connectors are located in narrow spaces such as inside electronic equipment, they can be easily attached and detached, improving the efficiency of tasks such as parts replacement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the tube fitting according to Embodiment 1 in an open state, where the flow path is open. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tube fitting with the flow path open, taken from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the tube fitting according to Embodiment 1 in a closed state, where the flow path is closed. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a tube fitting with the flow path closed, taken from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state of the tube fitting according to Embodiment 1 before inserting the male connector into the female connector. [Figure 6A] This is a cross-sectional view of the female connector of a tube fitting according to Embodiment 2, as seen from the axial direction. [Figure 6B] This is a cross-sectional view of the male connector of the tube fitting according to Embodiment 2, as seen from the axial direction. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a modified example of the tube fitting according to Embodiment 1 in an open state with the flow path open. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A tube fitting according to the first embodiment is a tube fitting for connecting and linking tubes through which fluid flows, comprising: a male connector having a convex insertion portion in the axial direction which is the insertion direction; and a female connector having a concave insertion portion in the axial direction into which the insertion portion is inserted and linked, wherein the insertion portion has a convex portion on the axial side surface of the male connector, and the insertion portion has a first through hole on the axial side surface of the male connector that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction and into which the convex portion is movable, and the male connector is connected to the female connector by the convex portion being guided in the axial direction by the first through hole of the female connector.

[0010] In the second embodiment, the tube fitting, in the first embodiment, further has a second through hole that is continuous from the axial end of the first through hole along the in-plane direction of the side surface and extends in a circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction on the side surface in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and the male connector may be connected to the female connector by a convex portion being fixed in the axial direction by the second through hole.

[0011] In the third embodiment of the tube fitting, in the second embodiment, the male connector is connected to the female connector by inserting it while rotating the male connector in the direction in which the first through hole extends, and the position of the protrusion can be adjusted in a circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction by being guided from the first through hole to the second through hole.

[0012] In the fourth embodiment of the tube fitting, the part to be inserted has a plurality of first through holes and second through holes on its axial side surface, and the degree of freedom of the rotational insertion position of the protrusions corresponding to the positions of the plurality of first through holes may be adjustable.

[0013] Hereinafter, the tube joint according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, substantially the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an external appearance of a tube joint 20 for a tube in an open state where a flow path 18 is open according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube joint 20 for a tube in which the flow path 18 is in an open state in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an external appearance of the tube joint 20 for a tube in a closed state where the flow path is closed according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube joint for a tube in which the flow path is in a closed state in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before inserting the male connector 1 of the tube joint 20 for a tube according to Embodiment 1 into the female connector 2. For convenience, the axial direction, which is the insertion direction, is defined as the X direction, one direction in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the X direction is defined as the Y direction, and the vertically upward direction is defined as the Z direction.

[0015] The tube joint 20 for a tube according to Embodiment 1 is a tube joint for connecting and linking a tube (not shown) through which fluid flows inside. This tube joint 20 is composed of a male connector 1 and a female connector 2.

[0016] Hereinafter, each member constituting this tube joint 20 will be described.

[0017] <Male connector> The male connector 1 has a convex insertion portion 22 in the axial direction (X direction), which is the insertion direction. Further, the male connector 1 has, for example, a first tube 16 through which fluid flows inside. It is connected to the tube at the tube connection portion 6 at the end. Fluid flows from the tube through the first tube 16.

[0018] <Insertion portion> The insertion part 22 has a convex part 3 on the side surface around the axial direction (X direction) of the male connector 1. Further, the insertion part 22 is, for example, convex in the axial direction (X direction), and has a first pressing member 9, a first sealing member 8, and a first outer peripheral member 10.

[0019] <Convex part> The convex part 3 is not limited to a circular shape, and may be a polygon such as a quadrilateral. Note that the edge of the convex part 3 is preferably subjected to a surface treatment to reduce friction.

[0020] <First pressing member> The first pressing member 9 is convex in the axial direction, and is biased outward in the axial direction (X direction) by the first spring 7 in a state where the male connector 1 is not inserted into the female connector 2.

[0021] <First sealing member> The first sealing member 8 is annular and is arranged around the first pressing member 9. For example, an O-ring can be used.

[0022] <First outer peripheral member> The first outer peripheral member 10 supports the first spring 7 in the axial direction (X direction), is separated from the first pressing member 9, and annularly surrounds the periphery in the axial direction (X direction). When the first spring 7 biases the first pressing member 9, the first outer peripheral member 10 abuts against the first sealing member 8 to close the flow path 18 between the first pipe 16 of the male connector 1 and the second pipe 17 of the female connector 2. As a result, a closed state is achieved. On the other hand, when the first spring 7 is compressed, the first outer peripheral member 10 is separated from the first sealing member 8 to open the flow path 18 between the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17. As a result, an open state is achieved. The first outer peripheral member 10 is connected to the first pressing member 9 via the first spring 7, and the relative position in the axial direction between the first outer peripheral member 10 and the first pressing member 9 changes depending on the extended state and the compressed state of the first spring 7.

[0023] <Female connector> The female connector 2 has an axially (X-direction) concave insertable portion 24 into which the insertion portion 22 is inserted and connected. The female connector 2 also has, for example, a second tube 17 through which fluid flows, and an axially (X-direction) concave insertable portion 24 into which the insertion portion 22 is inserted and connected. It is connected to the tube at the tube connection portion 6 at the end. Fluid flows from the tube through the second tube 17.

[0024] <Inserted part> As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the insertion portion 24 has a first through hole 4 extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction on the circumferential side surface of the male connector 1 in the axial direction (X direction), with a protrusion 3 that is movable. The insertion portion 24 is also, for example, concave in the axial direction (X direction) and includes a second pressing member 13, a second sealing member 12, and a second outer peripheral member 19.

[0025] <First through-hole> The first through-hole 4 extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction on the periphery (X direction) side of the female connector 2. The protrusion 3 is movable within the first through-hole 4. The male connector 1 is connected to the female connector 2 by the convex portion 3 being guided axially by the first through-hole 4 of the female connector 2. If the hole is provided along the axial direction, the male connector 1 must be pushed straight in the axial direction without rotating, requiring a large force. In contrast, since the first through hole 4 is provided at an angle with respect to the axial direction, the male connector 1 can be easily inserted in the axial direction with less force by utilizing torque while rotating it. Furthermore, because the first through hole 4 is at an angle with respect to the axial direction, the direction of rotation when pushing in the axial direction can be specified.

[0026] In this context, the first through-hole is a "through-hole" that penetrates the surface of the female connector 2, but it is not limited to this; it may also be a groove provided on the back side, which is the surface facing the male connector 1. In this case as well, if the protrusion 3 can move within the groove, the male connector 1 can be connected to the female connector 2 by guiding the protrusion 3. On the other hand, compared to a groove that is not visible from the surface side, a "through-hole" allows the protrusion 3 to be visible from the surface side of the female connector 2, making it easier to guide the protrusion 3. Furthermore, although this example shows the case where the protrusion 3 is provided on the front surface of the male connector 1 and the groove is provided on the back surface of the female connector 2, the configuration is not limited to this, and the reverse configuration is also possible. For example, the groove may be provided on the front surface of the male connector 1 and the protrusion on the back surface of the female connector 2.

[0027] <Second through-hole> The first through-hole 4 may further have a second through-hole 5 that is continuous with the in-plane direction of the side surface from the axial end 26b of the first through-hole 4 and extends in a circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction on the side surface in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The male connector 1 is connected to the female connector 2 by fixing the protrusion 3 in the axial direction through the second through-hole 5. Furthermore, by providing the second through-hole 5 to have a predetermined length in the circumferential direction, the position of the protrusion 3 along the circumferential direction can be adjusted. This eliminates twisting of the tube pipe due to the rotation of the male connector 1. The second through-hole 5 may be at an angle of, for example, 20° or more with respect to the axis.

[0028] In Figures 1 and 3, the second through-hole 5 is provided extending from the axial end 26b of the first through-hole 4 in the same circumferential direction as the circumferential component of the first through-hole 4, but this is not limited to this. The second through-hole 5 may be provided extending in a circumferential direction opposite to the circumferential component of the first through-hole 4. Alternatively, the second through-hole 5 may be provided by branching from the axial end 26b of the first through-hole 4 in two opposing directions. For example, the second through-hole 5 may be provided in a T-shape relative to the first through-hole 4. Alternatively, a projection may be provided at the boundary between the first through hole 4 and the second through hole 5 to prevent the protrusion 3 from easily moving between the first through hole 4 and the second through hole 5. This stabilizes the retention of the protrusion 3 in the second through hole 5.

[0029] (modified version) As an alternative, one or more protrusions 28 may be provided in the second through-hole 5 to prevent the convex portion 3 from easily moving in the circumferential direction within the range of the second through-hole 5 (for example, Figure 7). This stabilizes the retention of the convex portion 3 in the second through-hole 5.

[0030] Furthermore, a third through-hole may be provided, which extends from the front end 26a of the first through-hole 4 in the insertion direction, along the in-plane direction of the side surface, and in a circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction on the side surface in a direction intersecting the axial direction. This allows the male connector 1 to be held stably without being pushed into the female connector 2. Furthermore, the part to be inserted may have multiple first and second through holes on its axial side. Also, the degree of freedom of the insertion position of the protrusion in the rotational direction, corresponding to the positions of the multiple first through holes, may be adjustable.

[0031] <Second pressing member> The second pressing member 13 is convex in the axial direction and is biased outward in the axial direction by the second spring 11 when the male connector 1 is not inserted into the female connector 2. When the male connector 1 is inserted into the female connector 2, the second pressing member 13 comes into contact with the first pressing member 9.

[0032] <Second sealing member> The second sealing member 12 is annular and is positioned around the second pressing member 13. The second sealing member 12 can be, for example, an O-ring. <Second outer peripheral member> The second outer peripheral member 19 is biased axially (in the X direction) by the second spring 11. When the male connectors separate, the second outer peripheral member 19 comes into contact with the second sealing member 12, closing the flow path 18 between the first tube 16 of the male connector 1 and the second tube 17 of the female connector 2. This results in a closed state.

[0033] On the other hand, when the second spring 11 is compressed, the second outer peripheral member 19 separates from the second sealing member 12, opening the flow path 18 between the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17. This results in an open state. The second outer peripheral member 19 is connected to the second pressing member 13 via the second spring 12, and the relative axial position of the second outer peripheral member 19 and the second pressing member 13 changes depending on whether the second spring 11 is extended or compressed.

[0034] (Closed state) In the closed state, the male connector 1 is inserted into the female connector 2, the first pressing member 9 and the second pressing member 13 are brought into contact, the first pressing member 9 is biased by the first spring 7, and the second pressing member 13 is biased by the second spring 11. In this case, the first outer peripheral member 10 and the first sealing member 8, and the second outer peripheral member 19 and the second sealing member 12 are in contact with each other, closing the flow path 18 between the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17.

[0035] (Open state) On the other hand, in the open state, the first spring 7 and the second spring 11 are compressed, and the relative positions of the first pressing member 9 and the second pressing member 13 with respect to the first outer peripheral member 10 and the second outer peripheral member 19 in the X direction change to the positive X direction. As a result, the first outer peripheral member 10 and the second outer peripheral member 19 are separated from the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12, and the flow path 18 between the first pipe 16 and the second pipe 17 is opened, as shown by the arrows in Figure 2. In this case, the direction of the flow path 18 is not limited to flow from the first pipe 16 to the second pipe 17, but may also be the opposite, flow from the second pipe 17 to the first pipe 16. The flow path 18 is defined on the outer circumference of the first pressing member 9 and the second pressing member 13, between the first outer peripheral member 10 and the second outer peripheral member 19 and the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12.

[0036] As described in Patent Document 1, when the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12 have the same diameter, the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12 must be closed by a plane parallel to the axis, resulting in a space between the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12 where liquid remains. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, the outer diameter R2 of the second sealing member 12 is smaller than the outer diameter R1 of the first sealing member 8. In other words, an inclined surface (tapered surface) is defined from the first sealing member 8 of the male connector 1 to the second sealing member 12 of the female connector 2. With the above configuration, compared to the case where the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12 have the same diameter, there is an inclined surface from the first sealing member 8 to the second sealing member 12. Therefore, the flow path 18 can be closed by bringing the corresponding inclined surface of the first outer peripheral member 10 into contact with the first sealing member 8 and the corresponding inclined surface of the second outer peripheral member 19 into contact with the second sealing member 12. As a result, the space in which liquid remains between the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12 can be reduced. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining between the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12, thereby suppressing liquid leakage when the male connector and female connector are separated.

[0037] <External sealing component> As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the device may further include an external sealing member 15 that seals the space between the first outer peripheral member 10 and the second outer peripheral member 19 and the annular member 14 of the female connector 2 that surrounds the outer periphery of the first outer peripheral member 10 and the second outer peripheral member 19. The external sealing member 15 contacts the first outer peripheral member 10 or the second outer peripheral member 19, causing the first outer peripheral member 10 and the second outer peripheral member 19 to shift in the axial direction. For this reason, the external sealing member 15 has a cross-sectional shape, for example, an X shape. Because the cross-section is X-shaped, the external sealing member 15 contacts the first outer peripheral member 10 or the second outer peripheral member 19 at two points in the axial direction, resulting in lower axial sliding resistance than a normal circular shape. Since the external sealing member 15 seals by contacting the first outer peripheral member 10 or the second outer peripheral member 19, liquid leakage can be suppressed even when the first outer peripheral member 10 and the second outer peripheral member 19 are shifted axially between the closed state and the open state.

[0038] (modified version) In the modified tube fitting, the outer diameters of the first pressing member 9 to the second pressing member 13 between the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12 are inclined from the outer diameter R1 of the first sealing member 8 to the outer diameter R2 of the second sealing member 12. This further reduces the space in which liquid remains between the first sealing member 8 and the second sealing member 12, thereby further suppressing liquid leakage during detachment.

[0039] (Embodiment 2) Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the female connector 2 of the tube fitting according to Embodiment 2, viewed from the axial direction. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of the male connector 1 of the tube fitting according to Embodiment 2, viewed from the axial direction. The female connector 2 according to Embodiment 2 has three first through holes 4a, 4b, and 4c arranged circumferentially at equal angles with respect to the axis. The male connector 1 according to Embodiment 2 has three protrusions 3a, 3b, and 3c arranged circumferentially at equal angles with respect to the axis. In this case, each of the three protrusions 3a, 3b, and 3c can correspond to any of the three first through holes 4a, 4b, and 4c.

[0040] Furthermore, as described above, the protrusions 3 and the first through-holes 4 are not limited to being one, but may be multiple, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Also, the multiple protrusions 3 and the multiple first through-holes 4 are not necessarily limited to being at equal angles with respect to the axis. They may be set at different angles to each other. In this case, the corresponding objects for each protrusion 3 and the first through-hole 4 are limited, and the insertion angle is limited. Moreover, the number of protrusions 3 may be less than the number of multiple first through-holes 4. For example, as shown in Figure 6A, if there are three first through-holes 4, there may be two protrusions 3. In this case, the angles between the multiple protrusions 3 and the angles between the multiple first through-holes 4 may be set to match their respective corresponding angles. These settings allow for adjustment of the degree of freedom in arranging the protrusions 3 relative to the multiple first through-holes 4.

[0041] Furthermore, this disclosure includes appropriately combining any of the various embodiments and / or examples described above, and the effects of each embodiment and / or example can be achieved. [Industrial applicability]

[0042] According to the tube fittings described herein, a male connector can be inserted into a female connector with minimal force. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Male connector 2 female connectors 3, 3a, 3b, 3c convex part 4, 4a, 4b, 4c First through hole 5. Second through hole 6. Tube connection section 7. First spring 8. First sealing member 9. First pressing member 10 First outer peripheral member 11. Second spring 12 Second sealing member 13. Second pressing member 14 Annular member 15 External sealing member 16 First tube 17 The second tube 18 channels 19. Second outer peripheral member 20 Tube fittings 22 Insertion section 24 Inserted part 26a Front end 26b End on the axial side 28 Protrusion R1 Outer diameter of the first sealing member R2 Outer diameter of the second sealing member

Claims

1. A tube fitting for connecting and linking tubes through which fluid flows, A male connector having a convex insertion portion in the axial direction, which is the insertion direction, A female connector having an axially concave insertion portion into which the insertion portion is inserted and connected, Equipped with, The insertion portion has a protrusion on the side surface of the male connector in the axial direction, The insertion portion has a first through-hole on the axial side surface of the male connector, extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the protrusion is movable. The male connector is connected to the female connector by the projection being guided in the axial direction by the first through-hole of the female connector. Tube fittings.

2. The portion to be inserted further has a second through hole that is continuous with the axial end of the first through hole along the in-plane direction of the side surface and extends in a circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction on the side surface in a direction intersecting the axial direction, The male connector is connected to the female connector by the projection being fixed in the axial direction by the second through hole. A pipe fitting for a tube according to claim 1.

3. The male connector is connected to the female connector by inserting it while rotating it in the direction in which the first through-hole extends. The protrusion is guided from the first through hole to the second through hole, thereby allowing the position of the protrusion to be adjusted in the circumferential direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. A pipe fitting for a tube according to claim 2.

4. The tube fitting according to claim 3, wherein the portion to be inserted has a plurality of first through holes and second through holes on its axial side surface, and the degree of freedom of the rotational insertion position of the protrusion corresponding to the positions of the plurality of first through holes is adjustable.

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