Insert fittings and insert fittings for plug-in type couplings

Abstract

This design prevents unintended disconnection of joints and also reduces the difficulty of intentionally disengaging them. [Solution] The insert fitting 10' of the insert-type coupling according to the present invention is characterized in that the push ring 15 is mounted so as to be slidable in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface 12a' of the insert body, and has an inner peripheral surface 15c that has an inner-outer dimension difference ΔR with respect to the outer peripheral surface necessary for the push ring to be inclined with respect to the axis 10x of the insert body in the position range Rp in which the coupling state is not released, and the outer peripheral surface has an inner edge receiving groove 12d' that can accommodate the angular region Rx of the inner edge P1 of the base end of the push ring that is located on the base end side due to the inclined position when the push ring is in an inclined position within the position range, and the outer peripheral surface within the position range is configured to be flat along the axis except for the inner edge receiving groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an insert for a plug-in coupling joint and a plug-in coupling joint.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a coupling state is maintained by inserting an insert into a receiver and engaging a locking member such as a claw provided on the receiver with a locked portion such as a step portion provided on the insert, and in the state where the insert and the receiver are connected, a push ring mounted on the insert so as to be movable in the axial direction is pushed toward the receiver side, so that the locking member is disengaged from the locked portion by the tip of the push ring, thereby releasing the coupled state between the insert and the receiver. Plug-in coupling joints configured in this manner are known.

[0003] In this plug-in coupling joint, the base end portion of the push ring has a shape protruding in the radial direction in order to facilitate pushing the push ring during the release operation of the coupled state, but there has been a problem that the protruding base end portion of the push ring may be caught on a step such as a stair during use, and the push ring accidentally contacts the locking member to release the coupled state.

[0004] Accordingly, in a conventional coupling joint, as described in Patent Document 1, fine main body side anti-slip grooves 25a are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insert fitting main body 21, and push ring side anti-slip grooves 22c are provided at the distal end and the proximal end of the inner peripheral surface of the push ring 22, so that the anti-slip grooves 25a and 22c engage with each other when the push ring 22 is in an inclined posture (Fig. 5) on the insert fitting main body 21, making the push ring 22 less likely to move. There is known a coupling fitting configured to prevent the coupling joint from being accidentally released due to movement of the push ring 22 caught on a step or the like.

[0005] Furthermore, as described in Patent Document 2, there is also a coupling device in which the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 31 of the push ring 3 is set within the range of 101-109% of the outer diameter of the insertion device body 2. This causes the push ring 3 to tilt, which then catches on the insertion device body 2 in an inclined position, preventing it from moving any further and thus preventing the coupling device from being accidentally released. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-014477 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-152612 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, in the coupling fitting described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, anti-slip grooves 25a and 22c are formed on the tip and base ends of both the outer circumferential surface of the insertion fitting body 21 and the inner circumferential surface of the push ring 22. Therefore, when attempting to release the coupling by pressing the flange-shaped operating portion 22b of the push ring 22, the anti-slip grooves 25a and 22c often get caught, hindering the release operation.

[0008] Furthermore, in the coupling fitting described in Patent Document 2 mentioned above, the radial gap between the outer diameter of the insertion fitting body 2 and the inner diameter of the push ring 3 is appropriately set to make it difficult for the push ring 3 to move in an inclined position. However, if the radial gap between the insertion fitting body 2 and the push ring 3 is made large, the play increases, making it difficult to release the push ring 3. If the gap is made small, the position of the push ring 3 becomes less likely to tilt when the flange portion 32 of the push ring 3 gets caught on a step or the like, which increases the risk of the coupling being accidentally released unintentionally.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems, and its objective is to realize a structure that prevents unintended disengagement of the coupling and joint, while also suppressing the difficulty of the disengagement operation when intentionally disengaging the coupling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The insert (10') of the insert-type coupling according to the present invention is an insert comprising an insert body and a push ring (15, 16), wherein the insert is inserted into and coupled to a receiver (20), and the coupling state of the insert to the receiver is released by pushing the push ring toward the receiver, wherein the push ring is mounted so as to be slidable in the axial direction on the outer circumferential surface (12a') of the insert body, and the insert is located within the position range (Rp) of the push ring in which the coupling state is not released. The main body has an inner circumferential surface (15c, 16c) that has an inner-outer dimension difference, i.e., a gap (ΔR), with respect to the outer circumferential surface, which is necessary for the main body to be inclined with respect to its axis. The outer circumferential surface has an inner edge accommodating groove (12d′, 12d″) that can accommodate the angular region (Rx) of the base end inner edge (P1) of the push ring that is located towards the base end due to the inclined position when the push ring is inclined within the position range. The outer circumferential surface within the position range is configured to be flat along the axis, except for the inner edge accommodating groove.

[0011] According to the present invention, the outer peripheral surface (12a') on which the push ring of the tool body can slide is provided with an inner edge receiving groove (12d', 12d'') capable of accommodating the angular region (Rx) located on the base end side of the base end inner edge (P1) when the push ring (15, 16) is in an inclined position. As a result, when the push ring is in an inclined position, the angular region located on the base end side of the base end inner edge fits into the inner edge receiving groove, so the inclination angle (φ) of the inclined position of the push ring is slightly increased compared to when there is no inner edge receiving groove, and the portion (P4) on the tip side of the base end inner edge comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface, or the tip side of the base end inner edge The nearby portion (Px) located therein engages with the inner edge receiving groove, preventing the push ring from tilting further or moving towards the receiver, thus preventing accidental release of the connection. Furthermore, the outer surface of the insertion tool body that is within the position range where the connection between the insertion tool and the receiver is not released is flat along the axis, except for the inner edge receiving groove. Therefore, when releasing the connection, there is no structure other than the inner edge receiving groove that prevents the push ring from sliding towards the receiver, thus reducing the difficulty of the release operation.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the inner edge receiving groove (12d′, 12d″) be provided within a range from the reference forming position (Pu), which is moved axially towards the base end by the sum of the axial length (L) of the push ring and the amount of front-to-back positional displacement in the axial direction when the push ring is in an inclined position (ΔP) (L+ΔP), to the base end limit position (Pk) from the tip limit position (Ps) within the position range (Rp). As a result, the base end inner edge of the push ring fits into the inner edge receiving groove, preventing the tip edge (tip outer edge P3) of the push ring from moving towards the tip beyond the tip limit position (Ps), thus preventing the release operation by the push ring from occurring. In particular, the inner edge receiving groove is provided from the reference forming position (Pu) relative to the outer circumferential surface 12a′. It is desirable that the inner edge receiving groove be provided between the standard tip position (Pt), which is the position where the tip edge (tip outer edge P3) of the push ring (15, 16), which has a gap of inner-outer dimension difference (ΔR) around the entire circumference of the axis, contacts the receiver (20), and the standard forming position (Pv), which is moved axially towards the base end by the sum of the above (L + ΔP). This ensures that the effect of the inner edge receiving groove can be obtained almost always, regardless of which axial position the push ring 15 is positioned within the above position range. One or more inner edge receiving grooves may be provided so as to include the range from the reference forming position to the standard forming position, or one or more inner edge receiving grooves may be provided in the range from the reference forming position to the standard forming position.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the inner edge receiving groove is a single groove extending around the axis. With this, since only a single inner edge receiving groove is required on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion device body, the elements that obstruct the push ring during the release operation of the coupled state are further reduced, and thus the difficulty of releasing the coupled state can be further reduced.

[0014] In the present invention, the inner edge receiving groove is preferably an annular groove that extends around the entire circumference of the axis. This allows the angle region (Rx) to be set in any angular direction, so that movement toward the tip of the push ring can be prevented regardless of the direction of the external force applied to the flange of the push ring. Furthermore, the inner edge receiving groove is preferably V-shaped or concave in cross-section.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that an auxiliary groove is provided on the tip side of the angular region of the base inner edge of the push ring that is housed in the inner edge housing groove, in order to avoid contact with the portion of the outer circumferential surface located on the tip side of the inner edge housing groove. With this, when the push ring is in an inclined position, the portion of the outer circumferential surface located on the tip side of the inner edge housing groove will not come into contact with the push ring when the base inner edge of the push ring is housed in the inner edge housing groove, due to the presence of the auxiliary groove, and the portion of the outer circumferential surface located on the tip side of the inner edge housing groove will not come into contact with the push ring, and the portion of the auxiliary groove further to the tip will come into contact with the outer circumferential surface, so that the inclination angle in the inclined position of the push ring can be made even larger, and thus movement of the push ring toward the tip can be prevented even more reliably.

[0016] Next, the insert-type coupling joint according to the present invention is characterized by comprising any of the above-mentioned inserts and the receiving member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a structure that prevents unintended disengagement of the coupling and joint, and also reduces the difficulty of disengaging when intentionally disengaging the coupling. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the connected state of an embodiment of the insert-type coupling joint according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the connected state of a conventional push-in type coupling. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows an explanatory cross-sectional view (a) illustrating the posture of the push ring in the embodiment shown, and an enlarged cross-sectional view (b) showing a close-up of the vicinity of the inner edge receiving groove. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows an explanatory diagram (a) and an enlarged section of the same cross-sectional view (b) illustrating the cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the axial direction in the state shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory cross-sectional view (a) and an enlarged cross-sectional view (b) of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] They are a front view (a) and a plan view (b) of the insert body according to the third embodiment. Note that a rear view, a right side view and a left side view of the insert body appear identical to the front view. [Figure 7] They are a cross-sectional view (a) and a bottom view (b) of the insert body according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] They are a plan view (a) and a front view (b) of the press ring according to the third embodiment. Note that a rear view, a right side view and a left side view of the press ring appear identical to the front view. [Figure 9] They are a bottom view (a) and a cross-sectional view (b) of the press ring according to the third embodiment. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0019] Next, embodiments of the insert for a bayonet coupling joint and the bayonet coupling joint according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the conventional structure of a bayonet coupling joint and the overall configuration of the embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2.

[0020] First, a bayonet coupling joint 1 of the conventional structure shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a coupled state, in which the insert 10 of the bayonet coupling joint 1 configured to connect fire hoses is inserted into the socket of the receiver 20, and the locking claw 24 is completely locked to the locking step portion 11. Here, the insert 10 and the receiver 20 of the bayonet coupling joint 1 are not limited to the usage mode in which each is connected to a fire hose, and those in which at least one of them is connected to a joint connection portion provided on a nozzle or a fire truck are also included.

[0021] The insert fitting 10 of this push-in type coupling joint 1 has a tip cylindrical portion 11 with an insertion opening. This tip cylindrical portion 11 is configured as a cylindrical shape (in the illustrated example, cylindrical shape) with predetermined external dimensions (outer diameter in the illustrated example, the same applies hereinafter), and has a cylindrical outer surface 11a (in the illustrated example, cylindrical surface shape) from the axial tip outer edge 11p to the base end outer edge 11q. Furthermore, a locking step portion 11b is provided at the axial base end of the tip cylindrical portion 11, facing the axial base end side (right side in the illustrated example). Due to this locking step portion 11b, the external dimensions of the insert fitting body in the outer surface portion 12 on the axial base end side thereafter (hereinafter referred to as the base end outer surface portion) are smaller than the external dimensions of the tip cylindrical portion 11. The axial length of the tip cylinder portion 11 and the external dimensions of the tip cylinder portion 11 and the base end outer circumference portion 12 are specified in JIS B9911-1968 (Dimensions of plug-in type coupling fittings for fire hoses, the same applies hereinafter). The base end outer circumference portion 12 basically has an outer circumference surface 12a that is flat in the axial direction, and this outer circumference surface 12a is configured as a cylindrical surface with a constant outer diameter. The base end outer circumference portion 12 of the plug 10 is flat in the axial direction up to the part where the retaining ring 13 is attached, and in the illustrated example, it has a cylindrical outer circumference surface 12a with the same outer diameter.

[0022] Furthermore, the insertion device 10 includes a push ring 14 that is slidably mounted in the axial direction on the outer surface 12a of the outer peripheral portion 12. The push ring 14 is provided with a flange-shaped flange portion 14a on the base end side and a cylindrical portion 14b on the tip side. In addition, a retaining ring 13, such as a C-ring, determines the regulating position of the axial base end side of the push ring 14. In the illustrated state, the push ring 14 does not contact the locking claw 24 and is positioned in a non-operating area that does not activate the release function of the locking mechanism. When the push ring 14 is positioned in the non-operating area, the positional range Rp in which the push ring 14 may exist (for example, the outer surface 12a may be covered by the inner surface 14c) is, as shown in Figure 2, from the tip-side position of the retaining ring 13 where the base edge of the inner surface 14c of the push ring 14 abuts, to the position where the tip edge (actually the outer tip edge) of the inner surface 14c contacts the locking claw 24 but does not cause the locking mechanism to release.

[0023] On the other hand, the receiving device 20 comprises a receiving device body 22, a tightening ring 23, locking claws 24, a leaf spring 25, a claw seat 26, a protective member 27, and a packing 28. On the inner side of the receiving opening (the base end side in the axial direction, left side in the figure), multiple (three around the axis in the illustrated example) locking claws 24 are biased by the leaf spring 25 to protrude toward the inner circumference of the receiving opening. Further toward the base end side in the axial direction of the locking claws 24, an inner outer circumference of the receiving opening is formed, which is configured to allow the tip of the cylindrical portion 14b of the push ring 14 to pass toward the driven surface 24a of the locking claws 24. Here, in the receiving device 20, the inner edge of the tip of the receiving opening on the axial tip side of the locking claws 24 (right side in the figure) is formed by the inner edge of the tightening ring 23 and the inner edge of the claw seat 26. In the illustrated example, the inner dimension (inner diameter in the illustrated example) of the inner edge of the claw seat 26 on the axial base side (inner side, i.e., left side in the illustrated example) is smaller than the inner edge of the clamping ring 23 on the axial tip side (outer side, i.e., right side in the illustrated example).

[0024] In the conventional push-in type coupling 1 shown in Figure 2, the inner surface 14c of the push ring 14 is flat in the axial direction, and the outer surface 12a of the base end outer circumference 12 is also flat in the axial direction. Therefore, the difference between the outer dimension (outer diameter) of the base end outer circumference and the inner dimension (inner diameter) of the push ring 14 is constant in the axial direction. In this case, the range of angles in which the push ring 14 can be tilted is determined by the relationship between the above-mentioned difference in inner and outer dimensions and the length of the push ring 14 in the axial direction. The range of angles in which it can be tilted in this case is usually extremely narrow. To widen this range, the above-mentioned difference in inner and outer dimensions can be increased, or the above-mentioned length can be shortened. However, doing so would significantly increase the overall play, so the operability of the push ring 14 when releasing the coupling (when releasing the locking mechanism) would be severely impaired.

[0025] Next, with reference to Figure 1, the push-in type coupling 2 of this embodiment will be described. Note that for this push-in type coupling 2, parts that can be constructed identically to those of the push-in type coupling 1 shown in Figure 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. In this push-in type coupling 2, the outer circumferential surface 12a' of the base end outer circumferential portion 12' of the insert 10' has an inner edge accommodating groove 12d'. This inner edge accommodating groove 12d' is formed within the position range Rp of the push ring 15. That is, the inner edge accommodating groove 12d' is formed within the position range Rp where the push ring 15 can be positioned when it is located in a non-operating area for a locking mechanism such as a locking claw 24 within the slidable region on the insert 10. The formation position of the inner edge accommodating groove 12d' will be described later.

[0026] The push ring 15 of the push-in type coupling 2 has a structure substantially similar to that of the push ring 14, and has a flange portion 15a similar to the flange portion 14a of the push ring 14 and a cylindrical portion 15b similar to the cylindrical portion 14b. On the inner circumferential surface 15c on the inner circumference side of the cylindrical portion 15b, an auxiliary groove 15d is formed at a position adjacent to the tip side in the axial direction relative to the base edge (base inner edge) of the inner circumferential surface 15c to avoid contact with the outer circumferential surface 12a'. Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface 15c is flat in the axial direction except for the auxiliary groove 15d, and has a flat surface shape (cylindrical surface shape in the illustrated example) up to the tip inner edge. Note that in the push-in type coupling 2, the receiving member 20 can be constructed in exactly the same way as the receiving member 20 of the conventional push-in type coupling 1, so its explanation is omitted.

[0027] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the operation of the push ring 15 on the outer circumferential surface 12d' in the position range Rp of the insert 10' will be described. Here, the shape of the base end inner edge P1 provided at the base end of the push ring 15 in the direction of the axis 10x (hereinafter simply referred to as "axis direction") is, in the illustrated example, a circle with an inner radius (internal dimension) Ri = Ro + ΔR, which is the outer radius (external dimension) Ro of the outer circumferential surface 12a' of the base end outer circumferential part 12' of the insert 10' plus the difference in internal and external dimensions ΔR corresponding to the gap between the base end outer circumferential part 12' of the insert body and the push ring 15. On the other hand, the inner edge receiving groove 12d' has an outer radius (external dimension) that is smaller than the above outer radius (external dimension) Ro by a value within the groove depth. In the illustrated example, the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is an annular groove formed around the entire circumference around the axis 10x (hereinafter simply referred to as "around the axis").

[0028] On the other hand, as mentioned above, an auxiliary groove 15d is formed on the axial tip side of the push ring 15 near the base inner edge P1, thereby narrowing the axial width of the base inner edge P1. Although this auxiliary groove 15d is not an essential component, as will be described later, narrowing the axial width of the base inner edge P1 increases the depth to which the base inner edge P1 can be introduced into the inner edge receiving groove 12d′ and increases the axial engagement strength.

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3(a), when an external force F directed to the left is applied to the flange portion 15a on the lower side (angle region Y) of the push ring 15 due to contact with stairs, a floor-like step, etc., the presence of an internal-to-external dimension difference ΔR causes the push ring 15 to tilt to the right relative to the outer circumferential surface 12a' of the insert 10'. As a result, the portion of the inner edge P2 of the tip of the push ring 15 on the lower side (angle region Y) comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 12a', while the inner edge P1 of the base end on the upper side (angle region X) diagonally opposite to it approaches the outer circumferential surface 12a'. In the conventional structure shown in Figure 2, since the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is not formed, the portion of the base inner edge P1 on the upper side (angle region X) in the illustration comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 12a. However, in this embodiment, since the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is formed at a position where the portion of the base inner edge P1 on the upper side (angle region X) approaches, as shown in Figure 3(b), the base inner edge P1 enters and is accommodated inside the inner edge receiving groove 12d' without coming into contact with the outer circumferential surface 12a. Furthermore, when an external force F is applied to the flange portion 15a in the angular region Y from the axial base end to the axial tip end, even if the base inner edge P1 does not directly move into the inner edge receiving groove 12d' in the angular region X but instead contacts the outer circumferential surface 12a', if the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is provided on the axial tip side of the contacting outer circumferential surface 12a', then as the inclined push ring 15 moves toward the axial tip end due to the external force F, its base inner edge P1 will enter the inner edge receiving groove 12d', becoming engaged, and preventing it from moving further toward the axial tip end.

[0030] Figure 3(b), which shows an enlarged cross-section of the angular region X, shows the dashed line with the dotted line representing the outer shape near the base inner edge P1 when the push ring 15 with an inclination angle φ=0 is positioned coaxially with the base outer circumference 12' (i.e., assuming it is floating with an inner-outer dimension difference ΔR over the entire circumference around the axis). The double-dotted line represents the same outer shape when the push ring 15 is most inclined with respect to the outer surface 12a' (when the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is not formed). The solid line represents the same outer shape when the base inner edge P1 of the push ring 15 enters the inner edge receiving groove 12d', resulting in an even more inclined position than that shown by the double-dotted line. Due to the inclusion of the base inner edge P1 in the inner edge receiving groove 12d' in this angular region X, the inclination angle φ of the inclined push ring 15 becomes slightly larger than the inclination angle of the conventional push ring 15. Here, when the push ring 15 is tilted due to an external force F, if there is no auxiliary groove 15d near the base inner edge P1, the inner circumferential surface 15c at that location will come into contact with the groove edge 12e' on the axial end side of the inner edge housing groove 12d'. In contrast, by providing the auxiliary groove 15d, instead of the aforementioned location coming into contact with the groove edge 12e', a portion P4 located further axially towards the end comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 12a' on the axial end side of the inner edge housing groove 12d', thereby further increasing the tilt angle φ of the push ring 15. Therefore, by providing the auxiliary groove 15d, the inclination angle φ of the push ring 15 when the base inner edge P1 enters the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is slightly increased, and the portion between the base inner edge P1 and the groove edge P5 on the axial base side of the auxiliary groove 15d can engage more firmly with the inner edge receiving groove 12d', thereby more reliably preventing the push ring 15 from moving toward the axial tip. In this case, it is necessary that the groove width and groove depth of the inner edge receiving groove 12d' be sufficient to accommodate the axial length between the base inner edge P1 and the groove edge P5 on the axial base side of the auxiliary groove 15d.

[0031] Generally, the push ring 15 on the outer circumference 12' of the base end of the insert 10' is inclined relative to the outer surface 12a' due to the presence of the above-mentioned difference in inner and outer dimensions ΔR (=Ri-Ro), and the inclination angle φ at that time is considered to be in the range of 0.5-5 degrees, preferably in the range of 1-4 degrees, and more preferably in the range of 2-3 degrees. In this case, due to the inclination of the push ring 15, the inner edge P1 of the base end in angular region X is positioned on the base end side in the axial direction, and the inner edge P1 of the base end in angular region Y is positioned on the tip side in the axial direction. The amount of axial displacement ΔP between angular region X and angular region Y of the inner edge P1 of the base end is roughly determined by the above-mentioned outer dimension Ro, inner dimension Ri, difference in inner and outer dimensions ΔR, and inclination angle φ when the inclination angle φ is small.

[0032] Furthermore, while the axial groove width of the inner edge receiving groove 12d′ is not particularly limited, 1mm-3mm is preferable. If the groove width is smaller than this range, the increase in the tilt of the push ring 15 will be small, and it may not be possible to suppress the movement of the push ring 15 toward the axial end. Also, as will be described later, although it is related to the axial position of the inner edge receiving groove 21d′, by making the groove width such that it includes the reference formation position Pu to the standard formation position Pv, ​​it is possible to reliably prevent the movement of the push ring 15 regardless of the arrangement of the push ring 15. However, if the groove width is too large, it is likely to become an obstacle when operating the push ring 15, which may lead to a malfunction in releasing the push-in type coupling. From this point of view, it is desirable to keep the groove width within the above range, and to set the groove edge on the axial end side as the reference formation position Pu and the groove edge on the axial base end side as the standard formation position Pv. Furthermore, it is preferable to set the groove depth of the inner edge receiving groove 21d' within a range that does not reduce the strength of the insert body. In practice, to ensure sufficient strength, it is desirable to set the groove depth within a range where the base inner edge P1 and groove edge P5 do not bottom out.

[0033] In this embodiment, the inner edge receiving groove 21d' causes the inclination of the push ring 15 to be steeper than in the conventional structure. As a result, the proportion of the component force in the inclination direction that attempts to make the inclination of the push ring 15 even steeper increases compared to the axial component force that attempts to move the push ring 15 toward the axial end side of the external force F. Furthermore, even if the push ring 15 moves further toward the axial end side due to the external force F in the state shown in Figure 3, the portion near the base inner edge P1 located inside the inner edge receiving groove 12d' (in the illustrated example, the groove edge P5 of the auxiliary groove 15d) comes into contact with the groove edge 12e' on the axial end side of the inner edge receiving groove 12d'. Therefore, unless the inclination of the push ring 15 changes in a direction that reduces the inclination angle, the push ring 15 cannot move any further toward the axial end side.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional structure, viewed from the axial end side, obtained by cutting obliquely from the inner edge accommodating groove 12d′ in the angular region X around the axis to the point where the tip inner edge P2 abuts the outer circumferential surface 12a′ in the angular region Y around the axis, in the state shown in Figure 3. Here, in angular region X, the base inner edge P1 enters the inner edge accommodating groove 12d′ provided on the outer circumferential surface 12a′. On the other hand, in angular region Y, instead of the base inner edge P1 moving away from the outer circumferential surface 12a′ toward the outer circumferential side, the tip inner edge P2 abuts against the outer circumferential surface 12a′. Note that in Figure 4(a), the dashed line indicates the position of the inner circumferential surface 15c of the cylindrical portion 15b when a push ring 15 with an inclination angle φ=0 is arranged on the outer circumferential surface 12a′ with equal gaps over the entire angular range around the axis.

[0035] Figure 4(a) shows that, in the case where the base inner edge P1 of the push ring 15 is circular around the axis 10x, the angular range Rx in which the base inner edge P1 is positioned inside the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is shown to extend on both sides around the axis with the angular region X as the center. As shown in Figure 4(b), in this embodiment, it can be seen that the base inner edge P1 of the push ring 15, which was in the same position as the inner circumferential surface 15c, is positioned inside the inner edge receiving groove 12d' which is inside the outer circumferential surface 12a'. Furthermore, in order to prevent unintended movement of the push ring 15 toward the tip in the axial direction and to prevent the release of the coupling between the insert 10' and the receiving part 20 due to malfunction of the push ring 15, as described above, the push ring 15 in an inclined position must not only have its base inner edge P1 enter the interior of the inner edge housing groove 12d' and a portion near the base inner edge P1 engage with the inner edge housing groove 12d' (the stepped portion of it) in the angular range Rx centered on the angular region X, but also have its tip outer edge P3 in the angular region Y of the push ring 15 positioned at the tip limit position Ps in the above position range Rp, or at a position axially toward the base end (right side in the figure) than this tip limit position Ps. In this case, the inner edge receiving groove 12d' must be positioned at a location that is at least L+ΔP away from the tip limit position Ps, on the base end side (right side in the figure) in the axial direction, by the sum of the length L of the push ring 15 in the axial direction and the amount of displacement ΔP of the base end inner edge P1 between the angular region X and the angular region Y due to the inclined posture of the push ring 15.

[0036] On the other hand, when an external force F is applied to the flange portion 15a in the angular region Y of the push ring 15, it is desirable that the inner edge receiving groove 12d' be positioned at a location somewhat axially toward the tip side with respect to the base end limit position Pk, so that the base end inner edge P1 in the angular region X does not pass over the inner edge receiving groove 12d' and move toward the tip side in the axial direction before the push ring 15 transitions to the above-mentioned inclined position. This is also true when the base end inner edge P1 of the push ring 15 is initially positioned at a location significantly axially toward the tip side of the base end limit position Pk, and therefore, even when an external force is applied, the push ring 15 operates independently of the inner edge receiving groove 12d' because the base end inner edge P1 is already positioned axially toward the tip side of the inner edge receiving groove 12d' before being subjected to an external force. In other words, regardless of where the push ring 15 is positioned within the position range Rp, it is desirable that its base inner edge P1 be positioned axially towards the base end than the position where the inner edge receiving groove 12d′ is formed.

[0037] In order to ensure that the above-mentioned effects of the inner edge receiving groove 12d' are always obtained regardless of where the push ring 15 is positioned within the position range Rp, as described above, the inner edge receiving groove 12d' should be provided at a reference formation position (Pu) moved L+ΔP toward the base end from the tip limit position Ps. In this case, when an external force F is applied, the base end inner edge P1 of the push ring 15 enters the inner edge receiving groove 12d, and the portion near the base end inner edge P1 stops moving further toward the tip. As a result, the tip outer edge P3 of the push ring 15 will not exceed the tip limit position Ps, and therefore, the release operation will not occur. However, in reality, before the external force F is applied, the tip outer edge P3 of the push ring 15 does not reach the tip limit position Ps, and the illustrated tip standard position Pt becomes the actual limit of reach toward the tip. This standard tip position Pt is the position where the outer edge P3 (dotted line in the illustration) of the tip of the push ring 15, assuming an inclination angle φ=0 and a gap of inner-outer dimension difference ΔR around the entire circumference relative to the outer circumferential surface 12a', contacts and stops against the receiving device 20 (a locking mechanism such as a locking claw 24 in the illustrated example). Using this standard tip position Pt as a reference, if the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is formed at a position axially away from the base end by L+ΔP, which is the sum of the axial length L of the push ring 15 and the amount of displacement ΔP of the base end inner edge P1 between angular region X and angular region Y due to the inclined posture of the push ring 15, then even if the push ring 15 is positioned near the receiving device 20 for some reason, its base end inner edge P1 will almost always fit into the inner edge receiving groove 12d'. Therefore, if the inner edge accommodating groove 12d' is formed between a reference formation position Pu, which is L+ΔP toward the base end with respect to the tip limit position Ps within the position range Rp, and a standard formation position Pv, ​​which is L+ΔP toward the base end with respect to the tip standard position Pt, then the effects of the inner edge accommodating groove 12d' can be obtained almost always, regardless of where the push ring 15 is positioned within the position range Rp. It is preferable that the inner edge accommodating groove 21d' includes both the reference formation position Pu and the standard formation position Pv, ​​and it is desirable that it be formed from the reference formation position Pu to the standard formation position Pv. Furthermore, multiple inner edge accommodating grooves 21d' may be provided in a range that includes both the reference formation position Pu and the standard formation position Pv, ​​or they may be formed from the reference formation position Pu to the standard formation position Pv.

[0038] In the embodiment described above, when the push ring 15 is positioned on the outer peripheral surface 12a' of the base end outer peripheral portion 12' of the insert 10' within a position range Rp in which it does not perform a release function for the locking mechanism, such as disengaging the locking claw 24 for releasing the coupling state with the receiver 20 from the locking step portion 11b, an inner edge accommodating groove 12d' is formed on the axial base end side from a reference forming position Pu which has moved L+ΔP or more toward the base end side with respect to the axial tip limit position Ps of the position range Rp. As a result, when an external force F is received in the angular region Y, the base end inner edge P1 of the push ring 15 is accommodated in the inner edge accommodating groove 12d' in the angular region X. This increases the inclination angle φ of the inclined posture of the push ring 15, and the portion near the tip side of the base end inner edge P1 of the push ring 15 can be locked into the step portion on the tip side of the inner edge accommodating groove 12d', thereby preventing the push ring 15 from moving any further toward the tip side in the axial direction. At this time, due to the difference (i.e., difference in curvature) between the outer radius (outer dimension) of the outer surface 12a' and the inner radius (inner dimension) of the base inner edge P1 of the push ring 15, the base inner edge P1 of the push ring 15 engages axially with the base-side outer surface 12' via the inner edge receiving groove 12d' over an angular range Rx around an axis centered on the angular region X of the base inner edge P1. Thus, movement of the push ring 15 toward the axial end is reliably prevented.

[0039] Due to the effects described above, by forming an inner edge receiving groove 12d' on a part of the outer peripheral surface 12a', the possibility of the push ring 15 on the base end outer peripheral portion 12' being accidentally released by an external force F is reduced. In particular, in this embodiment, since an auxiliary groove 15d is formed on the tip side of the base end inner edge P1 that is accommodated in the inner edge receiving groove 12d', the base end inner edge P1 enters a deeper position relative to the inner edge receiving groove 12d'. As a result, the inclination angle of the inclined posture of the push ring 15 is further increased, further suppressing movement toward the tip in the axial direction, and the locking action of the base end inner edge P1 by the inner edge receiving groove 12d' is also made more reliable.

[0040] Figure 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view when using the push ring 16 of the second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, the push ring 16 does not have an auxiliary groove 15d, and is equipped with a flange portion 16a and a cylindrical portion 16b, and has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 16c. In this embodiment, the insert 10' (base end side outer circumference 12', outer circumference 12a') is the same as in the first embodiment. However, the inner edge receiving groove 12d'' differs from the inner edge receiving groove 12d'' of the first embodiment in that it has a cross-sectional shape in which the inner surface opens in a V-shape both in the axial direction from the flat inner bottom portion.

[0041] In this embodiment, although the auxiliary groove 15d is not provided, the point in which the base inner edge P1 is accommodated in the inner edge receiving groove 12d'' when the flange portion 16a receives an external force F and the push ring 16 tilts is the same as in the first embodiment. As a result, the tilt angle φ of the push ring 16 increases, and as shown in Figure 5(b), the portion Px near the base inner edge P1 engages with the groove edge 12e'' of the inner edge receiving groove 12d'', thus preventing the push ring 16 from moving toward the axial end due to the external force F. Note that matters described in the first embodiment that are unrelated to the presence or absence of the auxiliary groove 15d can be applied as is to this embodiment.

[0042] Figures 6-9 show the shape of the insertion tool body and the push ring of the third embodiment. This third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that the inner edge receiving groove is formed in a V-shape in cross-section, but the basic operation and effect are the same. Here, in the third embodiment shown in Figures 6-9, the cross-sectional shape of the inner edge receiving groove may be changed to a square shape or an arc shape, etc. The dashed lines indicate that the insert-type coupling can take various forms depending on the model. Furthermore, the surface of the flange portion of the push ring on the axial base end side has a pattern of indentations and recesses that indicate multiple pressing points around the axis to guide the position when applying force to the flange portion when releasing the coupling state between the insertion tool and the receiving tool. By forming this pattern of indentations and recesses on the flange portion, the pressure points are limited, making it easier to apply pressure to the push ring straight in the axial direction, and ensuring that the release operation can be performed reliably. In the illustrated example, the above-mentioned uneven pattern forms eight semicircular recesses around the axis, and the coupling can be easily released by applying pressure with both thumbs to two of these diagonally opposite recesses. In each embodiment, by simply providing inner edge receiving grooves 12d' and 12d'' in the base-side region of the base-side outer circumference 12', the push rings 15 and 16 can be securely stopped in an inclined position, thus preventing the coupling from being unintentionally released.

[0043] It should be noted that the insert and plug-in coupling according to the present invention are not limited to the illustrated examples described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in each of the above embodiments, only a single inner edge receiving groove is formed on the outer circumference of the base end, but other inner edge receiving grooves may be formed at front and rear positions in the axial direction, resulting in a configuration in which multiple inner edge receiving grooves are repeatedly formed in the axial direction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1,2…Insert type coupling, 10,10′…Insertion, 10a…Insertion opening, 11…Tip cylindrical part, 11a…Outer circumference, 11b…Locking step, 11p…Tip outer edge, 11q…Base outer edge, 12,12′…Base side outer circumference, 12a,12a′…Outer circumference, 12d′,12d″…Inner edge housing groove, 12e′,12e″…Groove edge, Ro…Outer dimension, 13…Retaining ring, 14,15,16…Pressing ring, 15a,16a…Flange, 15b,16b…Cylindrical part, 15c,16c…Inner circumference, P1…Base inner edge, P2…Tip inner edge, P3…Tip outer edge (external force receiving side; Y), P4…Tip beyond inner edge housing groove Px...Part that contacts the outer circumferential surface on the side, Ps...Nearby part that engages with the inner edge housing groove near the base end inner edge, Pk...Tip limit position, X...Angular region on the base end side, Y...Angular region on the tip side, φ...Inclination angle, Ro...Outer dimension of the outer circumferential part (outer circumferential surface) on the base end side, Ri...Inner dimension of the push ring (inner circumferential surface), ΔR...Difference between inner and outer dimensions, L...Length in the axial direction, Rp...Position range, Rx...Angular range in which the base end inner edge of the push ring and the inner edge housing groove engage, 20...Receiver, 22...Receiver body, 23...Clamping ring, 24...Locking claw, 25...Leaf spring, 26...Claw seat, 27...Protective member, 28...Packing

Claims

1. The insert (10') comprises an insert body (11, 12') and a push ring (15, 16), The insert is a push-in type coupling joint, configured such that the insert is inserted into and coupled to a receiving member (20), and the coupling of the insert to the receiving member is released by pushing the push ring towards the receiving member, The push ring is mounted so as to be slidable in the axial direction on the outer circumferential surface (12a') of the insertion body, and has an inner circumferential surface (15c, 16c) that has an inner-outer dimension difference (ΔR) relative to the outer circumferential surface necessary to allow the push ring to be inclined with respect to the axis of the insertion body within the position range (Rp) of the push ring in which the coupling state is not released. The outer circumferential surface is such that when the push ring is in an inclined position within the position range, the inner edge of the base end of the push ring (P １ A plug-in type coupling fitting, characterized in that it has an inner edge receiving groove (12d', 12d'') capable of accommodating an angular region (Rx) located towards the base end due to the inclined posture, and the outer circumferential surface within the position range is configured to be flat along the axis except for the inner edge receiving groove.

2. The inner edge receiving groove (12d', 12d'') is provided within a range from a reference forming position (Pu), which is moved axially towards the base end by the sum of the axial length (L) of the push ring and the amount of axial forward and backward positional displacement (ΔP) when the push ring is in an inclined position (L + ΔP), to the base end limit position (Pk) within the position range (Rp), A plug-in connector for a plug-in type coupling as described in claim 1.

3. The inner edge receiving groove (12d', 12d'') is formed from the reference formation position (Pu) to the outer peripheral surface (12a') of the push ring (15, 16) in a state where there is a gap of inner-outer dimension difference (ΔR) around the entire circumference of the axis, with respect to the outer peripheral surface (12a'). ３ It is provided between the tip standard position (Pt), which is the position where the ) contacts the receiving member (20), and the standard forming position (Pv), which is moved axially towards the base end by the sum of the above (L + ΔP). The insert fitting for the plug-in type coupling according to claim 2.

4. The inner edge receiving groove is a single groove extending around the axis. A plug-in connector for a plug-in type coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The inner edge receiving groove is an annular groove that extends around the entire circumference of the axis. A plug-in connector for a plug-in type coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. An auxiliary groove is provided on the tip side of the angular region of the base end inner edge of the push ring, which is housed in the inner edge housing groove, to avoid contact with the portion of the outer circumferential surface located on the tip side of the inner edge housing groove. A plug-in connector for a plug-in type coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A plug-in type coupling comprising the insert and the receiving member as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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