Flow channel connection unit

Abstract

This reduces the risk of foreign matter contamination when attaching and detaching the flow path connection unit, which connects the banjo fitting to the object to be connected. [Solution] The flow path connecting unit 10, which connects the conduit 27 in a banjo fitting 20 having a bolt hole 23 and a conduit 27 communicating with the bolt hole 23, to the flow path 7 in the object to be connected 5, comprises a banjo bolt 30 having a shaft portion 31 inserted into the bolt hole 23, and a lock nut 11 for fixing the banjo fitting 20 to the banjo bolt 30. The shaft portion 31 has an internal hole 37 that connects the conduit 27 and the flow path 7 in the object to be connected 5. The banjo bolt 30 has a flange portion 33 in the axial middle of the shaft portion 31. Of the two ends of the shaft portion 31 in the axial direction, one end sandwiching the flange portion 33 is screwed into the threaded hole 9 of the object to be connected 5, and the other end is inserted into the bolt hole 23. The lock nut 11 is attached to the other end of the shaft portion 31 to tighten and fix the banjo fitting 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flow path connection unit.

Background Art

[0002] When connecting a pump and a pipe, for example, as a component that connects a pipe to a rigid component to form a fluid flow path, a connection structure that communicates the flow path in the pipe and the rigid component using a banjo joint and a banjo bolt is known. This connection structure is also called a banjo fitting.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, an eye joint portion (banjo joint) is connected to one end of a hose, the shaft portion of a bolt (banjo bolt) is passed through a bolt hole provided in the eye joint portion, and the shaft portion of the bolt is screwed into a screw hole provided in the device to fix the eye joint portion to the device. A hose assembly is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When tightening or loosening the banjo bolt to attach or detach such a banjo fitting to the device, there is a risk that foreign matter may enter the flow path. The attachment and detachment of the banjo fitting may be repeated. For example, if foreign matter is mixed in the fluid or burrs remain on the screw portion of the banjo bolt, when the banjo fitting is removed, foreign matter may enter the flow path on the rigid component side.

[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems and aims to reduce the risk of foreign matter contamination when attaching and detaching a flow path connecting unit that connects a banjo fitting to a connection target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of this disclosure, a flow path connecting unit is provided for connecting a conduit in a banjo fitting having a bolt hole and a conduit communicating with the bolt hole to a flow path in an object to be connected, comprising: a banjo bolt having a shaft portion inserted into the bolt hole; and a lock nut for fixing the banjo fitting to the banjo bolt, wherein the shaft portion has an internal hole formed therein that communicates the conduit and the flow path in the object to be connected, the banjo bolt has a flange portion in the axial middle portion of the shaft portion, one end of the shaft portion sandwiching the flange portion is screwed into the threaded hole of the object to be connected, and the other end is inserted into the bolt hole, and the lock nut is attached to the other end of the shaft portion to tighten and fix the banjo fitting. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As explained above, this disclosure makes it possible to reduce the risk of foreign matter contamination when attaching or detaching a flow path connecting unit that connects a banjo fitting to an object to be connected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a flow path connecting unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the flow path connecting unit according to this embodiment in an exploded view. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing how to remove the flow path connecting unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional flow channel connection unit. [Figure 5]This is a schematic diagram showing how to remove a conventional flow path connecting unit. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a flow path connecting unit according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing a disassembled flow path connecting unit according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing how to remove the flow path connecting unit according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc., shown in the following embodiments are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit this disclosure unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations.

[0011] In the following explanation, for ease of understanding, the upper and lower parts shown in Figures 1, 3-6, and 8 will be referred to as "top" and "bottom," respectively. "Plan view" refers to the view from above as shown in the diagram. In Figures 2 and 7, the left side shows the components of the flow path connection unit as viewed from the front, while the right side shows the same components in a plan view.

[0012] Figures 1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of a flow path connecting unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the flow path connecting unit 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow path connecting unit 10 according to this embodiment in an exploded view.

[0013] The flow path connecting unit 10 is a connecting structure that connects a banjo fitting 20 to the object to be connected 5, thereby connecting the conduit 27 in the banjo fitting 20 to the flow path 7 in the object to be connected 5. The flow path connecting unit 10 includes a lock nut 11, a first seal gasket 13, a banjo bolt 30, and a second seal gasket 15.

[0014] The banjo joint 20 connected to the connection target 5 by the flow path connection unit 10 has bolt holes 23 that penetrate both ends, and a head portion 21 that is ring-shaped in plan view, and a pipe portion 25 that extends outward from the outer peripheral surface of the head portion 21 and is connected and has a pipe line 27 that communicates with the bolt holes 23 of the head portion 21. A pipe (not shown) is connected to the end of the pipe portion 25.

[0015] The first seal gasket 13 and the second seal gasket 15 are ring-shaped metal members. The first seal gasket 13 is arranged so as to contact the upper surface of the banjo joint 20 and the lower surface of the lock nut 11. The second seal gasket 15 is arranged so as to contact the lower surface of the banjo joint 20 and the upper surface of the collar portion 33 of the banjo bolt 30.

[0016] Note that the first seal gasket 13 and the second seal gasket 15 may each be made of an elastic material other than metal.

[0017] The banjo bolt 30 is a metal bolt that is screwed into a screw hole 9 in the opening portion of the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 such as a pump housing. The screw hole 9 is a part of the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 and is a hole having a spiral groove formed in the peripheral wall. The banjo bolt 30 has a shaft portion 31 that is inserted into the bolt hole 23 of the banjo joint 20. An internal hole 37 that communicates the pipe line 27 of the banjo joint 20 and the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 is provided along the axial direction of the shaft portion 31.

[0018] The opening of the internal hole 37 is located at the lower end of the shaft portion 31, that is, on the side of one end that is screwed into the connection target 5 in the axial direction of the shaft portion 31, and the internal hole 37 communicates with the flow path 7. On the other hand, the internal hole 37 does not open on the side of the other end in the axial direction of the shaft portion 31. That is, the shaft portion 31 has a wall portion 32 at the other end in the axial direction that blocks the space between the space of the internal hole 37 and the space outside the shaft portion 31. A communication hole 35 is provided in the peripheral wall of the shaft portion 31 located inside the bolt hole 23 of the banjo joint 20, and the bolt hole 23 communicating with the pipeline 27 of the banjo joint 20 and the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 communicate with each other through the communication hole 35 and the internal hole 37. Thereby, a fluid flow path that communicates the pipe connected to the banjo joint 20 and the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 is formed. Note that a plurality of communication holes 35 may be provided.

[0019] The banjo bolt 30 has a flange portion 33 at an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the shaft portion 31. The flange portion 33 is hexagonal in plan view and is used to fit and tighten a tightening tool such as a wrench when screwing the banjo bolt 30 into the screw hole 9 of the connection target 5. The shaft portion 31 has a first screw portion 38 below the flange portion 33 in the axial direction. The first screw portion 38 is screwed into the screw hole 9 of the connection target 5. The space between the first screw portion 38 and the screw hole 9 is sealed with an adhesive (not shown). Instead of using an adhesive, a seal gasket or a seal ring may be arranged and sealed between the lower surface of the flange portion 33 of the banjo bolt 30 and the upper surface of the connection target 5, or the banjo bolt 30 may be press-fitted into the opening of the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 for sealing.

[0020] Also, the other end side above the flange portion 33 in the axial direction of the shaft portion 31 is inserted into the bolt hole 23 of the head portion 21 of the banjo joint 20. The communication hole 35 is provided in the portion of the other end side above the flange portion 33. A second screw portion 39 is provided at the end of the other end side above the flange portion 33. A lock nut 11 is screwed onto the second screw portion 39.

[0021] The lock nut 11 has a hexagonal shape in plan view and has a screw hole that is screwed into the second threaded portion 39 of the banjo bolt 30. By screwing the lock nut 11 onto the second threaded portion 39 and tightening it, the head portion 21 of the banjo fitting 20 is fixed to the banjo bolt 30 together with the first seal gasket 13 and the second seal gasket 15.

[0022] The assembly method of the flow path connecting unit 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 2, first, the first threaded portion 38 of the banjo bolt 30 is screwed into the threaded hole 9 of the connection target 5 to fix the banjo bolt 30 to the connection target 5. In this state, the second seal gasket 15, the head portion 21 of the banjo fitting 20 and the first seal gasket 13 are placed on the shaft portion 31 above the flange portion 33 of the banjo bolt 30, and the lock nut 11 is screwed onto the second threaded portion 39 of the banjo bolt 30 and tightened.

[0023] With the flow path connecting unit 10 assembled to the connection target 5, the space between the opening of the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 and the flange portion 33 of the banjo bolt 30 is sealed liquid-tight by the screw hole 9 of the connection target 5 and the first threaded portion 38 of the banjo bolt 30 being screwed together. Furthermore, the space between the head portion 21 of the banjo fitting 20 and the lock nut 11 is sealed liquid-tight by the first seal gasket 13 tightened by the lock nut 11, and the space between the head portion 21 of the banjo fitting 20 and the flange portion 33 of the banjo bolt 30 is sealed liquid-tight by the second seal gasket 15 tightened by the lock nut 11.

[0024] Furthermore, in the flow path connecting unit 10 according to this embodiment, the banjo fitting 20 can be removed from the banjo bolt 30 by loosening the lock nut 11. At this time, the banjo fitting 20 can be removed without removing the banjo bolt 30 from the connection target 5. Therefore, once the banjo bolt 30 is fixed to the connection target 5, the banjo fitting 20 can be attached and detached without removing the banjo bolt 30. When the banjo bolt 30 is fixed to the connection target 5, there are no openings other than the communication hole 35 that connect the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 to the outside of the connection target 5 and the banjo bolt 30.

[0025] Here, the bolt hole 23 of the banjo fitting 20 is a roughly spherical space, and the size of the communication hole 35 of the banjo bolt 30 is smaller than the vertical length of the bolt hole 23. As a result, a circular recess 29 is formed around the banjo bolt 30 inserted into the bolt hole 23, specifically around the bottom side of the bolt hole 23 (see Figure 1). Foreign matter may be mixed into the fluid, but if the fluid flow rate is not sufficient to stir up the fluid accumulating in the recess 29, foreign matter heavier than the fluid is more likely to accumulate in the recess 29 within the bolt hole 23. This foreign matter accumulated in the recess 29 falls out when the banjo fitting 20 is removed from the banjo bolt 30.

[0026] However, in the flow path connecting unit 10 according to this embodiment, when removing the banjo joint 20 from the banjo bolt 30, it is not necessary to remove the banjo bolt 30 from the connection target 5. Furthermore, the banjo bolt 30 has a wall portion 32 at the upper end in the axial direction of the shaft portion 31, and the banjo bolt 30 does not have any openings other than the communication hole 35 that connect the internal hole 37 to the outside. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, even if foreign matter C accumulated in the bolt hole 23 falls out, the risk of it entering the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 can be reduced.

[0027] Similarly, even if foreign matter C such as burrs is present in the second threaded portion 39 of the banjo bolt 30 or in the threaded hole of the lock nut 11, since the foreign matter C is located on the outside of the banjo bolt 30, the risk of the foreign matter C entering the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 can be reduced.

[0028] Figures 4 and 5 show examples of conventional connection structures using banjo fittings and banjo bolts. In the conventional connection structure, the banjo bolt 70, which has a communication hole 75 and an internal hole 77, has a bolt head 73 at its upper end. The width of the bolt head 73 in the radial direction of the banjo bolt 70 is greater than the width of the shaft portion 71 of the banjo bolt 70 in the same radial direction. The connection structure is assembled by attaching a seal gasket 51, the head portion 21 of the banjo fitting 20 and a seal gasket 55 to the banjo bolt 70, and screwing the threaded portion 78 of the banjo bolt 70 into the threaded hole 9 in the opening of the flow path 7 of the connection target 5. At this time, the seal gasket 51 is positioned below the bolt head 73 and on the outside of the radial shaft portion 71 of the banjo bolt 70, in contact with the lower surface of the bolt head 73, the head portion 21 is positioned below the seal gasket 51, and the seal gasket 55 is positioned below the head portion 21.

[0029] Therefore, in conventional connection structures, when removing the banjo fitting 20 from the banjo bolt 70, the banjo bolt 70 itself must be removed from the connection target 5. This creates a risk that foreign matter C accumulated in the bolt hole 23 may fall out and enter the flow path 7 of the connection target 5. Similarly, when removing the banjo fitting 20 from the banjo bolt 70, the banjo bolt 70 itself must be removed from the connection target 5, which creates a risk that foreign matter C present in the threaded portion 78 of the banjo bolt 30 or the threaded hole 9 of the connection target 5 may fall out and enter the flow path of the connection target 5.

[0030] The flow path connection unit 10 according to this embodiment can reduce the risk of foreign matter C entering the flow path 7 of the connection target 5. Therefore, malfunctions caused by the intrusion of foreign matter into the fluid circuit and various associated devices can be reduced.

[0031] Up to this point, the flow path connecting unit 10 according to this embodiment has been described. The flow path connecting unit 10 described in the above embodiment can be modified in various ways.

[0032] Figures 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of a flow path connecting unit according to a modified example of this embodiment. Figures 6 and 7 correspond to Figures 1 and 2 in the above embodiment, respectively.

[0033] The modified flow path connecting unit 10A has a configuration in which a foreign matter collection filter 40 is added to the flow path connecting unit 10 according to the above embodiment. The foreign matter collection filter 40 is attached to the outer circumference of the shaft portion 31 above the flange portion 33. In plan view, the foreign matter collection filter 40 is ring-shaped, that is, the foreign matter collection filter 40 is cylindrical. At least one end of the foreign matter collection filter 40 in the axial direction is held by a holding member 41. In Figures 6 and 7, an example is shown in which the holding member 41 is provided at the lower end of the foreign matter collection filter 40, but it may also be provided at the upper end of the foreign matter collection filter 40 instead of the lower end, or together with the lower end of the foreign matter collection filter 40. The foreign matter collection filter 40 allows fluid to pass through, such as a metal mesh or nonwoven fabric, while collecting foreign matter mixed in the fluid.

[0034] Therefore, if foreign matter is mixed in the fluid flowing through the conduit 27, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from entering the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 by riding on the fluid flow. In addition, if the cylindrical foreign matter collection filter 40 is attached to the shaft portion 31 of the banjo bolt 30, it is possible to clean or replace the filter more easily compared to when the filter is installed inside the banjo bolt 30.

[0035] Furthermore, the modified flow path connecting unit 10A, like the flow path connecting unit 10 according to the above embodiment, does not require the banjo bolt 30 to be removed from the connection target 5 when the banjo joint 20 is removed from the banjo bolt 30. Also, the internal hole 37 of the banjo bolt 30 does not communicate with the space outside the connection target 5 except through the communication hole 35. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, even if foreign matter C that has accumulated in the bolt hole 23, as well as foreign matter C that has been collected in the foreign matter collection filter 40, falls out, the risk of foreign matter C entering the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 can be reduced. Similarly, even if foreign matter C such as burrs is present in the second threaded portion 39 of the banjo bolt 30 or in the threaded hole of the lock nut 11, since the foreign matter C is on the outside of the banjo bolt 30, the risk of the foreign matter C entering the flow path 7 of the connection target 5 can be reduced.

[0036] In the modified flow path connecting unit 10A, the material of the retaining member 41 that holds the foreign matter collection filter 40 may be metal or elastic resin, similar to the second seal gasket 15 described above. The retaining member 41 may also function as a second seal gasket 15 positioned between the head portion 21 of the banjo fitting 20 and the flange portion 33 of the banjo bolt 30. This prevents an increase in the number of parts when a foreign matter collection filter 40 is included, and reduces the number of seal gaskets.

[0037] Furthermore, if the retaining member 41 is provided at the upper end of the foreign matter collection filter 40, it may also function as a first seal gasket 13 positioned between the head portion 21 of the banjo joint 20 and the lock nut 11.

[0038] While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that various modifications or alterations may be conceived within the scope of the technical idea set forth in the claims, and these will naturally also be understood to fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 5: Connection target 7: Flow path 9: Screw hole 10·10A: Flow path connection unit 11: Lock Nut 13: First seal gasket 15: Second seal gasket 20: Banjo fittings 21: Head section 23: Bolt hole 30: Banjo bolt 31: Shaft 32: Wall part 33: Brim 35:Communication hole 37: Internal hole 40: Foreign object collection filter C: Foreign matter

Claims

1. A flow path connecting unit (10) that connects the conduit (27) in a banjo fitting (20) having a bolt hole (23) and a conduit (27) communicating with the bolt hole (23) to a flow path (7) in the object to be connected (5), A banjo bolt (30) having a shaft portion (31) that is inserted into the bolt hole (23), A lock nut (11) secures the banjo joint (20) to the banjo bolt (30), Equipped with, The shaft portion (31) has an internal hole (37) that connects the conduit (27) and the flow path (7) in the object to be connected (5). The banjo bolt (30) has a flange (33) in the axial middle of the shaft (31), and of the two ends of the shaft (31) in the axial direction, one end that sandwiches the flange (33) is screwed into the threaded hole (9) of the object to be connected (5), and the other end is inserted into the bolt hole (23). The lock nut (11) is attached to the other end of the shaft portion (31) to tighten and secure the banjo joint (20), forming a flow path connecting unit.

2. The flow path connecting unit according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion (31) has a wall portion (32) at its other end that separates the space of the internal hole (37) from the space outside the shaft portion (31).

3. The flow path connecting unit according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a first seal gasket (13) provided between the banjo fitting (20) and the lock nut (11), and a second seal gasket (15) provided between the banjo fitting (20) and the flange portion (33) of the banjo bolt (30).

4. The flow path connecting unit according to claim 1, further comprising a foreign matter collection filter (40) attached to the outer circumference of the shaft portion (31) on the other end.

5. The flow path connecting unit according to claim 4, wherein the holding member (41) for holding the foreign matter collection filter (40) is provided at least one of the following locations: between the banjo fitting (20) and the lock nut (11), and between the banjo fitting (20) and the flange portion (33) of the banjo bolt (30).

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