Corrugated pipe connection device

Abstract

To accommodation a wiring / piping material to the inside in a state that cut parts of a plurality of waved pipes which are connected to one another by connecting bodies are oriented upward, and to invert the plurality of waved pipes in the connection state in this state.SOLUTION: By internally fitting engagement parts 24 of connection bodies C to the inside of outer surface protrusions 1 of two pieces of waved pipes D which are connected to each other, and making them engaged with each other, a plurality of pieces of the waved pipes D are serially connected to one another, and in this state, by torsionally turning the waved pipes D toward the other ends from one-side ends of the plurality of pieces of waved pipes D, opposing end edge parts 5a, 5b of cut parts 5 formed at the waved pipes D in an axial direction are displaced in the axial direction, thus enabling a torsional turn of the waved pipes D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a corrugated pipe connection device that is configured such that wiring and piping materials are housed inside with the cutout facing upward, and then the cutout is inverted so that the cutout faces downward and laid. Place This is related to. [Background technology]

[0002] Paragraph "0022" of the specification of Patent Document 1 and Figures 6 to 8 of the drawings disclose a protective tube 5 for wiring / piping material which is made of a corrugated tube having a substantially circular cross section and has a slit 8 formed continuously in the axial direction, and discloses that the wiring / piping material 1 is first laid on the installation surface, and then the slit 8 of the protective tube 5 is pressed downward against the wiring / piping material 1 on the installation surface, thereby expanding the slit 8 and accommodating the wiring / piping material 1 inside.

[0003] Furthermore, paragraph "0025" of the specification of Patent Document 1 discloses that a joint 4 is integrally formed at one longitudinal end of the protective tube body 2 of the protective tube 5, and that multiple protective tubes 5 are connected by externally fitting the joint 4 onto the protective tube body 3 of another protective tube 5. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-141099 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For this reason, in the protective tube 5 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the wiring / piping material must be laid on the laying surface first, and the wiring / piping material cannot be laid in advance by laying the protective tube 5 first, which creates restrictions on laying the wiring / piping material. Also, the slit 8 of the protective tube 5 must be aligned along the entirety of the previously laid wiring / piping material, otherwise the slit 8 will not expand properly, and furthermore, the slit 8 is present on the back side (below) of the protective tube 5 and is difficult to see, resulting in poor workability.

[0006] In addition, since the cross section of protective tube 5 is approximately circular, it has low resistance to deformation due to external forces and is easily crushed by falling objects or by people stepping on it, so it cannot fully function as a protective tube for protecting wiring and piping materials.

[0007] Furthermore, after wiring and piping materials have been accommodated and installed in the multiple protective tubes 5 connected to each other by the joints 4, in order to add another wiring and piping material, it is possible to invert the existing protective tube 5 with the slits 8 facing downward and accommodate the additional wiring and piping material in the protective tube 5 from the slits 8 facing upward, but this is difficult in reality. That is, since the multiple protective tubes 5 connected to each other by the joints 4 can rotate relative to each other, it is necessary to invert each protective tube 5 individually, and when the protective tube 5 is inverted, the other connected protective tubes 5 are dragged around, making the work difficult, and it is not realistic to invert each protective tube 5 individually and align the arrangement position (direction) so that the slits 8 are linear throughout.

[0008] The present invention is a corrugated pipe connection device that can store wiring and piping materials inside a plurality of corrugated pipes connected by connectors with their cutouts facing upward, and in this state, can invert the plurality of connected corrugated pipes. Offering The challenges we face are as follows. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention of claim 1 for solving the above problem is a corrugated pipe connection device comprising a corrugated pipe having inner and outer surfaces with concave and convex portions alternately formed in the axial direction, and a connector for connecting the corrugated pipes to each other by connecting portions formed on both ends, The corrugated pipe has a linear slit formed in the axial direction, and by expanding the slit, wiring and piping materials can be housed and laid inside. The connecting body is continuous in the axial direction of the corrugated tubes when the corrugated tubes are connected to each other, and has a cylindrical shape having an opening that is open in a part of the circumferential direction. Each connection portion of the connecting body is provided with an engagement portion that, when the connection portion is fitted into the end of the corrugated tube to be connected, enters and engages with the inner recess of the corrugated tube to prevent the corrugated tube from being separated in the axial direction, When the entire corrugated tube is twisted and rotated by using the slits in a connected state in which the opening and the slits are aligned in the circumferential direction, the connection body and the corrugated tube are connected to each other, and relative rotation is restricted. This allows the connection body to rotate following the twisting of the corrugated tube while maintaining the connection state with the corrugated tube. It is possible, At least the outer surface convex portion of the corrugated tube has a non-circular cross-sectional shape having two opposing straight portions, and the connecting body has at least two abutment portions that abut along each of the two straight portions, and the relative rotation is restricted by abutment between an abutment wall portion corresponding to the straight portions on the inside of the outer surface convex portion of the corrugated tube and the abutment portion of the connecting body. It is characterized by the following.

[0010] According to the invention of claim 1, the corrugated tubes arranged in a straight line are connected through the connector by engaging the engagement parts formed on the connection parts at both ends of the connector with the inner recesses of the axial ends of the two corrugated tubes to be connected. The corrugated tubes connected through the connector are arranged with their slits facing upward, and in this state, the slits are opened to form a tube insertion opening, through which wiring and piping materials are inserted into the corrugated tubes, and the tube insertion opening is then closed. In this state, when the corrugated tubes are twisted and rotated using the slits of the corrugated tubes, the corrugated tubes connected through the connector are sequentially twisted and rotated from one end to the other end in the overall axial direction while maintaining the connection state of the corrugated tubes, thereby being inverted and repositioned so that the slits face downward. According to the invention of claim 1, at least the cross-sectional shape of the outer convex part of the corrugated tube is formed in a non-circular shape having two opposing straight parts, the parts corresponding to the two straight parts are abutment walls with a partially planar shape, and the parts of the connecting body corresponding to the abutment walls of the corrugated tube are abutment parts with a straight cross-sectional shape. Therefore, when the connecting parts at both ends of the connecting body are inserted into the opposing ends of the two corrugated tubes to be connected and the engaging parts formed on the connecting parts of the connecting body enter and engage with the inner recesses of the corrugated tubes, that is, when the corrugated tubes connected in series via the connecting body are twisted, the abutment walls of the corrugated tube and the abutment parts of the connecting body are in flat contact with each other at the connecting body, ensuring a contact area necessary for twisting the corrugated tube, so that the corrugated tube and the connecting body do not rotate relative to each other, and the connecting body and the corrugated tubes on both sides of the connecting body can be twisted together.

[0011] The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the corrugated pipe is capable of deforming by being displaced in the axial direction at each end edge portion arranged opposite to each other along the circumferential direction of the cut portion due to the torsional rotation of the corrugated pipe itself, The connecting body is characterized in that, while remaining in the connected state, it can be deformed by shifting relatively in the axial direction of the corrugated tube in response to the shift of the corrugated tube due to torsional rotation of the corrugated tube.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 2, each of the corrugated tubes connected via the connectors is deformed by shifting each edge portion formed in the axial direction circumferentially opposite the slit portion in the axial direction, so that the corrugated tubes can be twisted, and the connector itself connecting the corrugated tubes is also twisted by the twisting deformation of each of the corrugated tubes on both sides, so that the corrugated tubes are twisted sequentially from one end to the other end in the overall axial direction while connected in series via the connectors. As a result, the corrugated tubes connected in series via the connectors are inverted and rearranged from a state in which the slit portion faces upward to a position where it faces downward.

[0013] The invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector includes a base portion disposed at a position facing the opening along the circumferential direction, and a pair of arms erected opposite to each other at both ends of the base along the circumferential direction, The engaging portions are provided on at least the pair of arms, and the base is characterized in that each engaging portion provided on the pair of arms enters into an inner recess of the corrugated tube and maintains an engaged state, so that each tip portion of the pair of arms is capable of torsional deformation in response to axial shifting of each end edge portion of the cut portion that occurs when the corrugated tube is twisted and rotated.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 3, the connecting body comprises a base portion arranged at a position opposite the opening along the circumferential direction of the corrugated tube, and a pair of arms erected opposite each other at both ends of the base along the circumferential direction, and the base portion is capable of torsional deformation in response to the axial shift of each end edge portion of the cut portion that occurs when the corrugated tube is twisted and rotated, with the engaging portions provided on at least the pair of arms entering and maintaining an engaged state with the inner surface recess of the corrugated tube.Therefore, even if multiple corrugated tubes connected in a series via a connecting body are twisted and rotated sequentially from one end to the other end, excessive torsional stress, etc. is not generated in the connecting body, and the multiple corrugated tubes connected in a series can be twisted and rotated smoothly and inverted.

[0015] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 3, the connector has a pair of arms that face each other along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wiring / piping material is accommodated from the cut portion of the corrugated pipe in the connected state and that are arranged along the pipe wall of the corrugated pipe, a base that connects the base ends of the pair of arms, and an opening formed between the tips of the pair of arms, and the circumferential width of the opening is sufficient to allow the wiring / piping material to be accommodated in the corrugated pipe to pass through.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 4, the connector for connecting the corrugated tubes has a pair of arms connected at their lower ends at a base, and the width of the opening provided opposite the base is a width allowing the wiring / piping material to be accommodated in the corrugated tube to pass through, and when the corrugated tubes are connected in series via the connector and the cutouts of the connectors are widened to form a tube insertion opening, the tube insertion opening and the opening of the connector are located at the same position along the circumferential direction of the corrugated tube. Therefore, when the cutouts of the corrugated tubes connected via the connectors are facing upward, a long wiring / piping material can be accommodated inside the corrugated tube through the tube insertion opening with the cutouts widened and the opening of the connector that is continuous with the tube insertion opening.

[0017]

[0018]

[0019] Claim 5 The invention is as set forth in claims 1 to 4 In any one of the inventions, at least the outer surface convex portion of the corrugated pipe Cross Section It is characterized by its rectangular shape.

[0020] Claim 5 According to the invention, the pipe wall portion having a continuous cut portion along the axial direction and another pipe wall portion opposite the pipe wall portion having the cut portion are both planar, so that the corrugated pipe can be positioned stably when the cut portion is positioned facing upward and downward.

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024] Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, multiple corrugated tubes connected via connectors are positioned with their slits facing upward, and in this state, wiring and piping material is placed inside the multiple corrugated tubes through the tube insertion opening formed by widening the slits, and then the tube insertion opening is closed. In this state, when each corrugated tube is twisted and rotated using the slits of the corrugated tubes, the multiple corrugated tubes connected via connectors are inverted by being twisted and rotated sequentially from one end to the other end in the overall axial direction while maintaining the connection state of the corrugated tubes, and are repositioned so that the slits face downward. In addition, according to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of at least the outer convex portion of the corrugated tube is formed into a non-circular shape having two opposing straight portions, and the portions corresponding to the two straight portions are abutment wall portions having a partially planar shape, and the portion of the connecting body corresponding to the abutment wall portions of the corrugated tube is an abutment portion having a linear cross-sectional shape as well. Therefore, when each connection portion at both ends of the connecting body is inserted into each opposing end of the two corrugated tubes to be connected and each engagement portion formed in each connection portion of the connecting body enters into and engages with the inner recesses of each corrugated tube, that is, when multiple corrugated tubes connected in series via the connecting body are twisted and rotated, in the connecting body portion, the abutment wall portions of the corrugated tube and the abutment portions of the connecting body abut in a flat manner, and the abutment area necessary for the twisting rotation of the corrugated tube is secured. Therefore, the corrugated tube and the connecting body do not rotate relative to each other, and the connecting body and the corrugated tubes on both sides of the connecting body can be twisted and rotated together. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of two corrugated tubes D1 and D2 connected by a connector C. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views of the corrugated tube D viewed from different directions. [Diagram 3] 1(a) to 1(c) are a side view, a front view, and a central vertical cross-sectional view of the corrugated tube D, respectively. [Figure 4] 3(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along lines X1-X1 and X2-X2 in FIG. 3(b), respectively. [Diagram 5] 13(a) and 13(b) are perspective views showing states before and after the cut portion 5 of the corrugated pipe D is expanded to accommodate the wiring / piping material P therein. [Figure 6] 13(a) and 13(b) are perspective views of the connector C as viewed from different directions. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are a front view and a side view, respectively, of the connecting body C, and 1C and 1D are cross-sectional views taken along the lines Y1-Y1 and Y2-Y2 in 1A. [Figure 8] 7(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along lines Y3-Y3 and Y4-Y4 in FIG. 7(c). [Figure 9] 13A is a perspective view of a state in which the flat base 22 of the connecting body C is twisted, causing the entire body to be torsionally deformed, and FIG. 13B is a schematic perspective view mainly showing the torsion deformation. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view of two corrugated tubes D1, D2 and a connector C that connects the corrugated tubes D1, D2 in a separated state. FIG. [Figure 11] 1(a) and (b) are a central vertical cross-sectional view and a plan cross-sectional view of a connection portion of two corrugated tubes D1 and D2. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a cut portion 5 of a corrugated pipe D is expanded to accommodate wiring / piping material P inside. [Figure 13] 11(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along lines Z1-Z1 and Z2-Z2 in FIG. 11(a). [Figure 14] 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views showing different states when a corrugated tube D, which is connected in a series via a connector C and has a slit 5 facing upward, is twisted and rotated sequentially from one end to the other end so that the slit 5 faces downward. [Figure 15]13 is a cutaway perspective view of a portion of a connector C, showing a state in which a cutout portion 5 of a corrugated tube D is displaced in the axial direction when the corrugated tube D is twisted and rotated. FIG. [Figure 16] 1A is a partial perspective view of a corrugated tube D' having a connection portion C' integrally provided at one axial end of a main body A, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the corrugated tube D' in a connected state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] below ,best The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples. EXAMPLES

[0028] First, a corrugated pipe connection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15. The corrugated pipe connection device of the present invention comprises a plurality of corrugated pipes D, the inner and outer surfaces of which are formed with concave and convex portions arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction, and a connector C for connecting the corrugated pipes D. As shown in Figs. 1 and 9, the connector C is inserted in the longitudinal direction into the opposing ends of each of the corrugated pipes D that are connected in series so that the corrugated pipes D are connected in series. The corrugated pipes D and the connector C are both formed by injection molding of resin, and the corrugated pipes are included in the category of corrugated pipes because the corrugated pipes have continuous concave and convex portions on their inner and outer surfaces. Regarding the symbol of the corrugated pipe, the general symbol "D" is used to generally refer to the corrugated pipe, and when a plurality of corrugated pipes are connected in series via the connector C, the symbol "D" with a subscript is used to specify each corrugated pipe. 1 ,D 2 ,D 3 ,··".

[0029] First, the corrugated tube D will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5. The corrugated tube D has a rectangular (square) cross section with four sides all having the same width, and the inner and outer surfaces are alternately formed with uneven portions, so that the outer surface convex portion 1 and the outer surface concave portion 2 are alternately provided on the outer surface side, and the inner surface convex portion 3 and the inner surface convex portion 4 corresponding to the outer surface convex portion 1 and the outer surface concave portion 2 are alternately provided on the inner surface side, respectively, forming a flexible square tube shape as a whole. As shown in Fig. 4, the cross section shape of the outer surface convex portion 1 is a square shape with each side formed by a straight line portion, and each corner portion is formed into an arc shape, and the corrugated tube D as a whole is composed of a total of four flat tube wall portions 10 of equal width, and has a hollow structure inside.

[0030] At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the corrugated tube D, a protruding portion 2a' is formed by approximately half the width of the bottom plate portion 2a of the outer surface recess 2. At the center of one of the widthwise directions of each of the opposing surfaces, which are the upper and lower surfaces of the corrugated tube D having a rectangular cross section, a linear cutout portion 5 is formed in the center of the widthwise direction, which continues in the longitudinal direction, and at the center of the other widthwise direction of each of the opposing surfaces, an elastically deformable hinge portion 6 having an expanded U-shaped cross section is formed in a linear shape that protrudes outward from the protruding plate portion 4a of the inner surface convex portion 4 (the bottom plate portion 2a of the outer surface recess 2) and continues in the longitudinal direction opposite the cutout portion 5. A recess 6a is formed in the hinge portion 6, which opens inward. A pair of gently sloping portions 7 that are gently sloping toward the inside are provided in the portion where the cut slit 5 is formed in the outer convex portion 1 of the corrugated tube D, and the intersection of the pair of gently sloping portions 7 is slightly inward of the corrugated tube D compared to other portions, and the cut slit 5 is formed at the intersection. The hollow portion inside the corrugated tube D, which has a rectangular cross section, is a tube accommodation space 13 that accommodates wiring and piping material P. The corrugated tube D in the above-mentioned square tube shape has a two-part connection structure in which the cut slit 5 is expanded with the hinge portion 6 as a fulcrum, by forming the cut slit 5 in the longitudinal direction on the surface opposite to the surface on which the hinge portion 6 is formed, and the corrugated tube D with the expanded cut slit 5 has a structure in which the cut slit 5 is closed by the elastic restoring force of the hinge portion 6 and naturally adheres to the other surface.

[0031] Meanwhile, in the widthwise center of the surface of the corrugated tube D on which the hinge portion 6 is provided and which faces the surface on which the slit portion 5 is provided, a hinge disposing recess 11 having an isosceles trapezoidal cross section with a wider outer width is formed continuously in the longitudinal direction, and the hinge portion 6 having an expanded U-shaped cross section is disposed in a state in which it is inserted into the hinge disposing recess 11. Therefore, in the portion of the outer surface convex portion 1 (inner surface concave portion 3), a pair of connecting plate portions 12 connect both ends of the hinge portion 6 having an expanded U-shaped cross section to the protruding plate portion 1a of the outer surface convex portion 1 (bottom plate portion 3a of the inner surface concave portion 3). The connecting plate portions 12 are not present in the outer surface concave portion 2.

[0032] When the wiring / piping material P is accommodated inside the corrugated pipe D of the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the surface on which the slit portion 5 is provided faces upward, and the wiring / piping material P is accommodated inside the corrugated pipe D through the pipe insertion opening 14 formed by expanding the slit portion 5 to both sides with the hinge portion 6 as a fulcrum, and after the accommodating, the pipe insertion opening 14 is closed as shown in Fig. 5(b). After the wiring / piping material P is accommodated inside the multiple corrugated pipes D connected in series via the connector C, the multiple corrugated pipes D are sequentially twisted and rotated by utilizing the slit portion 5 formed in the corrugated pipe D from the corrugated pipe D at one end to the corrugated pipe D at the other end while the multiple corrugated pipes D are connected in series, and the surface on which the slit portion 5 is formed is brought into contact with the laying surface G, and the multiple corrugated pipes D connected in series are installed on the laying surface G. For this reason, with the wiring / piping material P housed inside, a pair of planar pipe walls 10 other than the pair of planar pipe walls 10 in which the slits 5 and hinges 6 of the corrugated pipe D are provided are arranged perpendicular to the installation surface G. In addition to the corrugated pipe D itself having a rectangular cross section, uneven parts are provided alternately over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, resulting in a structure with high deformation resistance strength (deformation resistance rigidity) against external forces acting on each surface, particularly when installed, and therefore has the advantage that the corrugated pipe D does not easily deform even if a large impact load is applied by a falling object or the like during installation, or even if the corrugated pipe D is stepped on by a person.

[0033] Next, referring to Figs. 6 to 8, the connector C for connecting the corrugated tubes D will be described. The connector C connects the two corrugated tubes D by utilizing the inner recesses 3 closest to the opposing ends of the two corrugated tubes D to be connected, and corresponds to the inner peripheral shape of the corrugated tube D. An opening 21 is formed in a specific portion along the circumferential direction to allow the passage of the wiring / piping material P, and the cross section having a predetermined length along the arrangement direction Q of the wiring / piping material P is substantially U-shaped by removing a part in the circumferential direction of the square (rectangular) cylindrical state. The width W of the opening 21 is larger than the outer shape or outer diameter of the cross section of the maximum wiring / piping material P that can be accommodated in the corrugated tube D. That is, the connector C includes a plate-shaped base 22 arranged at a position facing the opening 21 along the circumferential direction, and a pair of similar plate-shaped arms 23 erected opposite to each other at both ends along the circumferential direction of the base 22. The connection between the base 22 and the pair of arms 23 is curved in an arc, and the tips of the pair of arms 23 are curved slightly inward.

[0034] On the outer surface of the pair of arms 23, two engaging portions 24 that enter and engage with the inner recesses 3 closest to the opposing ends of the two corrugated tubes D to be connected are integrally formed along the circumferential direction in a form that protrudes outward at a predetermined interval along the axial direction, and the engaging portions 24 are continuously formed from the tip of the arm 23 to both ends along the circumferential direction of the base 22 so as to avoid interference with the hinge portion 6 of the corrugated tube D, as shown in FIG. 12(a). The pair of engaging portions 24 formed on the outer surface of each arm 23 at a predetermined interval along the axial direction have an L-shaped cross section by removing the outer flesh portion while leaving the flesh portion on the opposing side, but there is no functional meaning that is generated by removing the flesh portion. On the inner surface of the base 22, a pipe support portion 25 is formed along the circumferential direction to abut and partially support the wiring / piping material P when the wiring / piping material P is accommodated in the pipe accommodation space 13 of the multiple corrugated tubes D connected via the connector C. The upper surface of the pipe support portion 25 is flat so as to easily support the wiring / piping material P.

[0035] In the present invention, wiring / piping material P is accommodated in the pipe accommodation space 13 of multiple corrugated tubes D connected by connectors C, and while multiple corrugated tubes D are connected in series with their slits 5 facing upward, the multiple corrugated tubes D are sequentially twisted and rotated from one end to the other end to invert the entire multiple corrugated tubes D, thereby rearranging the slits 5 facing downward. That is, the corrugated tube D is capable of twisting due to the presence of the slits 5 formed over its entire axial length, and during the twisting, the opposing end edges 5a, 5b (see Figs. 12 and 15) of the slits 5 are displaced in the axial direction, and the entire corrugated tube D is twisted, enabling the twisting. The above-mentioned torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D also occurs at the connection portion of the two corrugated tubes D connected via the connecting body C, and therefore the entire connecting body C connecting the two corrugated tubes D is torsionally deformed in response to the torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D.

[0036] During torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D, the amount of torsional deformation increases with increasing distance from the slit 5 in the circumferential direction, and the amount of torsional deformation is maximum in the portion of the corrugated tube D facing the slit 5. On the other hand, with regard to the connector C connecting two corrugated tubes D, the pair of arms 23 that are substantially integrated with the corrugated tube D via the engagement portion 24 are subjected to axial forces F of the same magnitude but in opposite directions along the axial direction on the pair of arms 23 that are substantially integrated with the corrugated tube D as shown in FIG. 1 ,F 2 As a result, the two ends of the connecting body C are forcibly displaced in opposite directions along the axial direction, and the base 22 of the connecting body C is twisted, resulting in twisting deformation of the entire connecting body C. Note that, in order to facilitate understanding, the deformation is illustrated larger than the actual deformation in FIG. 9(b).

[0037] As shown in Figs. 10 to 13, a plurality of corrugated tubes D 1 ,D 2 , ·· are connected in series via a connector C. Each of the two corrugated pipes D to be connected 1 ,D 2The opposing ends of the corrugated tubes D are brought close to each other and are widened at the cutout portion 5 to form the tube insertion opening 14. 1 ,D 2 The two engaging portions 24 provided on the connector C are inserted into each corrugated tube D so that the tube insertion opening 14 of the connector C is aligned with the opening 21 of the connector C. 1 ,D 2 The two corrugated pipes D are fitted into the inside of the inner recess 3, which is the inside of the outer protrusion 1 closest to the opposing end of each of the corrugated pipes D. 1 ,D 2 When the pipe insertion opening 14 is closed, each engagement portion 24 of the connector C enters into the inner recesses 3 of the two corrugated pipes D and engages with each other, so that the two corrugated pipes D are connected to each other via the connector C. 1 ,D 2 In the same way, multiple corrugated pipes D are connected in an axial direction so that they cannot be separated. 1 ,D 2 ,D 3 ·· are connected in series via a connector C. In addition, each of the two corrugated tubes D 1 ,D 2 are connected inseparably in the axial direction via connector C, and each corrugated tube D 1 ,D 2 A predetermined gap 31 (see FIG. 11(b)) is formed between the opposing end faces.

[0038] Furthermore, a gap is formed between the engaging portion 24 of the connecting body C and the inner surface recess 3 of the corrugated tube D into which the engaging portion 24 has entered, which allows the corrugated tube D to enter as it is twisted and deformed, and the gap is spaced such that the engaging portion 24 can abut against each other along the axial direction before it enters the inner surface recess 3 and disengages from the inner surface recess 3, thereby preventing the disengagement.

[0039] In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, when a plurality of corrugated tubes D connected in series via a connector C are twisted and rotated, each corrugated tube D 1 ,D 2 Each engagement portion 24 of the connector C in each corrugated pipe D 1 ,D 2The portion of the outer protrusion 1 which is inserted into and engaged with the inner recess 3 on the inside of the corrugated pipe D forms one of the four flat pipe wall portions 10 in total. 1 ,D 2 When the connecting body C is twisted and rotated, the connecting body C functions as a contact wall portion 15 against which the engaging portion 24 of the connecting body C contacts, and the outer surface of the engaging portion 24 of the connecting body C contacts the corrugated tube D. 1 ,D 2 The connecting body C functions as an abutment portion 26 against which the abutment wall portion 15 of the connecting body C abuts. The connecting body C rotates integrally with the corrugated tubes D on both sides to which it is connected, thereby transmitting the torsional force of one of the corrugated tubes D connected via the connecting body C to the other corrugated tube D, and the connecting body C itself is also deformed as a whole by the base portion 22 being torsionally deformed as described above. Note that, during the torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D, the abutment portion that restricts the relative rotation of the corrugated tube D and the connecting body C may be the outer surface of the arm portion 23 instead of the outer surface of the engaging portion 24 as described above, and further, both may function as abutment portions.

[0040] 12, when the cutouts 5 of the corrugated tubes D connected in series via the connectors C are expanded to form the tube insertion openings 14, the tube insertion openings 14 and the openings 21 of the connectors C are arranged at the same position along the circumferential direction, so that the wiring / piping material P can be accommodated in the tube accommodating space 13 of the corrugated tube D through the tube insertion openings 14 and the openings 21. After accommodating the wiring / piping material P in the tube accommodating space 13 of the corrugated tube D, when the tube insertion openings 14 of each corrugated tube D are closed, each corrugated tube D is arranged with the wiring / piping material P inserted in the internal tube accommodating space 13 and with each cutout 5 facing upward, as shown in FIG.

[0041] Next, in order to prevent foreign objects, rainwater, etc. from entering the inside through the cutouts 5 of the corrugated tubes D facing upward, each corrugated tube D is rotated in sequence while still connected in series, and the cutouts 5 facing upward are rearranged so that they also face downward. The length of the corrugated tube D varies depending on the cross-sectional size and the type of wiring / piping material P to be accommodated, but when the corrugated tube D is twisted and rotated, a torsional stress acts on the corrugated tube D, which may cause the corrugated tube D to rotate in the opposite direction during the twisting or cause partial damage to the corrugated tube, and such partial damage is something that must be avoided at all costs. For this reason, the maximum twist angle relative to the total length of the corrugated tube becomes larger as its length increases, but there is a certain limit from the viewpoint of preventing the above-mentioned damage. It has been demonstrated that a 4m long corrugated pipe D will not break if the maximum twist angle, i.e., the maximum difference between the twist angles at both ends in the axial direction during twisting, is about 90°, and the illustration in Fig. 14 is shown at the above maximum twist angle. Note that in Fig. 14, the relationship between the cross-sectional size and the length is ignored.

[0042] In order to invert the entire corrugated tube D by sequentially twisting it from one end to the other end of the multiple corrugated tubes D connected in series via the connectors C, as shown in FIG. 14, the maximum twist angle of one corrugated tube D is 90°. 2 ,D 3 ,D 4 When the twist angle of the corrugated tube D reaches its maximum, 2 ,D 3 ,D 4 ·· is twisted at the same time, and the two corrugated tubes D 2 ,D 3 (D 3 ,D 4 The connector C, which connects two continuous corrugated pipes D 2 ,D 3 (D 3 ,D 4 The pair of abutment walls 15 of the corrugated tube D) and the pair of abutment parts 26 of the connecting body C are abutted against each other in the direction of the twisting rotation, and the connecting body C itself is twisted.2 ,D 3 (D 3 ,D 4 ) to transmit the torsional rotation of one of the two corrugated tubes D 2 ,D 3 (D 3 ,D 4 In the illustrated example, each corrugated tube D 3 ,D 4 ·· is twisted counterclockwise when viewed from the right end.

[0043] As described above, during the torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D, the opposing end edges 5a, 5b of the slit 5 are displaced relatively in the axial direction, as shown in Fig. 15, and the "amount of displacement" reaches a maximum when the torsional angle is 45°, and thereafter, the displacement is in the opposite direction, and when the slit 5 faces downward, the "amount of displacement" becomes zero and the opposing end edges 5a, 5b return to their original positions. The corrugated tube D is torsionally rotated while the relative positions of the slit 5 and the opening 21 of the connecting body C are aligned, and the connecting body C rotates following the torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D.

[0044] In Example 1, only one engaging portion 24 provided at each connection portion of the connecting body C is engaged with each corrugated tube D connected via the connecting body C. However, by providing four or six engaging portions 24 on the connecting body C, it is also possible to increase the connection force of the two corrugated tubes D by having two or three engaging portions 24 engage with each corrugated tube D to be connected.

[0045] Furthermore, when the corrugated tube D is twisted and rotated, the tube support portion 25 provided on the connector C prevents its own opening 21 from being narrowed by torsional deformation, and prevents the connector C from being twisted significantly and being unable to follow the torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D. By forming the connector C from a material with high rigidity, the torsional deformation of the connector C when the corrugated tube D is twisted and rotated can be restricted or minimized as much as possible. If the connector C can follow the torsional rotation of the corrugated tube D, the tube support portion 25 is not necessary, and if it is not present, the torsional deformation of the connector C will be easier.

[0046] Furthermore, by providing an insertion protrusion in the axial direction of the corrugated tube D at the center along the circumferential direction on the back surface of the base 22 of the connecting body C, which is inserted into the recess 6a of the hinge portion 6 of the corrugated tube D (by providing an insertion protrusion on the back surface of the base 22 of the connecting body C so as to be perpendicular to the tube support portion 25 on the front surface), and inserting the insertion protrusion into each of the recesses 6a arranged in succession at each end of the two corrugated tubes D when connecting two corrugated tubes D via the connecting body C, the unity between the two corrugated tubes D and the connecting body C is enhanced when multiple corrugated tubes D connected in series via the connecting body C are twisted and rotated, making it easier to twist and rotate the corrugated tube D. Reference Example 1

[0047] Next, referring to FIG. Reference example 1 In the first embodiment, the corrugated tubes D are connected to each other using a connector C separate from the corrugated tube D. Reference example 1In the present embodiment, a corrugated tube D' having a connection part C' integrally provided at one end in the axial direction is used. The connection part C' integrally provided at one end in the axial direction of the corrugated tube D' is structured to connect two corrugated tubes D' together by inserting an end of a main body part A of another corrugated tube D' that does not have a connection part C' therein. For this reason, the outer shape of the connection part C' has a similar rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the rectangular outer shape of the main body part A, and a plurality of outer protrusions 41 that can be engaged by fitting the outer surface protrusions 1 of the main body part A are formed at the same pitch as the outer protrusions 1 of the main body part A, and outer recesses 42 are formed between adjacent outer protrusions 41, and a connection part slit 45 that is continuous with the slit 5 is formed in a portion of the connection part C' that corresponds to the slit 5 of the main body part A. In addition, in Figure 16, 43 indicates an inner surface concave portion on the inside of the outer convex portion 41 of the connection portion C' of the corrugated tube D', and the outer surface convex portion 1 of the main body portion A of one corrugated tube D' which is connected to each other is fitted into the inner surface concave portion 43 of the connection portion C' of the other corrugated tube D' in an engaging structure, so that the two corrugated tubes D' are connected in an axial direction and cannot be separated.

[0048] When the wiring / piping material P is accommodated inside the corrugated tube D', the continuous cut slits 5 and the connection cut slits 45 of the main body A and the connection C' of the corrugated tube D' are expanded to form a tube insertion opening continuous with the main body A and the connection C', and the wiring / piping material P is accommodated inside through the tube insertion opening, and similarly to the first embodiment, the wiring / piping material P is accommodated inside and the plurality of corrugated tubes D' connected in series are inverted by twisting from one end to the other end by a predetermined length at a time, and the arrangement is changed so that each cut slit 5, 45 faces downward. When the corrugated tube D' is twisted, the opposing end edges 5a, 5b of the cut slit 5 of the main body A and the opposing end edges 45a, 45b of the cut slit 45 of the connection C' are all shifted in the axial direction as described above, enabling the twisting.

[0049] Example 1, Reference example 1Each of the corrugated pipes D, D' has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a total of four flat pipe walls, and is corrugated with alternating concave and convex portions, and has high resistance to deformation caused by external forces acting in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the concave and convex portions are formed. Therefore, whether the cut portions 5, 45 are arranged facing upward or downward, even if the laid corrugated pipe is stepped on by a worker or the like, the corrugated pipe will not be deformed due to the high deformation rigidity of a pair of flat pipe walls arranged opposite each other perpendicular to the laying surface G.

[0050] Example 1, Reference example 1 Each of the corrugated pipes D, D' has a square cross section and a structure having a total of four flat pipe walls 10 of equal width, but since the corrugated pipe of the present invention needs to be able to be stably arranged on the installation surface when the wiring / piping material is stored and when it is finally installed, it is sufficient that two surfaces, the surface on which the slits are provided and another surface opposite to the first surface, are flat pipe walls, and the remaining pair of surfaces do not necessarily need to be flat pipe walls, and may be formed, for example, as arc-shaped pipe walls bulging outward. Also, the cross section of the outer surface recess may be circular. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] A: Main body of corrugated tube C: Connector C': Connection of corrugated tube D,D': Corrugated tube P: Wiring and piping materials 1,41: Outer convex part 2,42: Outer recess 3,43: Inner recess 5: Cut section 5a, 5b: Opposite edge portions of cutout portion 10: Planar tube wall part 15: Contact wall of corrugated pipe 21: Opening of connector 22: Base of connector 23: Arm of the connecting body 24: Engagement portion of connector 26: Contact part of connector 45: Connection cut section 45a, 45b: Opposite edge portions of cutout portion

Claims

1. A corrugated tube connection device comprising a corrugated tube having inner and outer surfaces with concave and convex portions alternately formed in the axial direction, and a connector for connecting the corrugated tubes to each other by connecting portions formed at both ends, The corrugated pipe has a linear slit formed in the axial direction, and by expanding the slit, wiring and piping materials can be housed and laid inside. The connecting body is continuous in the axial direction of the corrugated tubes when the corrugated tubes are connected to each other, and has a cylindrical shape having an opening that is open in a part of the circumferential direction. Each connection portion of the connecting body is provided with an engagement portion that, when the connection portion is fitted into the end of the corrugated tube to be connected, enters and engages with the inner recess of the corrugated tube to prevent the corrugated tube from being separated in the axial direction, When the entire corrugated tube is twisted and rotated using the slits while the connecting body and the corrugated tube are connected in a connected state with the circumferential orientations of the opening and the slits aligned, relative rotation is restricted, so that the connecting body can rotate following the twisting and rotation of the corrugated tube while maintaining the connection state with the corrugated tube, A corrugated pipe connection device characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of at least the outer surface convex portion of the corrugated pipe is non-circular having two opposing straight portions, the connecting body has at least two abutment portions that abut along each of the two straight portions, and the relative rotation is regulated by abutment between an abutment wall portion corresponding to the straight portions on the inside of the outer surface convex portion of the corrugated pipe and the abutment portion of the connecting body.

2. The corrugated pipe is capable of deforming by torsional rotation of the corrugated pipe itself, such that each of the axial end edge portions arranged opposite to each other along the circumferential direction of the cut portion is displaced in the axial direction, The corrugated pipe connection device described in claim 1, characterized in that the connector can be deformed by shifting relatively in the axial direction of the corrugated pipe in response to the shift of the corrugated pipe due to twisting and rotation of the corrugated pipe while remaining in the connected state.

3. the connecting body includes a base portion disposed at a position facing the opening portion along the circumferential direction, and a pair of arm portions erected opposite to each other at both ends of the base portion along the circumferential direction, 3. The corrugated pipe connection device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the engaging portions are provided on at least the pair of arms, and the base maintains a state in which each engaging portion provided on the pair of arms enters into and engages with an inner recess of the corrugated pipe, so that each tip portion of the pair of arms is capable of torsional deformation in response to axial shifting of each end edge portion of the cut portion that occurs when the corrugated pipe is twisted and rotated.

4. 4. The corrugated pipe connection device according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a pair of arms that face each other along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wiring / piping material is accommodated from the cut portion of the corrugated pipe in the connected state and that are arranged along the pipe wall of the corrugated pipe, a base that connects the base ends of the pair of arms, and an opening that is formed between the tips of the pair of arms, and the circumferential width of the opening is a width that allows the wiring / piping material to be accommodated in the corrugated pipe to pass through.

5. 5. The corrugated pipe connection device according to claim 1, wherein at least the outer surface convex portion of the corrugated pipe has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

Images