Structural construction

Abstract

To provide fastening structure that allows a worker to easily understand that fastening has been completed with an appropriate tightening torque.SOLUTION: Fastening structure 10 comprises: a fastening member 20 that is fastened to a mounting member; an operating member 50 that is detachably attached to the fastening member 20 and rotated together with the fastening member 20; and guide means for guiding the operating member 50 to a side opposite to a fastening direction of the fastening member 20 when a tightening torque reaches a predetermined value through rotational operation of the operating member 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a fastening structure that includes a fastening member that is fastened to a drainage device and an operating member for operating the fastening member to fasten, wherein the operating member has an engaging portion that engages with the fastening member, and the fastening member has an engaged portion with which the engaging portion engages, and the fastening member is fastened to the drainage device by being rotated relative to the drainage device via the operating member, and when the tightening torque of the relative rotation reaches a predetermined value, the engagement between the engaging portion of the operating member and the engaged portion of the fastening member is released, allowing the fastening member to be detached from the operating member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6831085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for the worker to know that the fastening has been completed with an appropriate fastening torque.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastening structure that allows an operator to easily recognize that fastening has been completed with an appropriate tightening torque. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fastening structure of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a fastening member that is fastened to an attachment member, an operating member that is detachably attached to the fastening member and is rotated together with the fastening member, and a guide means that guides the operating member in the direction opposite to the fastening direction of the fastening member when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value due to the rotation of the operating member.

[0007] In the fastening structure of the first aspect, the fastening member is fastened to the mounting member by rotating the operating member. When the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value, the guide means guides the operating member in the direction opposite to the tightening direction of the fastening member. As a result, according to the fastening structure of the first aspect, the worker can know that the fastening member has been tightened to the mounting member with the predetermined tightening torque.

[0008] The fastening structure of the second aspect of the present invention is the fastening structure of the first aspect, wherein the guiding means has a guide portion provided on the fastening member and a guided portion provided on the operating member, and when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value by rotating the operating member, the guided portion abuts against the guide portion and is guided by the guide portion in the direction opposite to the fastening direction of the fastening member.

[0009] In the fastening structure of the second aspect, when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value through rotation of the operating member, the guided portion abuts against the guide portion. The guided portion abutting against the guide portion is guided in the opposite direction to the fastening direction of the fastening member. In other words, the operating member moves in the opposite direction to the fastening direction relative to the fastening member. Thus, with the fastening structure of the first aspect, with a simple structure in which the guided portion is provided on the fastening member and the guided portion is provided on the operating member, the operator can know that the fastening member has been tightened to the attachment member with the predetermined torque.

[0010] A third aspect of the fastening structure of the present invention is the fastening structure of the second aspect, wherein the operating member is provided with a torque applying portion that abuts against the guide portion by rotating the operating member and applies a tightening torque to the fastening member, and the torque applying portion is released from contact with the guide portion when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value, and the guided portion abuts against the guide portion when the torque applying portion is released from contact with the guide portion, and is guided by the guide portion in the direction opposite to the tightening direction of the fastening member.

[0011] In the fastening structure of the third aspect, the torque application portion contacts the guide portion when the operating member is rotated, and the operating member applies a tightening torque to the fastening member. When the tightening torque applied to the fastening member reaches a predetermined value, the torque application portion and the guide portion are released from contact. This allows fastening with a constant tightening torque. In other words, the above fastening structure prevents the fastening member from being fastened to the mounting member with excessive tightening torque.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the fastening structure of the present invention is the fastening structure of the third aspect, wherein the fastening member is cylindrical, the operating member is rotated while inserted into the fastening member, the guide portion protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the fastening member, the guided portion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the operating member, and the torque applying portion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the operating member and is circumferentially spaced from the guided portion.

[0013] In the fastening structure of the fourth aspect, the operating member is inserted into the fastening member, and the operating member is rotated to fasten the fastening member to the attachment member with a predetermined tightening torque. Here, the above fastening structure has a simple structure in which a guide portion protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the fastening member, a guided portion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the operating member, and a torque applying portion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the operating member at a circumferential distance from the guided portion, which prevents the fastening member from being fastened to the attachment member with excessive tightening torque and allows the operator to know that the fastening member has been fastened to the attachment member with the predetermined torque.

[0014] A fastening structure of a fifth aspect of the present invention is a fastening structure of any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the guide portion has a guide-side inclined surface that is inclined toward the opposite side to the fastening direction toward the rotation direction in which a tightening torque is applied from the operating member to the fastening member, and the guided portion abuts against the guide-side inclined surface when the operating member is rotated.

[0015] In the fastening structure of the fifth aspect, the guide portion has a guide inclined surface, and the guided portion abuts against the guide side inclined surface by rotating the operating member in the rotational direction that applies the tightening torque, so that a fastening structure can be provided that guides the operating member in the opposite direction to the fastening direction with a simple structure.

[0016] The fastening structure of the sixth aspect of the present invention is the fastening structure of the fifth aspect, wherein the guided portion has a guided side inclined surface that is inclined toward the opposite side of the fastening direction toward the rotation direction, and the guide side inclined surface abuts against the guided side inclined surface by rotating the operating member.

[0017] In the fastening structure of the sixth aspect, the guided portion has a guided-side inclined surface, and the guided-side inclined surface abuts against the guide-side inclined surface when the operating member is rotated in the rotation direction that applies the tightening torque, so that the guided-side inclined surface moves smoothly over the guide-side inclined surface compared to a configuration in which the abutting portion of the guided portion is angular, for example, which reduces rattling when the guided portion is guided by the guide portion.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the fastening structure of the present invention is a fastening structure of any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the fastening member has an engaged portion, the operating member has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion, and when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value by rotating the operating member, the engaging portion is disengaged from the engaged portion, making the operating member detachable from the fastening member.

[0019] In the fastening structure of the seventh aspect, the torque application portion and the guide portion are disengaged by rotating the operating member. That is, when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are disengaged. This allows the operating member to be detached from the fastening member. Furthermore, by shipping the fastening member with the engaging portion of the operating member engaged with the engaged portion of the fastening member, it is possible to prevent the parts from falling off.

[0020] The fastening structure of an eighth aspect of the present invention is the fastening structure of the third or fourth aspect, wherein the engaged portion protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the fastening member and has an engaged-side inclined surface that inclines toward the opposite side of the fastening direction toward the rotational direction in which a tightening torque is applied to the fastening member, and the torque-applying portion has an applying-side inclined surface that inclines toward the opposite side of the fastening direction toward the rotational direction, and when the guided portion is guided by the guide portion toward the opposite side of the fastening direction by rotating the operating member, the applying-side inclined surface abuts the engaged-side inclined surface, and the torque-applying portion is guided toward the opposite side of the fastening direction by the engaged portion.

[0021] In the fastening structure of the eighth aspect, the torque applying portion has an inclined surface on the torque applying side, and is guided in the opposite direction to the fastening direction from the engaged portion. Therefore, compared to a fastening structure that does not have an inclined surface on the engaged side, it is possible to prevent excessive tightening torque from being applied to the fastening member due to the torque applying portion coming into contact with the engaged portion, which can prevent damage to the mounting member and fastening member after fastening.

[0022] A fastening structure of a ninth aspect of the present invention is the fastening structure of the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the engagement portion is an engagement claw that protrudes outward, and the engagement claw is provided with a claw-side inclined surface that guides the engagement claw from riding up onto the guide portion.

[0023] In the fastening structure of the ninth aspect, the engaging claw easily climbs up onto the guide portion compared to a structure not having a claw-side inclined surface. Here, when the engaging claw climbs up onto the guide portion, the engagement between the engaging claw and the guide portion is released. In other words, with the above fastening structure, the engagement state can be reliably released and the operating member can be separated from the fastening member.

[0024] A fastening structure of a 10th aspect of the present invention is a fastening structure of any one of the 1st to 9th aspects, wherein the fastening member is formed with a fastening side flange portion that protrudes radially outward at an end opposite to the fastening direction, and the operating member is formed with an operating side flange portion that protrudes radially outward at an end opposite to the fastening direction, and the operating side flange portion covers the entire fastening side flange portion.

[0025] In the fastening structure of the tenth aspect, the surface of the fastening side flange portion of the fastening member fastened to the mounting member is covered by the operating side flange portion of the operating member, thereby preventing the occurrence of appearance defects such as scratches on the surface of the fastening side flange portion of the fastening member during shipping.

[0026] A fastening structure of an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the fastening structure of any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the mounting member is a water-related member.

[0027] The fastening structure of the eleventh aspect allows fastening with a constant tightening torque and improves the quality of installation without depending on the skill of the installer. In other words, it is possible to ensure a seal between the tank wall of the drain outlet and a water-related component, for example, without depending on the skill of the installer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, a fastening structure can be provided that allows an operator to easily recognize that fastening has been completed with an appropriate tightening torque. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a water supply member having a fastening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded view of a water supply member having a fastening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a water supply member having a fastening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fastening member as viewed from the detachment direction side of the operating member. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening member as viewed from the fastening direction side of the operating member. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a development view of the fastening member viewed from the radial outside through the fastening-side tubular portion in the circumferential direction. FIG. [Figure 8]8 is an enlarged view of a pressed portion and an engaged portion in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operating member as viewed from the detaching direction side of the operating member. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operating member as viewed from the fastening direction side of the operating member. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a development view of the operating member viewed from the radially outer side in the circumferential direction. [Figure 13] 13 is an enlarged view of a pressing portion, a stopper portion, and an engaging claw in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a development view showing the fastening member and the operating member combined together. [Figure 15] 10 is a development view showing a state in which the operating member is operated and the pressing portion has climbed over the pressed portion. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a development view showing a state in which the operating member is operated and the guided-side inclined surface of the stopper portion abuts against the guide-side inclined surface of the pressed portion. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a development view showing how the operating member is operated and the guided-side inclined surface of the stopper portion is guided by the guide-side inclined surface of the pressed portion, thereby guiding the operating member in the removal direction. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a development view showing a state in which, when the operating member is operated, the engaging claws come into contact with the torque-receiving inclined surface of the pressed portion and are elastically deformed inward. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a development view showing a state in which the operating member is operated and the application-side inclined surface of the pressing portion abuts on the engaged portion. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a development view showing a state in which the operating member is operated and the inclined surface of the pressing portion on the application side is guided by the engaged portion, thereby guiding the operating member in the removal direction. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] A fastening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0031] In the following description, the "arrow X direction," "arrow Y direction," and "arrow Z direction" refer to three mutually orthogonal directions, which may differ from the actual directions. In the following description, the arrow X direction and the arrow Y direction are, for example, horizontal directions, and the arrow Z direction is the vertical direction.

[0032] It should be noted that the "arrow Z direction" is referred to as the "arrow Z+ direction" or the "arrow Z- direction" when the direction is to be distinguished, and is referred to as the "arrow Z direction" when the direction is not to be distinguished.

[0033] In the following description, the arrow Z+ direction indicates the "opposite direction to the fastening direction" in the present invention, i.e., the same direction as the "detachment direction," and the arrow Z- direction indicates the same direction as the "fastening direction" in the present invention.

[0034] In the following description, the direction of arrow R1 indicates the direction in which a tightening torque is applied to the fastening member 20 in the present invention, i.e., the same direction as the "rotation direction" in the present invention, and the direction of arrow R2 indicates the opposite direction to the rotation direction.

[0035] (composition) 1 to 3 show how a fastening structure 10 of this embodiment is used, with FIG. 1 showing a perspective view, FIG. 2 showing an exploded view, and FIG. 3 showing a cross-sectional view.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fastening structure 10 comprises a bathtub 14, a drain pipe 16 arranged on the bottom side of the bathtub 14, a sealing member 12 provided between the bathtub 14 and the drain pipe 16, a fastening member 20 that fastens the bathtub 14 and the drain pipe 16 together, and an operating member 50 that operates the fastening member 20.

[0037] The bathtub 14 in this description is an example of the "mounting member" of the present invention, and can also be said to be an example of the "bathroom member" which is an example of the mounting member.

[0038] 1 to 3, the bathtub 14 has a drain outlet 15 on the bottom surface. This drain outlet 15 is a hole through which water drained from the bathtub 14 passes.

[0039] The drain pipe 16 is a tubular member attached to the bottom side of the bathtub 14, and has an open end 17 on which a female screw portion 18 is formed in the direction of the arrow Z+.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sealing member 12 is formed to cover the open end 17 of the drain pipe 16 and is a ring-shaped member that protrudes in the direction of arrow Z+, and is formed, for example, from an elastic material such as rubber.

[0041] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, sealing member 12 is sandwiched between drain outlet 15 of bathtub 14 and the open end 17 of drain pipe 16, and is combined with bathtub 14 and drain pipe 16. As described above, sealing member 12 is made of an elastic material, and is therefore tightly attached between drain outlet 15 of bathtub 14 and open end 17 of drain pipe 16. In other words, sealing member 12 is a member that prevents water from leaking from the gap between bathtub 14 and drain pipe 16.

[0042] 2 and 3, the fastening structure 10 is assembled by inserting the male thread portion 26 on the outer periphery of the fastening member 20 into the drain outlet 15 of the bathtub 14 and threading it into the female thread portion 18 of the drain pipe 16. When threading the fastening member 20 and the drain pipe 16 together, the fastening member 20 rotates, thereby threading it into the sealing member 12 and the drain pipe 16 that is passing through the bathtub 14.

[0043] The operating member 50 is a member that is inserted from the arrow Z+ direction side of the fastening member 20 as shown in Figures 1 to 3, and by rotating the fastening member 20, the fastening member 20 and the drain pipe 16 are screwed together.

[0044] 1 to 3 show how the fastening member 20 is rotated by the operating member 50 and threadedly engaged with the drain pipe 16, thereby fastening the bathtub 14, the drain pipe 16, the sealing member 12, and the fastening member 20 together. The specific structures of the fastening member 20 and the operating member 50 will be described later.

[0045] (fastening member 20) Next, the fastening member 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8 as appropriate.

[0046] 4 to 7 are diagrams of the fastening member 20, with FIG. 4 showing an oblique view from the arrow Z+ direction, FIG. 5 showing an oblique view from the arrow Z- direction, FIG. 6 showing a plan view, and FIG. 7 showing an expanded view of the inner surface of the fastening side tubular portion 24 viewed from the central axis in FIG. 6.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the fastening member 20 is a member having a cylindrical fastening side tubular portion 24 and a fastening side flange portion 22 formed in the removal direction relative to the fastening side tubular portion 24.

[0048] The fastening side tubular portion 24 can be inserted into the drain outlet 15 of the bathtub 14, and has a male thread portion 26 on its outer circumferential surface that fits with the female thread portion 18 of the drain pipe 16 described above, and an engaged portion 36 and a pressed portion 30 on its inner circumferential surface. The specific shapes of the engaged portion 36 and the pressed portion 30 will be described later.

[0049] The fastening side flange portion 22 is larger in diameter than the cylindrical portion and has a larger diameter than the drain outlet 15 of the bathtub 14 described above, and is the portion that sandwiches the sealing member 12 together with the bathtub 14 when combined with the drain pipe 16, bathtub 14 and sealing member 12.

[0050] Next, the shapes of the pressed portion 30 and the engaged portion 36 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a development view of the inner peripheral surface of the fastening-side cylindrical portion viewed in the circumferential direction relative to the rotation axis C about which the fastening member 20 rotates when it is rotated and screwed, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 7.

[0051] The pressed portion 30 is an example of the "guide portion" of the present invention, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is a rib protruding from the inner surface of the fastening side cylindrical portion, and as an example, is formed in four locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0052] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the pressed portion 30 has a guide side inclined surface 32 on the arrow Z+ direction side that inclines in the arrow Z+ direction from the arrow R2 direction (the opposite direction to the direction in which the fastening member 20 rotates and fastens) toward the arrow R1 direction (the direction in which the fastening member 20 rotates and fastens).

[0053] 8, the pressed portion 30 has a torque-receiving inclined surface 34 that is inclined radially inward from the direction of the arrow R2 toward the direction of the arrow R1.

[0054] 5 and 6, the engaged portions 36 are ribs protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the fastening-side cylindrical portion, similar to the pressed portions 30, and are formed, for example, at four locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 6 and 7, the engaged portions 36 are formed between the pressed portions 30 that are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the engaged portion 36 has an engaged-side inclined surface 38 on the arrow Z+ side that is inclined in the arrow Z+ direction from the arrow R2 side toward the arrow R1 direction. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the positions of the ends of the pressed portion 30 and the engaged portion 36 in the + arrow Z direction are set to be equal, for example.

[0056] In Figures 4 to 8, the pressed portion 30 and the engaged portion 36 are formed at the end of the fastening side cylindrical portion in the arrow Z- direction, but the position in the arrow Z direction at which the pressed portion 30 and the engaged portion 36 are formed is not limited to this.

[0057] The fastening member 20 of this embodiment may be made of any material, but as an example, it is integrally formed of hard resin.

[0058] (Operation member 50) Next, the operating member 50 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13 as needed.

[0059] 9 to 11 are diagrams of the operating member 50, with FIG. 9 showing an oblique view from the arrow Z+ direction, FIG. 10 showing an oblique view from the arrow Z- direction, FIG. 11 showing a plan view, and FIG. 12 showing an expanded view of the inner surface of the operating side tube portion 56 from the central axis in FIG. 11.

[0060] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the operating member 50 is a member having a cylindrical operating side tube portion 56, an operating side flange portion 54 formed on the arrow Z+ direction side of the operating side tube portion 56, and a torqued portion 52 formed on the arrow Z+ direction side of the operating side flange portion 54.

[0061] Furthermore, the operating member 50 is a component that fastens the fastening member 20 by being rotated by an operator in a state in which the operating member 50 is inserted into the fastening member 20 during the fastening operation described below.

[0062] The operation side cylinder portion 56 can be inserted into the cylindrical portion of the fastening member 20, and has on its outer circumferential surface the pressing portion 70, stopper portion 76, and engagement claw 80. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the portion of the operation side cylinder portion 56 where the pressing portion 70 and engagement claw 80 are formed has a shape that can be elastically deformed radially inward.

[0063] 9 to 11, the operation side cylinder portion 56 has a cavity 58 on the radially inner side at the location where the pressing portion 70 is formed, and a groove 60 on the radially inner side at the location where the engagement claw 80 is formed, so that the operation side cylinder portion 56 has the locations where the pressing portion 70 and engagement claw 80 are formed elastically deformable radially inward. The specific shapes of the pressing portion 70, stopper portion 76, and engagement claw 80 will be described later.

[0064] The operating side flange portion 54 is a portion having a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion, and is shaped to cover the fastening side flange portion 22 in an engaged state, which will be described later.

[0065] 9, the torqued portion 52 is a portion that protrudes in the direction of the arrow Z+ from the operating-side flange portion 54 and is formed in a hexagonal shape in a plan view. Here, the torqued portion 52 is a portion to which a rotational torque (fastening) is applied by an operator during a fastening operation, which will be described later. That is, the operator applies torque to the torqued portion 52 to rotate the operating member 50.

[0066] Next, the shapes of the pressing portion 70, the stopper portion 76, and the engaging claw 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a development view of the outer circumferential surface of the operation side cylinder portion 56 viewed in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation axis C about which the operating member 50 rotates, and Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 12, the rotation axis C about which the operating member 50 rotates coincides with the rotation axis C of the fastening member 20 during the fastening operation, which will be described later.

[0067] The pressing portion 70 is an example of a "torque applying portion" in the present invention, and as shown in Figs. 9 to 11, is a rib that protrudes and extends in the direction of arrow Z+ on the outer peripheral surface of the operation side tube portion 56, and as an example, is formed at four locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the pressing portion 70 has, on the arrow Z- direction side, an application-side inclined surface 74 that inclines in the arrow Z+ direction from the arrow R2 direction side toward the arrow R1 direction.

[0069] 11, the pressing portion 70 has a torque inclined surface 72 that is inclined radially outward from the direction of arrow R1 toward the direction of arrow R2. The position of the pressing portion 70 in the direction of arrow Z+ is set to a position where it comes into contact with the pressed portion 30 of the fastening member 20 during the fastening operation described below.

[0070] The stopper portions 76 are an example of the "guided portion" of the present invention, and like the pressing portions 70, are ribs that extend in the direction of the arrow Z+ on the outer peripheral surface of the operation side cylinder portion 56, as shown in Figures 9 to 11, and are formed in four locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, for example. Also, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the stopper portions 76 are formed between the pressing portions 70 that are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0071] 11 and 12, the stopper portion 76 has a guided-side inclined surface 78 that slopes from the arrow R1 direction toward the arrow R2 direction toward the arrow Z+ direction. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the end of the stopper portion 76 on the arrow Z- direction side is shaped to be located closer to the arrow Z+ direction than the end of the pressing portion 70 on the arrow Z- direction side. In addition, the end of the stopper portion 76 on the arrow Z+ direction side is, for example, equivalent to the end of the pressing portion 70 on the arrow Z+ direction side.

[0072] The engaging claws 80 are an example of an "engaging portion" in the present invention, and similar to the pressing portion 70, are claw-shaped portions protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the operating side tube portion 56 as shown in Figures 9 to 11, and as an example, are formed in four locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0073] 11 and 12, the engaging claw 80 is formed on the arrow R1 direction side of the stopper portion 76 and on the arrow R2 direction side of the pressing portion 70. In other words, the pressing portion 70, the stopper portion 76, and the engaging claw 80 are formed in this order in the direction of the arrow R1 with the pressing portion 70 as the starting point.

[0074] 11 and 12, the engaging claw 80 has a claw-side inclined surface 82 that inclines radially inward from the direction of arrow R1 toward the direction of arrow R2. Also, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the engaging claw 80 has, on the arrow Z- direction side, a locking inclined surface 84 that inclines radially inward from the arrow Z- direction toward the direction of arrow Z+. Note that the position of the pressing portion 70 in the arrow Z+ direction is set to a position where it abuts against the engaged portion 36 of the fastening member 20, on the arrow Z- direction side of the engaged portion 36, during a fastening operation described below.

[0075] The operating member 50 of this embodiment may be made of any material, but as an example, it is integrally formed of hard resin.

[0076] 1 to 3, the operating member 50 can be assembled to the fastening member 20. More specifically, the fastening member 20 and the operating member 50 are assembled by inserting the operating side cylindrical portion 56 of the operating member 50 from the arrow Z+ direction side of the fastening side cylindrical portion of the fastening member 20 so that the engaging claws 80 of the operating side cylindrical portion 56 and the engaged portions 36 of the fastening side cylindrical portion are at the same position in the circumferential direction.

[0077] Here, when the operating member 50 is inserted into the fastening member 20 and the engaging claw 80 abuts against the engaged portion 36, the engaging claw 80 is guided by the locking inclined surface 84 formed on the engaging claw 80 on the Z-direction side, and elastically deforms radially inward. By further pushing the operating member 50 into the fastening member 20 in this state, the engaging claw 80 climbs over the engaged portion 36 and then releases its elastic deformation on the Z-direction side of the engaged portion 36. When the elastic deformation of the engaging claw 80 is released on the Z-direction side of the engaged portion 36, the engaging claw 80 becomes caught on the engaged portion 36, preventing the operating member 50 from being easily pulled out in the Z+ direction. This state of the fastening member 20 and the operating member 50 is referred to as the "engaged state."

[0078] (Fastening operation and action) Next, the fastening operation for obtaining the fastening structure 10 using the fastening member 20 and the operating member 50 of this embodiment, and its action will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 20 as appropriate.

[0079] 14 to 20 are developments of the pressing portion 70, stopper portion 76, engaging claw 80, pressed portion 30, and engaged portion 36 of the operating member 50 and fastening member 20 in an engaged state, viewed from the outside of the fastening member 20 through the fastening-side cylindrical portion. Note that, although only a portion in the circumferential direction is shown in Figs. 14 to 20, the relationship between the pressing portion 70, stopper portion 76, engaging claw 80, pressed portion 30, and engaged portion 36, which are not shown in Figs. 14 to 20, is the same as that of the portions shown.

[0080] First, the worker engages the fastening member 20 and the operating member 50 using the procedure described above, assembles them with the drain pipe 16, sealing member 12, and bathtub 14, and inserts the male thread portion 26 of the fastening member 20 into the female thread portion 18 of the drain pipe 16, as shown in Figure 2. In this state, as shown in Figure 14, the fastening member 20 and the operating member 50 are engaged, and the engaging claw 80 is caught on the engaged portion 36, so the operating member 50 cannot be easily pulled out in the direction of arrow Z+. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the stopper portion 76 abuts against the engaged portion 36, and the pressing portion 70 abuts against the pressed portion 30, so the operating member 50 does not easily rotate in the directions of arrows R1 and R2.

[0081] Next, by rotating the operating member 50, the fastening member 20 is rotated, and the male thread portion 26 of the fastening member threads into the female thread portion 18 of the drain pipe 16. Here, when the operating member 50 is further rotated and the fastening member 20 applies a tightening torque to the drain pipe 16, the fastening member 20 and the operating member 50 rotate relative to each other. More specifically, the operating member 50 rotates relatively in the direction of arrow R1 in Figure 14, so that the pressing portion 70 abuts against the pressed portion 30, and a tightening torque is applied to the fastening member 20.

[0082] Here, a torque inclined surface 72 is formed on the pressing portion 70, and a torque inclined surface 34 is formed on the pressed portion 30, so that when the pressing portion 70 applies a tightening torque to the pressed portion 30 in FIG. 14, the pressing portion 70 is guided radially inward.

[0083] As described above, the portion of the operation side cylinder portion 56 where the pressing portion 70 is formed can be elastically deformed radially inward due to the cavity 58. As a result, when the tightening torque applied to the operation member 50 reaches a predetermined value, the pressing portion 70 elastically deforms radially inward, and moves relative to the pressed portion 30 in the direction of arrow R1, climbing over the pressed portion 30. In other words, the contact between the pressing portion 70 and the pressed portion 30 is released, and the pressing portion 70 moves relative to the pressed portion 30 in the direction of arrow R1.

[0084] 15, when the pressing portion 70 has climbed over the pressed portion 30, the engaging claw 80 no longer overlaps with the engaged portion 36 in the direction of arrow Z. In other words, the engagement state is released, and the operating member 50 can be pulled out in the direction of arrow Z+.

[0085] 15, the guided-side inclined surface 78 of the stopper portion 76 comes into contact with the guide-side inclined surface 32 of the pressed portion 30, as shown in Fig. 16. When the operating member 50 is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 in this state, the operating member 50 is guided in the direction of arrow Z+ by the guide-side inclined surface 32 of the pressed portion 30 and the guided inclined surface of the stopper portion 76, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 17.

[0086] 17 shows a state in which the operating member 50 is guided in the Z+ direction by the guide-side inclined surface 32 of the pressed portion 30, and the stopper portion 76 is located on the Z+ side of the pressed portion 30.

[0087] 17, the claw-side inclined surface 82 of the engaging claw 80 comes into contact with the torque-receiving inclined surface 34 of the pressed portion 30, as shown in FIG. 18. In this state, when the operating member 50 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R1, the claw-side inclined surface 82 of the engaging claw 80 is elastically deformed radially inward by the torque-receiving inclined surface 34 of the pressed portion 30, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0088] 19 shows a state in which the engaging claws 80 are elastically deformed radially inward, and the applying-side inclined surface 74 of the pressing portion 70 is in contact with the engaged-side inclined surface 38 of the engaged portion 36. In this state, when the operating member 50 is rotated in the direction of arrow R1, the operating member 50 is guided in the direction of arrow Z+ by the applying-side inclined surface 74 of the pressing portion 70 and the engaged-side inclined surface 38 of the engaged portion 36.

[0089] When the operating member 50 is further rotated in the direction of arrow R1, the pressing portion 70 is positioned on the Z+ direction side of the engaged portion 36, as shown in Fig. 20. In this way, when the operating member 50 of this embodiment is rotated in the R1 direction after a predetermined tightening torque has been applied to the fastening member 20, the entire operating member 50 is guided in the Z+ direction.

[0090] 20, the operating member 50 rotates further in the direction of arrow R1, and then moves in the negative direction of arrow Z after rotating to a position where the pressing portion 70 does not overlap with the engaged portion 36 in the direction of arrow Z. In other words, when the operating member 50 is further rotated in the direction of arrow R1 from the state shown in FIG. 20, it returns to the state shown in FIG.

[0091] In this way, with fastening member 20 and operating member 50 of this embodiment, pressing portion 70 abuts against pressed portion 30 only once, and the disengaged state is maintained after a predetermined tightening torque is applied to fastening member 20. After applying a predetermined tightening torque to fastening member 20, the worker can remove operating member 50, and fastening member 20 will function as drain outlet 15 for bathtub 14.

[0092] As described above, the pressed portion 30 and the engaged portion 36 of the fastening member 20 have ends at the same position in the arrow Z+ direction, so that a strainer such as a hair catcher can be installed.

[0093] (effect) The fastening structure 10 using the fastening member 20 and the operating member 50 of this embodiment provides the following effects.

[0094] In the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, rotating the operating member 50 causes the pressing portion 70 to come into contact with the pressed portion 30, and the operating member 50 applies a tightening torque to the fastening member 20. When the tightening torque applied to the fastening member 20 reaches a predetermined value, the pressing portion 70 overcomes the pressed portion 30. This makes it possible to fasten the fastening member 20 with a constant tightening torque. In other words, the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment prevents the fastening member 20 from being fastened to the bathtub 14 and the drain pipe 16 with excessive tightening torque.

[0095] Furthermore, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, when the pressing portion 70 overcomes the pressed portion 30 by rotating the operating member 50, the stopper portion 76 comes into contact with the pressed portion 30. Here, the stopper portion 76 that comes into contact with the pressed portion 30 is guided in the direction opposite to the fastening direction of the fastening member 20. In other words, the operating member 50 moves in the direction opposite to the fastening direction relative to the fastening member 20. As a result, according to the present invention, the worker can know that the fastening member 20 has been fastened to the bathtub 14 and the drain pipe 16 with a predetermined tightening torque.

[0096] Furthermore, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the pressed portion 30 has a guide-side inclined surface 32 that is inclined in the opposite direction to the fastening direction in the direction of arrow R1 in which a tightening torque is applied from the operating member 50 to the fastening member 20, and the pressing portion 70 comes into contact with the guide-side inclined surface 32 when the operating member 50 is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 in which a tightening torque is applied to the operating member 50. In this way, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the stopper portion 76 comes into contact with the guide-side inclined surface 32 when the operating member 50 is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 in which a tightening torque is applied, and therefore the operating member 50 can be guided in the opposite direction to the fastening direction with a simple structure.

[0097] Furthermore, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the stopper portion 76 has a guided-side inclined surface 78 that is inclined in the direction opposite to the fastening direction in the direction of arrow R1, and the guide-side inclined surface 32 abuts against the guided-side inclined surface 78 when the operating member 50 is rotated. In this way, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the guided-side inclined surface 78 abuts against the guide-side inclined surface 32 when the operating member 50 is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 to apply a tightening torque, and therefore the guided-side inclined surface 78 moves more smoothly on the guide-side inclined surface 32 compared to, for example, a configuration in which the abutting portion of the stopper portion 76 is angular. This reduces rattling when the stopper portion 76 is guided into the pressed portion 30.

[0098] Furthermore, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the fastening member 20 has an engaged portion 36 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the fastening-side tubular portion 24, and the operating member 50 has an engaging claw 80 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the operating-side tubular portion 56 and engaging with the engaged portion 36, and the engaging claw 80 is released from engagement with the engaged portion 36 when the pressing portion 70 overcomes the pressed portion 30 by rotating the operating member 50. Thus, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, when the pressing portion 70 overcomes the pressed portion 30 by rotating the operating member 50, i.e., when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value, the engagement between the engaging claw 80 and the engaged portion 36 is released, and the operating member 50 can be detached from the fastening member 20. As a result, by shipping the product with the engaging claw 80 of the operating member 50 engaged with the engaged portion 36 of the fastening member 20, it is possible to prevent parts from falling off.

[0099] Furthermore, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the engaged portion 36 has an engaged-side inclined surface 38 that is inclined toward the opposite side to the fastening direction in the direction of arrow R1, and the pressing portion 70 has an applying-side inclined surface 74 that is inclined toward the opposite side to the fastening direction in the direction of arrow R1, and when the stopper portion 76 is guided and moved toward the opposite side to the fastening direction by the pressed portion 30 by rotating the operating member 50, the applying-side inclined surface 74 abuts against the engaged-side inclined surface 38, and the pressing portion 70 is guided toward the opposite side to the fastening direction by the engaged portion 36. In this way, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the pressing portion 70 is guided toward the opposite side to the fastening direction than the engaged portion 36, and therefore, compared to a fastening structure 10 that does not have an engaged-side inclined surface 38, it is possible to prevent excessive tightening torque from being applied to the fastening portion when the pressing portion 70 abuts against the engaged portion 36, which can prevent damage to the bathtub 14, the drain pipe 16, and the fastening member 20 after fastening.

[0100] Furthermore, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the engaging portion is an engaging claw 80 that protrudes outward, and the engaging claw 80 is provided with a claw-side inclined surface 82 that guides the engaging claw 80 to ride up onto the pressed portion 30. As described above, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the engaging claw 80 rides up onto the pressed portion 30 more easily than in a structure that does not have the claw-side inclined surface 82. Here, when the engaging claw 80 rides up onto the pressed portion 30, the engagement between the engaging claw 80 and the pressed portion 30 is released. In other words, according to the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the engagement can be reliably released and the operating member 50 can be detached from the fastening member 20.

[0101] Furthermore, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, a fastening-side flange portion 22 that protrudes radially outward is formed at the end of the fastening member 20 opposite the fastening direction, and an operation-side flange portion 54 that protrudes radially outward is formed at the end of the operating member 50 opposite the fastening direction, and the operation-side flange portion 54 covers the entire fastening-side flange portion 22. Thus, according to the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the surface of the fastening-side flange portion 22 of the fastening member 20 that is fastened to the bathtub 14 and the drain pipe 16 is covered by the operation-side flange portion 54 of the operating member 50, so that it is possible to prevent appearance defects such as scratches on the surface of the fastening-side flange portion 22 of the fastening member 20 during shipping.

[0102] Furthermore, in the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment, the mounting member is a plumbing component. As described above, the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment can provide a fastening structure 10 that can be fastened with a constant tightening torque and can improve construction quality without relying on the skill of the installer. In other words, the seal between the tank wall of the drain outlet 15 and the plumbing component is ensured without relying on the skill of the installer, thereby reducing the risk of water leakage more effectively than before.

[0103] (Variation) In the above description, the pressed portion 30 has the guide-side inclined surface 32, but this is not limiting, and the fastening structure 10 of the present embodiment may be configured not to have the guide-side inclined surface 32. In other words, even if the pressed portion 30 does not have the guide-side inclined surface 32 and the guide portion of the stopper portion 76 abuts against the pressed portion 30, the operating member 50 is guided in the direction of arrow Z+, so the worker can know that the fastening member 20 has been fastened to the mounting member with a predetermined tightening torque.

[0104] Furthermore, in the above description, the stopper portion 76 has the guided-side inclined surface 78, but this is not limiting, and the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment may be configured not to have the guided-side inclined surface 78. In other words, even if the stopper portion 76 does not have the guided-side inclined surface 78 and is configured so that the stopper portion 76 abuts against the guide-side inclination of the pressed portion 30, the operating member 50 is guided in the direction of arrow Z+, so the worker can know that the fastening member 20 has been fastened to the mounting member with a predetermined tightening torque.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above description, the fastening member 20 has the engaged portion 36 protruding from its inner peripheral surface, and the operating member 50 has the engaging claw 80 protruding from its outer peripheral surface and engaging with the engaged portion 36, but the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment is not limited to this, and may be configured without the engaging claw 80 and the engaged portion 36. In other words, even if the fastening member 20 does not have the engaging claw 80 and the engaged portion 36 and the operating member 50 can be pulled out of the fastening member 20 with a predetermined tightening torque in a home environment, the worker can know that the fastening member 20 has been fastened to the mounting member with a predetermined tightening torque.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above description, the engaged portion 36 has the engaged-side inclined surface 38 that inclines toward the rotational direction in the direction opposite the fastening direction, and the torque-applying portion has the torque-applying-side inclined surface 74 that inclines toward the rotational direction in the direction opposite the fastening direction, but this is not limited thereto, and the configuration may be such that the engaged-side inclined surface 38 and the torque-applying-side inclined surface 74 are not included. In other words, even if the pressing portion 70 is configured without the applicator-side inclined surface 74, the operating member 50 is guided in the direction of arrow Z+ by the stopper portion 76 abutting against and being guided by the guide-side inclined surface 32 of the pressed portion 30, and therefore the operator can know that the fastening member 20 has been fastened to the attachment member with a predetermined tightening torque.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above description, the engaging portion is the engaging claw 80 that protrudes outward, and the engaging claw 80 is provided with the claw-side inclined surface 82 that guides it to ride up onto the guide portion, but this is not limiting, and the engaging claw 80 may be configured not to have the claw-side inclined surface 82. In other words, even if the engaging claw 80 does not have the claw-side inclined surface 82 and is configured so that the engaging claw 80 is directly guided by the torque-receiving inclined surface 34 of the pressed portion 30, the engaging claw 80 elastically deforms radially inward, making it possible to pull the operating member 50 out of the mounting member.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above description, the operating member 50 is formed with the operating-side flange portion 54, but this is not limiting, and the operating member 50 may be configured without the operating-side flange portion 54. In other words, even if the operating part does not have the operating-side flange portion 54, when the operating part is rotated, the operating part is guided in the direction of the arrow Z+, and therefore the worker can know that the fastening member 20 has been fastened to the mounting member with a predetermined tightening torque.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above description, a bathtub 14, which is a plumbing component, has been used as an example of an attachment member, but the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment is not limited to this and may be used for components other than plumbing components. That is, by using the fastening structure 10 of this embodiment not only for plumbing components as attachment members but also for wiring portions through which electrical wires and other wiring are passed through walls, or ducts through which air conditioner piping is passed through walls, the worker can know that the fastening member 20 has been fastened to the attachment member with a predetermined tightening torque.

[0110] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 10 Fastening structure 12 Sealing member 14 Bathtub (an example of a mounting component or plumbing component) 15 Drain 16 Drain pipe 17 Open end 18 Female thread 20 Fastening members 22 Fastening flange 24 Fastening side cylinder part 26 Male thread 30 Pressed portion (an example of a guide means or guide portion) 32 Guide side inclined surface 34 Torque-receiving inclined surface 36 Engaged part 38 Engaged side inclined surface 50 Operating member 52 Torque receiving part 54 Operation side flange 56 Operation side cylinder part 58 Cavity 60 grooves 70 Pressing part (an example of a torque applying part) 72 Torque Inclined Surface 74 Grant side inclined surface 76 Stopper portion (an example of a guide means, a guided portion) 80 Engagement claw (an example of an engagement part) 82 Claw side inclined surface 84 Rock Inclined Surface

Claims

1. A cylindrical fastening member fastened to a drain outlet of a water-related component; guide portions protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the fastening member at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction; a cylindrical operating member that is rotated while inserted into the fastening member; torque application portions that protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the operating member at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, come into contact with the guide portion by rotating the operating member, and apply a tightening torque that moves the fastening member downward, which is the tightening direction, and when the tightening torque reaches a predetermined value, elastically deform to overcome the guide portion and be released from contact with the guide portion; guided portions projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the fastening member at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and spaced apart from the torque applying portion in the circumferential direction, When the operating member is further rotated after the torque application portion and the guide portion are released from contact with each other, the guide-side inclined surface provided on the guided portion at an angle to the fastening direction comes into contact with the guided-side inclined surface provided on the guided portion at an angle to the fastening direction and slides, thereby guiding the operating member in an upward direction opposite to the fastening direction. Fastening structure.

2. engaged portions protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the fastening member at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction; engaging portions that are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the operating member and that engage with the engaged portion; Equipped with When the operating member is further rotated after the operating member is guided upward and the contact between the guide-side inclined surface and the guided-side inclined surface is released, the engaged-side inclined surface provided on the engaged portion at an angle with respect to the fastening direction comes into contact with and slides against the torque-applying-side inclined surface provided on the torque-applying portion at an angle with respect to the fastening direction, thereby guiding the operating member further upward. The fastening structure according to claim 1 .

3. the engaging portion is an engaging claw that protrudes radially outward from the operating member, The engaging claw is provided with a claw-side inclined surface that guides the engaging claw to ride up onto the guide portion. The fastening structure according to claim 2 .

4. The fastening member has a fastening-side flange portion formed at an end portion opposite to the fastening direction, the fastening member extending radially outward, The operating member has an operating-side flange portion formed near an end portion opposite to the fastening direction and extending radially outward, The operation-side flange portion covers the entire fastening-side flange portion. The fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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