Pipe fittings

Abstract

The present invention provides a pipe joint that can neatly connect three pipes and allows for easy installation and removal of the pipes. [Solution] The pipe joint of the present invention is a pipe joint having a pipe joint body having first to third connecting parts for inserting and fixing first to third pipe bodies, wherein the first connecting part and the second connecting part are connected to and communicate with each other via a communication part in the radial direction of the first pipe body and the second pipe body connected to the first connecting part and the second connecting part, and are configured so that when inserting or removing the first connecting part and the second connecting part from the first pipe body and the second pipe body, a part of the first pipe body and the second pipe body can enter the second connecting part side and the first connecting part side, respectively, through the communication part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe joint capable of connecting a plurality of pipes.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, pipe joints have been used to connect a plurality of pipes. As a pipe joint for connecting a plurality of pipes, for example, a pipe joint having a structure described in Patent Document 1 is used.

[0003] Specifically, in Patent Document 1, in a T-shaped pipe joint in which a branch short pipe branches from the center of a straight short pipe, within a semi-circular surface facing the side where the branch short pipe protrudes on the inner surface of the central portion of the straight short pipe, strip-shaped protrusions for locking the pipe ends and surfaces of the pipes inserted into both ends of the straight short pipe are provided, and from the center of the strip-shaped protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the straight short pipe and up to the inner surface of the end portion on the side of the base of the branch short pipe, a branch pipe joint provided with a strip-shaped protrusion for locking the pipe end surface of the pipe inserted into the branch short pipe is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when three pipes are connected to the branch pipe joint, since the straight short pipe and the branch short pipe of the branch pipe joint extend in three directions, the accommodation of the three pipes is poor, taking up space and also deteriorating the appearance.

[0006] Furthermore, although the pipe body is fitted onto each short pipe of the above-mentioned branch pipe joint for connection, in order to prevent the pipe body from coming off the single pipe, the short pipe is made with a diameter slightly larger than the pipe body, and after the pipe body is elastically expanded to fit onto the short pipe, adhesive tape is wrapped around the connection between the pipe body and the short pipe as needed to integrate the pipe body and the short pipe.

[0007] However, when replacing a pipe due to deterioration or damage over time, the pipe is attached to the short pipe of the branch pipe fitting while elastically expanding in diameter. This makes it difficult to easily remove the pipe from the short pipe, resulting in a time-consuming replacement process.

[0008] Furthermore, if adhesive tape is wrapped around the connection point between the main tube and the shorter tube, it is necessary to remove the adhesive tape, which presents a problem as it makes the tube replacement process time-consuming.

[0009] The present invention provides a pipe joint that can neatly connect three pipes and allows for easy installation and removal of the pipes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The pipe joint of the present invention is A pipe joint having a pipe joint body having a first connecting part for inserting and connecting a first pipe, a second connecting part for inserting and connecting a second pipe, and a third connecting part for connecting a third pipe in a state of communication with the first pipe and the second pipe, The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to each other via a connecting portion in the radial direction of the first pipe and the second pipe connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The device is characterized in that, when inserting or removing the first and second pipes into the first and second connecting parts, a portion of the first and second pipes can be moved to the second connecting part side and the first connecting part side, respectively, through the connecting part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The pipe joint of the present invention has a first connecting part for inserting, connecting, and fixing a first pipe body, and a second connecting part for inserting, connecting, and fixing a second pipe body, which are connected and communicating with each other via a communication part, so that when inserting the first pipe body (second pipe body) into the first connecting part (second connecting part) or removing it from the first connecting part (second connecting part), a part of the first pipe body (second pipe body) can be released into the second connecting part (first connecting part).

[0012] Therefore, the insertion of the first pipe (second pipe) into the first connection part (second connection part) of the pipe joint, or the removal of the pipe joint from the first connection part (second connection part), can be easily performed.

[0013] In the above-described pipe joint, if the connecting portion has an opening width smaller than the diameters of the first and second pipes, the first pipe (second pipe) can be securely positioned in the insertion position of the first connection (second connection), and a portion of the first pipe (second pipe) can be allowed to enter and escape from the first connection (second connection), making it easier to insert the first pipe (second pipe) into the first connection (second connection) of the pipe joint, or to remove the pipe joint from the first connection (second connection).

[0014] In the above-described pipe joint, the first connection part and the second connection part are each formed in a planar C shape, and the open ends of the first connection part and the second connection part are connected to form the communication part. In this case, with the first pipe body (second pipe body) securely positioned in the insertion position of the first connection part (second connection part), a part of the first pipe body (second pipe body) can be easily moved into the second connection part (first connection part) by sliding the first pipe body (second pipe body) along the inner wall surface of the first connection part (second connection part), thereby making the insertion of the first pipe body (second pipe body) into the first connection part (second connection part) of the pipe joint, or the removal of the first pipe body (second pipe body) from the first connection part (second connection part) of the pipe joint, even easier.

[0015] In the above pipe joint, when locking portions that can be detachably locked to the annular recesses formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first pipe body and the second pipe body are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the first pipe body and the second pipe body can be securely fixed to the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and the first pipe body and the second pipe body can be more securely connected and fixed to the pipe joint.

[0016] In the above pipe joint, when the first pipe body and the second pipe body inserted and connected into the first connection portion and the second connection portion are configured to be in contact with each other on the opposing outer surfaces of these pipe bodies, in the first pipe body and the second pipe body inserted into the first connection portion and the second connection portion, one pipe body can suppress the other pipe body from moving in the direction of the connection portion to which this pipe body is connected, the state in which the pipe body is connected within a predetermined connection portion can be stably maintained, and the pipe body can be prevented from unexpectedly detaching from the connection portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the pipe joint. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing the pipe joint. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a pipe body is connected to the pipe joint. [Figure 5] It is a view showing how to connect a pipe body to the pipe joint. [Figure 6] It is a schematic view showing an example of use of the pipe joint. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the pipe body.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] An example of the pipe joint of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The pipe joint A has a pipe joint body A1 including a cylindrical first connection portion 1 into which a first pipe body B1 can be removably inserted and connected and fixed, and a cylindrical second connection portion 2 into which a second pipe body B2 can be removably inserted and connected and fixed.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first connection portion 1 (the second connection portion 2) is formed in a cylindrical shape with a C-shaped cross section having an upper end that is entirely open and having a predetermined length in the vertical direction. Inside it, a holding portion 11 (21) into which an end portion of the first pipe body B1 (the second pipe body B2) can be removably inserted and fixed is formed. The inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 11 (21) of the first connection portion 1 (the second connection portion 2) has a shape generally following the outer shape of the first pipe body B1 (the second pipe body B2) inserted into the first connection portion 1 and the second connection portion 2, except for the communication portion 3 that communicates the first connection portion 1 and the second connection portion 2. The first connection portion 1 and the second connection portion 2 open in the same direction (upward in FIG. 2).

[0020] In other words, by making a cylindrical body having a predetermined length in the vertical direction, an upper end that is entirely open and an elliptical shape with a horizontally long cross section concave in an arc shape in a direction where the central portions in its left - right direction approach each other, one half portion (the left half portion in FIG. 3) is formed as the first connection portion 1 with a C-shaped cross section having a predetermined length, and the other half portion (the right half portion in FIG. 3) is formed as the second connection portion 2 with a C-shaped cross section having a predetermined length.

[0021] Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the first pipe body B1 (the second pipe body B2) has a flow path B10 (B20) formed inside a flexible pipe body B11 (B21) through which a fluid [liquid (e.g., water, etc.), gas (air, etc.), etc.] can flow, and a plurality of annular protrusions B12 (B22) are formed at regular intervals in the length direction on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body B11 (B21). Between the annular protrusions B12 (B22) adjacent to each other in the length direction of the pipe body B11 (B21), annular locking groove portions B13 (B23) are formed at regular intervals in the length direction of the pipe body B11 (B21). Note that the first pipe body B1 (the second pipe body B2) is not limited to the above structure as long as it has a shape that can be inserted into the first connection portion 1 and the second connection portion 2 of the pipe joint A and can be detachably connected.

[0022] Multiple locking pieces 13(23) are provided protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the retaining portion 11(21) of the first connection portion 1 (second connection portion 2) of pipe joint A, and are capable of being detachably locked into the annular locking groove portion B13(B23) of the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2). The locking pieces 13(23) are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the retaining portion 11(21) of the first connection portion 1 (second connection portion 2) at the same vertical spacing as the formation spacing of the annular locking groove portion B13(B23) of the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2), forming a row of locking pieces 13A(23A), and the row of locking pieces 13A(23A) is formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the retaining portion 11(21) of the first connection portion 1 (second connection portion 2).

[0023] The locking piece 13(23) formed on the inner circumferential surface of the holding portion 11(21) of the first connecting portion 1 (second connecting portion 2) has a sliding surface 131(231) extending diagonally downward and a locking surface 132(232) extending horizontally from the lower end of the sliding surface 131(231).

[0024] The sliding surface 131 (231) of the locking piece 13 (23) of the first connecting part 1 (second connecting part 2) slides along the outer surface of the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2) when inserting the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2) into the holding part 11 (21) of the first connecting part 1 (second connecting part 2), thereby allowing the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2) to be smoothly inserted into the first connecting part 1 (second connecting part 2).

[0025] On the other hand, when attempting to remove the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2) inserted into the first connection part 1 (second connection part 2), the locking surface 132 (232) of the locking piece 13 (23) of the first connection part 1 (second connection part 2) remains locked in the annular locking groove B13 (B23) of the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2), and the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2) is configured to remain fixed in the first connection part 1 (second connection part 2) in a manner that prevents it from coming loose.

[0026] As described above, both the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2 are formed in a C-shape in cross-section. By connecting the open ends of the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2, a connecting portion 3 is formed between the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2, having an opening width D2 that is smaller horizontally than the diameters of the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 inserted into and fixed in the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2, and extending along the entire length in the vertical direction.

[0027] The holding portion 11(21) of the first connecting portion 1 (second connecting portion 2) has a maximum width D1 in its left-right central portion (left-right direction in Figure 3) that is approximately equal to the diameter of the first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2), and is formed so that the opening width (opening width in the vertical direction in Figure 3) gradually narrows from this portion with the maximum width D1 toward the second connecting portion 2 (first connecting portion 1). By connecting and integrating the opposing ends of the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2, a communication portion 3 is formed at the connection portion between the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2, and the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2 are connected and communicate with each other through this communication portion 3.

[0028] The first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2 are formed to communicate with each other via a connecting portion 3 along their entire vertical length.

[0029] The lower ends of the first connection part 1 and the second connection part 2 of pipe joint A are both connected to the connecting part 4 and are configured to be closed. The inside of the connecting part 4 is an air gap 41, and the lower end openings of the first connection part 1 and the second connection part 2 are connected and in communication with each other via the air gap 41 of the connecting part 4.

[0030] A cylindrical third connecting portion 5 is formed in the connecting portion 4 of pipe joint A, extending through it in the inward and outward directions. The third connecting portion 5 has a through hole 50 that penetrates vertically through its interior, and the upper end opening 51 of the third connecting portion 5 is connected to and communicates with the inside of the gap 41 of the connecting portion 4. The lower end opening 52 of the third connecting portion 5 opens on the opposite side (downward in Figure 2) from the opening direction of the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2.

[0031] The third connecting portion 5 of the pipe joint A is configured to allow the third pipe body B3 to be detachably connected by fitting the end of the third pipe body B3 onto the outer circumferential surface of its lower end.

[0032] With the first pipe body B1, the second pipe body B2, and the third pipe body B3 connected to pipe joint A, the flow passages B10 (B20) of the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 connected to the first connection part 1 and the second connection part 2, and the flow passage B30 of the third pipe body B3 connected to the third connection part 5 are configured to be connected and in communication with each other.

[0033] Furthermore, the third pipe body B3 only needs to be able to fit onto the open end of the third connecting portion 5, and its structure is not limited. For example, the third pipe body B3 has a flexible pipe body B31 with a fluid passage B30 formed inside, and a plurality of annular projections B32 are formed on the outer surface of the pipe body B31 at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and annular locking grooves B33 are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the pipe body B31 between adjacent annular projections B32 in the longitudinal direction of the pipe body B31.

[0034] Next, we will explain how to use pipe fitting A. First, we will explain how to connect and fix the first to third pipe bodies B1 to B3 to the first to third connection parts 1, 2, and 5 of pipe fitting A, respectively.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the first pipe body B1 is flattened in its radial direction, and then inserted into the holding portion 11 of the first connection portion 1 of the pipe joint A through its upper end opening. When inserting the first pipe body B1 into the holding portion 11 of the first connection portion 1, the first connection portion 1 and the second connection portion 2 are in communication with each other through the communication portion 3. This allows a portion of the radially flattened first pipe body B1 to escape into the holding portion 21 of the second connection portion 2. Furthermore, it reduces the frictional force caused by the collision between the locking piece 13 integrally provided on the inner circumferential surface of the holding portion 11 of the first connection portion 1 and the outer circumferential surface of the first pipe body B1 (outer circumferential surface of the annular projection B12) and the locking piece 13, allowing the first pipe body B1 to be smoothly inserted into the holding portion 11 of the first connection portion 1. Since the opening width of the connecting section 3 [the vertical opening width in Figure 5(a)] is smaller than the diameter of the first pipe body B1, when inserting the first pipe body B1 into the holding section 11 of the first connecting section 1, the entire first pipe body B1 does not move into the second connecting section 2 through the connecting section 3. This allows the first pipe body B1 to be smoothly inserted into the first connecting section 1 while stably maintaining its position within the first connecting section 1.

[0036] After inserting a predetermined length portion of the first pipe B1 into the first connecting portion 1, when the radial pressure applied to the first pipe B1 is released, the first pipe B1 returns to its original state due to its elastic restoring force, and the locking surface 132 of the locking piece 13 of the retaining portion 11 in the first connecting portion 1 becomes locked into the annular locking groove B13 of the first pipe B1, and the first pipe B1 is stably fixed in the retaining portion 11 of the first connecting portion 1 in a state that prevents it from coming loose [Figure 5(c)].

[0037] Next, as shown in Figures 5(d) and (e), the second pipe body B2 is flattened in its radial direction, and then inserted into the holding portion 21 of the second connection portion 2 of the pipe joint A through its upper end opening. Even when inserting the second pipe body B2 into the holding portion 21 of the second connection portion 2, a portion of the radially flattened second pipe body B2 can be inserted into the first connection portion 1 in advance, deforming the first pipe body B1 which is fixed in place, and allowing it to escape into the holding portion 11 of the first connection portion 1. At the same time, the frictional force caused by the collision between the locking piece 23 integrally provided on the inner circumferential surface of the holding portion 21 of the second connection portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface of the second pipe body B2 (outer circumferential surface of the annular projection B22) and the locking piece 23 can be reduced, allowing the second pipe body B2 to be smoothly inserted into the holding portion 21 of the second connection portion 2.

[0038] After inserting a predetermined length portion of the second pipe B2 into the second connecting portion 2, when the radial pressure applied to the second pipe B2 is released, the second pipe B2 returns to its original state due to its elastic restoring force, and the locking surface 232 of the locking piece 23 of the holding portion 21 in the second connecting portion 2 locks into the annular locking groove B23 of the second pipe B2, and the second pipe B2 is stably fixed in the holding portion 21 of the second connecting portion 2 in a state that prevents it from coming loose [Figure 5(f)].

[0039] The first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2, which are inserted into the first connection part 1 and the second connection part 2 and connected and fixed to each other, are in a state where their opposing outer surfaces are in contact with each other through the communication part 3 [Figure 5(f)]. The first pipe body B1 (second pipe body B2) prevents the second pipe body B2 (first pipe body B1) from being displaced toward the first connection part 1 (second connection part 2), which prevents the locking state between the annular locking groove part B23 (locking groove part B13) of the second pipe body B2 (first pipe body B1) and the locking piece 23 (13) of the holding part 21 (11) in the second connection part 2 (first connection part 1) from unexpectedly loosening. Therefore, the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 connected to the first connection part 1 and the second connection part 2 of the pipe joint A can maintain a stable state of connection to the pipe joint A without using additional fixing means such as wrapping and fixing with fixing tape.

[0040] Then, by fitting the tip of the third pipe body B3 onto the third connection part 5 of pipe joint A and connecting and fixing it, the first to third pipe bodies B1 to B3 can be firmly and stably connected to the first to third connection parts 1, 2, and 5 of pipe joint A.

[0041] Thus, when the first to third pipe bodies B1 to B3 are connected to pipe joint A, the protrusion directions of the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 from the first connection part 1 and the second connection part 2 are the same. Therefore, the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 can be bundled neatly, resulting in excellent appearance, and the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 can be connected compactly.

[0042] Furthermore, the protruding direction of the third connection portion 5 of pipe joint A is 180° opposite to the opening direction of the holding portions 11 and 21 of the first connection portion 1 and the second connection portion 2 (the protruding direction of the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 from the first connection portion 1 and the second connection portion 2), and they are arranged in a straight line. As a result, pipe joint A, when the first to third pipe bodies B1 to B3 are connected, is compactly housed, and fluid can flow smoothly through the flow passages B10 and B20 of the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2, and through the flow passage B30 of the third pipe body B3.

[0043] As described above, pipe fitting A allows two pipe passages to be neatly and easily connected and communicated with one pipe passage. The pipes can be any type of pipe used for any purpose. An example of a pipe used in pipe fitting A is a drain hose for discharging condensation water generated in the indoor unit of an air conditioner to the outside.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, in building structures such as apartments and detached houses, in response to rising temperatures due to global warming in recent years, air conditioners are installed in each room, and drain hoses are routed outside from the indoor units C1 and C2 of each air conditioner, with the ends of the drain hoses resting on the balcony floor or on the ground.

[0045] If all the drain hoses connected to the indoor units C1 and C2 of each air conditioner are routed down to the balcony floor or to the ground, the appearance of the building's exterior wall will be spoiled. Therefore, by using the pipe joint A described above to connect and link the two drain hoses (first pipe B1 and second pipe B2) into a single drain hose, the number of drain hoses installed on the building's exterior wall can be reduced, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the building.

[0046] The first pipe body B1 and / or the second pipe body B2 connected to pipe joint A may deteriorate or break over time, necessitating their replacement. Next, the procedure for removing the first pipe body B1 and / or the second pipe body B2 from pipe joint A will be explained. The procedure for removing the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 from pipe joint A is the same, so the procedure for removing the second pipe body B2 from pipe joint A will be explained first.

[0047] With the above-described pipe joint A, when attaching the first pipe body B1 and the second pipe body B2 to the pipe joint A, no additional fixing means such as fixing tape is required. Therefore, there is no need to remove fixing means such as fixing tape, and the removal of the first pipe body B1 and / or the second pipe body B2 can be easily performed.

[0048] First, as shown in Figure 5(e), the second pipe body B2 is flattened in its radial direction, and then moved slightly toward the first connection part 1, allowing a portion of the second pipe body B2 to escape into the holding part 11 of the first connection part 1 through the connecting part 3. In this state, the locking between the annular locking groove B23 of the second pipe body B2 and the locking surface 232 of the locking piece 23 of the holding part 21 in the second connection part 2 is largely released. From this state, the second pipe body B2 can be pulled upward and easily removed from the second connection part 2.

[0049] Next, to remove the first pipe body B1 from the first connection part 1 of the pipe joint A, as shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the first pipe body B1 is flattened in its radial direction, and then moved slightly toward the second connection part 2, allowing a portion of the first pipe body B1 to escape into the holding part 21 of the second connection part 2 through the connecting part 3. In this state, the locking between the annular locking groove B13 of the first pipe body B1 and the locking surface 132 of the locking piece 13 of the holding part 11 in the first connection part 1 is largely released, and from this state, the first pipe body B1 can be pulled upward and easily removed from the first connection part 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1. First connection section 2. Second connection section 3 Communication section 4 Connecting part 41 Cavity 5. Third connection section 11, 21 Holding part 13, 23 Locking piece A pipe fitting A1 Pipe fitting body B1 First pipe B2 Second pipe B3 Third pipe

Claims

1. A pipe joint having a pipe joint body having a first connecting part for inserting and connecting a first pipe, a second connecting part for inserting and connecting a second pipe, and a third connecting part for connecting a third pipe in a state of communication with the first pipe and the second pipe, The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to each other via a connecting portion in the radial direction of the first pipe and the second pipe connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. A pipe joint characterized in that, when inserting or removing the first pipe and the second pipe from the first and second connection parts, a portion of the first pipe and the second pipe can be released to the second connection side and the first connection side, respectively, through the connecting portion.

2. The pipe joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting portion has an opening width smaller than the diameters of the first pipe and the second pipe.

3. The pipe joint according to claim 2, characterized in that the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are each formed in a planar C shape, and the open ends of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to form the communication portion.

4. The pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a locking portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, which can be detachably locked into an annular recess formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first pipe body and the second pipe body.

5. The pipe joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first pipe and the second pipe, which are inserted into and connected within the first and second connecting portions, are configured to be in contact with each other on their opposing outer surfaces.

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