non-return valve

Abstract

To provide a check valve capable of rationally carrying out assembling thereof to piping and sealing between connection ends of the piping and another piping.SOLUTION: A check valve 10 has: a valve element 11 which operates so as to prevent a backflow; a valve body 12 which surrounds and supports the valve element 11 in a pipe circumferential direction; and packing 15 which is coupled to an outer peripheral portion 12A of the valve body 12. The packing 15 has: a valve seal portion 15A for sealing between the outer peripheral portion 12A of the valve body 12 and a pipe wall portion of a connected pipe 4 (piping) over the whole area in the pipe circumferential direction; a press-in portion 15B which is supported by the outer peripheral portion 12A of the valve body 12 from a pipe radial direction inner side and is pressed in the inside of the connected pipe 4 together with the outer peripheral portion 12A of the valve body 12 in a pipe axial direction; and a pipe connection seal portion 15C which is sandwiched between connection ends 4A, 5B confronting with each other in the pipe axial direction of the connected pipe 4 and a connection pipe 5 (another piping) connected with the connected pipe 4 so as to seal between them in the pipe axial direction over the whole area in the pipe circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a check valve, and more particularly to a check valve that is installed inside a pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a check valve that is press-fitted into a pipe. Specifically, a press-fit portion is formed on the outer periphery of the check valve, which is fixed by being press-fitted into the pipe in the axial direction of the pipe. By press-fitting the press-fit portion into the pipe, the check valve is tightly attached to the inner wall of the pipe in a watertight manner, and is installed in a state that allows fluid to flow in only one direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3267077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when a check valve is installed at the connection end of a pipe, a separate sealing packing must be installed between the connection end of the pipe and another pipe connected to it. This increases the number of parts to be assembled to the pipe and makes the assembly work complicated. Therefore, the present invention provides a check valve that can be assembled to a pipe and can seal the connection end of the pipe and another pipe in an efficient manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the check valve of the present invention takes the following measures: That is, a first aspect of the present invention is a check valve to be incorporated inside a pipe, the check valve comprising: a valve element that operates to prevent backflow, a valve body that surrounds and supports the valve element in the pipe circumferential direction, and a packing coupled to the outer periphery of the valve body, wherein the packing comprises: a valve seal portion that seals between the outer periphery of the valve body and a pipe wall portion of the pipe over the entire area in the pipe circumferential direction, a press-fit portion that is supported from the inside in the pipe radial direction by the outer periphery of the valve body and is press-fitted into the pipe together with the outer periphery of the valve body in the pipe axial direction, and a pipe connection seal portion that is sandwiched between connection ends of the pipe and another pipe connected to the pipe that face each other in the pipe axial direction, thereby sealing between them in the pipe axial direction over the entire area in the pipe circumferential direction.

[0006] According to the first invention, the valve body supporting the valve element of the check valve can be press-fitted and fixed inside the pipe by the press-fit portion of the packing. The pipe connection seal portion of the packing can seal between each connection end of the pipe and another pipe. The valve seal portion of the packing can seal between the outer periphery of the valve body and the pipe wall portion of the pipe. In this way, by combining the packing having the above configuration with the valve body of the check valve, a check valve can be configured that can be efficiently assembled into the pipe and seal between the connection end of the pipe and another pipe. Note that the "pipe wall portion" of the pipe refers to the wall portion including the inner periphery and connection end of the pipe.

[0007] A second invention of the present invention is a check valve according to the first invention, wherein the valve body integrally has a flange that protrudes in a ring shape from the entire circumferential area of ​​the outer periphery outward in the radial direction of the pipe, the valve seal portion of the packing has a ring-shaped fitting groove that is fitted into the flange from the outside in the radial direction of the pipe over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe, and the check valve is sealed by being sandwiched between the flange in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0008] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the valve seal portion of the packing can be sealed in a state where it is firmly bonded to the outer periphery of the valve body in the pipe axis direction.

[0009] A third invention of the present invention is a check valve according to the second invention, wherein the flange of the valve body is arranged to be sandwiched between the connection ends in the pipe axis direction via the valve seal portion, and due to this sandwiching arrangement, the valve seal portion is sealed against the flange and the connection ends of the piping in the pipe axis direction and also functions as the pipe connection seal portion that seals between the connection ends in the pipe axis direction.

[0010] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the structure of the packing can be rationalized, and the valve body can be more appropriately sealed with respect to the packing.

[0011] A fourth invention of the present invention is a check valve according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the press-fit portion has an annular portion surrounding the outer circumferential portion of the valve body, and ribs protruding from a plurality of outer circumferential surface locations of the annular portion in the pipe circumferential direction in a strip-like manner in the pipe axial direction, and wherein each of the ribs applies a pressing force associated with the press-fitting to the inner circumferential surface of the pipe.

[0012] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure both the structural strength of the press-fit portion and ease of press-fitting.

[0013] The fifth invention of the present invention is a check valve in which, in any of the first to fourth inventions above, the piping is connected to a connecting pipe that forms another piping connected to a connection port on the construction wall, and serves as a connected pipe of a faucet body that is attached to the construction wall so as to form a flow path downstream of the connecting pipe.

[0014] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the faucet body is attached to or detached from a construction wall, even if the connecting pipe is removed from the connected pipe of the faucet body, the check valve can be kept pressed in and fixed inside without falling off the connected pipe of the faucet body, thereby improving installation workability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a check valve according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 3 is an enlarged, partially sectional perspective view showing a connection portion between a connecting pipe and a connected pipe. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connection portion between a connecting pipe and a connected pipe. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the check valve as seen from the rear side. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the check valve as seen from the front side. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, illustrating a state before the check valve is assembled. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the check valve is press-fitted into the connected pipe. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connecting pipe is connected to a connected pipe. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] First Embodiment (Schematic configuration of check valve 10) First, the configuration of a check valve 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the following description, directions such as front, back, top, bottom, left, and right refer to the respective directions shown in each figure. The directions shown in each figure are those seen from the front of a mixer faucet 1 to which the check valve 10 according to this embodiment is applied. In the following description, when no specific reference figure is shown or when no reference figure has a corresponding symbol, reference will be made to any of Figures 1 to 8 as appropriate.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the check valve 10 according to this embodiment is applied to a so-called wall-mounted mixer faucet 1 that is installed on the wall surface (construction wall W) of a bathroom. The mixer faucet 1 has the function of mixing hot and cold water supplied from the back side of the construction wall W inside and discharging the mixed water.

[0019] Specifically, the mixer faucet 1 is attached such that its faucet body 2 is connected to the bathroom wall W via a pair of crank-shaped eccentric pipes 3 on the left and right, which serve as hot and cold water supply pipes. Of the eccentric pipes 3, the one on the right as you face it serves as the water supply pipe, and the one on the left as you face it serves as the hot water supply pipe.

[0020] The eccentric pipes 3 are arranged between the faucet body 2 and the construction wall W on the back side thereof in a shape that resembles the Japanese character "V" when viewed from the front. The connecting portions at the lower ends of the Japanese character "V" of each eccentric pipe 3 extend in a circular pipe shape toward the back side in the figure and are screwed from the front side in the figure into hot and cold water connection ports Wa formed at corresponding positions on the construction wall W to connect the flow path. In addition, the connecting portions at the upper ends of the Japanese character "V" of each eccentric pipe 3 extend in a circular pipe shape toward the front side in the figure and are screwed into hot and cold water connection pipes 4 formed at corresponding positions on the back surface of the faucet body 2 to connect the flow path.

[0021] 2 and 3, each eccentric pipe 3 has a circular connecting pipe 5 with a cap nut 5A attached to its outer periphery connected to each connecting portion at the upper end of the "V" shape. Each eccentric pipe 3 is connected to the corresponding connected pipe 4 by screwing the cap nut 5A from the back side in the figure onto the outer periphery of each connected pipe 4 for hot and cold water formed at each corresponding position on the back surface of the faucet body 2.

[0022] Each connected pipe 4 is threaded from the rear side in the figure into a hot and cold water connection port Wa (not shown) formed at a corresponding position on the rear face of the faucet body 2, thereby connecting the flow path. As a result, each connected pipe 4 is arranged in the shape of a circular pipe extending from the rear face of the faucet body 2 to the rear side in the figure. Inside each connected pipe 4, a check valve 10 is incorporated from the rear side in the figure. These check valves 10 allow the mixer faucet 1 to flow hot and cold water from each eccentric pipe 3 toward each connected pipe 4, but prevent flow in the opposite direction.

[0023] Each check valve 10 is installed watertightly inside each connected pipe 4, and is able to appropriately prevent backflow of hot and cold water inside the pipe. Furthermore, by installing each check valve 10 in each connected pipe 4, it also functions to seal the connection ends 4A, 5B between each connected pipe 4 and the connecting pipe 5 of each eccentric pipe 3 connected thereto over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe.

[0024] For this reason, each check valve 10 can effectively prevent backflow inside each connected pipe 4 and seal the connection ends 4A, 5B between each connected pipe 4 and the connecting pipe 5 of each eccentric pipe 3. Here, each connected pipe 4 corresponds to the "pipe" of the present invention. Also, each connecting pipe 5 of each eccentric pipe 3 corresponds to the "other pipe" of the present invention.

[0025] Furthermore, each check valve 10 is assembled into each connected pipe 4 from the rear side as shown in the figure, and is press-fitted into the respective pipe and maintained in the assembled state. Therefore, after assembling each check valve 10 into the corresponding connected pipe 4, the installer can connect the connecting pipe 5 of each eccentric pipe 3 to each connected pipe 4 without having to hold each check valve 10 by hand.

[0026] Specifically, the mixer faucet 1 is brought to the construction site as a unit in which the above-mentioned components are assembled into the faucet body 2. Then, at the construction site, the connecting pipes 5 of each eccentric pipe 3 are first disconnected from the connected pipes 4, and each eccentric pipe 3 is individually screwed into each connection port Wa of the construction wall W, forming a V-shape when viewed from the front. Next, each connected pipe 4 of the faucet body 2 is connected to the connecting pipe 5 of each eccentric pipe 3 connected to the construction wall W by screwing in a cap nut 5A.

[0027] During the above installation, each check valve 10 is press-fitted into the interior of each connected pipe 4, and therefore is held inside each connected pipe 4 without falling out, even if the connecting pipe 5 of each eccentric pipe 3 is disconnected from the connected pipe 4. Therefore, when installing the mixer faucet 1 on the installation wall W or removing it for maintenance, the installer does not need to hold each check valve 10 by hand, making the installation and removal work easy. The specific configuration of each check valve 10 will be described in detail later.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the mixer faucet 1 is configured so that the mixing ratio of hot and cold water supplied to the faucet body 2 from each eccentric pipe 3 can be adjusted internally by operating a substantially cylindrical temperature adjustment handle 6 attached to the left side of the faucet body 2. The mixer faucet 1 is also configured so that the mixed hot and cold water can be switched on and off and the amount of hot and cold water discharged can be adjusted by operating a substantially cylindrical switching handle 7 attached to the right side of the faucet body 2.

[0029] Specifically, when the user turns the temperature adjustment handle 6 to the desired rotation position, the ratio of hot and cold water mixed inside the faucet body 2 is adjusted to the set temperature corresponding to the rotation position. Also, when the user turns the switch handle 7 upward from a predetermined water stop position (position shown), an amount of hot and cold water corresponding to the amount of rotation is discharged from the shower elbow 8 connected to the flow path on the back surface of the faucet body 2 to a shower head (not shown).

[0030] In addition, when the user turns the switch handle 7 downward from a predetermined water stop position (the position shown), an amount of hot water corresponding to the amount of rotation is discharged from the faucet 9 connected to the flow path on the underside of the faucet body 2.

[0031] (Configuration of check valve 10) 2 and 3, the specific configuration of the check valves 10 incorporated inside each of the connected pipes 4 will be described in detail below. The check valves 10 and the assembly structure inside each of the connected pipes 4 are identical on the left and right. Therefore, the following will describe in detail the configuration of the connected pipe 4 on the water side, which is on the right side as you face Figure 1, and the check valve 10 incorporated inside it.

[0032] Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the connection between the water-side connected pipe 4 and the connecting pipe 5 of the eccentric pipe 3, cut vertically. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the water-side connected pipe 4, the check valve 10, and the connecting pipe 5 of the eccentric pipe 3. Figs. 4 and 5 show perspective views of the check valve 10 alone. As shown in these figures, the check valve 10 has a bridge-shaped valve element 11 that operates to prevent backflow, and a valve body 12 that surrounds and supports the valve element 11 in the circumferential direction of the pipe.

[0033] 2 and 4, the check valve 10 has a metal compression spring 13 that holds the valve element 11 in a closed state relative to the valve body 12 by its spring force. The check valve 10 also has a cap 14 that is attached to the tip of the valve element 11 and locks one end of the compression spring 13 onto the valve element 11. The check valve 10 also has a rubber ring-shaped packing 15 that is attached to the outer periphery 12A of the valve body 12. The above-mentioned valve element 11, valve body 12, and cap 14 are each made of injection-molded resin parts.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the valve element 11 has a cylindrical seat 11A with a top that extends cylindrically in the pipe axis direction, and a stem 11B that extends cylindrically in the pipe axis direction from the center of the top plate of the seat 11A at the rear side in the figure toward the rear side in the figure. The valve element 11 also has a rubber ring-shaped valve packing 11C attached to the outer periphery of the seat 11A. The valve packing 11C is fitted into a ring-shaped groove formed in the outer periphery of the seat 11A and is integrated with the seat 11A. The valve packing 11C is provided in a ring-shaped protruding shape from the outer periphery of the seat 11A.

[0035] The valve body 12 has a shape having an outer peripheral portion 12A that extends cylindrically in the pipe axis direction, a guide tube 12B that extends cylindrically in the pipe axis direction through the center of the inside of the outer peripheral portion 12A, and four spokes 12C (see Figure 4) that radially connect the guide tube 12B and the outer peripheral portion 12A. The gaps between the four spokes 12C formed between the outer peripheral portion 12A and the guide tube 12B of the valve body 12 are formed as flow passages 12D that allow hot and cold water to flow in the pipe axis direction.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 11B of the valve element 11 is assembled to the valve body 12 so that it penetrates through the guide tube 12B from the front to the back in the figure. This assembly results in the seat 11A of the valve element 11 fitting loosely into the cylindrical outer periphery 12A of the valve body 12 in the radial direction of the pipe. The shaft 11B of the valve element 11 is also assembled to the guide tube 12B of the valve body 12 in the radial direction of the pipe so that it fits loosely into the cylindrical inner and outer periphery of the pipe.

[0037] With these components assembled, the valve body 12 has its outer circumferential portion 12A and guide tube 12B surrounding the seat portion 11A and shaft portion 11B of the valve element 11 in the pipe circumferential direction, and supporting them from the outside in the pipe radial direction so that the valve element 11 can slide in the pipe axial direction. As the valve element 11 moves and is pushed toward the back side in the figure, the valve packing 11C attached to the outer circumferential portion of the seat portion 11A of the valve element 11 is pressed against the bottom end face of the outer circumferential portion 12A on the front side in the figure over the entire area in the pipe circumferential direction from the front side in the figure.

[0038] As a result, flow passage 12D of valve body 12 shown in Fig. 4 is blocked (closed) from the downstream side (the front side in Fig. 2) by valve element 11. Also, as valve element 11 of valve body 12 moves toward the front side in Fig. 2, valve packing 11C of valve element 11 is pulled away from the tight contact state with the bottom end surface of outer circumferential portion 12A on the front side in the figure. As a result, flow passage 12D of valve body 12 shown in Fig. 4 is released (opened) from the blocked state by valve element 11.

[0039] 2 and 4, the compression spring 13 is assembled so as to cover the guide tube 12B of the valve body 12 from the rear side in the figure. After the compression spring 13 is assembled, the cap 14 is placed from the rear side in the figure onto the tip of the stem portion 11B of the valve disc 11, which is passed through the guide tube 12B, so that the cap 14 is snap-fitted onto the tip of the stem portion 11B and attached integrally. As a result, the compression spring 13 is set in a state where it is pressed and sandwiched in the pipe axial direction between the cap 14 attached to the tip of the stem portion 11B of the valve disc 11 and the outer periphery of the guide tube 12B from which each spoke 12C of the valve body 12 extends.

[0040] 2, the valve element 11 is constantly subjected to a force by the spring force of the compression spring 13, which presses the valve packing 11C against the bottom end surface of the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 on the front side in the figure, thereby maintaining the valve in a closed state. As a result, the check valve 10 constantly prevents hot and cold water from flowing back from the downstream side (the front side in the figure) to the upstream side (the back side in the figure) inside the connected pipe 4.

[0041] Furthermore, when water pressure is applied to the check valve 10 so that hot and cold water flows from the upstream side (the back side in the figure) to the downstream side (the front side in the figure) inside the connected pipe 4, this water pressure pushes the valve element 11 toward the front side in the figure against the spring force of the compression spring 13. As a result, the check valve 10 allows hot and cold water to flow from the upstream side (the back side in the figure) to the downstream side (the front side in the figure).

[0042] 2 and 4-5, the packing 15 has a ring-shaped valve seal portion 15A and a press-fit portion 15B that extends in a ring shape in the pipe axial direction from the inner peripheral edge of the valve seal portion 15A on the front side in the figure toward the front side in the figure. The packing 15 is assembled to the outer peripheral portion 12A of the valve body 12 in a sealed state over the entire area in the pipe circumferential direction as follows.

[0043] 6, the packing 15 is passed in the pipe axial direction so as to cover the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 from the front side in the figure. Next, the valve seal portion 15A formed on the edge of the packing 15 on the rear side in the figure is assembled in a state where it is hooked onto the flange 12E that projects outward in the pipe radial direction from the end of the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 on the rear side in the figure.

[0044] As a result, the valve seal portion 15A of the packing 15 is set in a state in which it is sandwiched in the pipe axial direction over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe by the flange 12E of the valve body 12. Furthermore, as a result of the above assembly, the press-fit portion 15B of the packing 15 is fitted into the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12, and the packing 15 is set in a state in which it is supported from the inside in the pipe radial direction by the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe.

[0045] Specifically, the valve seal portion 15A has a ring-shaped (endless) fitting groove Ab cut into its ring-shaped inner periphery over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe. The flange 12E, which projects in a ring shape from the outer periphery 12A of the valve body 12, is fitted into the fitting groove Ab, so that the valve seal portion 15A surrounds the flange 12E over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe and sandwiches it from both sides in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0046] Flange 12E formed on outer periphery 12A of valve body 12 has an outer diameter dimension that is larger than the inner diameter of connected pipe 4 and smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe. As shown in Fig. 7, the valve body 12 is configured so that the rest of the valve body 12, excluding flange 12E, is inserted into connected pipe 4 from the rear side in the figure, and flange 12E is set outside connected pipe 4 so as to face connecting end 4A in the pipe axial direction.

[0047] When attached to flange 12E of valve body 12, valve seal portion 15A has an outer dimension smaller than the outer diameter of connected pipe 4. When valve body 12, together with press-fit portion 15B, is inserted into connected pipe 4 from the rear side in the drawing, valve seal portion 15A is set in a state in which it abuts against connection end 4A of connected pipe 4 from the rear side in the drawing over the entire circumferential area in the pipe axial direction.

[0048] After the above setting, as shown in Fig. 8, the cap nut 5A attached to the connecting pipe 5 of the eccentric pipe 3 is screwed onto the outer periphery of the connected pipe 4 to connect the flow path, and the valve seal portion 15A is pressed and sandwiched in the pipe axial direction between the connection end portion 5B of the connecting pipe 5, which is pushed in from the back side in the figure, and the connection end portion 4A of the connected pipe 4. As a result, the valve seal portion 15A is set in a state in which it seals the gap between the flange 12E of the valve body 12 and the connection end portion 4A of the connected pipe 4 in the pipe axial direction over the entire pipe circumferential area.

[0049] Additionally, the valve seal portion 15A is set to a state in which it seals the gap between the connection end portion 5B of the connecting pipe 5 and the connection end portion 4A of the connected pipe 4 in the pipe axis direction over the entire pipe circumference. In this way, the valve seal portion 15A is configured to not only function as a seal to the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 over the entire pipe circumference, but also function as a pipe connection seal portion 15C that seals the gap between the connection end portion 5B of the connecting pipe 5 and the connection end portion 4A of the connected pipe 4 in the pipe axis direction over the entire pipe circumference.

[0050] The valve seal portion 15A, which also functions as the pipe connection seal portion 15C, is set in a state where it is sandwiched in the pipe axis direction between the connection end portion 5B of the connecting pipe 5 and the connection end portion 4A of the connected pipe 4, with the flange 12E of the valve body 12 being sandwiched in the pipe axis direction. As a result, the valve seal portion 15A is configured to be strongly supported by the flange 12E so that it does not come off in the pipe axis direction from between the connection end portion 5B of the connecting pipe 5 and the connection end portion 4A of the connected pipe 4. Support by the flange 12E enables the packing 15 to stably hold the check valve 10 in a fixed position inside the connected pipe 4 so that it does not flex and cause excessive swinging in the pipe axis direction.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 5, the press-fit portion 15B has an annular portion Ba that extends in a ring shape in the pipe axis direction to surround the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12, and ribs Bb that protrude in stripes in the pipe axis direction from the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion Ba at four locations in the pipe circumferential direction. The press-fit portion 15B has a circular ring shape, with the annular portion Ba having an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than but substantially the same as the inner diameter of the connected pipe 4 (see Fig. 6). However, the protruding ribs Bb cause the press-fit portion 15B to have an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the connected pipe 4.

[0052] 6 and 7, the press-fit portion 15B is attached to the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 and inserted into the connected pipe 4 together with the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 from the rear side in the figure, thereby being press-fitted into the connected pipe 4 while crushing each rib Bb (see FIG. 5). At this time, the press-fit portion 15B is configured so that each rib Bb is formed to be discontinuous in the pipe circumferential direction and the protruding length from the annular portion Ba surrounding the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 is kept short, so that the press-fit portion is crushed relatively straight inward in the pipe radial direction without buckling such as bending sideways.

[0053] For this reason, the press-fit portion 15B is configured to make it easy to control the elastic force of each rib Bb, thereby achieving both ease of press-fitting the connected pipe 4 into the inside of the pipe and ensuring appropriate holding force after press-fitting.

[0054] To summarize the above, the check valve 10 according to the first embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0055] That is, the check valve (10) is a check valve (10) that is incorporated inside the pipe (4) and has a valve element (11) that operates to prevent backflow, a valve body (12) that surrounds and supports the valve element (11) in the circumferential direction of the pipe, and a packing (15) that is connected to the outer periphery (12A) of the valve body (12). The packing (15) has a valve seal portion (15A) that seals between the outer periphery (12A) of the valve body (12) and the pipe wall portion of the pipe (4) over the entire circumferential direction of the pipe, a press-fit portion (15B) that is supported from the inside in the pipe diameter direction by the outer periphery (12A) of the valve body (12) and is press-fitted into the pipe (4) together with the outer periphery (12A) of the valve body (12) in the pipe axial direction, and a pipe connection seal portion (15C) that is sandwiched between connection ends (4A, 5B) of the pipe (4) and another pipe (5) that are opposed to each other in the pipe axial direction and that seals between them over the entire circumferential direction of the pipe in the pipe axial direction.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the valve body 12 supporting the valve element 11 of the check valve 10 can be press-fitted and fixed inside the pipe 4 by the press-fit portion 15B of the packing 15. The pipe connection seal portion 15C of the packing 15 can seal between the connection ends 4A, 5B of the pipe 4 and another pipe 5. The valve seal portion 15A of the packing 15 can seal between the outer periphery 12A of the valve body 12 and the pipe wall of the pipe 4. In this way, by combining the packing 15 having the above configuration with the valve body 12 of the check valve 10, a check valve 10 can be configured that can be efficiently assembled to the pipe 4 and can efficiently seal between the connection ends 4A, 5B of the pipe 4 and another pipe 5.

[0057] The valve body 12 also has an integral flange 12E that projects radially outward in a ring-like shape from the entire circumferential area of ​​the outer circumferential portion 12A. The valve seal portion 15A of the packing 15 has an annular fitting groove Ab that fits into the flange 12E from the radially outward area over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe, and is sealed by being sandwiched between the flange 12E in the axial direction of the pipe. With this configuration, the valve seal portion 15A of the packing 15 can be tightly sealed against the outer circumferential portion 12A of the valve body 12 in the axial direction.

[0058] In addition, the flange 12E of the valve body 12 is arranged to be sandwiched between the connection ends 4A, 5B in the pipe axis direction via the valve seal portion 15A. With this sandwiched arrangement, the valve seal portion 15A seals the flange 12E and the connection end 4A of the pipe 4 in the pipe axis direction and also functions as a pipe connection seal portion 15C that seals between the connection ends 4A, 5B in the pipe axis direction. With this configuration, the structure of the packing 15 can be streamlined and the valve body 12 can be more appropriately sealed against the packing 15.

[0059] The press-fit portion (15B) has an annular portion (Ba) surrounding the outer circumferential portion (12A) of the valve body (12) and ribs (Bb) projecting in stripes in the axial direction from a plurality of locations on the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion (Ba) in the circumferential direction of the pipe, and the ribs (Bb) apply a pressing force to the inner circumferential surface of the pipe (4) during press-fitting. This configuration ensures both the structural strength of the press-fit portion (15B) and ease of press-fitting.

[0060] Furthermore, the piping (4) is connected to a connecting pipe (5) that forms another piping (5) connected to a connection port (Wa) in the wall (W) and serves as the connected pipe (4) of the faucet body (2) that is attached to the wall (W) to form a downstream flow path of the connecting pipe (5). According to the above configuration, when attaching or removing the faucet body (2) to or from the wall (W), even if the connecting pipe (5) is removed from the connected pipe (4) of the faucet body (2), the check valve (10) can be kept pressed in and fixed inside the connected pipe (4) of the faucet body (2) without falling off. This improves installation workability.

[0061] Other Embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various forms as described below in addition to the above embodiment.

[0062] 1. The check valve of the present invention may be incorporated into the piping of a faucet fitting, or may be incorporated into other piping for liquids or gases. Furthermore, the piping into which the check valve is press-fitted may be downstream or upstream of another piping that is connected to the piping and whose connection ends are sealed by the check valve. The piping into which the check valve is press-fitted may be one that forms a flow path upstream of the faucet body, or one that forms a flow path downstream of the faucet body, such as a shower hose.

[0063] 2. The packing that is coupled to the outer periphery of the valve body may be configured such that any of the valve seal portion, press-fit portion, or pipe connection seal portion is coupled to the outer periphery of the valve body. The packing may also be configured such that a portion other than the above is coupled to the outer periphery of the valve body. The packing may be coupled to the outer periphery of the valve body by fitting the packing into an annular groove or flange provided on the outer periphery of the valve body, thereby forming an integral connection in the axial direction of the pipe. The packing may also be coupled to the outer periphery of the valve body by integral molding with the valve body, or by bonding using adhesives, solvents, adhesive tape, or high-frequency vibrations.

[0064] 3. The valve seal portion of the packing may be one that seals the gap between the outer periphery of the valve body and the pipe wall over the entire circumferential direction of the pipe, and may be one that seals by being pressed in the axial direction between the outer periphery of the valve body and the connecting end of the pipe, or one that seals by being pressed in the radial direction between the outer periphery of the valve body and the inner periphery of the pipe. In the above embodiment, the valve seal portion of the packing also serves as the pipe connection seal portion, but the valve seal portion may be formed separately from the pipe connection seal portion.

[0065] 4. The pipe connection seal portion of the packing may be sandwiched between the connection ends of the pipe into which the check valve is press-fitted and another pipe connected to this pipe, thereby sealing the gap in the pipe axial direction over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe. For example, the pipe connection seal portion may be configured to be sandwiched between the connection ends of the pipe and another pipe by itself to seal, without forming a flange on the outer periphery of the valve body that projects between the connection ends of the pipe and another pipe.

[0066] 5. The press-fit portion may be any portion that is supported radially from the inside by the outer periphery of the valve body and press-fitted into the piping in the axial direction together with the outer periphery of the valve body. For example, the press-fit portion may be formed intermittently at multiple locations on the outer periphery of the valve body in the circumferential direction of the pipe. Alternatively, the press-fit portion may have an annular portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the valve body and ribs that protrude from the outer periphery of the annular portion in a strip-like manner in the circumferential direction of the pipe, and the ribs may apply a pressing force to the inner periphery of the pipe due to the press-fitting. The ribs may protrude from the outer periphery of the annular portion in a strip-like manner in the axial or circumferential direction, or may protrude in a columnar or dot-like manner from multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the annular portion.

[0067] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...mixing faucet, 2...faucet body, 3...eccentric pipe, 4...connected pipe (piping), 4A...connection end, 5...connecting pipe (another piping), 5A...cap nut, 5B...connection end, 6...temperature control handle, 7...switching handle, 8...shower elbow, 9...faucet, 10...check valve, 11...valve body, 11A...seat, 11B...shaft, 11C...valve packing, 12...valve body, 12A...outer periphery, 12B...guide tube, 12C...spokes, 12D...flow passage, 12E...flange, 13...compression spring, 14...cap, 15...packing, 15A...valve seal portion, Ab...fitting groove, 15B...press-fit portion, Ba...annular portion, Bb...rib, 15C...pipe connection seal portion, W...construction wall, Wa...connection port

Claims

1. A check valve to be incorporated into piping, a valve body that operates to prevent backflow; a valve body that surrounds and supports the valve element in the pipe circumferential direction; a packing connected to the outer periphery of the valve body, a valve seal portion in which the packing seals in the pipe axis direction between a ring-shaped flange protruding from the outer periphery of the valve body and the connection end of the pipe over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe; a press-fit portion supported from the inside in the pipe diameter direction by the outer periphery of the valve body and press-fitted into the pipe together with the outer periphery of the valve body in the pipe axis direction; and a pipe connection seal portion sandwiched in the pipe axis direction between the connection end of the pipe and the connection end of another pipe connected to the pipe, thereby sealing the space between them over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe in the pipe axis direction.

2. 2. The check valve according to claim 1, The valve seal portion of the packing has a ring-shaped fitting groove that is fitted into the flange from the outside in the pipe diameter direction over the entire circumferential area of ​​the pipe, and is a check valve that is arranged to sandwich the flange in the pipe axial direction.

3. 3. The check valve according to claim 2, A check valve in which the flange of the valve body is arranged to be sandwiched between each of the connection ends in the pipe axis direction via the valve seal portion, and this sandwiching arrangement allows the valve seal portion to seal against the flange and the connection end of the piping in the pipe axis direction, and also functions as the pipe connection seal portion that seals between each of the connection ends in the pipe axis direction.

4. The check valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The press-fit portion has an annular portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the valve body, and ribs that protrude in a strip-like manner in the axial direction of the pipe from multiple outer periphery surface locations of the annular portion in the pipe circumferential direction, and each of the ribs applies a pressing force associated with the press-fitting to the inner periphery of the pipe.

5. The check valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A check valve that is the connected pipe of a faucet body that is attached to the construction wall so that the piping is connected to a connecting pipe that forms another piping that is connected to a connection port on the construction wall, forming a flow path downstream of the connecting pipe.

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