Rotary joints, saddle-type water taps, and pipe connection methods

Abstract

The present invention provides a rotary joint, a saddle-type water tap, and a pipe connection method that can prevent the effects of soil pressure on the connection point without increasing the number of parts handled during connection work. [Solution] The rotary joint 20A is provided with a socket 21 provided at the supply port 12b of the water tap, a joint body 23 connected to the socket 21 so as to be rotatable around the supply shaft AX12b which is the central axis of the supply port 12b, and a rib 25 made of a section that extends radially outward from the supply shaft AX12b while following the supply shaft AX12b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary joint, a saddle-type water distribution tap, and a pipe connection method.

Background Art

[0002] When branching a water supply pipe from a water distribution pipe buried underground to a water supply destination such as each house, a saddle-type water distribution tap is widely used. And, for the connection between the saddle-type water distribution tap and the water supply pipe, a rotary joint as proposed in Patent Document 1 is used. By using the rotary joint, the torsion of the water supply pipe during the connection work is eliminated, facilitating the construction of the pipe connection. In addition, since the water distribution pipe and the water supply pipe are buried underground, when their positions are displaced due to an earthquake or the like, earth pressure acts on each connection part. As a countermeasure against such a phenomenon, Patent Document 2 proposes a configuration in which a cover is installed at the connection part between the water distribution tap and the rotary joint. That is, the cover receives the earth pressure, preventing the earth pressure from acting on the connection part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the case of the configuration in which a cover is installed at the connection part between the water distribution tap and the rotary joint as in Patent Document 2, compared with the conventional configuration, the process of installing the cover increases, so there is a risk that the operator may forget to attach the cover.

[0005] This invention was created to solve these problems, and aims to provide a rotary joint, a saddle-type water tap, and a pipe connection method that can prevent the effects of earth pressure on the connection part without increasing the number of parts handled during connection work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the rotary joint according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a socket provided at the supply port of a water tap; a joint body connected to the socket so as to be rotatable around a supply shaft which is the central axis of the supply port; and ribs made of segments extending radially outward from the supply shaft while following the supply shaft on the outer circumferential surface of the joint body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This invention was created to solve these problems and provides a rotary joint, a saddle-type water tap, and a pipe connection method that can prevent the effects of earth pressure on the connection part without increasing the number of parts handled during connection work. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing a rotary joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing a pipe connection method using a rotary joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing a rotary joint according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing a rotary joint according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This shows a rotary joint according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of the portion corresponding to Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <First Embodiment> A rotary joint 20A, a saddle-type water tap 10, and a piping connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Furthermore, items with the same configuration are given the same designation, and their explanations are omitted. As shown in Figures 1-3, the piping connection method of this embodiment forms a pipeline that connects a water distribution pipe P1 buried in a road or the like with a water supply pipe P2 for supplying water to each house or the like. The water supply pipe P2 extends into the grounds of each house, bending vertically while its central axis (hereinafter referred to as the water supply axis AXP2) is perpendicular to the central axis of the water distribution pipe P1 (hereinafter referred to as the water distribution axis AXP1). In Figures 1 to 3, the top and bottom of the figures are defined as the vertical direction, the axial direction of the water distribution axis AXP1 is defined as the front-to-back direction, and the axial direction of the supply axis AX12b (described later) is defined as the left-to-right and lateral directions.

[0010] The piping connection method includes a saddle-type branch valve 10 and a swivel joint 20A. The saddle-type branch valve 10 is installed on the water distribution pipe P1 and branches off the pipeline. The saddle-type water splitter valve 10 includes a fixing means 11 and a water splitter valve body 12.

[0011] The fixing means 11 is configured to fix the water distribution valve body 12 to the water distribution pipe P1. The fixing means 11 includes a saddle 11a and a band 11b. The saddle 11a is assembled to the water distribution valve body 12. Band 11b is wrapped around the underside of the water pipe P1. The system also includes a pair of bolts 11c and nuts 11d that are screwed onto each of these bolts 11c.

[0012] The water distribution valve body 12 forms a pipeline through which water flows. The water distribution valve body 12 is equipped with an inlet 12a and a supply port 12b, and is configured to be able to open and close the space between the inlet 12a and the supply port 12b. The intake port 12a communicates with the water distribution pipe P1, and the supply port 12b communicates with the water supply pipe P2 via the rotary joint 20A.

[0013] Also, the saddle-type water faucet 10 is arranged on the water distribution pipe P1 such that the central axis of the supply port 12b (hereinafter referred to as the supply axis AXP12b) is perpendicular to the water distribution axis AXP1 at the uppermost part of the cross-section of the water distribution pipe P1. That is, it is arranged on the water distribution pipe P1 along the normal direction at the uppermost part of the cross-section of the water distribution pipe P1. Note that the saddle-type water faucet 10 is of an appropriate size and shape according to the materials and diameters of the water distribution pipe P1 and the water supply pipe P2.

[0014] The rotary joint 20A has a tubular shape, with one end connected to the supply port 12b of the water faucet body 12 and the other end connected to the water supply pipe P2. Also, the rotary joint 20A has a tubular shape, and the water supply pipe P2 side is configured to be rotatable about the supply axis AXP12b with respect to the supply port 12b side. And by such a rotary joint 20A being interposed between the water faucet body 12 and the water supply pipe P2, the torsion of the water supply pipe during the connection operation is eliminated, facilitating the piping connection operation. The rotary joint 20A includes a socket 21 and a joint body 23. Also, between the socket 21 and the joint body 23, a retaining means 30 and a water stop means 40 are provided.

[0015] The socket 21 has a cylindrical shape, with a socket intake-side connection portion 21a at one end and a socket supply-side connection portion 21b at the other end. The socket intake-side connection portion 21a has an internal thread 22 formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical shape. And the socket intake-side connection portion 21a is fixed by screwing the internal thread 22 onto the external thread 12c of the supply port 12b in the water faucet body 12.

[0016] The socket supply-side connection portion 21b has two grooves formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape. The groove on the socket insertion side connection portion 21a of the two grooves is a socket retaining groove 31 that constitutes the retaining means 30. The other groove is a socket water-stopping groove 41 that constitutes the water-stopping means 40.

[0017] The joint body 23 has a cylindrical shape, with a body intake side connection portion 23a at one end and a body supply side connection portion 23b at the other end. Furthermore, the portion between the main unit intake side connection part 23a and the main unit supply side connection part 23b is set in the main unit body 23c. The main unit intake side connection part 23a has a cylindrical shape into which the socket supply side connection part 21b is inserted and connected. The main body intake side connection portion 23a has a groove (hereinafter referred to as the main body retaining groove 32) formed on its cylindrical inner surface, which runs in the circumferential direction. The retaining groove 32 in the main body constitutes the retaining means 30, which will be described later. Furthermore, a rib 25, which will be described later, is provided on the outer circumference of the main body intake side connection portion 23a.

[0018] Furthermore, the central axis of the main body intake side connection portion 23a of the joint body 23 is positioned to lie on the same axis as the supply shaft AX12b, which is the central axis of the supply port 12b, and the central axis of the socket 21. Therefore, the central axis of the main unit intake side connection part 23a and the central axis of the socket 21 will henceforth be referred to as the supply axis AX12b.

[0019] The main supply side connection part 23b is configured to connect the water supply pipe P2 to the other end of the joint body 23. The main unit supply side connection section 23b includes a connection ring 26, an inner core 27, and a cap nut 28. One end of the water supply pipe P2 is inserted into the outer circumference of the inner core 27. Furthermore, a connecting ring 26 is fitted around the outer circumference of the water supply pipe P2, which has a slit 26a extending in the axial direction and a portion that can be reduced in diameter. Then, a cap nut 28 is screwed onto the joint body 23, and the connecting ring 26 is pushed toward the main body portion 23c of the joint body 23, causing the split 26a to shrink in diameter and fixing one end of the water supply pipe P2 to the inner core 27.

[0020] Furthermore, the configuration of the main unit supply side connection part 23b is publicly known and is a commonly used structure. In other words, the main unit supply side connection part 23b is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment, and other known connection structures can be appropriately adopted.

[0021] The main body section 23c has a tubular shape, and its bending angle is set so that it bends downward at a 45-degree angle with respect to the supply shaft AX12b. During installation, multiple main body sections 23c, bent at angles such as 0 degrees (straight), 22.5 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees, are provided in advance, and the section with the appropriate angle is selected as needed.

[0022] The retaining mechanism 30 includes a socket retaining groove 31, a main body retaining groove 32, and a retaining ring 33. The retaining ring 33 is fitted into both the socket retaining groove 31 and the main body retaining groove 32, and is rotatable around the supply shaft AX12b and engages in the direction of the supply shaft AX12b (lateral direction), thereby maintaining the connection between the socket 21 and the joint body 23. Furthermore, the configuration of the retaining mechanism 30 is publicly known and is a commonly used structure. In other words, the retaining means 30 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment, and other known retaining structures can be appropriately adopted.

[0023] The water-stopping mechanism 40 includes a socket water-stopping groove 41 and an O-ring 42. The O-ring 42 is fitted into the socket watertight groove 41 and slides against the inner circumferential surface 24 of the main body intake side connection part 23a. As a result, the O-ring 42 is in close contact with the socket 21 and the joint body 23, providing watertightness and preventing water leakage. Furthermore, the configuration of the water-stopping means 40 is publicly known and is a commonly used structure. In other words, the water-stopping means 40 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment, and other known water-stopping structures can be appropriately adopted.

[0024] The rib 25 is composed of a plate-shaped section that extends radially outward from the supply shaft AX12b, along the supply shaft AX12b, on the outer circumferential surface of the main body intake side connection portion 23a of the joint body 23. In other words, the rib 25 is positioned in a location that overlaps with both the retaining means 30 and the water-sealing means 40.

[0025] Furthermore, the rib 25 extends in the direction of the bend in the main body 23c (pipe) of the joint body 23. In other words, rib 25 extends toward the water pipe P1 side. To put it another way, the rib 25 extends downwards from the horizontal plane containing the supply axis AX12b.

[0026] Furthermore, the extension dimension of the rib 25 is set such that its tip is the part of the main body intake side connection portion 23a that is furthest from the supply shaft AX12b. Furthermore, the rib 25 is configured such that its width along the supply axis AX12b is smaller at the tip than at the base.

[0027] Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described. The rotary joint 20A of this embodiment is provided with a rib 25 on the outer circumferential surface of the main body intake side connection portion 23a of the joint body 23, which is made up of a section that extends radially outward from the supply shaft AX12b while following the supply shaft AX12b. With this configuration, when the water distribution pipe P1 moves in the direction of the water distribution axis AXP1 (front-to-back direction), the earth pressure acts on the rib 25, promoting the rotation of the joint body 23 and the water supply pipe P2.

[0028] In other words, if the water pipe P1 moves in the direction of the water distribution axis AXP1 due to an earthquake or other event, earth pressure will act on the rib 25. Then, the earth pressure applied to the rib 25 acts as a rotational force around the supply shaft AX12b relative to the joint body 23.

[0029] Furthermore, the underground water distribution pipe P1 and water supply pipe P2 will not move unless there is an earthquake or other event. The rotational force on the joint body 23 due to soil pressure triggers the O-ring 42 and the retaining ring 33 to begin slipping, which in turn promotes the rotation of the joint body 23 and the water supply pipe P2. As a result, the water distribution pipe P1 moves in the direction of the water distribution axis AXP1, including the vertical direction, which reduces the load on the connection between the branch valve and the water supply pipe P2 when the connection is twisted, thereby preventing damage to the saddle-equipped branch valve 10, the water supply pipe P2, and the connection.

[0030] Furthermore, in the rotary joint 20A of this embodiment, the body portion 23c of the joint body 23 has a bent pipe shape in which the water supply pipe side is bent relative to the socket side of the supply shaft AX12b. Furthermore, the rib 25 in this embodiment extends in the direction in which the main body portion 23c is bent. With this configuration, when an earthquake occurs and the water distribution pipe P1 moves in the direction of the water distribution axis AXP1, the direction of twisting due to the force acting on the water supply pipe P2 coincides with the direction of rotation due to the earth pressure acting on the rib 25. This further reduces the load on the connection point when the connection between the water tap and the water supply pipe P2 twists, thereby preventing damage to the saddle-equipped water tap 10, the water supply pipe P2, and the connection point.

[0031] Furthermore, in the rotary joint 20A of this embodiment, the ribs 25 of the joint body 23 are positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the main body intake side connection portion 23a, which overlaps with both the retaining means 30 and the water-sealing means 40. This configuration allows rotational force to be transmitted more effectively to the connection point. This further prevents damage to the water supply pipe P2 caused by twisting.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rib 25 extends toward the water pipe side. With this configuration, when an earthquake occurs and the water distribution pipe P1 moves in the direction of the water distribution axis AXP1, the direction of twisting due to the force acting on the water supply pipe P2 coincides with the direction of rotation due to the earth pressure acting on the rib 25. This further promotes the rotation of the joint body 23 and the water supply pipe P2.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rib 25 extends downward from the horizontal plane including the supply axis AX12b. With this configuration, when an earthquake occurs and the water distribution pipe P1 moves in the direction of the water distribution axis AXP1, the direction of twisting due to the force acting on the water supply pipe P2 coincides with the direction of rotation due to the earth pressure acting on the rib 25. This further promotes the rotation of the joint body 23 and the water supply pipe P2.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tip of the rib 25 is set at the part of the joint body 23's main body intake side connection portion 23a that is furthest from the supply shaft AX12b. This configuration allows for a more effective conversion of small earth pressures into rotational force. This further promotes the rotation of the joint body 23 and the water supply pipe P2.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the width dimension of the rib 25 along the axial direction of the supply shaft AX12b is set to be smaller at the tip than at the base. This configuration makes it possible to suppress a deterioration in yield when forming the main body intake side connection part 23a and the main body body part 23c by casting.

[0036] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described (see Figure 4). In this description, elements identical to those in the previously described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. In the rotary joint 20B of this embodiment, the socket configuration differs from that of the rotary joint 20A of the first embodiment described above. In the first embodiment, the socket 21 is made of a separate component from the saddle-type water tap 10 and is configured to be screwed into the supply port 12b.

[0037] In contrast, the socket in this embodiment is integrally formed with the supply port of the saddle-type water tap 10. This configuration reduces the number of parts and also reduces the amount of work required at the construction site.

[0038] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described (see Figure 5). In this description, elements identical to those in the previously described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. In this embodiment, the rotary joint 20C differs from the rotary joint 20A of the first embodiment described above in the shape of the main body and the position of the ribs. In the first embodiment, the main body portion 23c has a bent tube shape that is folded downwards, whereas in this embodiment, the main body portion 23c has a straight tube shape. Furthermore, while the rib 25 in the first embodiment extends in the direction of the bend of the main body portion 23c, the rib 25 in this embodiment extends vertically upward. It is structured in this way. With this configuration, similar to the first embodiment, when the water distribution pipe P1 moves in the direction of the water distribution axis AXP1, the earth pressure acts on the rib 25, promoting the rotation of the joint body 23 and the water supply pipe P2.

[0039] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described (see Figure 6). In this description, elements identical to those in the previously described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. In the rotary joint 20D of this embodiment, the rib configuration is different from that of the rotary joint 20A of the first embodiment described above. In the first embodiment, there is one rib 25, but in this embodiment, there are two ribs 25. The two ribs 25 have similar shapes and are provided at a predetermined angular interval. With this configuration, similar to the first embodiment, when the water distribution pipe P1 moves in the direction of the water distribution axis AXP1, the earth pressure acts on the rib 25, promoting the rotation of the joint body 23 and the water supply pipe P2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 10. Water distribution valve with saddle 12b Supply port AX12b supply shaft 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D Rotary Couplings 21 sockets 23 Fitting body 23a Main unit intake side connection part 25 Ribs 30. Preventive measures 40 Water-stopping means P1 water pipe P2 water supply pipe

Claims

1. A socket installed at the water supply port of the water distribution valve, A coupling body connected to the socket so as to be rotatable around the supply shaft, which is the central axis of the supply port, The outer circumferential surface of the joint body is provided with ribs consisting of segments that extend radially outward from the supply shaft, along the supply shaft, Equipped with A rotary joint characterized by the following features.

2. In the rotary coupling described in claim 1, The aforementioned joint body is, The supply shaft has a bent pipe shape, with the water supply pipe side being bent relative to the socket side. The aforementioned rib is Extends in the direction of the bend A rotary joint characterized by the following features.

3. In the rotary coupling described in claim 1, The aforementioned joint body is, The part of the main unit's intake connection that is furthest from the supply shaft is set to be the tip of the rib. A rotary joint characterized by the following features.

4. In the rotary coupling described in claim 1, The width dimension of the rib along the axial direction of the supply shaft is The tip is set to be smaller than the base. A rotary joint characterized by the following features.

5. In the rotary coupling described in claim 1, The aforementioned joint body is, Between the aforementioned socket, A retaining means for holding the connection between the socket and the fitting body, A water-stopping means to prevent leakage from between the socket and the joint body, Equipped with, The aforementioned rib is Displaced on the outer circumferential surface of the joint body that overlaps with at least one of the retaining means and the water-stopping means. A rotary joint characterized by the following features.

6. In the rotary coupling described in claim 1, The aforementioned socket is It is connected to the water distribution pipe via the aforementioned branch valve, The aforementioned rib is Extending toward the water distribution pipe A rotary joint characterized by the following features.

7. In the rotary coupling described in claim 1, The aforementioned rib is Extending downward from the horizontal plane including the supply shaft A rotary joint characterized by the following features.

8. A water supply pipe is connected to a water distribution pipe via a saddle-type branch valve equipped with a rotary joint as described in any one of claims 1 to 7. A pipe connection method characterized by the following features.

9. The socket of the rotary joint according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is formed integrally with the supply port. A water tap with a saddle, characterized by its features.

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