Coupler fittings

Abstract

To provide a coupler pipe joint that uses a stator to firmly and reliably lock a nipple and can suppress friction and damage during insertion and removal. [Solution] The coupler pipe fitting comprises a cylindrical coupler pipe fitting body (10) through which water can pass, a nipple (40) inserted into one end of the body, a cylindrical stator (12) that secures the nipple (40) to the body, a ring-shaped sleeve (20) that presses against the stator, and a spring (30) that biases the sleeve. The pipe wall of the coupler part (10y) is formed with a stator hole (10b) and a guide groove (10b1) that accommodate the stator so that it can move back and forth within the pipe, and the shaft (12a) of the stator (12) is accommodated in the guide groove, allowing it to move back and forth and rotate. The circumferential surface of the stator (12) makes line contact with the recess on the outer periphery of the nipple (40), enabling a secure and firm engagement.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a pipe fitting for detachably connecting pipes that are connected to each other in a fluid piping system, and in particular to a coupler pipe fitting that uses a stator and has a configuration in which a nipple to be connected can be detachably engaged by operating a sleeve.

[0002] A structure known as a coupler has been widely used as a pipe joint for detachably connecting pipes in fluid piping. For example, a known structure of this type of coupler pipe joint is a ball-lock type in which, when the socket and plug are mated, a spherical locking element (a so-called ball) is engaged and locked into a locking groove provided on the outer periphery of the plug, and then a sleeve is slid to press the ball and maintain the fixed state (Prior Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Jikko 62-24878 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional ball-lock coupler pipe fittings typically use a spherical ball as the locking member, which is housed in a tapered hole and engages with a locking groove in the plug. However, because the contact between the ball and the locking groove is point contact, there is a limit to the locking force, and the load is concentrated at the connection point, making it prone to rattle and causing the locking state to become unstable due to vibration or impact.

[0005] Furthermore, in the case of the spherical locking elements (balls) that engage the socket and plug, the locking function is prone to decline due to wear of the contacting parts (sleeve, ball, tapered hole, locking groove) caused by abrasion and repeated loads due to frequent use. To eliminate this wear due to point contact, it is necessary to increase the number of ball-shaped stators used, but increasing the number of ball-shaped stators reduces the strength of the socket material, adversely affecting function in inverse proportion to the number of locking elements.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a coupler pipe fitting that can reliably and firmly lock the nipple, is less likely to damage the connected member during insertion and removal operations, and can reduce resistance during insertion and removal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the coupler fitting according to the present invention comprises a tubular coupler fitting body through which water can pass, a tubular nipple inserted into one end of the coupler fitting body, a plurality of stators for fixing the nipple to the coupler fitting body, a ring-shaped sleeve fitted onto the coupler fitting body to press the stators, and a spring fitted onto the coupler fitting body to urge the sleeve to a predetermined position, the coupler fitting body having a connecting tubular portion at the other end and having the nipple fixed to one end. a coupler section having a stator hole formed in the pipe wall of the coupler section, the stator being accommodated in the pipe so that it can move back and forth; a recess with which the stator can engage being formed in the outer peripheral surface of the nipple; the sleeve being attached so as to be movable in the axial direction of the coupler section; and the stator engaging and disengaging with the recess in the nipple by movement of the sleeve, the coupler pipe fitting is characterized in that the stator is cylindrical, and its circumferential surface engages with the recess in the nipple by line contact.

[0008] With a coupler pipe joint configured in this manner, a cylindrical member is used as the stator, and the circumferential surface of the stator is engaged with the recess of the nipple through line contact, thereby increasing the contact area compared to the point contact of conventional balls, and improving the stability and strength of the connection in the locked state.

[0009] In this invention, the stator has a pair of shafts protruding from both ends along the axial direction of the stator, and the stator bore is formed with a pair of guide grooves that respectively accommodate the pair of shafts, and the guide grooves are arranged along the pipe circumferential direction of the coupler pipe coupling body, extend toward the inside of the pipe, and are closed at their ends, and the shafts are accommodated in the guide grooves to allow the stator to advance and retreat into the pipe and prevent it from falling out. With this configuration, the coupler pipe coupling stably guides the stator's advancement and retreat, resulting in smooth stator operation and reliable locking and unlocking. Furthermore, the guide grooves prevent the stator from falling out, improving safety and reliability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this device, the cylindrical stator is engaged by line contact, improving the stability and strength of the connection. Furthermore, the guide groove stabilizes the movement of the stator. In addition, the stator is rotatable, reducing friction when inserting and removing the nipple, preventing damage and improving operability and durability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view cut in half showing the state in which the nipple is connected in the coupler pipe joint of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler portion corresponding to the cross section II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] (a) is a front view of the stator, and (b) is a perspective view of the same. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1 is a half-sectional view showing a coupler pipe fitting 100 according to the present invention, showing a nipple 40 connected to a coupler pipe fitting body 10. This coupler pipe fitting 100 is composed of a cylindrical coupler pipe fitting body 10 through which water can pass, a nipple 40 inserted into one end thereof, a stator 12 that engages the nipple 40, a ring-shaped sleeve 20 that presses against the stator 12, and a spring 30 that biases the sleeve 20. In FIG. 1, a flexible pipe 50 is connected to the nipple 40 at a welded portion 51.

[0013] In this embodiment, the other end of the coupler pipe fitting body 10 is formed with a connecting tubular portion 10x for connection to another pipe or a pipe fitting of an apparatus (not shown), and a male thread is formed on the outer periphery of the connecting tubular portion 10x. This allows connection to the mating pipe fitting by threading. However, the connection structure is not limited to this, and a female thread structure may also be used, or connection may be possible by clamping, welding, or other fastening means.

[0014] A coupler portion 10y is formed at one end of the coupler pipe fitting body 10, into which the nipple 40 is fitted. An O-ring groove 10a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the coupler portion, and an O-ring 11 is fitted in this groove. The O-ring 11 functions as a seal to prevent leakage of fluid from the coupler pipe fitting by making close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the nipple 40. In addition, a hexagonal nut portion 10h is formed on the outer periphery of the middle portion of the coupler pipe fitting body 10, and by applying a tool such as a wrench to this nut portion 10h, the coupler pipe fitting body 10 can be fastened to another pipe or a pipe fitting of a device.

[0015] As can be seen in the enlarged portion indicated by the dashed line in Figure 1, the stator 12 is accommodated in the stator hole 10b, which is provided with a guide groove 10b1 indicated by the hidden dashed line, and is capable of moving back and forth within the tube.

[0016] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler section corresponding to the II-II cross section in Figure 1. As can be seen in Figure 2, the coupler section has multiple stator holes 10b that penetrate the pipe wall and are spaced apart circumferentially. As can be seen in the enlarged area indicated by the dashed-dotted line in Figure 2, a pair of guide grooves 10b1 are formed on both side walls of the stator hole 10b along the pipe circumferential direction of the coupler pipe joint body 10, and a pair of shafts 12a that protrude from both ends of the stator 12 in the axial direction are housed in these guide grooves 10b1. The guide grooves 10b1 extend toward the inside of the pipe and have closed ends, mechanically preventing the stator 12 from falling off.

[0017] 3(a) and (b) show a front view and a perspective view of the stator 12, which is composed of a cylindrical stator body and a pair of shafts 12a protruding axially from both ends. As mentioned above, these shafts 12a are housed in a pair of guide grooves 10b1 provided in the stator hole 10b. The stator 12 can rotate around the shafts 12a, which has the effect of reducing friction and damage when inserting and removing the nipple 40.

[0018] As can be seen in Figure 1, sleeve 20 is attached to the outer periphery of the coupler part so as to be movable in the axial direction, and has a large-diameter portion 20a formed on its inner periphery. Sleeve 20 is biased by spring 30 in the direction opposite to the nipple insertion direction, and at this position presses the outer periphery of stator 12 radially inward, engaging with recess 40a formed on the outer periphery of nipple 40. In this state, nipple 40 is securely fixed to coupler pipe fitting body 10.

[0019] The inner peripheral surfaces of both axial ends of the sleeve 20 abut against the outer periphery of the coupler portion, and a large diameter portion 20a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the axial middle portion of the sleeve 20. One end of the spring 30 abuts against a coupler side locking portion 10g provided on the coupler portion, and the other end abuts against a sleeve side locking portion 20b provided on the sleeve 20. The spring 30 is accommodated in a spring accommodating space formed between the large diameter portion 20a of the sleeve 20 and the outer peripheral wall of the coupler portion, which in this embodiment is a small diameter portion 10f, and presses and urges the sleeve 20 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the nipple 40.

[0020] When the sleeve 20 is biased, the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 20 abuts against the stator 12, pressing the stator 12 radially inward, causing the stator 12 to engage with the recess 40a of the nipple 40. By moving the sleeve 20 against the biasing force, the stator 12 can be retracted to the small diameter portion of the sleeve 20, thereby releasing the engagement with the recess 40a and allowing the nipple 40 to be pulled out.

[0021] The range of movement of the sleeve 20 is restricted by a stopper ring 13 that is fitted and fixed to the stopper ring groove 10e at the end of the coupler part. That is, the end of the sleeve 20 abuts against the stopper ring 13 that is fitted and fixed to the end of the coupler part, preventing the sleeve 20 from coming off the coupler pipe fitting body 10.

[0022] A recess 40a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the nipple 40 to engage with the stator 12 through line contact, and the cylindrical outer circumferential surface of the stator 12 fits into this recess 40a and is locked, providing a stronger locking force than conventional point contact. In addition, stress distribution through line contact contributes to suppressing rattle and improving vibration resistance.

[0023] In the coupler pipe fitting 100 of this embodiment, the cylindrical stator 12 engages with the recess 40a of the nipple 40 through line contact, thereby achieving a secure and firm lock and preventing instability due to looseness or vibration at the connection. Furthermore, since the shaft 12a of the stator 12 is housed within the guide groove 10b1, the forward and backward movement is smooth. The stator 12 can also rotate about its shaft 12a, and this rotation reduces frictional resistance when the nipple 40 is inserted or removed. This has the advantage of preventing damage to the stator 12 and nipple 40 due to friction with the outer surface of the nipple 40. Thus, the configuration of this embodiment provides a coupler pipe fitting that is stronger and more reliable than conventional ball-lock systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] 100 Coupler fittings 10 Coupler fitting body 10a O-ring groove 10b Stator hole 10b1 Guide groove 10e Stopper ring groove 10th floor narrow section 10g Coupler side locking part 10h Nut 10x connecting tube 10y Coupler Club 11 O-ring 12 Stator 12a axis 13 Stopper ring 20 sleeves 20a large diameter section 20b Sleeve side locking portion 30 Spring 40 nipples 40a recess 50 Flexible pipe 51 Welding points

Claims

1. a cylindrical coupler pipe fitting body through which water can pass; a cylindrical nipple inserted into one end of the coupler pipe joint body; a plurality of stators that secure the nipple to the coupler fitting body; a ring-shaped sleeve that fits over the coupler pipe joint body and presses the stator; a spring fitted onto the coupler pipe joint body to bias the sleeve to a predetermined position; The coupler pipe joint body has a connecting tubular portion on the other end side and a coupler portion to which the nipple is fixed on one end side, a plurality of stator holes are formed in a pipe wall of the coupler portion, and the stator is accommodated in the pipe so as to be able to move forward and backward; a recess in which the stator can be engaged is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the nipple; the sleeve is attached so as to be movable in the axial direction of the coupler portion, In a coupler pipe joint, the stator is engaged with or disengaged from a recess of the nipple by movement of the sleeve, A coupler pipe joint characterized in that the stator is cylindrical and its circumferential surface engages with the recess of the nipple in line contact.

2. 2. The coupler pipe joint according to claim 1, the stator includes a pair of shafts protruding from both ends along the axial direction of the stator, A pair of guide grooves for accommodating the pair of shafts are formed in the stator hole, and the guide grooves are arranged along the circumferential direction of the coupler pipe joint body, extend toward the inside of the pipe, and are closed at their ends. A coupler pipe joint characterized in that the shaft is accommodated in the guide groove so that the stator can move back and forth within the pipe and is configured to prevent it from falling out.

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