Connecting members and connecting structures

Abstract

To provide connecting members and connecting structures that enable easy connection of pipes even in confined workspaces. [Solution] A connecting member 100 for connecting a first piping member 10 and a second piping member 20, comprising: an engaging portion 31 that can be assembled from the side to the end of the first piping member 10; a pair of locking claws 32 that extend from both sides of the engaging portion 31 and can lock onto a flange portion 21 provided at the end of the second piping member 20; and a rib 33 formed on the engaging portion 31 that abuts against the end face 20a of the second piping member 20 when the locking claws 32 are locked onto the flange portion 21.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting member and a connecting structure. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] For example, in a water heater, as a structure for connecting a pipe to a joint, there is a technique in which a locking member such as a metal quick fastener or pin fastener is fitted from the side to the joint portion where the pipe is inserted into the fitting portion of the joint, so as to fix the joint and the pipe (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this connecting structure, compared with, for example, a screw-in type connecting structure in which a female thread is formed on the fitting portion of the joint and a male thread is formed on the end of the pipe, threading work can be eliminated, and the connection workability can be improved.

[0003] There is also known a connecting structure in which by inserting a pipe into a joint having a pair of engaging portions, the engaging claws of the engaging portions of the joint are locked to the flange at the end of the pipe to maintain the connected state (see, for example, Patent Document 2). PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENT 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-50433 PATENT DOCUMENT 2 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-210967 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] Incidentally, in a connecting structure using a locking member such as a quick fastener or a pin fastener, it is necessary to move the pipe in the axial direction to insert it into the joint, and then assemble the locking member from the side to the joint portion between the joint and the pipe. For this reason, in a narrow work space such as the inside of a water heater, it has been necessary to move the pipe and the locking member in different directions relative to the joint to connect the pipe to the joint.

[0006] Furthermore, in a connecting structure where a pair of engaging parts on a joint engage with the flange of a pipe, the engaging parts of a separate component must be fixed to the joint by welding or other means, leading to increased costs. Moreover, in this connecting structure, a special jig was required to release the connection by opening the engaging parts that were engaged with the pipe flange and releasing the engagement of the flange by the engaging claws.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a connecting member and a connecting structure that can easily connect pipes even in a confined workspace. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the connecting member of the present invention is a connecting member for connecting a first piping member and a second piping member, and comprises: an engaging portion that can be assembled from the side to the end of the first piping member; a pair of locking claws that extend from both sides of the engaging portion and can lock onto a flange portion provided at the end of the second piping member; and a contact portion formed on the engaging portion that abuts against the end face of the second piping member when the locking claws are locked onto the flange portion.

[0009] With this configuration of connecting member, by assembling the engaging portion, the first piping member to which the connecting member is attached is connected to the second piping member, causing the locking claw of the connecting member to engage with the flange portion of the second piping member. This allows the first and second piping members to be maintained connected by the connecting member. In other words, the first and second piping members can be easily connected by axial movement alone, and the connection work can be performed smoothly even in narrow workspaces such as the inside of a water heater. Furthermore, since the contact portion of the connecting member contacts the end face of the second piping member, it prevents the first piping member from being inserted too far into the second piping member, thus avoiding damage caused by interference when connecting the first and second piping members.

[0010] Furthermore, in the connecting member of the present invention, the engaging portion may have a locking piece on the opposite side of the contact portion that contacts the end face of the second piping member in a state in which the locking claw to the flange portion is locked.

[0011] With this configuration of the connecting member, the locking piece of the connecting member abuts against the end face of the second piping member, thereby further preventing the first piping member from being inserted too far into the second piping member, and thus avoiding damage caused by interference when connecting the first and second piping members.

[0012] Furthermore, in the connecting member of the present invention, the locking claw may have a lever piece that releases the locking state of the flange portion when pressed.

[0013] With this configuration of the connecting member, pressing the lever piece releases the locking of the flange portion by the locking claw, making it easy to disconnect the first piping member and the second piping member.

[0014] Furthermore, the connecting structure of the present invention is a connecting structure in which a first piping member and a second piping member are connected by the above-mentioned connecting member, wherein the first piping member is connected to the second piping member in a state in which it is fitted into a fitting recess formed at the end of the second piping member, and a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the fitting recess of the second piping member and the end surface of the first piping member.

[0015] With this connecting structure, by assembling the engaging portion, the connecting member attached to the first piping member is connected to the second piping member, causing the locking claw of the connecting member to engage with the flange portion of the second piping member. This allows the first and second piping members to be maintained connected by the connecting member. Furthermore, since a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the fitting recess of the second piping member and the end surface of the first piping member when the first and second piping members are connected, damage due to interference between the bottom surface of the fitting recess and the end surface of the first piping member can be avoided.

[0016] Further, in the coupling structure of the present invention, the first pipe member may have an engagement recess extending in the circumferential direction, and the engagement portion of the coupling member may be engaged with the engagement recess in the first pipe member to restrict axial movement thereof.

[0017] According to the coupling structure of this configuration, the coupled state between the first pipe member and the second pipe member can be maintained in a stable state by the coupling member that is assembled to the first pipe member and whose axial movement is restricted. Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, there are provided a coupling member and a coupling structure that allow pipes to be easily coupled even in a narrow working space. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first pipe member and the second pipe member coupled by the coupling member according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the first pipe member side. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first pipe member and the second pipe member coupled by the coupling member according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the second pipe member side. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first pipe member and the second pipe member coupled by the coupling member according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the lower side on the first pipe member side. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the first pipe member and the second pipe member coupled by the coupling member according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the first pipe member and the second pipe member coupled by the coupling member according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first pipe member, the second pipe member, and the coupling member. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the coupling member. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the first pipe member and the coupling member for describing the mounting of the coupling member to the first pipe member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first piping member to which the connecting member is attached. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first piping member and the second piping member for explaining a method of connecting the first piping member and the second piping member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first piping member, the second piping member, and the connecting member for explaining a method of releasing the connection between the first piping member and the second piping member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a connecting member according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a connecting member according to another embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first piping member and the second piping member connected by the connecting member 100 according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the first piping member 10 side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first piping member and the second piping member connected by the connecting member 100 according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the second piping member 20 side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first piping member and the second piping member connected by the connecting member 100 according to the present embodiment, as viewed from below on the first piping member 10 side. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first piping member and the second piping member connected by the connecting member 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the first piping member and the second piping member connected by the connecting member 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first piping member 10, the second piping member 20, and the connecting member 100. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connecting member 100.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the connecting member 100 according to the present embodiment is a member that connects the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20.

[0022] In this example, the first piping member 10 is made of a pipe, and the second piping member 20 is a joint that connects the first piping member 10, which is made of a pipe, to another pipe. The second piping member 20 may be another pipe to which the first piping member 10 is connected.

[0023] The first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 are installed inside a device such as a water heater and connected by a connecting member 100. As a result, the piping made up of the first piping member 10 and the piping made up of other pipes connected by the second piping member 20 are in communication with each other, and cold water or hot water is passed through them.

[0024] The first piping member 10 has a mounting groove 11 and an engaging recess 12 at its end, starting from the side connected to the second piping member 20. These mounting grooves 11 and engaging recesses 12 are each formed in an annular shape extending in the circumferential direction. An O-ring 13 is fitted into the mounting groove 11.

[0025] The second piping member 20 has a flange portion 21 and a fitting recess 22 at its end, in order from the side connected to the first piping member 20. The inner diameter of the second piping member 20, where the fitting recess 22 is formed, is widened at its end. The end of the first piping member 10, with an O-ring 13 fitted in the mounting groove 11, can be fitted into the fitting recess 22 of the second piping member 20. When the first piping member 10 is fitted into the fitting recess 22 of the second piping member 20, the O-ring 13 of the first piping member 10 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fitting recess 22. As a result, the space between the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 is sealed by the O-ring 13.

[0026] The connecting member 100 has an engaging portion 31, a pair of locking claws 32, and a rib (contact portion) 33. The connecting member 100 is integrally molded from synthetic resin. This connecting member 100 is attached to the end of the first piping member 10 and locks the second piping member 20 to which the first piping member 10 is connected.

[0027] The engaging portion 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with an opening 41 in a part of its circumferential direction. The two edges of the engaging portion 31 that form the opening 41 extend substantially parallel to each other, and these two edges serve as locking pieces 42.

[0028] The engaging portion 31 has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the engaging recess 12 of the first piping member 10. Furthermore, the spacing between the locking pieces 42 of the engaging portion 31 is smaller than the outer diameter of the engaging recess 12 of the first piping member 10. In addition, the axial length of the engaging portion 31 is approximately the same as the axial length of the engaging recess 12 of the first piping member 10.

[0029] A pair of locking claws 32 are provided on both sides of the engaging portion 31, which is substantially cylindrical, with the axial center of the engaging portion 31 in between. Each locking claw 32 has a projection 45 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the engaging portion 31, and an extended portion 46 that extends from the projection 45 toward one end 31a of the engaging portion 31, with each extended portion 46 protruding from one end 31a of the engaging portion 31. In addition, each locking claw 32 has a claw portion 47 that protrudes inward at the end of its extended portion 46.

[0030] The ribs 33 are integrally formed on the outer circumference of the engaging portion 31. In this example, three ribs 33 are provided at intervals on the outer circumference of the engaging portion 31, and each extends in the axial direction. The ribs 33 extend from one end 31a of the engaging portion 31 to just before the other end 31b of the engaging portion 31. The rib 33 has a contact surface 33a on the side of the engaging portion 31a, and this contact surface 33a is flush with the end face of the one end 31a of the engaging portion 31. Note that there may be one or any other number of ribs 33 provided on the engaging portion 31, and the ribs 33 may extend from one end 31a to the other end 31b of the engaging portion 31.

[0031] In this embodiment, a rib 33 has been described as one embodiment of the contact portion of the present invention, but the contact portion may have a shape other than a rib shape. For example, a fan-shaped flange with a slit in between. In other words, in this embodiment, the rib 33, which prevents the first piping member 10 from penetrating too far into the second piping member 20, extends in the direction of the piping axis, also to prevent the elasticity of the engaging portion 31 when it tries to fit into the engaging recess 12. Therefore, various shapes can be applied as long as they do not hinder elasticity.

[0032] Next, the procedure for connecting and disconnecting the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 using the connecting member 100 will be described. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the first piping member 10 and the connecting member 100 illustrating the attachment of the connecting member 100 to the first piping member 10. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first piping member 10 with the connecting member 100 attached. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 illustrating how to connect the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the first piping member 10, the second piping member 20 and the connecting member 100 illustrating how to disconnect the connection between the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20.

[0033] (Attachment of connecting members) To attach the connecting member 100 to the first piping member 10, as shown in Figure 8, the connecting member 100 is positioned with the opening 41 of the engaging portion 31 facing the engaging recess 12 of the first piping member 10. From this position, the connecting member 100 is brought closer to the first piping member 10 from the side (see arrow A in Figure 8), and the engaging recess 12 of the first piping member 10 is aligned with the opening 41 of the engaging portion 31. Then, the connecting member 100 is pushed toward the first piping member 10. As a result, the engaging portion 31 of the connecting member 100 elastically deforms so that its opening 41 is pushed open by the first piping member 10.

[0034] Furthermore, by pushing the connecting member 100 toward the first piping member 10, the locking piece 42 constituting the opening 41 of the engaging portion 31 overcomes the first piping member 10, and the elastically deformed engaging portion 31 returns to its original state to close the opening 41. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, the engaging portion 31 of the connecting member 100 is assembled from the side into the engaging recess 12 of the first piping member 10, and the connecting member 100 is attached to the first piping member 10. The connecting member 100 assembled in the engaging recess 12 in this way is attached to the first piping member 10 with its engaging portion 31 restricted from moving in the axial direction.

[0035] (Connection between the first piping member and the second piping member) As shown in Figure 10, the end of the first piping member 10, to which the connecting member 100 is attached, is moved toward the end of the second piping member 20 (see arrow B in Figure 10). When this is done, the end of the first piping member 10 is fitted into the fitting recess 22 of the second piping member 20, and the claw portion 47 of the locking claw 32 of the connecting member 100 comes into contact with the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20, causing the locking claw 32 to elastically deform so that it is pushed open. Furthermore, by pushing the first piping member 10 toward the second piping member 20, the claw portion 47 of the locking claw 32 overcomes the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20, and the elastically deformed locking claw 32 returns to its original state so that it closes. As a result, the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20 is locked by the claw portion 47 of the locking claw 32 of the connecting member 100. Therefore, the connecting member 100 maintains the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 in a connected state (see Figures 1 and 5, etc.).

[0036] Furthermore, when the locking claw 32 of the second piping member 20 is locked to the flange portion 21, the rib 33 formed on the engaging portion 31 of the connecting member 100 has its contact surface 33a in contact with the end face 20a of the second piping member 20. Similarly, when the locking claw 32 of the second piping member 20 is locked to the flange portion 21, the locking piece 42 located on the opposite side of the rib 33 with the axial center of the engaging portion 31 in between contacts the end face 20a of the second piping member 20. As a result, the movement of the first piping member 10 in the connection direction to the second piping member 20 is restricted, and a gap G is formed between the bottom surface 22a of the fitting recess 22 of the second piping member 20 and the end face 10a of the first piping member 10 (see Figure 5).

[0037] (Disconnection of the first piping member and the second piping member) To release the connection between the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20, the connecting member 100, which is attached to the first piping member 10 and locks onto the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20, is removed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the connecting member 100 is pulled away in the opposite direction to when it was attached to the first piping member 10 (see arrow C in Figure 11). To explain in more detail with reference to Figure 9, with the connecting member 100 attached to the first piping member 10 as shown in Figures 9 and 11, the connecting member 100 is pulled away from the first piping member 10 by pushing the tip of the locking piece 42 (the lower end in Figures 9 and 11) from bottom to top. At this time, the claw portion 47 of the locking claw 32 of the connecting member 100 comes out upward without getting caught on the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20. This releases the locking of the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20 by the locking claw 32 of the connecting member 100. Subsequently, by moving the first piping member 10 axially away from the second piping member 20, the end of the first piping member 10 is pulled out of the fitting recess 22 of the second piping member 20. This releases the connection between the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20.

[0038] As described above, according to the connecting member 100 and connecting structure of this embodiment, by assembling the engaging portion 31, the first piping member 10 to which the connecting member 100 is attached is connected to the second piping member 20, and the locking claw 32 of the connecting member 100 locks onto the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20. This allows the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 to be maintained in a state of being connected by the connecting member 100. In other words, the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 can be easily connected by axial movement alone, and the connection work can be performed smoothly even in narrow workspaces such as the inside of a water heater. Furthermore, since the rib 33 of the connecting member 100 abuts against the end face 20a of the second piping member 20, it is possible to prevent the first piping member 10 from being inserted too far into the second piping member 20, thus avoiding damage due to interference when connecting the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20.

[0039] Furthermore, the engaging portion 31 has a locking piece 42 on the opposite side of the rib 33 that abuts against the end face 20a of the second piping member 20 when the locking claw 32 to the flange portion 21 is locked. Therefore, since the locking piece 42 of the connecting member 100 abuts against the end face 20a of the second piping member 20, it is possible to further suppress over-insertion of the first piping member 10 into the second piping member 20 and avoid damage caused by interference when connecting the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20.

[0040] Furthermore, in a connecting structure in which the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 are connected by a connecting member 100, the engaging portion 31 of the connecting member 100 engages with the engaging recess 12 in the first piping member 10, thereby restricting its axial movement. Therefore, the connecting member 100, which is assembled to the first piping member 10 and whose axial movement is restricted, can maintain a stable connection between the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20.

[0041] Next, a connecting member according to another embodiment will be described. Note that components identical to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the connecting member 200 according to another embodiment. Figure 13 is a plan view of the connecting member 200 according to another embodiment.

[0042] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the connecting member 200 has a locking claw 51 with a locking release function. The locking claw 51 has a projection 52 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the engaging portion 31, a locking release lever portion 53 connected to the projection 52, and an extended portion 54 that extends from one end 31a of the engaging portion 31 on the locking release lever portion 53. The ends of the extended portion 54 each have claw portions 55 that protrude inward.

[0043] The locking release lever portion 53 has a support piece 61 extending from the protruding portion 52 toward one end 31a of the engaging portion 31, and a lever piece 62 that is folded back at the end of the support piece 61 and extends toward the other end 31b of the engaging portion 31. This lever piece 62 has a hemispherical projection 62a that protrudes toward the support piece 61. The support piece 61 also has a restricting piece 63 that protrudes from the protruding portion 52 toward the other end 31b of the locking portion 31.

[0044] In the case of this connecting member 200 as well, when the end of the first piping member 10 to which the connecting member 200 is attached is fitted into the fitting recess 22 of the second piping member 20, the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20 is locked by the claw portion 55 of the locking claw 51 of the connecting member 200. Therefore, the connecting member 200 maintains the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 in a connected state.

[0045] Furthermore, when releasing the connection between the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20, the rear ends of the lever pieces 62 of the locking release lever portion 53 are pinched from both sides of the connecting member 200 and pressed inward toward each other. As a result, the lever pieces 62 are displaced toward the support piece 61, the projection 62a comes into contact with the support piece 61, and the entire locking release lever portion 53 swings with this contact point as a fulcrum, causing the extended portion 54 having the claw portion 55 to be displaced outward. This releases the locking of the flange portion 21 of the second piping member 20 by the claw portion 55.

[0046] In this state, by moving the first piping member 10 away from the second piping member 20, the end of the first piping member 10 is pulled out of the fitting recess 22 of the second piping member 20, and the connection between the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 is released.

[0047] Furthermore, in the connecting member 200, when the rear end of the lever piece 62 of the locking release lever portion 53 is pinched and pressed inward toward each other, the lever piece 62 is displaced toward the support piece 61, causing the lever piece 62 to come into contact with the regulating piece 63. In other words, the swinging of the lever piece 62 is restricted by the regulating piece 63, thereby suppressing excessive swinging of the lever piece 62 and preventing damage to the lever piece 62.

[0048] Thus, with the connecting member 200, pressing the lever piece 62 of the locking release lever portion 53 releases the locking of the flange portion 21 by the locking claw 51, making it easy to disconnect the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20.

[0049] In addition, the connecting member 200 may also be removed from the first piping member 10 by pulling it away in the opposite direction to when it was attached to the first piping member 10, similar to the connecting member 100. After removing the connecting member 200 from the first piping member 10, the first piping member 10 is moved along the axial direction away from the second piping member 20, causing the end of the first piping member 10 to be pulled out of the fitting recess 22 of the second piping member 20, thereby releasing the connection between the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20.

[0050] As described above, with the connecting member 200, if it becomes necessary to separate the first piping member 10 and the second piping member 20 which are interconnected in a confined workspace, the connection can be released either in the direction of the piping axis or perpendicular to the piping axis, thus increasing the options for how to release the connection. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10. First piping member 10a end face 12 Engagement recess 20 Second piping member 20a end face 21 Flange section 22 Fitting recess 22a Bottom 31 Engaging part 32,51 Locking claws 33 Rib (contact area) 42 Locking piece 62 Lever pieces 100,200 Connecting members G Gap

Claims

1. A connecting member for connecting a first piping member and a second piping member, The end of the first piping member has an engaging portion that can be assembled from the side, A pair of locking claws extending from both sides of the engagement portion and capable of engaging the flange portion provided at the end of the second piping member, A contact portion formed in the engagement portion and in contact with the end face of the second piping member when the locking claw is engaged with the flange portion, Having, Connecting member.

2. The engaging portion has a locking piece on the opposite side of the contact portion that contacts the end face of the second piping member when the locking claw is locked to the flange portion. A connecting member as described in claim 1.

3. The locking claw has a lever piece that, when pressed, releases the locking state of the flange portion. The connecting member according to claim 1.

4. A connecting structure in which the first piping member and the second piping member are connected by a connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The first piping member is connected to the second piping member in a state in which it is fitted into a fitting recess formed at the end of the second piping member. A gap is formed between the bottom surface of the fitting recess of the second piping member and the end surface of the first piping member. Connected structure.

5. The first piping member has an engagement recess extending in the circumferential direction, and the engagement portion of the connecting member engages with the engagement recess in the first piping member, thereby restricting its axial movement. The connecting structure according to claim 4.

Images