Connection structure between indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood, connecting pipe, and construction method for connecting indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood

Abstract

To provide a connection structure between an indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood, which has a good appearance, improves airtightness of a connection part while using an indoor exhaust pipe having a spiral part, and can suppress variation in construction quality.SOLUTION: A connection structure between an indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood comprises: a flexible indoor exhaust pipe 18 arranged inside a building 10; a pipe hood 20 arranged outside the building 10 and having a connection cylinder 32; and a communication pipe 16 that has an indoor side end part 22 arranged in a through hole 14 penetrating an outer wall 12 of the building 10 and into which the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is inserted and connected, and an outdoor side end part 24 into which the connection cylinder 32 is inserted and connected, and that communicates the indoor exhaust pipe 18 with the pipe hood 20. The indoor exhaust pipe 18 has, at one end 18a, a spiral part 28 for ensuring flexibility, and the indoor side end part 22 has a female screw part 26 on an inner peripheral surface 16a within a predetermined range from an indoor side open end 16b. The spiral part 28 is screwed into the female screw part 26, and a gap between an inner peripheral surface 24a of the outdoor side end part 24 and an outer peripheral surface 32a of the connection cylinder 32 is filled with a filler 38.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure between an indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood, a communication pipe, and a construction method for connecting the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a connection structure between a conventional indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood (see paragraph

[0002] , FIG. 7). This connection structure includes an indoor exhaust pipe disposed indoors in a building and having a spiral portion for ensuring flexibility, and a pipe hood disposed outdoors in the building and having a connection cylinder.

[0003] One end of the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted into a through-hole penetrating the outer wall of the building from indoors. The pipe hood inserts the connection cylinder into the through-hole from outdoors while covering the through-hole from outdoors. A connection portion where one end of the indoor exhaust pipe and the connection cylinder are connected is disposed in the through-hole, and an aluminum tape is wound around the connection portion.

[0004] According to this connection structure, since it is only necessary to wind an aluminum tape around the connection portion between the indoor exhaust pipe and the connection cylinder, it is easy to insert and dispose the connection portion in the through-hole. Therefore, the connection portion is not exposed, and the appearance is good.

[0005] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses an adapter for connecting the other end of an indoor exhaust pipe to the exhaust port of a clothes dryer (see paragraph

[0020] , Figure 6). This adapter has a female thread on the inner circumferential surface of one end to which the other end of the indoor exhaust pipe is connected, corresponding to the helical portion of the indoor exhaust pipe, and a ring fixing groove for fitting a fixing ring on the outer circumferential surface of the other end to which it is connected to the exhaust port of the clothes dryer. An exhaust port guide having an adapter connection port is attached to the exhaust port of the clothes dryer, and this exhaust port guide has a ring fixing groove for fitting a fixing ring on the inner circumferential surface of the adapter connection port. With this adapter, the other end of the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted into one end of the adapter and the helical portion and the female thread are screwed together, while the other end of the adapter is inserted into the adapter connection port of the connection port guide with a fixing ring interposed between the ring fixing groove of the adapter and the ring fixing groove of the exhaust port guide.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 states that instead of wrapping aluminum tape around the connection between the indoor exhaust pipe and the connecting cylinder of the pipe hood, a pipe hood that can be connected to the adapter with a single touch may be used (see paragraph

[0018] ). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-94294 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, in the conventional connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood described above, although the connection is reinforced with aluminum tape, the airtightness is not sufficient. Specifically, in this connection, the indoor exhaust pipe side has a spiral section to ensure flexibility, while the pipe hood side has a simple cylindrical connecting tube. When connecting a spiral shape to a simple cylindrical shape, the contact area between the two at the connection is reduced. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure sufficient airtightness whether the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted into the connecting tube or the connecting tube is inserted into the indoor exhaust pipe.

[0009] While it is possible to improve the seal by filling the gap between the indoor exhaust pipe and the connecting pipe with sealant, even in this case, there is a concern about air leaks due to the instability of the connection between the spiral shape and the simple cylindrical shape.

[0010] On the other hand, the specific structure of a pipe hood that can be connected to the above adapter with a single touch is not described in Patent Document 1. In order to connect the above adapter to the pipe hood with a single touch, it is necessary to form a ring fixing groove for fitting a fixing ring on the inner surface of the connecting cylinder of the pipe hood, or to attach a guide cylinder having a ring fixing groove for fitting a fixing ring on its inner surface to the connecting cylinder of the pipe hood. Then, with a fixing ring interposed between the ring fixing groove of the adapter and the ring fixing groove of the connecting cylinder or guide cylinder, the other end of the adapter is inserted into the connecting cylinder or guide cylinder. In this way, the above adapter and the pipe hood can be connected.

[0011] However, in the structure described above for connecting the adapter and the pipe hood, a fixing ring groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the other end of the adapter, and this other end is inserted into the connecting cylinder or guide cylinder of the pipe hood. In such a structure, it is difficult to connect the connecting cylinder or guide cylinder of the pipe hood to the adapter, which is pre-placed in the through-hole of the outer wall, by external insertion. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the construction method is low. Low freedom in the construction method means that different configurations are required for each construction method, which may lead to variations in construction quality.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of providing a connection structure between an indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood, a connecting pipe, and a construction method for connecting an indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood, which improves airtightness at the connection part while using an indoor exhaust pipe that is aesthetically pleasing and has a spiral section to ensure flexibility, and which can suppress variations in construction quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the present invention is, A flexible indoor exhaust pipe located inside the building, A pipe hood having a connecting pipe is located outside the building, The building comprises a connecting pipe that is positioned within a through-hole penetrating the exterior wall of the building, and has an indoor end into which the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted and connected, and an outdoor end into which the connecting pipe is inserted and connected, thereby connecting the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood. The aforementioned indoor exhaust pipe has a spiral section at one end to ensure the aforementioned flexibility, The aforementioned indoor end has a female threaded portion on its inner circumferential surface within a predetermined range from the indoor opening end. The helical portion is screwed into the female thread portion, The gap between the inner surface of the outdoor end and the outer surface of the connecting cylinder is filled with a filler.

[0014] An indoor exhaust pipe is inserted into the indoor end of the connecting pipe, and the indoor end and the indoor exhaust pipe are connected. The indoor end has a female threaded portion on its inner surface within a predetermined range from the indoor opening end, and a spiral portion is screwed into this female threaded portion to ensure the flexibility of the indoor exhaust pipe. Therefore, sufficient tightness is ensured at the connection between the indoor end and the indoor exhaust pipe by screwing the spiral portion and the female threaded portion together.

[0015] A connecting pipe for the pipe hood is inserted into the outdoor end of the connecting pipe, and the outdoor end and the connecting pipe are connected. A filler is filled into the gap between the inner surface of the outdoor end and the outer surface of the connecting pipe. Therefore, sufficient airtightness is ensured at the connection between the outdoor end and the connecting pipe by the filler interposed in the gap between them.

[0016] Furthermore, because the connecting cylinder of the pipe hood is inserted into the outdoor end of the connecting pipe, the connecting cylinder of the pipe hood can be easily connected to the connecting pipe that has been pre-placed in the penetration hole of the exterior wall, offering a high degree of flexibility in the construction method. In addition, it can accommodate both pre-installation, where the connecting pipe with the pipe hood attached is inserted into the penetration hole of the exterior wall, and post-installation, where the pipe hood is connected to the connecting pipe that has been placed in the penetration hole. Therefore, there is no need to adopt different configurations depending on the construction method.

[0017] Therefore, the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the present invention improves airtightness at the connection point while using an indoor exhaust pipe that has a spiral section to ensure flexibility and is aesthetically pleasing, and also reduces variations in construction quality.

[0018] The connecting pipe of the present invention is used in the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the present invention.

[0019] The connecting pipe of the present invention is placed in a through-hole that penetrates the exterior wall of a building, and connects an indoor exhaust pipe located inside the building with a connecting pipe for a pipe hood located outside the building. This connecting pipe can be installed in both a pre-installation method, where the connecting pipe with the pipe hood attached is inserted into the through-hole in the exterior wall, and a post-installation method, where the pipe hood is connected to the connecting pipe already placed inside the through-hole.

[0020] If different materials are used for pre-installation and post-installation, there is a risk of variations in quality due to differences in installation methods. However, since the same connecting pipe can be used regardless of whether it is pre-installation or post-installation, variations in installation quality can be suppressed.

[0021] A construction method for connecting the first indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the present invention is as follows: An indoor exhaust pipe having flexibility and disposed indoors in a building, and a pipe hood having a connection cylinder and disposed outdoors of the building are disposed in a through hole penetrating the outer wall of the building. The indoor exhaust pipe is inserted and connected to an indoor side end portion, and the connection cylinder is inserted and connected to an outdoor side end portion. A communication pipe for communicating the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood is used to connect them. The method is as follows: The indoor exhaust pipe has a spiral portion at one end to ensure the flexibility. The indoor side end portion has an internal thread portion on the inner peripheral surface within a predetermined range from the indoor side opening end. A communication pipe pipe hood connection step of inserting the connection cylinder into the outdoor side end portion while interposing a filler in the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the outdoor side end portion of the communication pipe and the outer peripheral surface of the connection cylinder to connect the communication pipe and the pipe hood; A communication pipe pipe hood arrangement step of inserting the indoor side end portion of the communication pipe into the through hole from the outside and disposing the communication pipe in the through hole and disposing the pipe hood on the outer wall; A communication pipe indoor exhaust pipe connection step of inserting the one end of the indoor exhaust pipe into the indoor side end portion from the indoor side and screwing the spiral portion into the internal thread portion are sequentially performed.

[0022] In this construction method for connecting the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood, the communication pipe pipe hood connection step, the communication pipe pipe hood arrangement step, and the communication pipe indoor exhaust pipe connection step are sequentially performed. This construction method is a pre-installation construction in which a communication pipe connected to a pipe hood is inserted and disposed in a through hole of an outer wall.

[0023] In the communication pipe pipe hood connection step, while interposing a filler in the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the outdoor side end portion of the communication pipe and the outer peripheral surface of the connection cylinder of the pipe hood, the connection cylinder of the pipe hood is inserted into the outdoor side end portion of the communication pipe to connect the connection cylinder and the outdoor side end portion.

[0024] In the connecting pipe and pipe hood placement process, the indoor end of the connecting pipe is inserted into the through-hole from the outside, thereby positioning the connecting pipe within the through-hole and simultaneously positioning the pipe hood on the outer wall.

[0025] In the process of connecting the connecting pipe to the indoor exhaust pipe, one end of the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted into the indoor end of the connecting pipe from inside the building, and the spiral portion of the indoor exhaust pipe is screwed into the female thread portion of the indoor end.

[0026] In this way, the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood can be connected via a connecting pipe placed inside a penetration hole in the exterior wall through pre-installation.

[0027] This construction method utilizes the connecting pipe of the present invention and employs the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the present invention. This improves airtightness at the connection point while using an indoor exhaust pipe that has a spiral section to ensure flexibility and a good appearance, and also reduces variations in construction quality.

[0028] The construction method for connecting the second indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the present invention is as follows: A construction method for connecting a flexible indoor exhaust pipe located inside a building and a pipe hood located outside the building and having a connecting pipe, via a connecting pipe located inside a through-hole penetrating the outer wall of the building, having an indoor end into which the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted and connected, and an outdoor end into which the connecting pipe is inserted and connected, thereby connecting the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood, The aforementioned indoor exhaust pipe has a spiral section at one end to ensure the aforementioned flexibility, The aforementioned indoor end has a female threaded portion on its inner circumferential surface within a predetermined range from the indoor opening end. A process of arranging the connecting pipe in the through hole, A connecting pipe hood step involves inserting the connecting cylinder from the outside to the outdoor end of the connecting pipe, while interposing a filler in the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the outdoor end of the connecting pipe, which is positioned within the through hole, and the outer circumferential surface of the connecting cylinder. The invention is characterized by comprising a connecting pipe-indoor exhaust pipe connection step, in which one end of the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted from the indoor side into the indoor side end of the connecting pipe positioned in the through hole, and the spiral portion is screwed into the female thread portion.

[0029] This construction method for connecting the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood comprises a connecting pipe placement step, a connecting pipe-to-pipe hood connection step, and a connecting pipe-to-indoor exhaust pipe connection step. This construction method is a retrofit installation in which the pipe hood is connected to the connecting pipe placed inside the through-hole.

[0030] In this construction method, the first step is to place the connecting pipes. In the connecting pipe placement step, the connecting pipes are placed in the penetration holes in the exterior walls of the building. Regarding the penetration holes in the exterior walls, the penetration holes may be formed at the same time as the exterior walls are manufactured, or the penetration holes may be drilled after the exterior walls are completed. Alternatively, the penetration holes may be formed at the same time as the exterior walls are manufactured, and the connecting pipes may be placed in those penetration holes at the same time, or the connecting pipes may be inserted into the penetration holes formed in the exterior walls afterwards.

[0031] After the connecting pipe placement process is completed, the connecting pipe pipe hood connection process and the connecting pipe indoor exhaust pipe connection process are carried out. The order in which the connecting pipe pipe hood connection process and the connecting pipe indoor exhaust pipe connection process are carried out does not matter.

[0032] In the pipe hood connection process, a filler is placed in the gap between the inner surface of the outdoor end of the connecting pipe, which is positioned within the through-hole, and the outer surface of the connecting cylinder. The connecting cylinder of the pipe hood is then inserted into the outdoor end of the connecting pipe from the outside, thereby connecting the connecting cylinder and the outdoor end.

[0033] In the process of connecting the connecting pipe to the indoor exhaust pipe, one end of the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted from inside the building into the indoor end of the connecting pipe, which is positioned in the through-hole, and the spiral portion of the indoor exhaust pipe is screwed into the female thread at the indoor end.

[0034] In this way, the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood can be connected via a connecting pipe placed inside a penetration hole in the exterior wall through retrofitting.

[0035] This construction method utilizes the connecting pipe of the present invention and employs the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the present invention. This improves airtightness at the connection point while using an indoor exhaust pipe that has a spiral section to ensure flexibility and a good appearance, and also reduces variations in construction quality. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] According to the present invention, the connection structure between an indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood, the connecting pipe, and the construction method for connecting the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood improves airtightness at the connection point while using an indoor exhaust pipe that has a good appearance and a spiral section to ensure flexibility, and also reduces variations in construction quality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic construction diagram illustrating the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood in the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood in the embodiment, and is a front view of the connecting pipe. [Figure 3] Figure 3 relates to the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood in the embodiment, and is a front view of the pipe hood. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which sealant has been applied to the connecting pipe of the pipe hood, in relation to the pre-installation method using the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the connecting cylinder of the pipe hood is inserted into the outdoor end of the connecting pipe, in relation to the pre-installation method using the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a sealant has been applied to the boundary between the connecting pipe and the hood of the pipe hood, in relation to the pre-installation method using the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the embodiment. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the pre-installation method using the indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood connection structure of the embodiment, showing how the connecting pipe is inserted into the penetration hole in the exterior wall and how the pipe hood is fixed to the exterior wall with screws. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a sealant has been applied to the boundary between the exterior wall and the hood of the pipe hood, in relation to the pre-installation method using the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a pre-installation method using the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the embodiment, showing the indoor exhaust pipe inserted into the indoor end of the connecting pipe and the spiral portion of the indoor exhaust pipe screwed into the female threaded part of the indoor end. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a connecting pipe is positioned in a penetration hole in the exterior wall, in relation to a retrofit installation using the indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood connection structure of the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which sealant has been applied to the connecting pipe of the pipe hood in a retrofit installation using the indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood connection structure of the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the retrofitting method using the indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood connection structure of the embodiment, showing how the connecting cylinder of the pipe hood is inserted into the outdoor end of the connecting pipe placed in the through-hole, and how the pipe hood is fixed to the exterior wall with screws. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a sealant has been applied to the boundary between the exterior wall and the pipe hood in a retrofit installation using the indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood connection structure of the embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the retrofitting method using the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood of the embodiment, showing the indoor exhaust pipe being inserted into the indoor end of the connecting pipe and the spiral portion of the indoor exhaust pipe being screwed into the female threaded part of the indoor end. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0039] (Examples) Figure 1 shows a schematic construction diagram illustrating the connection structure for connecting the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood in the embodiment.

[0040] <Connection structure between indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood, and configuration of connecting pipe> As shown in Figure 1, the connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood comprises a connecting pipe 16 located in a through-hole 14 penetrating the outer wall 12 of the building 10, an indoor exhaust pipe 18 located inside the building 10, and a pipe hood 20 located outside the building 10. The connecting pipe 16 connects the indoor exhaust pipe 18 and the pipe hood 20.

[0041] The connecting pipe 16 is positioned inside the through hole 14. The connecting pipe 16 is made of stainless steel and is a cylindrical member with an outer diameter of approximately 100 mm and an axial length of approximately 300 mm. As shown in Figure 2, the axial end of the connecting pipe 16, which is on the left side of Figure 2, becomes the indoor end 22, and the axial end of the connecting pipe 16, which is on the right side of Figure 2, becomes the outdoor end 24. As shown in Figure 8, one end 18a of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is inserted into the indoor end 22 and connected. The connecting pipe 32 of the pipe hood 20, which will be described later, is inserted into the outdoor end 24 and connected. As will be described later, the axial length of the connecting pipe 32 is approximately 45 mm, and the outdoor end 24 is the range of approximately 45 mm from the outdoor opening end 16c of the connecting pipe 16.

[0042] A female threaded portion 26 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 16a of the connecting pipe 16, extending from the indoor-side opening end 16b within a predetermined range. In this embodiment, the female threaded portion 26 is formed in a range of approximately 50 mm from the indoor-side opening end 16b. The female threaded portion 26 is formed to be screwable into the spiral portion 28 of the indoor exhaust pipe 18, which will be described later. The female threaded portion 26 is formed so as to ensure a predetermined level of airtightness when screwed into the spiral portion 28. The degree of airtightness varies depending on the shape and size of the peaks and valleys in the female threaded portion 26 and the spiral portion 28, but the female threaded portion 26 can be formed in a range of, for example, 50 mm to 100 mm from the indoor-side opening end 16b.

[0043] The portion of the inner circumferential surface 16a of the connecting pipe 16, excluding the female threaded portion 26, has a constant circular cross-sectional shape in the axial direction. That is, the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end portion 24 of the connecting pipe 16 has a constant circular cross-sectional shape in the axial direction.

[0044] The indoor exhaust pipe 18 is made of a flexible aluminum pipe that is flexible and can be expanded, contracted, and bent. As shown in Figure 1, the indoor exhaust pipe 18 has a spiral section 28 along its entire axial length to ensure flexibility.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the pipe hood 20 is made of stainless steel and comprises a hood 30, a connecting cylinder 32, a louver 34, and a plurality of locking claws 36. The hood 30 is in the shape of a roughly rectangular box. When the pipe hood 20 is placed on the outer wall 12, a circular opening is formed on the back surface of the hood 30 facing the outer wall 12, and the connecting cylinder 32 is attached so as to cover the periphery of the opening. The connecting cylinder 32 is attached to the hood 30 by screwing it in. On the lower surface of the hood 30 of the pipe hood 20 placed on the outer wall 12, a rectangular opening is formed, and a louver 34 consisting of a plurality of vane plates is arranged in the opening.

[0046] The connecting pipe 32 of the pipe hood 20 is a simple cylindrical member with an outer diameter of approximately 100 mm and an axial length of approximately 45 mm. The outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting pipe 32 has a constant circular cross-sectional shape in the axial direction. The inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 of the connecting pipe 16 and the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting pipe 32 have mutually matching circular cross-sectional shapes. Due to the fact that the connecting pipe 32 is inserted into the outdoor end 24, the inner diameter of the outdoor end 24 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the connecting pipe 32.

[0047] The gap between the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end portion 24 and the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting cylinder 32 is filled with a sealant 38 (see Figure 4). The sealant 38 is placed at the base end of the connecting cylinder 32 on the hood 30 side. This sealant 38 fixes the outdoor end portion 24 and the connecting cylinder 32, and ensures waterproofing and airtightness between them. The sealant 38 corresponds to the filler in this invention.

[0048] Three locking claws 36 are attached to the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting cylinder 32, on its tip side. Each locking claw 36 is spring-shaped and elastically deformable, and is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface 32a. When the connecting cylinder 32 is connected to the outdoor end 24, each locking claw 36 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 while elastically deforming.

[0049] In this connection structure, one end 18a of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is inserted into the indoor end 22 of the connecting pipe 16, and the helical portion 28 of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is screwed into the female threaded portion 26 of the indoor end 22. Therefore, sufficient tightness is ensured at the connection between the indoor end 22 and the indoor exhaust pipe 18 by screwing the helical portion 28 and the female threaded portion 26 together.

[0050] The connecting pipe hood 20's connecting cylinder 32 is inserted into the outdoor end 24 of the connecting pipe 16, and the gap between the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 and the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting cylinder 32 is filled with sealant 38, which fixes the outdoor end 24 and the connecting cylinder 32 together. As a result, sufficient airtightness is ensured at the connection between the outdoor end 24 and the connecting cylinder 32 by the sealant 38 interposed in the gap between them.

[0051] Because the connecting cylinder 32 of the pipe hood 20 is inserted into the outdoor end 24 of the connecting pipe 16, the connecting cylinder 30 of the pipe hood 20 can be easily connected to the connecting pipe 16 that has been pre-placed in the through-hole 14 of the exterior wall 12, providing a high degree of flexibility in the construction method. Furthermore, it can accommodate both pre-installation, where the connecting pipe 16 with the pipe hood 20 attached is inserted into the through-hole 14 of the exterior wall 12, and post-installation, where the pipe hood 20 is connected to the connecting pipe 16 that has been placed in the through-hole 14. Therefore, there is no need to adopt different configurations depending on the construction method.

[0052] Therefore, this connection structure between the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood allows for the use of an indoor exhaust pipe 18 that has a spiral section 28 to ensure a good appearance and flexibility, while improving airtightness at the connection point and suppressing variations in construction quality.

[0053] In particular, the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 of the connecting pipe 16 and the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting pipe 32 are aligned with each other and have a constant circular cross-sectional shape in the axial direction of the connecting pipe 16. Therefore, it is easy to ensure a sufficient contact area between the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 and the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting pipe 32, resulting in a stable connection and thus advantageous for improving airtightness. In addition, the connecting pipe 32 can be smoothly inserted into the outdoor end 24. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to machine grooves on either the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 or the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting pipe 32, an increase in extra work and costs can be suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, the connecting pipe 16 used in this indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood connection structure can accommodate both pre-installation, where the connecting pipe 16 to which the pipe hood 20 is connected is inserted into the through-hole 14 of the outer wall 12, and post-installation, where the pipe hood 20 is connected to the connecting pipe 16 that is positioned in the through-hole 14.

[0055] If different materials are used for pre-installation and post-installation, there is a risk of variations in quality due to differences in installation methods. However, since the same connecting pipe 16 can be used regardless of whether it is pre-installation or post-installation, variations in installation quality can be suppressed.

[0056] Furthermore, multiple locking claws 36 are attached to the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting cylinder 32. Each locking claw 36 elastically deforms and presses against the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 when the connecting cylinder 32 is connected to the outdoor end 24. As a result, the elastic force of each locking claw 36 increases the bonding force between the connecting pipe 16 and the connecting cylinder 32.

[0057] Since the indoor end 22 of the connecting pipe 16 and the indoor exhaust pipe 18 are connected by a screw thread, the indoor exhaust pipe 18 can be easily attached to and detached from the connecting pipe 16, making maintenance work, for example, easier.

[0058] <Installation method for connecting indoor exhaust pipes and pipe hoods through pre-installation> A method for connecting the indoor exhaust pipe 18 and the pipe hood 20 via a connecting pipe 16, using the connection structure for the indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood of the embodiment, will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 9. This construction method is a pre-installation method in which the connecting pipe 16 to which the pipe hood 20 is connected is inserted into the through hole 14 of the outer wall 12.

[0059] In this pre-installation process, the following steps are carried out in order: the preparation process, the connecting pipe hood connection process, the connecting pipe hood placement process, and the connecting pipe indoor exhaust pipe connection process.

[0060] <Preparation process> A through-hole 14 is formed in the exterior wall 12 of the building 10. This through-hole 14 may be formed by drilling after the completion of the exterior wall 12, or it may be formed at the same time as the manufacturing of the exterior wall 12. The axial length of the connecting pipe 16 is adjusted in advance according to the thickness of the exterior wall 12, i.e., the length of the through-hole 14. This adjustment can be made by cutting a predetermined amount off the outdoor end 24 side of the connecting pipe 16.

[0061] <Connecting process for connecting pipe hoods> As shown in Figure 4, a single line of sealant 38 is applied to the base end of the connecting cylinder 32 of the pipe hood 20 on the hood 30 side. The sealant 38 is not particularly limited, but is made of a resin such as silicone. The sealant 38 is applied to the entire circumference of the outer surface 32a of the connecting cylinder 32, for example, in a width of approximately 5 mm and a height of approximately 5 mm. The area to which the sealant 38 is applied is given waterproof and airtight properties. The number of lines, width, and height to which the sealant 38 is applied are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate.

[0062] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 5, the connecting cylinder 32 of the pipe hood 20 is inserted into the outdoor end 24 of the connecting pipe 16. At this time, a sealant 38 is interposed around the entire circumference of the gap between the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 and the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting cylinder 32.

[0063] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 6, a sealant 40 made of a silicone-based or similar resin is applied around the entire boundary between the connecting pipe 16 and the hood 30 of the pipe hood 20. The area to which the sealant 40 is applied is given waterproofing and airtightness. Alternatively, rubber gaskets or waterproof adhesive tape may be used instead of or in conjunction with the sealant 40.

[0064] <Connecting pipe hood placement process> Then, as shown in Figure 7, the indoor end 22 of the connecting pipe 16 is inserted from the outside into the through hole 14 of the outer wall 12, and the connecting pipe 16 is positioned inside the through hole 14. The pipe hood 20 is then fixed to the outer surface 12a of the outer wall 12 with screws 42.

[0065] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, a sealant 44 made of a silicone-based or similar resin is applied to the boundary between the upper surface and both sides of the hood 30 of the pipe hood 20 and the outer surface 12a of the outer wall 12. The areas to which the sealant 44 is applied are given waterproof and airtight properties. Alternatively, rubber gaskets or waterproof adhesive tape may be used instead of or in conjunction with the sealant 44.

[0066] <Connecting the connecting pipe to the indoor exhaust pipe> Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9, one end 18a of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is inserted from inside into the indoor end 22 of the connecting pipe 16, and the spiral portion 28 of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is screwed into the female thread portion 26 of the indoor end 22.

[0067] In this way, the indoor exhaust pipe 18 and the pipe hood 20 are connected via a connecting pipe 16 positioned within a through-hole 14 in the exterior wall 12 through pre-installation. This creates an exhaust passage 46 that extends continuously inside the indoor exhaust pipe 18, the connecting pipe 16, and the pipe hood 20.

[0068] As shown in Figure 1, the other end of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is connected to the exhaust port of a clothes dryer 48 located inside the building 10 via an equipment-side connecting pipe 50. As a result, moisture from the exhaust port of the clothes dryer 48 is discharged outdoors through the exhaust passage 46.

[0069] This construction method allows for the use of an indoor exhaust pipe 18 that has a spiral section 28 for good appearance and flexibility, while improving airtightness at the connection point and reducing variations in construction quality.

[0070] <Installation method for connecting indoor exhaust pipes and pipe hoods through retrofitting> A method for connecting the indoor exhaust pipe 18 and the pipe hood 20 via a connecting pipe 16, using the connection structure for the indoor exhaust pipe and pipe hood described in the embodiment, will be explained with reference to Figures 10 to 14. This construction method is a retrofit method in which the pipe hood 20 is connected to the connecting pipe 16 located in a through-hole 14 of the exterior wall 12.

[0071] <Preparation process> The axial length of the connecting pipe 16 is adjusted in advance according to the thickness of the outer wall 12, i.e., the length of the through hole 14. This adjustment can be done by cutting a predetermined amount off the outdoor end 24 side of the connecting pipe 16.

[0072] This retrofitting process includes a preparation step, as well as the following steps: connecting pipes, connecting pipe hoods, and connecting indoor exhaust pipes. In this retrofitting process, after the preparation step, the connecting pipes are first placed, followed by the connecting pipe hoods and the connecting indoor exhaust pipes. The order in which the connecting pipe hoods and the connecting indoor exhaust pipes are connected does not matter. For the sake of explanation, the method of performing the connecting indoor exhaust pipe connection step after the connecting pipe hoods step will be described below.

[0073] <Communication pipe arrangement process> As shown in Figure 10, a connecting pipe 16 is placed inside a through-hole 14 in the outer wall 12. The through-hole 14 may be formed at the same time as the manufacturing of the outer wall 12, or it may be formed by drilling after the completion of the outer wall 12. Alternatively, the through-hole 14 may be formed at the same time as the manufacturing of the outer wall 12, and the connecting pipe 16 may be placed inside the through-hole 14 at the same time, or the connecting pipe 16 may be inserted into the through-hole 14 formed in the outer wall 12 afterwards.

[0074] If the exterior wall 12 is a concrete wall, it is not easy to drill through holes 14 after the exterior wall 12 is completed. For this reason, if the exterior wall 12 is a concrete wall, it is preferable to form the through holes 14 at the same time as manufacturing the exterior wall 12 and to simultaneously place the connecting pipes 16 inside the through holes 14.

[0075] The entire circumference of the gap between the outer surface of the connecting pipe 16 and the inner surface of the through hole 14 is filled with sealant 52. The sealant 52 is filled both around the entire circumference of the gap between the outer surface of the indoor end 22 of the connecting pipe 16 and the inner surface of the through hole 14, and around the entire circumference of the gap between the outer surface of the outdoor end 24 of the connecting pipe 16 and the inner surface of the through hole 14.

[0076] <Connecting process for connecting pipe hoods> As shown in Figure 11, two lines of sealant 38 are applied to the base end of the connecting cylinder 32 of the pipe hood 20 on the hood 30 side. The sealant 38 is not particularly limited, but is made of a resin such as silicone. Each line of sealant 38 is applied to the entire circumference of the outer surface 32a of the connecting cylinder 32, for example, in an area of ​​about 5 mm in width and about 5 mm in height. The area to which the sealant 38 is applied is given waterproof and airtight properties. The number of lines, width, and height to which the sealant 38 is applied are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate.

[0077] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 12, the connecting cylinder 32 of the pipe hood 20 is inserted from the outside into the outdoor end 24 of the connecting pipe 16 positioned in the through hole 14. At this time, two lines of keying agent 38 are interposed around the entire circumference of the gap between the inner circumferential surface 24a of the outdoor end 24 and the outer circumferential surface 32a of the connecting cylinder 32. Then, the pipe hood 20 is fixed to the outer surface 12a of the outer wall 12 with screws 42.

[0078] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 13, a sealant 44 made of a silicone-based or similar resin is applied to the boundary between the upper surface and both sides of the hood 30 of the pipe hood 20 and the outer surface 12a of the outer wall 12. The areas to which the sealant 44 is applied are given waterproof and airtight properties. Alternatively, rubber gaskets or waterproof adhesive tape may be used instead of or in conjunction with the sealant 44.

[0079] <Connecting the connecting pipe to the indoor exhaust pipe> Subsequently, as shown in Figure 14, one end 18a of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is inserted into the indoor end 22 of the connecting pipe 16 from inside the building, and the spiral portion 28 of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is screwed into the female thread portion 26 of the indoor end 22.

[0080] In this way, the indoor exhaust pipe 18 and the pipe hood 20 are connected via a connecting pipe 16 located in a through-hole 14 in the exterior wall 12 through retrofitting. This creates an exhaust passage 46 that extends continuously inside the indoor exhaust pipe 18, the connecting pipe 16, and the pipe hood 20.

[0081] As shown in Figure 1, the other end of the indoor exhaust pipe 18 is connected to the exhaust port of a clothes dryer 48 located inside the building 10 via an equipment-side connecting pipe 50. As a result, moisture from the exhaust port of the clothes dryer 48 is discharged outdoors through the exhaust passage 46.

[0082] This construction method allows for the use of an indoor exhaust pipe 18 that has a spiral section 28 for good appearance and flexibility, while improving airtightness at the connection point and reducing variations in construction quality.

[0083] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be applied with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0084] In the embodiment, an aluminum flexible pipe was used for the indoor exhaust pipe 18, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and an indoor exhaust pipe made of a flexible resin such as polyethylene may also be used. When an indoor exhaust pipe made of a flexible resin is used, the spiral portion for ensuring flexibility does not necessarily have to be provided along the entire axial length.

[0085] In this embodiment, the connecting cylinder 32 is attached to the hood 30 by screwing it in, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the hood 30 and the connecting cylinder 32 may be provided as an integral part of the hood.

[0086] In this embodiment, stainless steel was used for the pipe hood 20 and the connecting pipe 16, but aluminum alloy or resin may also be used. [Industrial applicability]

[0087] The present invention can be used, for example, in clothes dryers, clothes washing and drying machines, or dehumidifying equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10… Buildings 12…Exterior walls 14…Through hole 16…Communication pipe 16a...Inner peripheral surface 16b…Indoor open end 18…Indoor exhaust pipe 20... Pipe Hood 22...Indoor end 24…Outdoor end 26...Female thread section 28...Spiral part 32…Connecting tube 32a...Outer surface 38... Caulking agent (filler)

Claims

1. A construction method for connecting a flexible indoor exhaust pipe located inside a building and a pipe hood located outside the building and having a connecting pipe, via a connecting pipe located inside a through-hole penetrating the outer wall of the building, having an indoor end into which the indoor exhaust pipe is inserted and connected, and an outdoor end into which the connecting pipe is inserted and connected, thereby connecting the indoor exhaust pipe and the pipe hood, The aforementioned indoor exhaust pipe has a spiral section at one end to ensure the aforementioned flexibility, The aforementioned indoor end has a female threaded portion on its inner circumferential surface within a predetermined range from the indoor opening end. A connecting pipe hood process involves inserting the connecting cylinder into the outdoor end while interposing a filler in the gap between the inner surface of the outdoor end and the outer surface of the connecting cylinder, A connecting pipe and pipe hood placement step involves inserting the indoor end of the connecting pipe into the through hole from the outdoors, thereby positioning the connecting pipe within the through hole and positioning the pipe hood on the outer wall. A method for connecting an indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood, characterized by sequentially performing the following steps: inserting one end of the indoor exhaust pipe from the indoor side into the indoor side end, and screwing the spiral portion into the female thread portion.

2. The construction method for connecting an indoor exhaust pipe and a pipe hood according to Claim 1, wherein a preparatory step is performed to adjust the length of the connecting pipe in advance by cutting a predetermined amount off the outdoor end of the connecting pipe before the connecting pipe pipe hood connection step.

Images