Electric fusion joint and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To connect a heating wire with a terminal pin securely in an electro fusion joint.SOLUTION: A terminal pin 2300 is inserted into a hole, which is formed from an outer peripheral surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe to reach a heating wire 300, to supply electric power from an external power source to the heating wire 300, has a substantially cylindrical shape and conductivity, and is connected with the heating wire 300 by a connection pin 2400 (for example, a receptacle terminal) having conductivity. The connection pin 2400 is formed by bending a metal piece, includes a hollow cylinder part 2410 which is fitted in a substantially cylindrical shape at the terminal pin 2300 side, and includes a crimp part 2430 to which the heating wire 300 is crimped at the heating wire 300 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric fusion joint used for connecting plastic pipes, and more particularly to an electric fusion joint having a structure in which an electric heating wire is fitted into a groove formed on the inner periphery of a thermoplastic resin pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric fusion joints are usually manufactured using injection molding, and have an electric heating wire embedded in the inner circumference of the joint body made of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polybutene, etc. Such electric fusion joints are sometimes called EF (ElectroFusion) joints, EF sockets, etc. As such an electric fusion joint, mainly for large-diameter electric fusion joints, joints are provided that have a structure in which a spiral groove is cut along the inner surface of a tube material made of thermoplastic resin and an electric heating wire is fitted into this groove. Although the manufacturing method of an electric fusion joint of this structure is simple, it has been pointed out that there is a manufacturing difficulty in mounting the electric heating wire so that it does not float up from the groove. In consideration of such problems, Japanese Patent No. 5035672 (Patent Document 1) discloses an electric fusion joint in which an electric heating wire is fitted into a groove formed on the inner circumference of a thermoplastic resin tube, in which the electric heating wire does not float up from the groove due to temperature changes in the storage environment and no voids are generated at the fusion interface with the plastic tube.

[0003] The electric fusion joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a thermoplastic resin tube into which a plastic tube is inserted, a U-shaped groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner surface of the resin tube with a portion having a small helical pitch and a portion having a large helical pitch, tongues formed on both side surfaces of the opening of the groove, and an electric heating wire inserted in the groove, the width of the groove being the same as or slightly narrower than the diameter of the heating wire, the depth of the groove being deeper than the diameter of the heating wire, the groove portion having the small helical pitch being shallower than the groove portion having the large helical pitch, the heating wire inserted in the groove portion having the small helical pitch is embedded in the groove with resin including the molten tongue, and the heating wire inserted in the groove portion having the large helical pitch is pressed into the groove by the pressed tongue. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5035672 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, as described in paragraphs 0016 to 0018 of Patent Document 1, the electric fusion joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 is manufactured through three steps: preparing a sleeve of thermoplastic resin, forming a U-shaped groove in a spiral shape on its inner surface by cutting, pressing a pressing tool while moving it along the groove to deform the side wall and form a burr-like tongue-like portion protruding from the inner surface, and then inserting a heating wire over the entire length of the groove, which tends to result in high manufacturing costs.

[0006] Moreover, the electric fusion joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 is merely a joint for connecting two plastic pipes in series, as described in paragraph 0009 of Patent Document 1. More specifically, the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve is divided into a left fusion portion that melts and fuses the surface of the plastic pipe inserted from the left, a right fusion portion that melts and fuses the surface of the plastic pipe inserted from the right, a left winding end between the left fusion portion and the left connector pin (terminal pin), a right winding end between the right fusion portion and the right connector pin (terminal pin), and a transition portion between the left fusion portion and the right fusion portion, and a groove is formed continuously from the left winding end to the right winding end, in which one continuous electric heating wire is installed. That is, since it is assumed that the plastic pipes are fused to the left and right sockets of the electric fusion joint at the same time, one continuous electric heating wire is wound in the same direction from left to right (or right to left) on the inner surface of the joint.

[0007] In this structure, there are problems: (1) even if plastic pipes are fused to both the left and right sockets, they must be fused at the same time, and it is not possible to fuse the left and right sockets one at a time, and (2) a plastic pipe is fused to one of the left and right sockets, not to both the left and right, and the other socket cannot be connected to a plastic pipe or the like by another connection method (a single-receiving type electric fusion joint cannot be realized). Furthermore, the above problems (1) and (2) can be solved by independently arranging the left and right heating wires without providing a crossover section, but in that case, one of the two terminal pins arranged at two locations on the left and right will be arranged at the center side in the axial direction of the electric fusion joint. In this case, since the terminal pin is installed in a through hole that penetrates the sleeve of the electric fusion joint, if the terminal pin is installed at the center side of the electric fusion joint, there is a problem that this through hole may lead to water leakage. For this reason, a total of four terminal pins, two at two locations on the left and right, must be arranged so as not to affect watertightness.

[0008] However, the electric fusion joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 is merely a joint for connecting two plastic pipes in series and simultaneously, and there is no mention or suggestion in Patent Document 1 of separating the left and right heating wires and arranging a total of four terminal pins, two on each side, without providing such a jumper section. In particular, there is a problem in that if the terminal pin, which is connected to an external power source to supply power to the heating wire, is not sufficiently connected to the heating wire embedded in the sleeve, it may not be possible to (sufficiently) fuse and (securely) connect the plastic pipe; however, Patent Document 1 does not describe or suggest such a problem itself or a means of solving this problem.

[0009] The present invention was developed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an electric fusion joint having a structure in which an electric heating wire is fitted into a groove formed on the inner circumference of a thermoplastic resin pipe, which can electrically fuse a mating plastic pipe to the left and right sockets, not to both the left and right sockets at the same time, but to one of the left and right sockets at a time (it does not matter whether both the left and right sockets are electrically fused, or only one of the left and right sockets is electrically fused and the other is not), and which can more reliably connect the terminal pin and the electric heating wire to perform electrical fusion, and a method for manufacturing an electric fusion joint. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the electric fusion joint and the method for manufacturing the electric fusion joint according to the present invention employ the following technical measures. That is, an electric fusion joint according to one aspect of the present invention is an electric fusion joint having a fusion portion in which an electric heating wire is inserted into a notched groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe into which a connecting resin pipe is inserted, and includes: a substantially cylindrical, electrically conductive terminal pin for supplying electricity to the electric heating wire from an external power source, the terminal pin being provided in a through hole drilled from the outer surface of the thermoplastic resin pipe to reach the electric heating wire; and a conductive connection pin for connecting the terminal pin and the electric heating wire, the connection pin being formed by bending a metal piece, the terminal pin side having a hollow cylindrical portion that fits into the substantially cylindrical shape, and the electric heating wire side having a crimping portion for crimping the electric heating wire.

[0011] Preferably, the crimping portion may be configured such that the metal pieces are folded back at the ends on the heating wire side, and the heating wire inserted between the folded back metal pieces is crimped and crimped. More preferably, the connection pins can be configured as receptacle terminals. Furthermore, a manufacturing method for an electric fusion joint according to another aspect of the present invention is a manufacturing method for any of the electric fusion joints described above, characterized in that it includes a drilling step of drilling a through hole corresponding to the shape of the terminal pin from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint, a crimping step of crimping an end of the heating wire inserted into the notch groove to the crimping portion, and a connecting step of fitting the hollow cylindrical portion of the connection pin, the end of the heating wire being crimped to the crimping portion, into the approximately cylindrical shape of the terminal pin, so as to connect the terminal pin and the heating wire via the connection pin within the through hole. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric fusion joint having a structure in which an electric heating wire is fitted into a groove formed on the inner circumference of a thermoplastic resin pipe, and which can electrically fuse a connecting plastic pipe to both the left and right receiving ports one at a time (it does not matter whether both the left and right ports are electrically fused, or only one of the left and right ports is electrically fused and the other is not), which can more reliably connect the terminal pin and the electric heating wire to perform electrical fusion, and a method for manufacturing an electric fusion joint. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a front view of an electric fusion joint according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view indicated by an arrow 1C, FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view indicated by an arrow 1D, FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view indicated by an arrow 1E, and FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a method for manufacturing the electric fusion joint shown in FIG. 1 (part 1: outward path). [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a method for manufacturing the electric fusion joint shown in FIG. 1 (part 2: return path). [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are front views (part 1: outward path) and (part 2: return path), respectively, for explaining the relationship between a blade used in the method for producing an electric fusion joint shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and an electric fusion joint (here, a sleeve before processing). [Diagram 5] 4A to 4E are plan views and FIG. 4F to FIG. 4I are perspective views of a special-purpose blade used in the method for producing an electric fusion joint shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. [Figure 6] 6(A) to 6(C) are perspective views for explaining dimensions of each part of the special-purpose blade shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6(D) is a front view. [Figure 7] 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the outgoing winding and the return winding of the electric fusion joint 100. FIG. [Figure 8] 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the outgoing winding and the return winding of the electric fusion joint 200. FIG. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an outgoing winding and a return winding of an electric fusion joint according to a comparative example. [Figure 10] 3A to 3E are plan views illustrating a terminal pin provided in an electric fusion joint, FIG. 3C is a construction procedure diagram, and FIG. 3D to 3E are diagrams of connecting members. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are plan views illustrating a terminal pin and a connection pin provided in an electric fusion joint according to a first modified example, FIG. 1C is a construction procedure diagram, and FIG. 1D is a connection procedure diagram. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are plan views illustrating a terminal pin and a connecting cylinder provided in an electric fusion joint according to a second modified example, FIG. 13C is a construction procedure diagram, and FIG. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an outgoing winding and a return winding of an electric fusion joint 250 according to a third modified example. [Figure 14] 14 is a diagram for explaining the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the electric fusion joint 250 shown in FIG. 13. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] An electric fusion joint and a method for manufacturing an electric fusion joint according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. In Figures 1 to 10, the same components are given the same reference numerals and have the same functions, so they may not be described repeatedly. Here, the electric fusion joint according to the embodiment of the present invention is an electric fusion joint mainly having a medium to large diameter (for example, an inner diameter of 300 mm or more), and this electric fusion joint has a structure manufactured by a manufacturing method characterized by cutting a groove (the cross-sectional shape of this groove is a V-groove, as an example, because the push-cutting blade of a dedicated blade described later is V-shaped when viewed from the direction along the inner circumferential surface) spirally along the inner surface (sometimes referred to as the inner circumferential surface) of a resin pipe (sometimes referred to as a pipe material or a sleeve) made of thermoplastic resin, and simultaneously fitting an electric heating wire into this groove. Furthermore, the electric fusion joint according to the embodiment of the present invention may be a double-supported type in which the electric heating wire is provided independently on the left and right, or a single-supported type in which the electric heating wire is provided only on one of the left and right sides, but will be described below as a double-supported type. In other words, the electric fusion joint of this embodiment does not have a jumper portion like Patent Document 1 at the center side in the axial direction, but instead has left and right heating wires separated and a total of four terminal pins are arranged at two locations on the left and right sides of the end side of the electric fusion joint, two on each side.Since there is no through hole (a hole that penetrates the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the sleeve) for arranging a terminal pin at the center side, it has the characteristic that it does not affect watertightness.

[0015] As electric fusion joints according to this embodiment, electric fusion joint 100 and electric fusion joint 200 are shown in Fig. 1, which are two types of electric fusion joints with different winding structures (structures manufactured by winding methods with different winding start positions S and / or different winding end positions E, and with different winding pitches), with the electric fusion joint having the winding structure shown in Fig. 7 being electric fusion joint 100 shown in Fig. 1, and the electric fusion joint having the winding structure shown in Fig. 8 being electric fusion joint 200 shown in Fig. 1. The electric fusion joint having the winding structure shown in Fig. 9 is a comparative example.

[0016] Furthermore, as one example, by adopting the winding structure shown in any of Figures 7 to 8 and using the manufacturing method shown in Figures 2 to 4 with the dedicated blade shown in Figures 5 to 6, a spiral groove is cut along the inner surface of the tube (sleeve) and formed in the outward path from the end side to the center side of the sleeve and in the return path from the center side to the end side with the cutter blade of the dedicated blade, and at the same time, the heating wire is inserted (embedded or buried) in the groove.Then, the terminal pin shown in Figure 10 and the inserted heating wire are securely connected to complete the electric fusion joint shown in Figure 1.

[0017] <Overall structure of electric fusion joint> First, the overall structure of the electric fusion joint manufactured as described above will be described. As shown in Fig. 1(A) and Fig. 1(B), the electric fusion joint 100 (having the winding structure shown in Fig. 7) and the electric fusion joint 200 (having the winding structure shown in Fig. 8) according to the present embodiment have a hollow cylindrical shape with an inner diameter of 317 mm, an outer diameter of 400 mm, and an axial length of 300 mm in the case of a nominal diameter of 250 (an electric fusion joint corresponding to an outer diameter of a resin pipe to be connected of 315 mm), for example. In the following, when absolute values ​​of the numerical values ​​of the electric fusion joint 100 including the dedicated blade 1000 are described, they are the numerical values ​​for the electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250 (inner diameter of 315 mm) even without any notes. In the following, the electric fusion joint 100 and the electric fusion joint 200 may be described as a representative of the electric fusion joint 100. And, an electric heating wire 300 is embedded in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint.

[0018] That is, this electric fusion joint 100 has a fusion part in which a heating wire 300 is inserted into a notched groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner circumferential surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe (pipe material, sleeve) into which a connecting resin pipe is inserted. This fusion part is provided on at least one (here, both) end side in the axial direction of the electric fusion joint 100 so that electricity can be passed through the heating wire 300 (via the terminal pin 2000). In this fusion part, a forward path in which a spiral advances in the forward direction from the opening side of the electric fusion joint 100 to the opening side on the opposite side of the opening, and a return path in the opposite direction to the forward path are formed by a single heating wire 300.

[0019] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 1(C) to Fig. 1(F), the electric fusion joint 100 is provided with a terminal pin 2000 (S side) on the start position S side (start side of the forward path) of one electric heating wire 300 on each of the left and right sides, and a terminal pin 2000 (E side) on the end position E side (end side of the return path). The terminal pin 2000 is a metal processed product, the detailed structure of which will be described later, and is provided with a structure for securely connecting to the electric heating wire 300. The terminal pin 2000 in the electric fusion joint 100 is arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction on the start position S side and the end position E side, but is shifted in the axial direction. In contrast, the terminal pin 2000 in the electric fusion joint 200 is arranged at approximately the same position in the axial direction on the start position S side and the end position E side, but is shifted in the circumferential direction. In either electric fusion joint, a total of four terminal pins, two on each side, are arranged on the ends (not the axial center side) of the electric fusion joint so as not to affect watertightness (because the electric fusion joint according to this embodiment is a double-support type). In order to arrange the terminal pins 2000 in such positions, the winding structure includes an outward winding, a turn portion T, and a return winding, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0020] The electric fusion joint 100 is provided with indicators 3000 in which injection moldings are embedded, corresponding to the positions of the left and right electric heating wires 300. When electric fusion is performed by supplying power to the electric heating wires 300 via the terminal pins 2000, the indicators 3000 bulge, making it possible to confirm that electric fusion has been achieved.

[0021] <Method of manufacturing electric fusion joint> The electric fusion joint 100 according to this embodiment having the above-mentioned winding structure is embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint so that one heating wire 300 has a forward winding, a turn portion, and a return winding, by a manufacturing method for an electric fusion joint described below with reference to Figures 2 to 4. A dedicated blade 1000 used in the manufacturing method for an electric fusion joint described below is shown in Figures 5 to 6.

[0022] The manufacturing method of the electric fusion joint 100 in this embodiment includes a joint setting step in which an electric fusion joint (here, a hollow cylindrical tubing material (sleeve) rather than an electric fusion joint as a finished product, although this notation may be omitted below) is set on a lathe so as to rotate on its axis, a blade setting step in which a dedicated blade (dedicated blade 1000 shown in Figures 2 to 6) is set on the lathe, and a fusion portion forming step in which the dedicated blade 1000 is moved in the axial direction while being abutted against the inner surface of the electric fusion joint, and the electric fusion joint is rotated on its axis to form a fusion portion. This fusion portion forming step includes a groove cutting step in which a notch groove is cut into the inner surface by the cutting blade 1200 provided on the dedicated blade 1000, a heating wire insertion step in which the heating wire 300 is inserted into the notch groove through the heating wire supply hole 1210 provided on the dedicated blade 1000 (more specifically, the heating wire 300 inserted through the heating wire introduction hole 1110 provided on the body portion 1100 of the dedicated blade 1000 is discharged through the heating wire supply hole 1210 provided on the cutting blade 1200 of the dedicated blade 1000 and inserted into the notch groove), and a heating wire fixing step in which the pressing guide 1300 provided on the dedicated blade 1000 presses the notch groove into which the heating wire 300 has been inserted together with the heating wire 300 to fix the heating wire 300 in the notch groove. Here, in the blade setting step, the dedicated blade 1000 is set on the lathe so that a switching step can be performed in which the direction of the inner circumference of the dedicated blade 1000 is reversed 180 degrees to switch from the forward path to the return path (forming a turn portion T described later). Note that the electric heating wire supply portion may be described as being formed with the same diameter (d1 described later) formed by the electric heating wire introduction hole 1110, the electric heating wire supply hole 1210, and the communication holes provided inside the dedicated blade 1000 that connect these holes, or this same diameter d1 may be described as the diameter of the electric heating wire supply hole 1210.

[0023] Here, in the above-mentioned joint setting step, the lathe on which the electrofusion joint is set is preferably a general-purpose lathe or an NC (Numerical Control) lathe. As shown in the relationship between the dedicated blade 1000 and the electric fusion joint on the outward path in Figure 4(A) and the relationship between the dedicated blade 1000 and the electric fusion joint on the return path in Figure 4(B), the dedicated blade 1000 has a structure in which the cutting blade 1200, the heating wire supply hole 1210, and the pressure guide 1300, in that order, face the inner surface of the rotating electric fusion joint, and it is preferable that the direction from the heating wire introduction hole 1110 (entrance) to the heating wire supply hole 1210 (exit) of the dedicated blade 1000 is the same as the direction in which the electric fusion joint rotates.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2(C), it is preferable that the fusion portion forming step further includes a switching step of moving the dedicated blade 1000 in the axial direction (stopping parallel movement) and stopping the rotation of the electric fusion joint (stopping rotation), thereby reversing the orientation of the dedicated blade 1000 in the inner circumferential direction by 180 degrees, and switching from the forward path to the return path (forming the turn portion T described later). With reference to FIG. 2, the fused portion forming step in this manufacturing method will be described separately for forming the outward winding and forming the return winding.

[0025] 2(A), the dedicated blade 1000 is positioned at the start position S of the forward path, and the dedicated blade 1000 starts to move in the axial direction (translation) while in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint, and starts to rotate the electric fusion joint (here, clockwise rotation as viewed from the opening on the left side). By starting the translation of the dedicated blade 1000 and the rotation of the electric fusion joint while in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint in this way, the forward path winding 300F starts to be embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint from the start position S.

[0026] By controlling the parallel movement speed of the dedicated blade 1000 and the rotation speed of the electric fusion joint so as to form the forward winding shown in Figures 7 and 8, the forward winding 300F (more specifically, the forward winding of either Figure 7(A) or Figure 8(A)) is formed as shown in Figure 2(B). 2(C), when the outward winding 300F shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is formed until the dedicated blade 1000 reaches the end position of the outward path (the start position of the semicircle of the turn portion T), a switching step is executed. At this time, the translational movement of the dedicated blade 1000 and the rotation of the electric fusion joint are stopped, and the orientation of the dedicated blade 1000 in the inner circumferential direction is reversed by 180 degrees, forming the turn portion T for switching from the outward path to the return path.

[0027] 3(A), the dedicated blade 1000, which is at the start position of the return path (the end position of the semicircle of the turn portion T), starts to move in the axial direction (translation in the opposite direction to the forward path) while being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint, and starts to rotate the electric fusion joint (here, counterclockwise rotation as viewed from the opening on the left side). In this way, by starting the translation of the dedicated blade 1000 (translation in the opposite direction to the forward path so that the dedicated blade 1000 approaches the start position S) and the rotation of the electric fusion joint (reverse rotation of the forward path) while being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint, the return path winding 300R starts to be embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint from the end position of the turn portion T.

[0028] When the parallel movement speed of the dedicated blade 1000 and the rotation speed of the electric fusion joint are controlled so as to form the return winding shown in Figures 7 and 8, the return winding 300R (more specifically, the return winding of either Figure 7(B) or Figure 8(B)) is formed as shown in Figure 3(B). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(C), when the return winding 300R shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is formed until the dedicated blade 1000 reaches the end point of the return path (end position E), a single heating wire is embedded in the inner surface of the electric fusion joint from the start position S through the turn portion T to the end position E as the forward winding 300F, the turn portion T and the return winding 300R.

[0029] <Structure of the dedicated blade> The structural features of the special-purpose blade 1000 used in the above-described method for producing an electrofusion joint will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. As described above, the dedicated blade 1000 has a structure that faces the inner peripheral surface of the rotating electric fusion joint in the following order: the cutting blade 1200, the heating wire supply hole 1210, and the pressing guide 1300. Furthermore, the cutting blade has a substantially V-shape when viewed from the direction along the inner peripheral surface (the direction shown in Figs. 5 and 6), and the tip side of the substantially V-shape abuts against the inner peripheral surface to cut the notch groove. Here, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the axial length of the dedicated blade 1000 is blade width A, the axial width of the pressure guide 1300 is pressure guide width E, and the wire diameter of the heating wire 300 is diameter d2, and it is preferable that the blade width A and the pressure guide width E are 10 times or more the diameter d2.

[0030] For an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250, the above-mentioned blade width A and pressure guide width E were set to 10 mm, but the load on the dedicated blade 1000 was large when embedding the heating wire 300 by pressure cutting and when making a U-turn (when forming the turn part T), and the pressure cutting blade 1200 was deformed and broken, so the blade width A and pressure guide width E were set to 15 mm for the purpose of improving strength. Here, the blade width A and pressure guide width E may vary depending on the nominal diameter of the electric fusion joint, but in the present invention, attention is paid to the relationship with the diameter d2, which is the wire diameter of the heating wire 300 embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint. In general, the diameter d2 is preferably about 0.7 mm to 1.1 mm. In the case of 0.7 mm, A = E = 15 mm, d2 = 0.7 mm, and 15 / 0.7 = 21.42; in the case of 1.1 mm, A = E = 15 mm, d2 = 1.1 mm, and 15 / 1.1 = 13.64; in either case, it is preferable that the blade width A and the pressure guide width E are 10 times or more the diameter d2.

[0031] Furthermore, assuming that the length from the cutting blade 1200 to the pressing guide 1300 in the inner peripheral direction is distance G and the wire diameter of the heating wire 300 is diameter d2, it is preferable that the blade width A and the pressing guide width E are four or more times the diameter d2. When comparing distances G of 2 mm and 5 mm for an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250, the shorter distance is undesirable because the embedded position of the electric heating wire 300 is shallow (the embedded position is close to the inner surface of the joint, so the electric heating wire can be visually confirmed and is not hidden), while the longer distance is preferable because the effect of suppression is greater (the electric heating wire cannot be visually confirmed and is hidden). Here, these distances G may vary depending on the nominal diameter of the electric fusion joint, but in the present invention, attention is paid to the relationship with the diameter d2, which is the wire diameter of the electric heating wire 300 embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint. As described above, if the diameter d2 is 0.7 mm and 1.1 mm, in the case of 0.7 mm, G = 5 mm, d2 = 0.7 mm, and 5 / 0.7 = 7.143, and in the case of 1.1 mm, G = 5 mm, d2 = 1.1 mm, and 5 / 1.1 = 4.545, and in either case, it is preferable that the distance G is four times or more the diameter d2.

[0032] Furthermore, the tip bevel angle of the substantially V-shaped cutting blade 1200 is defined as angle α, and this angle α is preferably less than 80 degrees. When comparing the angle α of the cutting blade 1200 of 80 degrees and 40 degrees for an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250, a larger angle α is not preferred because the groove width becomes larger when making a U-turn (when forming the turn portion T), which makes it easier for the heating wire 300 to float out of the groove and become detached from the groove (when the angle α is smaller, such a problem does not occur), and therefore in the present invention, it is preferable that the upper limit of the angle α is 80 degrees.

[0033] Furthermore, the axial width of the cutting blade 1200 on the side opposite the tip side is defined as the cutting blade width B, and the height of the approximately V-shaped cutting blade 1200 is defined as the cutting blade height C, and it is preferable that the cutting blade width B is less than or equal to the cutting blade height C x 0.75. Regarding the tip groove angle (angle α) of the approximately V-shaped cutting blade 1200, when considered from another perspective, it can be determined as follows: For an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250, in order to prevent the problem that the groove width becomes large when making a U-turn (when forming the turn portion T) and the heating wire 300 tends to float out of the groove and become detached from the groove, in the present invention, it is preferable that the cutting blade width B≦the cutting blade height C×0.75.

[0034] Furthermore, the axial width of the cutting blade 1200 on the side opposite to the tip side is defined as the cutting blade width B, the height of the approximately V-shaped cutting blade 1200 is defined as the cutting blade height C, and the wire diameter of the heating wire 300 is defined as the diameter d2, and it is preferable that the cutting blade width B is 2.8 times or less than the diameter d2 and the cutting blade height C is 3.6 times or more than the diameter d2. Regarding the tip groove angle (angle α) of the approximately V-shaped cutting blade 1200, the following can be determined from another viewpoint. As described above, in terms of preventing the problem of the groove width becoming large at the time of a U-turn (when the turn portion T is formed) for an electric fusion joint of nominal diameter 250, causing the heating wire 300 to float out of the groove and become easily dislodged from the groove, there is a possibility that this will change depending on the nominal diameter of the electric fusion joint, but in the present invention, attention is focused on the relationship between the outer dimensions of the cutting blade 1200 (cutting blade width B and cutting blade height C, where B = 3 mm and C = 4 mm in the case of a nominal diameter of 250) and the diameter d2, which is the wire diameter of the heating wire 300 embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint. As described above, if the diameter d2 is 0.7 mm and 1.1 mm, in the case of 0.7 mm, B / d2 = 3 / 0.7 = 4.285 (4.3: rounded up) and C / d2 = 4 / 0.7 = 5.714 (5.7: rounded down), and in the case of 1.1 mm, B / d2 = 3 / 1.1 = 2.727 (2.8: rounded up) and C / d2 = 4 / 1.1 = 3.636 (3.6: rounded down), and it is preferable that the cutting blade width B is 2.8 times or less the diameter d2 and the cutting blade height C is 3.6 times or more the diameter d2.

[0035] Furthermore, assuming that the length of the cutting blade 1200 in the inner circumferential direction is the cutting blade length D and the wire diameter of the heating wire 300 is the diameter d2, the cutting blade length D is preferably 10 times or less the diameter d2. For an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250, it is assumed that the load during U-turn (when forming the turn portion T) is reduced if the cutting blade length D is as short as possible. However, since the rigidity of the cutting blade 1200 decreases when the cutting blade length D is shortened, it is preferable to secure a length of about 6 to 7 mm. Here, the cutting blade length D may vary depending on the nominal diameter of the electric fusion joint, but in the present invention, attention is paid to the relationship with the diameter d2, which is the wire diameter of the heating wire 300 embedded in the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint. As described above, if the diameter d2 is 0.7 mm or 1.1 mm, in the case of 0.7 mm, D = 6 to 7 mm, d2 = 0.7 mm, and 8.57 (= 6 / 0.7) to 10 (= 7 / 0.7), and in the case of 1.1 mm, 5.45 (= 6 / 1.1) to 6.36 (= 7 / 1.1), and in either case, the cutting blade length D is preferably 10 times or less than the diameter d2.

[0036] Furthermore, the diameter of the heating wire supply part (more specifically, the diameter of the heating wire introduction hole 1110, the heating wire supply hole 1210, and the communicating hole provided inside the dedicated blade 1000 connecting these holes, which is the same diameter and may be described as the diameter of the heating wire supply hole 1210) is taken as diameter d1, and the wire diameter of the heating wire is taken as diameter d2, and it is preferable that diameter d1 is at least twice diameter d2.

[0037] Here, the relationship (difference, clearance) between the diameter d1 and the diameter d2 basically holds true for electric fusion joints with different nominal diameters. Regarding the diameter d2, which is the wire diameter of the heating wire 300, when the difference between the diameter d1, which is the diameter of the heating wire supply part in the dedicated blade 1000, and the diameter d2, which is the wire diameter of the heating wire 300, is about 0.4 mm, the resistance when the heating wire 300 passes through the dedicated blade 1000 is large, and the breakage of the heating wire was confirmed (diameter d1: 1.5 mm, diameter d2: 1.1 mm). When a clearance of about 0.8 mm was secured as the difference (diameter d1-diameter d2) (diameter d1: 1.5 mm, diameter d2: 0.7 mm), the breakage of the heating wire 300 was not confirmed. From these facts, it is preferable to secure a clearance equivalent to the diameter d2, which is the wire diameter of the heating wire 300.

[0038] <Winding structure> The features of the winding method used in the above-mentioned manufacturing method of an electric fusion joint and the features of the winding structure of an electric fusion joint manufactured by the manufacturing method will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the winding structures of electric fusion joint 100 and electric fusion joint 200 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the winding structure of an electric fusion joint according to a comparative example for comparison with the electric fusion joints. In the winding structures in Figs. 7 and 8, the position of the turn portion T (the pitch of the turn portion T) can be changed as appropriate (within the range satisfying the conditions shown below) depending on the operating status of the manufacturing apparatus for an electric fusion joint according to this embodiment.

[0039] As described above, in the fusion section of the electric fusion joint, two terminal pins 2000 on each of the left and right sides, totaling four, are arranged at the end side (not at the axial center side) of the electric fusion joint, so that a winding structure is provided in which one heating wire 300 is embedded by a winding method in which the outward path, in which the spiral advances in the outward direction from the opening side of the electric fusion joint 100 to the opening side on the opposite side of the opening, and the return path in the opposite direction to the outward path, pass through the turn portion T. This winding structure has the following features.

[0040] The fusion portion of the electric fusion joint includes, on both the outbound and inbound paths, a first area in the axial center of the fusion portion where the helical pitch is formed at the same pitch, and a second area outside the center where the helical pitch is formed at a pitch that is up to twice the same pitch. More specifically, the area of ​​the fusion portion of the electric fusion joint is divided into a first area in the axial center of the fusion portion and a second area including the start position S and end position E of the heating wire 300 and the turn portion T other than the first area in the central portion, and the spiral winding pitch in the first area is formed at the same pitch, while the spiral winding pitch in the second area is formed at a maximum twice the same pitch of the first area.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 9, when the winding pitch of the second area is about 3 to 5 times that of the first area, the heating wire 300 tends to move outward during fusion, protruding outward from the electric fusion joint, and short circuiting due to contact between the forward and backward heating wires tends to occur. On the other hand, when the change in the winding pitch of the second area is small compared to the winding pitch of the first area (the winding pitch of the second area is the same as the same pitch of the first area or is up to twice as large as the same pitch of the first area), protruding or short circuiting of the heating wire 300 tends to occur less. For this reason, it is preferable to keep the winding pitch of the second area the same (including the same) to about twice as large as the winding pitch of the first area.

[0042] Although this is only an example for the case of an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250 shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the winding pitch is divided into a first area and a second area and will be shown below. As shown in the forward winding of FIG. 9(A), which is the winding structure of an electric fusion joint according to a comparative example, the forward processing pitch in the first area is F(n) to F(n+1) = 9.0 mm (n = 1 to 5), and in the second area is F(0) to F(1) = 14.5 mm and F(6) to F(7) = 20.5 mm (turn portion T). Since the winding pitch in the second area (here, F(6) to F(7) = 20.5 mm (turn portion T)) is 2.3 times the same pitch in the first area (here, F(n) to F(n+1) = 9.0 mm (n = 1 to 5)), the winding pitch in the second area is not the same as the same pitch in the first area, and is at most twice as large as the same pitch in the first area.

[0043] As shown in the return winding of FIG. 9(B), the return processing pitch is R(n) to R(n+1) = 9.0 mm (n = 1 to 5) in the first area, and R(0) to R(1) = 35.0 mm and F(6) to F(7) = 15.0 mm (turn portion T) in the second area. The winding pitch of the second area (here, 35.0 mm for R(0) to R(1)) is 3.9 times the same pitch of the first area (here, 9.0 mm (n = 1 to 5) for R(n) to R(n+1). Therefore, The winding pitch is not the same as the same pitch in the first area, and is not up to twice as large as the same pitch in the first area.

[0044] In the winding structure shown in FIG. 9, the heating wire 300 tends to move outward during fusion, protruding to the outside of the electric fusion joint, and short circuits tend to occur due to contact between the outgoing and return heating wires. Next, as shown in the forward winding of FIG. 7(A), which is the winding structure of electric fusion joint 100 according to this embodiment, the forward processing pitch is F(n) to F(n+1) = 13.0 mm (n = 0 to 3) in the first area and F(4) to F(5) = 16.5 mm (turn portion T) in the second area, and the winding pitch of the second area satisfies (the same as the same pitch in the first area, or) up to twice the same pitch in the first area.

[0045] As shown in the return winding of FIG. 7(B), the return processing pitch of the first and second areas is R(n) to R(n+1) = 13.0 mm (n = 0 to 6: including the turn portion), and the winding pitch of the second area is the same as the same pitch of the first area (or is up to twice the same pitch of the first area). Furthermore, as shown in the forward winding of FIG. 8(A), which is the winding structure of the electric fusion joint 200 according to this embodiment, the forward processing pitch in the first area and the second area is F(n) to F(n+1) = 13.0 mm (n = 0 to 5: including turn portion), and the winding pitch in the second area is the same as the same pitch in the first area (or is up to twice the same pitch in the first area).

[0046] As shown in the return winding of FIG. 8(B), the return processing pitch in the first area is R(n) to R(n+1) = 13.0 mm (n = 0 to 4), and in the second area is R(5) to R(6) = 14.5 mm (turn portion T), and the winding pitch in the second area satisfies (the same as the same pitch in the first area, or) up to twice the same pitch in the first area. In the winding structures shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, unlike the winding structure of the comparative example shown in FIG. 9, there was no tendency for the heating wire 300 to move outward during fusion and protrude to the outside of the electric fusion joint, or for a short circuit to occur due to contact between the outbound and inbound heating wires.

[0047] As described above, the second area, which is divided into the first area and the second area, includes a switching portion (turn portion T) from the outward path to the return path. Furthermore, the pitch of this switching portion (turn portion T) is preferably equal to or greater than the same pitch of the first area. In the case of an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250, as one example, the pitch of the switching portion (turn portion T) is 16.5 mm compared to the same pitch of 13.0 mm in the first area as shown in the outgoing winding in Figure 7(A), 13.0 mm compared to the same pitch of 13.0 mm in the first area as shown in the return winding in Figure 7(B), 13.0 mm compared to the same pitch of 13.0 mm in the first area as shown in the outgoing winding in Figure 8(A), and 14.5 mm compared to the same pitch of 13.0 mm in the first area as shown in the return winding in Figure 8(B), satisfying that the pitch of the switching portion (turn portion T) is greater than or equal to the same pitch in the first area.

[0048] As described above, the pitch of the switching portion (turn portion T) in Fig. 9, which shows an undesirable winding structure in that the winding pitch in the second area is not the same as the same pitch in the first area or is not at most twice the same pitch in the first area, is 20.5 mm compared to the same pitch of 9.0 mm in the first area as shown in the outgoing winding in Fig. 9(A), and is 15.0 mm compared to the same pitch of 9.0 mm in the first area as shown in the return winding in Fig. 9(B), thereby satisfying that the pitch of the switching portion (turn portion T) is equal to or greater than the same pitch in the first area. For this reason, if the winding structure in Fig. 9 is changed so that the winding pitch in the second area is the same as the same pitch in the first area or is at most twice the same pitch in the first area, it is possible to eliminate the tendency for the heating wire 300 to move outward during fusion, causing it to protrude outside the electric fusion joint, and the tendency for a short circuit to occur due to contact between the outgoing and return heating wires, and a preferable winding structure can be realized.

[0049] The changeover portion (turn portion T) is preferably formed in a semicircle having a diameter larger than half the diameter of the same pitch in the first area. The changeover portion (turn portion T) is preferably formed in a semicircle having a diameter equal to or greater than 150% of half the identical pitch in the first area. It is preferable.

[0050] In the case of an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250, as an example, the diameter of the semicircle of the switching portion (turn portion T) is 10.0 mm for the same pitch of 13.0 mm in the first area as shown in the outgoing winding of Figure 7(A), 10.0 mm for the same pitch of 13.0 mm in the first area as shown in the return winding of Figure 7(B), 10.0 mm for the same pitch of 13.0 mm in the first area as shown in the outgoing winding of Figure 8(A), and 10.0 mm for the same pitch of 13.0 mm in the first area as shown in the return winding of Figure 8(B), and the switching portion (turn portion T) satisfies the requirement that the semicircle has a diameter larger than half the same pitch in the first area and a diameter that is 150% or more of half the same pitch in the first area.

[0051] As described above, the diameter of the semicircle of the switching portion (turn portion T) in FIG. 9, which shows an undesirable winding structure in that the winding pitch in the second area is not the same as the same pitch in the first area or is not at most twice the same pitch in the first area, is 10.0 mm for the same pitch of 9.0 mm in the first area as shown in the outgoing winding in FIG. 9(A), and is 10.0 mm for the same pitch of 9.0 mm in the first area as shown in the return winding in FIG. 9(B), thereby satisfying that the switching portion (turn portion T) is a semicircle with a diameter larger than half the same pitch in the first area and a semicircle with a diameter that is 150% or more of half the same pitch in the first area. For this reason, if the winding structure in FIG. 9 is changed so that the winding pitch in the second area is the same as the same pitch in the first area or is up to twice as long as the same pitch in the first area, it is possible to eliminate the tendency for the heating wire 300 to move outward during fusion, causing it to protrude to the outside of the electric fusion joint, or for a short circuit to occur due to contact between the outward and return heating wires, and thus a preferable winding structure can be realized.

[0052] <Terminal pin structure> The structural features of the terminal pin 2000 constituting the above-mentioned electrofusion joint will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. As described above, the electric fusion joint according to the present embodiment does not have a crossover portion like that in Patent Document 1 at the center side in the axial direction, and the left and right heating wires are separated and a total of four terminal pins 2000 are arranged at two locations on the left and right sides of the end side of the electric fusion joint, two on each side, and has a feature that it does not affect watertightness because it does not have a through hole (a hole that penetrates the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve) for providing a terminal pin at the center side. This terminal pin 2000 is provided by cutting a spiral groove with the cutting blade 1200 of the dedicated blade 1000, and at the same time, after the electric heating wire is inserted into the groove (after the steps shown in Figures 2 and 3), the terminal pin 2000 shown in Figure 10 and the electric heating wire inserted into the inner peripheral surface are securely connected. In this way, the terminal pin 2000 provided in the electric fusion joint according to the present embodiment has a structure that is securely connected to the electric heating wire 300 embedded in the inner peripheral surface.

[0053] The terminal pin 2000 shown in FIG. 10(A) and the terminal pin 2100 shown in FIG. 10(B) are both terminal pins included in the electric fusion joint according to this embodiment, and are different in the shape of the groove provided at the end 2030 on the heating wire 300 side and enclosing the heating wire 300 along the longitudinal direction of the heating wire 300. The terminal pin 2000 shown in FIG. 10(A) has a groove 2032 without a taper, and the terminal pin 2100 shown in FIG. 10(B) has a tapered groove 2132 with a taper. This is the only point that the terminal pin 2000 and the terminal pin 2100 differ from each other. Also, FIG. 10(C) shows a procedure for providing a perforation for inserting the terminal pin, and a procedure for inserting the terminal pin into the perforation to enclose the heating wire 300 in the groove provided at the end 2030 on the heating wire 300 side, thereby reliably connecting the terminal pin and the heating wire 300. In addition, the terminal pin 2000 and the terminal pin 2100 may be described as being representative of the terminal pin 2000 .

[0054] The terminal pin 2000 is inserted into a hole drilled from the outer circumferential surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe (pipe material, sleeve) to reach the heating wire 300, and is electrically conductive (one example is using copper, lead, etc. as the material of the terminal pin) for supplying electricity from an external power source to the heating wire 300. A groove 2032 (tapered groove 2132 in the case of the terminal pin 2100) that contains the heating wire 300 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the heating wire 300 at an end 2030 of the terminal pin 2000 on the heating wire 300 side (more specifically, this end 2030 is the lower end surface of the approximately cylindrical shape), and a mark indicating the direction of the groove 2032 (or tapered groove 2132) is provided at a position on the outer circumferential surface side of the thermoplastic resin pipe on the opposite side to the end of the terminal pin 2000, which is visible from the outer circumferential surface of the thermoplastic resin pipe when the terminal pin and the heating wire come into contact with each other. In this case, this mark indicates the direction of groove 2032 (or tapered groove 2132) and is visible from the outer surface of the thermoplastic resin tube when terminal pin 2000 (or terminal pin 2100) and heating wire 300 abut, so that heating wire 300 can be reliably contained within groove 2032 (or tapered groove 2132).

[0055] This mark is preferably a marker groove 2012 provided on the end 2010 on the outer peripheral surface side (more specifically, this end 2010 is the upper end surface of a substantially cylindrical shape) in the same direction as the groove 2032 (or tapered groove 2132). In this case, as shown in Figures 10(A) and 10(B), the groove 2032 (or tapered groove 2132) and the marker groove 2012 are in the same direction, and this marker groove 2012 is visible from the outer peripheral surface of the thermoplastic resin pipe when the terminal pin 2000 (or terminal pin 2100) and the heating wire 300 come into contact with each other, so that the heating wire 300 can be reliably contained in the groove 2032 (or tapered groove 2132).

[0056] The cross-sectional shape of the tapered groove 2132 is preferably an inverted V-shape in which the groove width at the groove open side is wider than the groove width at the groove bottom. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent poor electrical conduction when the heating wire 300 and the terminal pin 2000 are connected and fused by soldering. As described above, the terminal pin 2000 shown in Fig. 10(A) and the terminal pin 2100 shown in Fig. 10(B) are substantially cylindrical and conductive, and the end 2030 (lower end face) on the heating wire 300 side is provided with a groove 2032 (or tapered groove 2132) that encloses the heating wire 300 along the longitudinal direction of the heating wire 300, and a marker groove 2012 is provided in the same direction as the groove 2032 (or tapered groove 2132) at a position on the outer circumferential surface side of the thermoplastic resin tube opposite to the end 2030 and at a position (end 2010 (upper end face)) that is visible from the outer circumferential surface of the thermoplastic resin tube when the terminal pin and the heating wire are in contact with each other. Furthermore, a flange 2020 for preventing the end 2010 from coming off is provided in the middle between the end 2010 (upper end face) and the end 2030 (lower end face).

[0057] The procedure for installing the terminal pin 2000 having such a configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 10(C). In the procedure described below, (C1) to (C3) are performed before the winding is formed, and (C4) to (C5) are performed after the winding is formed (after the steps shown in Figs. 2 and 3). The dimensions of each part are taken as an example of an electric fusion joint with a nominal diameter of 250.

[0058] (C1) A hole with a diameter corresponding to the size (diameter) of the flange 2020 is drilled from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint 100. At this time, the depth of the hole is determined according to the position of the flange 2020. For example, a hole with a diameter of 10 mm is drilled for a maximum diameter of the flange 2020 of 10.5 mm. Also, a hole with a depth of 18 mm is drilled for a position where the bottom end of the flange 2020 is 15 mm from the upper end face of the terminal pin 2000. (C2) Stop the drill at the depth determined in (C1) above and chamfer the outer peripheral surface around the hole. For example, chamfer to 2 mm.

[0059] (C3) A hole with a diameter corresponding to the size (diameter) of the terminal pin 2000 below the flange 2020 is drilled from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint 100. For example, a hole with a diameter of 8 mm is drilled through to the inner peripheral surface while the size (diameter) of the portion below the flange 2020 is 5 mm to 6 mm. The following (C4) and (C5) are processes after the winding process shown in Figs. 2 and 3. (C4) The terminal pin 2000 is inserted into the through hole. At this time, the mark groove 2012 is visually confirmed, and the terminal pin 2000 is inserted into the through hole so that the groove 2032 provided in the same direction as the mark groove 2012 contains the heating wire 300 (so that the longitudinal direction of the heating wire 300 and the mark groove 2012 are parallel to each other and the groove 2032 contains the heating wire 300).

[0060] (C5) With the terminal pin 2000 inserted into the through hole and with the heating wire 300 contained within the groove 2032, the heating wire 300 is soldered to connect the terminal pin 2000 and the heating wire 300. In this way, the heating wire 300 contained in the groove 2032 (or the tapered groove 2132) and the terminal pin 2000 (or the terminal pin 2100) are connected by soldering (as an example). However, the present invention is not limited to such a connection by soldering, and the following connection can be adopted. This connection other than soldering will be described with reference to Figs. 10(D) and 10(E). Note that Figs. 10(D) and 10(E) show the connection between the heating wire 300 and the terminal pin 2100, but the terminal pin 2000 may be used instead of the terminal pin 2100.

[0061] As shown in Figures 10(D) and 10(E), it is preferable that the joint between the terminal pin 2100 and the heating wire 300 in the tapered groove 2132 is achieved by abutting and joining the terminal pin 2100 and the heating wire 300 with a conductive connecting member having a shape that matches the shape of the tapered groove 2132 or the shape of the heating wire 300. As such a connecting member, as shown in Fig. 10(D), the connecting member 2210 may have a generally hollow columnar shape that includes a hollow portion that contains the cross-sectional shape of the heating wire 300 in a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction and matches the groove width, or as shown in Fig. 10(E), the connecting member 2220 may have a generally rectangular columnar shape that matches the groove width. Note that the terminal pin 2100 is preferable to the terminal pin 2000 because the connecting members 2210 and 2220 are less likely to come out of the tapered groove 2132 when they are fitted into the tapered groove 2132.

[0062] <Effects of the above-described embodiment> The manufacturing method of an electric fusion joint and the electric fusion joint having the above-described configuration provide the following advantageous effects. (1-1) A dedicated blade is attached to a general-purpose normal lathe or NC lathe, and the sleeve is rotated to install (embed) the heating wire on the inner circumferential surface, so the heating wire can be installed and fixed without using injection molding equipment or dedicated heating wire winding processing equipment. In particular, while injection molding requires a dedicated mold for each size, the manufacturing method for an electric fusion joint according to this embodiment makes it possible to relatively easily manufacture an electric fusion joint that matches the sleeve diameter of the base material. (1-2) By cutting the inner surface of the sleeve with a cutting blade and inserting the heating wire while moving a special blade along the inner surface, the heating wire can be fixed when it passes through the holding guide, so groove digging, heating wire installation, and fixing can be done in one process. As a result, it is possible to shorten the manufacturing time. (1-3) Since it is relatively easy to change the height of the cutting blade and the diameter and position of the hole through which the heating wire passes inside the dedicated blade, it is possible to arbitrarily and relatively easily adjust the embedding depth and diameter of the heating wire on the inner surface of the electric fusion joint. (1-4) Since the shape of the cutting blade can be changed relatively easily to a shape other than a substantially V-shape, such as a cone-shape, it is possible to reduce the resistance acting on the cutting blade when the winding pitch of the heating wire is significantly changed or the winding direction is drastically changed (such as when the winding direction is reversed 180° to form the turn portion T).

[0063] (2) In the electric fusion joint according to this embodiment, the area in the fusion part is divided into a first area in the axial center of the fusion part and a second area including the start and end positions of the heating wire other than the first area, which is the center, and a winding structure is adopted in which the spiral winding pitch in the first area is the same pitch, and the spiral winding pitch in the second area is a maximum of twice the same pitch in the first area. That is, the winding pitch near the joint inlet (end) and the turn part (second area) is not larger than that of the center of the fusion part (first area), which is a general winding structure in electric fusion joints, but is set to be at most twice as large (to keep the winding pitch from being large), so that the heating wire is less likely to move outward during fusion, and there is a tendency for it to protrude outside the electric fusion joint, and for short circuits (short circuits) to occur due to contact between the outward and return heating wires. Furthermore, even if it does not significantly affect the joint quality, preventing the heating wire from protruding from the electric fusion joint also leads to an improved appearance. Also, when winding the heating wire, if the winding pitch is large, the load acting on the cutting blade of the dedicated blade increases because the force acts diagonally. By keeping the winding pitch the same or not exceeding twice the pitch, wear and deformation of the cutting blade of the dedicated blade are also suppressed.

[0064] (3) When the terminal pin is inserted into the drilled hole (during driving), if the terminal pin rotates and the heating wire does not fit into the groove, the terminal pin cannot be reliably connected to the heating wire. However, since a mark (marker groove) indicating the direction of the groove is provided in a position visible from the outer periphery of the electric fusion joint, it is possible to check whether the terminal pin is rotating during insertion and the heating wire can be reliably contained in the groove. In addition, by connecting the terminal pin to the heating wire by a method other than soldering, it is possible to more reliably prevent the solder from coming off during current flow and interrupting the electric fusion process. As a result, by being able to reliably connect the terminal pin and the heating wire, it is possible to prevent fusion problems at the construction site. The above-described embodiment should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, for example, the following three modifications.

[0065] <First modified example: Terminal pin structure (part 1)> As a first modification, a terminal pin 2300 having structural features different from those of the terminal pin 2000 constituting the above-described electrofusion joint will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 11. In the following description of the terminal pin 2300 according to this modification, components common to the terminal pin 2000 or the terminal pin 2100 shown in Fig. 10 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated here. The terminal pin 2300 shown in Figure 11(A) is used in combination with the connection pin 2400 shown in Figure 11(B) to provide a structure that ensures a secure connection with the heating wire 300 inserted (embedded) in a notch groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe (tube material, sleeve).

[0066] In this modification, the structure for reliably connecting the terminal pin 2300 to the heating wire 300 includes a terminal pin 2300 that is substantially cylindrical and conductive (one example is using copper, lead, or the like as the material of the terminal pin) provided in a through hole (synonymous with a through hole) drilled from the outer circumferential surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe (pipe material, sleeve) to reach the heating wire 300, for supplying electricity from an external power source to the heating wire 300, and a connection pin 2400 that is conductive and connects the terminal pin 2300 and the heating wire 300. The connection pin 2400 is formed by bending a metal piece, and includes a hollow cylindrical portion 2410 that fits into the terminal pin 2300 into a substantially cylindrical shape on the terminal pin 2300 side, and a crimping portion 2430 that crimps the heating wire 300 on the heating wire 300 side. In order to allow hollow cylindrical portion 2410 of connection pin 2400 to fit into approximately cylindrical portion 2330 of terminal pin 2300, the size (diameter) and length of hollow cylindrical portion 2410 of connection pin 2400 correspond to the size (diameter) and length of approximately cylindrical portion 2330 of terminal pin 2300. Furthermore, the tip of approximately cylindrical portion 2330 is provided with taper 2332 to make it easier to insert connection pin 2400 into terminal pin 2300.

[0067] Then, the crimping portion 2430 of the connection pin 2400 has a metal piece folded back at the end of the connection pin 2400 facing the heating wire 300, and the heating wire 300 inserted between the folded back metal pieces is crimped (using a crimping tool, electrician's pliers, or the like, as indicated by the black arrow in (D3) of Figure 11 (D)). Also, although not limited thereto, a receptacle terminal as shown in the plan view of Fig. 11(B) and the perspective view of Fig. 11(D)(D1) can be adopted for this connection pin 2400. Here, this connection pin 2400 (which is a receptacle terminal here, although not limited thereto) has a shape in which a metal piece (thin metal plate) is bent to form a continuous piece and cut along a dotted line, and a hollow cylindrical portion 2410 and a crimping portion 2430 are connected by a connecting portion 2420, as shown in Fig. 11(B)(B1).

[0068] The procedure for connecting the terminal pin 2300 and the heating wire 300 using the connection pin 2400 having such a configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 11(C). Note that (C1) to (C3) are the same as those in Fig. 10 described above, so they will not be described again here. (C4) The terminal pin 2300 is inserted into the through hole. Before this, or after this, as a crimping step, as shown in (D1) to (D3) of Fig. 11(D), the end of the heating wire 300 inserted into the notched groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner circumferential surface of the thermoplastic resin pipe (pipe material, sleeve) is crimped to the crimping part 2430 of the connection pin 2400. At this time, as described above, the heating wire 300 inserted between the folded metal pieces is crimped and crimped (using a crimping tool or electrician's pliers as shown by the black arrow in (D3) of Fig. 11(D)).

[0069] (C5) As a connection step, the hollow cylindrical portion 2410 of the connection pin 2400, whose end portion of the heating wire 300 is crimped to the crimping portion 2430 (as shown by the gray arrow), is fitted into the approximately cylindrical portion 2330 of the terminal pin 2300, so that the terminal pin 2300 and the heating wire 300 are connected via the connection pin 2400 within the through hole. In this way, the hollow cylindrical portion 2410 of the connection pin 2400, having the end of the heating wire 300 crimped to the crimping portion 2430, is fitted into the approximately cylindrical portion 2330 of the terminal pin 2300, and the end of the heating wire 300 is securely connected to the terminal pin 2300 without using soldering or the like.

[0070] <Second modified example: Terminal pin structure (part 2)> As a second modified example, a terminal pin 2500 having structural features different from those of the terminal pins 2000 and 2300 constituting the above-described electric fusion joint will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 12. In the following description of the terminal pin 2500 according to this modified example, components common to the terminal pin 2000 or the terminal pin 2100 shown in Fig. 10 and the terminal pin 2300 shown in Fig. 11 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated here. The terminal pin 2500 shown in Figure 12(A) is used in combination with the connecting cylinder 2600 shown in Figure 12(B) to provide a structure that ensures a secure connection with the heating wire 300 inserted (embedded) in a notched groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe (tube material, sleeve).

[0071] In this modified example, the structure for reliably connecting the terminal pin 2500 to the heating wire 300 includes a terminal pin 2500 that is substantially cylindrical and conductive (one example is using copper, lead, etc. as the material for the terminal pin) provided in a through hole (synonymous with a through hole) drilled so as to reach the heating wire 300 from the outer circumferential surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe (pipe material, sleeve), for supplying electricity to the heating wire 300 from an external power source, and a connecting cylinder 2600 having conductivity for connecting the terminal pin 2500 and the heating wire 300. The terminal pin 2500 includes a substantially cylindrical portion 2530, and a side groove 2530S that corresponds to the diameter of the heating wire 300 and is aligned along the central axis of the substantially cylinder is provided on the curved surface of the substantially cylindrical portion 2530. The connecting cylinder 2600 is formed by bending a metal piece into a substantially cylindrical shape, and the terminal pin 2500, which includes the heating wire 300 in the side groove 2530S, is inserted into the substantially cylindrical part of the connecting cylinder 2600, and the heating wire 300 is pressed against the terminal pin 2500. The size (diameter) and length of the substantially cylindrical shape of the connecting cylinder 2600 correspond to the size (diameter) and length including the heating wire 300 contained in the side groove 2530S so that the heating wire 300 can be pressed against the terminal pin 2500 by inserting it into the substantially cylindrical part 2530 of the terminal pin 2500, which includes the heating wire 300 contained in the side groove 2530S. Furthermore, the tip of the substantially cylindrical part 2530 is provided with a taper 2532 in order to more easily insert the connecting cylinder 2600 into the terminal pin 2500.

[0072] In addition to the side groove 2530S provided on the curved surface of the approximately cylindrical portion 2530 of the terminal pin 2500, it is also preferable that the groove containing such a heating wire 300 be provided as an end face groove 2530E on the end face of the approximately cylindrical portion 2530 on the heating wire 300 side. Also, the connecting cylinder 2600 can adopt a crimp terminal or a terminal processed from a crimp terminal. Here, the crimp terminal can be, for example, a terminal called a bare crimp terminal for copper wire, as specified in JIS C 2805. Here, in the case of a crimp terminal such as a round crimp terminal, a Y-type crimp terminal, or a rod-shaped crimp terminal, for example, as shown in (B2) of FIG. 12(B), the dotted line part of such a crimp terminal (round part in the case of a round crimp terminal, Y-type part in the case of a Y-type crimp terminal, and rod-shaped part in the case of a rod-shaped crimp terminal) is cut off and processed to only the crimp part. Also, in the case of a crimp terminal called a crimp sleeve, it can be used without processing because it does not have the dotted line part shown in (B2) of FIG. 12(B) in the first place. In this way, a crimp terminal or a terminal processed from a crimp terminal can be adopted as the connecting cylinder 2600.

[0073] The procedure for connecting the terminal pin 2500 and the heating wire 300 using the connecting cylinder 2600 having such a configuration will be described with reference to Figures 12(C) and 12(D). Note that (C1) to (C3) are the same as those in Figure 10 described above, so they will not be described here repeatedly. (Preceding step of C4) As an embedding step, the end of the heating wire 300 inserted into a notched groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner circumferential surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe (pipe material, sleeve) is embedded in the groove of the terminal pin 2500 (side groove 2530S, or side groove 2530S and end groove 2530E). At this time, as shown by the gray arrow in (D1) of FIG. 12(D), the end of the heating wire 300 is wrapped around the approximately cylindrical part 2530 of the terminal pin 2500 to be embedded in the groove. Next, as shown by the gray arrow in (D2) of FIG. 12(D), the approximately cylindrical part 2530 of the terminal pin 2500 with the heating wire embedded in the groove is inserted into the approximately cylindrical connecting cylinder 2600, and the heating wire 300 is pressed against the terminal pin 2500. At this time, although not limited thereto, it is also preferable to crimp and press the heating wire 300 onto the terminal pin 2500 using a crimping tool or electrician's pliers, for example, as shown by the black arrow in (D3) of Figure 12 (D). In the present invention, however, the approximately cylindrical portion of the connecting cylinder 2600 is inserted into the terminal pin 2500 containing the heating wire 300 in the side groove 2530S, and the heating wire 300 is simply pressed onto the terminal pin 2500, thereby reliably connecting the terminal pin 2500 and the heating wire 300.

[0074] (C4) and (C5) are connection steps. The terminal pin 2500, in which the end of the heating wire 300 contained in the groove (side groove 2530S, or side groove 2530S and end groove 2530E) of the terminal pin 2500 is crimped by the connecting cylinder 2600, is inserted into the through hole as shown by the gray arrows in (C4) and (C5) of Figure 12 (C), so that the terminal pin 2500 and the heating wire 300 are connected within the through hole via the connecting cylinder 2600.

[0075] In this way, the heating wire 300 contained in the groove (side groove 2530S, or side groove 2530S and end groove 2530E) of the terminal pin 2500 and the connecting cylinder 2600 are pressed together, and the end of the heating wire 300 is securely connected to the terminal pin 2500 without using soldering or the like. As for the step of inserting and pressing the connecting cylinder 2600 into the terminal pin 2500 having the heating wire 300 contained in the groove (side groove 2530S, or side groove 2530S and end groove 2530E), the present invention does not exclude the step of performing the step in a through hole as shown in (C4) of Fig. 11C, as in the second modified example. That is, the substantially cylindrical part of the connecting cylinder 2600 may be inserted into the terminal pin 2500 having the heating wire 300 contained in the side groove 2530S in the through hole, so that the heating wire 300 is pressed against the terminal pin 2500.

[0076] <Third modified example: Inner surface structure of electric fusion joint (opening side and center side)> As a third modified example, an electric fusion joint 250 having structural features of the inner circumferential surface other than the fusion portion in the above-mentioned electric fusion joint will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. The winding structure in the electric fusion joint 250 according to this modified example is obtained by cutting the return path in the winding structure of the electric fusion joint 100 shown in Fig. 7 by two turns (the processing pitch and the T diameter are also the same), and is arranged at approximately the same axial position on the start position S side and the end position E side at positions shifted in the circumferential direction, like the winding structure of the electric fusion joint 200 shown in Fig. 8 (different from the winding structure of the electric fusion joint 100 shown in Fig. 7). The other winding structures in the electric fusion joint 250 are common to the electric fusion joint 100 shown in Fig. 7 or the electric fusion joint 200 shown in Fig. 8, so the same reference numerals are used in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, and detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated here.

[0077] It should be noted that the structural features (concave portion 252, convex portion 254) other than the fusion portion on the inner surface of electric fusion joint 250 according to this modified example, which will be described in detail below, do not mean that they cannot be applied to electric fusion joint 100 and electric fusion joint 200, but rather that they can be applied to electric fusion joints having a fusion portion, including electric fusion joint 100, electric fusion joint 200, and electric fusion joint 250.

[0078] 13 and 14, this electric fusion joint 250 (similar to the electric fusion joint 100 and the electric fusion joint 200) has a fusion part in which a heating wire 300 is inserted into a notched groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner circumferential surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe (pipe material, sleeve) into which a connecting resin pipe is inserted, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. This fusion part is provided on at least one (here, both) end side in the axial direction of the electric fusion joint 250 so that electricity can be passed through the heating wire 300 (via a terminal pin 2000 or the like).

[0079] In this fusion part, an outward path in which a spiral advances in the outward direction from the opening side of the electric fusion joint 250 to the opening side on the opposite side of the opening, and a return path in the opposite direction to the outward direction, are formed by a single heating wire 300. As a structural feature of the inner circumferential surface of the electric fusion joint 250 other than the fusion part, the inner circumferential surface is provided with a recess 252 in which the inner circumferential surface is recessed on the opening side of the fusion part. The recess 252 is provided around the entire inner circumference. Furthermore, the recess 252 also serves as a handle for the electric fusion joint 250 . With this configuration, the following problems can be solved.

[0080] (A) When electrically fusing a resin pipe (resin pipe) to an electric fusion joint 250, if the clearance between the resin pipe and the electric fusion joint 250 is small or if the electric energy applied (supplied) by the electric fusion is large, the resin may be excessively melted, and the excessively melted resin may leak from between the end face of the electric fusion joint 250 and the appearance may be poor. To address such a problem, a recess 252 with a recessed inner circumferential surface is provided on the opening side (both ends in this case) of the inner circumferential surface of the electric fusion joint 250, so that the excessively melted resin fills the recess 252, preventing the resin from leaking from the end face of the electric fusion joint 250 or reducing the amount of resin leaking.

[0081] (B) When handling the electric fusion joint 250 (during production or construction), there may be a problem that the electric fusion joint 250 is difficult to carry because there is no handle on the electric fusion joint 250. To address this problem, a recess 252 with a recessed inner surface is provided on the opening side (here, both ends) of the inner surface of the electric fusion joint 250, making it possible to hook a jig or fingers on the recessed shape, improving the ease of carrying. Furthermore, this electric fusion joint 250 is provided with a (rib-shaped) protrusion 254 that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface on the inner circumferential surface closer to the center of the electric fusion joint 250 in the axial direction than the fusion portion. This protrusion 254 is provided around the entire inner circumference. With this configuration, the following problems can be solved.

[0082] (C) When electrically fusing a plastic pipe (plastic pipe) to be connected with the electric fusion joint 250, if the clearance between the plastic pipe and the electric fusion joint 250 is small or if the electrical energy applied (supplied) during electrical fusion is large, the resin may be excessively melted, causing the molten resin to flow from the end face (the side inserted into the electric fusion joint 250) of the connected plastic pipe toward the center in the axial direction of the electric fusion joint 250, or the molten resin may push the heating wire of the fused portion out of the notch groove, exposing the heating wire 300, making it impossible or difficult to insert the plastic pipe from the opposite side. In response to such problems, the convex portion 254 with a protruding inner periphery is provided on the inner periphery closer to the center of the electric fusion joint 250 in the axial direction than the fusion portion, so that excessively molten resin can be prevented from flowing beyond the convex portion 254 to the opposite side (the side where the resin pipe is not inserted) (it can be blocked by the rib-shaped convex portion 254), and even if the heating wire 300 protrudes from the notch groove, it can be prevented from flowing to the opposite side (the side where the resin pipe is not inserted) (it can be blocked by the rib-shaped convex portion 254). Therefore, the flow of the molten resin and / or the heating wire 300 from the center side of the electric fusion joint 250 to the opening side on the opposite side can be suppressed, making it possible to insert the resin pipe from the opening on the opposite side, and preventing problems with inserting the resin pipe at the construction site.

[0083] As described above, according to the electric fusion joint and manufacturing method of the electric fusion joint of this embodiment including the modified examples, it is possible to provide an electric fusion joint having a structure in which an electric heating wire is fitted into a groove formed on the inner circumference of a thermoplastic resin tube, and which can electrically fuse a plastic tube not to both left and right receiving ports at once, but to one of the left and right receiving ports at a time (it does not matter whether both the left and right are electrically fused, or only one of the left and right ports is electrically fused and the other is not), without increasing manufacturing costs and affecting watertightness, and by making a more reliable connection between the terminal pin and the electric heating wire.

[0084] In addition, the embodiments including the modifications disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0085] The present invention is preferred for an electric fusion joint having a structure in which an electric heating wire is fitted into a groove formed on the inner circumference of a thermoplastic resin pipe, and is particularly preferred in that it can provide an electric fusion joint that can electrically fuse a mating plastic pipe to both the left and right receiving ports at a time (it does not matter whether both the left and right are electrically fused, or only one of the left and right ports is electrically fused and the other is not), without increasing manufacturing costs and affecting watertightness, and with a more reliable connection between the terminal pin and the electric heating wire. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100 Electric fusion joint 200 Electric fusion joint 250 Electric fusion joint 300 heating wire 300F forward winding 300R return winding 1000 Specialized Blades 1100 Body 1110 Heating wire introduction hole 1200 Push cutting blade 1300 Presser Guide 1600 Housing joint 2000, 2300, 2500 Terminal Pins 3000 Indicator

Claims

1. An electric fusion joint having a fusion part in which an electric heating wire is inserted into a notched groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe into which a connecting resin pipe is inserted, The thermoplastic resin pipe includes a through hole formed in the through hole from the outer circumferential surface of the thermoplastic resin pipe to reach the heating wire, and a substantially cylindrical, electrically conductive terminal pin for supplying electricity from an external power source to the heating wire, and a conductive connection pin for connecting the terminal pin and the heating wire, The connection pin is formed by bending a metal piece, and the terminal pin side has a hollow cylindrical portion that fits into the approximately cylindrical shape, and the heating wire side has a crimping portion that crimps the heating wire, an electric fusion joint, characterized in that the terminal pin has a flange in the middle between its upper end and lower end to prevent it from falling out of the through hole, and the lower end side of the approximately cylindrical shape has a taper to facilitate insertion of the connection pin into the hollow cylindrical portion, the connection pin being connected below the flange.

2. The through hole is a first portion having a depth corresponding to the position of the flange from the outer circumferential surface and a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the flange; a second portion that extends from the first portion to an inner peripheral surface and has a diameter smaller than that of the first portion in accordance with a diameter of a terminal pin that is connected below the flange; 2. The electrofusion joint of claim 1, wherein the contact pin is received within the second portion of the through hole.

3. 3. The electric fusion joint according to claim 1, wherein the crimping portion is formed by folding back the metal pieces at the ends on the heating wire side, and crimping the heating wire inserted between the folded back metal pieces.

4. 4. The electric fusion joint according to claim 1, wherein the connection pin is a receptacle terminal.

5. A method for manufacturing an electric fusion joint having a fusion part in which an electric heating wire is inserted into a notched groove formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of a thermoplastic resin pipe into which a connecting resin pipe is inserted, comprising: The electric fusion joint includes a terminal pin having a substantially cylindrical shape and electrical conductivity, the terminal pin being provided in a through hole drilled from the outer circumferential surface of the thermoplastic resin pipe to reach the electric heating wire, for supplying electricity from an external power source to the electric heating wire, and a connecting pin having electrical conductivity for connecting the terminal pin and the electric heating wire, the connecting pin being formed by bending a metal piece, the terminal pin side having a hollow cylindrical portion that fits into the substantially cylindrical shape, and the electric heating wire side having a crimping portion that crimps the electric heating wire, and the manufacturing method includes: a drilling step of drilling a through hole corresponding to the shape of the terminal pin from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the electric fusion joint; a crimping step of crimping the end of the heating wire inserted into the notch groove to the crimping portion; a connecting step of fitting the hollow cylindrical portion of the connection pin, the end of which is crimped to the crimping portion, into the approximately cylindrical shape of the terminal pin, thereby connecting the terminal pin and the heating wire via the connection pin within the through hole.

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