Insulation device for pipe fittings

Abstract

To provide a heat insulation device for a piping joint capable of coping with a plurality of kinds of piping of various diameters without performing cutting-off work of a heat insulation member.SOLUTION: A heat insulation device for a piping joint includes a heat insulation member 1 having a pair of split half bodies 10. The pair of split half bodies 10 forms a joint housing space 13T for housing a joint 50, and a plurality of pipe housing spaces 14T for housing the piping in cooperation with each other in a closed state to be joined with each other. The pipe housing space 14T has a plurality of pipe housing portions 15T, 17T of which an inner diameter is enlarged stepwise from a joint housing space 13T side toward an outer end. The piping 60 (or 70) has a circulation pipe 61 (or 71) in which a fluid passes and which is connected to the joint 50, and a cladding pipe 62 (or 72) covering an outer periphery of the circulation pipe. An end portion of the cladding pipe of the piping is housed in one pipe housing portion selected from the plurality of pipe housing portions 15T, 17T in a state that an inner periphery of the pipe housing portion is kept into contact with its outer periphery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat insulation device for a joint for connecting pipes used for water supply, hot water supply, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Pipes for water supply and hot water supply have a double pipe heat insulation structure consisting of a flow pipe through which hot and cold water passes and a covering pipe covering this flow pipe, preventing the decrease in hot water temperature and freezing. When connecting these pipes with joints as needed, in order to suppress heat dissipation from the joints, the joints are covered with heat insulation members. This heat insulation member also covers the pipe end portions connected to the joints, suppressing heat dissipation from gaps between the joints and the ends of the covering pipes.

[0003] The heat insulation member for a pipe joint shown in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of split halves, and these pair of split halves are in a closed state and are configured to form a joint accommodation space and a plurality of pipe accommodation spaces. By the way, pipes are used in multiple types according to the installation area, that is, according to the required heat insulation performance, and their outer diameters are different. Therefore, when using the heat insulation member of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to prepare multiple types of heat insulation members having pipe accommodation spaces with inner diameters corresponding to the types (outer diameters) of the pipes, increasing the cost.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a heat insulation member for a pipe joint that can accommodate multiple types of pipes. The inner diameter of the pipe accommodation space formed by a pair of split halves of this heat insulation member gradually decreases from the joint accommodation space side toward the outer end. In the example shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, the pipe accommodation space has three pipe accommodation portions with different diameters. The large-diameter pipe accommodation portion is arranged deepest and the small-diameter pipe accommodation portion is arranged outermost.

[0005] In the heat-insulating member of Patent Document 2, when connecting small-diameter pipes, the pipes are housed in the outer small-diameter pipe housing portion such that the inner circumference of the pipe housing portion and the outer circumference of the pipe are in contact. When using intermediate-diameter pipes, the portion corresponding to the outer small-diameter pipe housing portion is cut off in a pair of divided halves, and the pipes are housed in the intermediate-diameter pipe housing portion in the same manner as described above. When using large-diameter pipes, the portions corresponding to the small-diameter pipe housing portion and the intermediate-diameter pipe housing portion are cut off in a pair of divided halves, and the pipes are housed in the inner large-diameter pipe housing portion in the same manner as described above. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-118091 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-124955 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] While the thermal insulation material described in Patent Document 2 can accommodate multiple types of pipes with different diameters using a single type of insulation material, it requires the effort of cutting off the unnecessary portion of the divided half. Furthermore, the cut-off unnecessary portion becomes waste. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a heat insulation device for a joint connecting a plurality of pipes, comprising a heat insulation member having a pair of divided halves, wherein the pair of divided halves, in a closed state joined together, cooperate to form a joint storage space for housing the joint and a plurality of pipe storage spaces for housing the pipe, the pipe storage space has a plurality of pipe storage sections whose inner diameter gradually expands from the joint storage space side toward the outer end, the pipe has a flow pipe through which fluid passes and is connected to the joint and a covering pipe that covers the outer circumference of the flow pipe, and the end of the covering pipe of the pipe is housed in one of the plurality of pipe storage sections selected by the plurality of pipe storage sections, with the inner circumference of the pipe storage section in contact with its outer circumference.

[0009] According to the above configuration, one type of insulation material can accommodate multiple types of pipes with different diameters. Moreover, since the inner diameter of the multiple pipe housing sections gradually increases towards the outer end, the end of the pipe's coating can be accommodated in the pipe housing section corresponding to the pipe's diameter without having to cut off any of the insulation material.

[0010] Preferably, a projection is formed on the inner circumference of the pipe housing portion, and the projection engages with the outer circumference of the end of the cladding pipe. This configuration suppresses axial movement of the cladding pipe. More preferably, the projection is a rib extending in the circumferential direction. This configuration enhances the locking effect that suppresses axial movement of the cladding tube. If the cladding tube has a corrugated shape, the rib fits into the valleys of the cladding tube, thus providing an even greater locking effect.

[0011] Preferably, an engaging projection is formed on the inner surface of the joint housing space, and an engaging recess is formed in the joint that engages with the engaging projection. With this configuration, the joint can be stably held in the heat-insulating member.

[0012] Preferably, the configuration further includes a tightening strip that is wrapped around the outer circumference of the pair of divided halves in the closed state to tighten them, and receiving recesses for receiving the tightening strip are formed on the outer circumference of the pair of divided halves. With this configuration, the closed state of the pair of divided halves can be stably maintained. More preferably, the receiving recesses are formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of pipe housing sections in the pipe housing space. With this configuration, the tightening strip is tightened at a position corresponding to the holding point of the end of the coated pipe, so that the piping can be held stably. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The pipe joint insulation device of the present invention can accommodate multiple types of pipes with different diameters without the need to cut off insulation material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1A] This is a plan view showing a pair of divided halves of a pipe joint insulation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 1B] This is a plan view showing a pair of divided halves in a closed state. [Figure 2A] This is a plan view showing one half of a pair of divided halves with a fitting and two pipes connected to this fitting attached. [Figure 2B] This is a plan view showing the closed state after rotating one half of the divided parts from the set state in Figure 2A to the other half. [Figure 3A] This is a plan view showing a pipe with a larger diameter than the pipe in Figure 2A connected to a fitting and set in one of the divided halves. [Figure 3B] This is a plan view showing the closed state after rotating one half of the divided parts from the set state in Figure 3A to the other half. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the open state of a pipe joint insulation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the open state of a heat-insulating device for pipe joints according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing the open state of the heat insulation device for a pipe joint according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing the open state of the heat insulation device for a pipe joint according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. <Configuration of the heat insulation device for a pipe joint> As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the heat insulation device for a pipe joint includes a heat insulation member 1 made of a foamed resin such as polyethylene foam or cross-linked polyethylene foam as a main component. The heat insulation member 1 has a pair of split halves 10 and a resin hinge 20 (hinge) that connects these split halves 10 in an openable and closable manner. FIG. 1A shows the state where the pair of split halves 10 are open, and FIG. 1B shows the closed state. The resin hinge 20 is thin and integrally formed of the same material as the split half 10, and is continuous with one side edge in the circumferential direction of the pair of split halves 10.

[0016] The pair of split halves 10 have substantially the same shape. In the present embodiment, each split half 10 has a semi-cylindrical shape that extends linearly, and has a flat mating surface 11 that contacts each other in the closed state and a circumferential surface 12 that forms a substantially semi-cylindrical surface shape. A concave groove 10a having a semi-circular cross-section extending in the axial direction over the entire length is formed in the mating surface 11. The concave groove 10a has a joint accommodation space formation region 13 at the axial center portion and pipe accommodation space formation regions 14 at both side portions.

[0017] An engaging projection 13a, which extends circumferentially in a semi-circular shape, is formed on the central inner circumference of the joint housing space forming region 13. The inner diameter of each of the pipe housing space forming regions 14 on both sides gradually increases from the joint housing space forming region 13 side toward the axial outer end. As a result, in this embodiment, the pipe housing space forming region 14 has a smaller diameter pipe housing portion forming region 15 on the inner side and a larger diameter pipe housing portion forming region 17 on the outer side. Multiple ribs 15a, which extend circumferentially in a semi-circular shape, are formed in the smaller diameter pipe housing portion forming region 15 at equal intervals in the axial direction. Similarly, multiple ribs 17a, which extend circumferentially in a semi-circular shape, are formed in the larger diameter pipe housing portion forming region 17 at equal intervals in the axial direction.

[0018] Each divided half 10 has a receiving recess 18 formed on its outer circumference for receiving the tightening band 40 (tightening strip) described later. More specifically, at an axial position corresponding to the center of the joint housing space forming region 13, a receiving recess 18 is formed by crossing the resin hinge 20 and cutting out one circumferential edge of the pair of divided half 10, and another receiving recess 18 is formed by cutting out the other circumferential edge of the pair of divided half 10. Similarly, receiving recesses 18 are also formed at axial positions corresponding to the pipe housing portion forming regions 15 and 17.

[0019] An adhesive layer 30 is provided on the joint surface 11 of either half of the divided body 10, and this adhesive layer 30 is covered with release paper.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1B, the pair of divided halves 10 can be closed by joining their mating surfaces 11. In this closed state, the joint housing space forming regions 13 of the pair of divided halves 10 cooperate to form a joint housing space 13T, and the pair of pipe housing space forming regions 14 cooperate to form a pipe housing space 14T. The pipe housing space 14T has a smaller diameter pipe housing portion 15T at the back, formed by the cooperation of the pair of pipe housing portion forming regions 15, and a larger diameter pipe housing portion 17T at the outside, formed by the cooperation of the pair of pipe housing portion forming regions 17. In addition, the semi-circular arc-shaped engaging protrusions 13a of the pair of divided halves 10 cooperate to form an annular engaging protrusion 13a, the semi-circular arc-shaped ribs 15a cooperate to form an annular rib 15a, and the semi-circular arc-shaped ribs 17a cooperate to form an annular rib 17a.

[0021] <Connection configuration> As shown in Figure 2A, the joint 50 covered by the heat-insulating member 1 described above has short cylindrical connecting portions 51 on both sides and an annular engaging recess 52 in the center.

[0022] <Piping configuration> The aforementioned heat-insulating member 1 is used for two types of pipes with different outer diameters. The pipe 60 shown in Figure 2A has a flow pipe 61 through which a fluid, such as hot water, passes, and a corrugated pipe-shaped covering pipe 62 that covers the flow pipe 61, forming a double-walled insulation structure. The pipe 70 shown in Figure 3A has a flow pipe 71 and a cylindrical covering pipe 72 that covers the flow pipe 71. In this embodiment, the outer diameters of the flow pipes 51 and 52 of pipes 60 and 70 are the same, but the outer diameters of the covering pipes 62 and 72 are different, with the covering pipe 72 being larger.

[0023] <Function of insulation device for pipe fittings> First, we will explain the case of connecting small-diameter pipes 60 as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. As shown in Figure 2A, the ends of the cladding pipes 62 of the two pipes 60 are shifted axially and retracted to expose the ends of the flow pipes 61, and these ends of the flow pipes 61 are inserted and fixed into the connection parts 51 on both sides of the fitting 50. The ends of the cladding pipes 62 are pressed against the end faces of the connection parts 51.

[0024] The joint 50 connecting the two pipes 60 is set in the groove 10a of one of the divided halves 10 of the insulation member 1, for example, the upper divided half 10 in Figure 2A. In this set state, the joint 50 is housed in the joint housing space forming region 13 of the divided half 10, and half of the circumference of the engaging recess 52 engages with the engaging projection 13a. In addition, half of the circumference of the end of the coated pipe 62 is housed in the small-diameter pipe housing portion forming region 15 of the pipe housing space forming region 14 of the divided half 10. In this housing state, the semicircular rib 15a fits into the valleys of the corrugated pipe shape of the coated pipe 62.

[0025] Next, the release paper from the adhesive layer 30 is peeled off, and the lower half of the divided part 10 is rotated 180° toward the upper half of the divided part 10 to close the pair of divided parts 10. The mating surfaces 11 of the pair of divided parts 10 are bonded together by the adhesive layer 30. As a result, the joint 50 is housed in the joint housing space 13T (see Figure 1B), and the end of the cladding pipe 62 of the piping 60 is housed in the smaller diameter pipe housing section 15T (see Figure 1B) at the back of the pipe housing space 14T.

[0026] As described above, the heat-insulating member 1 covers the ends of the joint 50 and the two pipes 60, thereby providing heat insulation. The inner diameter of the pipe housing portion 15T of the pipe housing space 14T formed by the pair of divided halves 10 is equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the coated pipe 62, so the inner circumferential surface of the pipe housing portion 15T is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the coated pipe 62. This reliably prevents heat dissipation from between the joint 50 and the ends of the coated pipe 62.

[0027] Multiple annular ribs 15a of the pipe housing section 15T engage with multiple valleys in the coated pipe 62, thereby preventing axial movement of the coated pipe 62 and ensuring secure holding of the coated pipe 62. Furthermore, the annular engaging recess 52 of the joint 50 engages with the annular engaging projection 13a of the joint housing space 13T, thereby stably maintaining the housing state of the joint 50. An annular gap is formed between the inner circumference of the outer large-diameter pipe housing section 17T and the coated pipe 62 of the piping 60.

[0028] Finally, as shown in Figure 2B, the clamping band 40 (clamping strip) is wrapped around the locations corresponding to the joint housing space 13T and the pipe housing section 15T and tightened, thereby maintaining the closed state of the pair of divided halves 10 and securely holding the ends of the joint 50 and the cladding pipe 62 of the piping 60. The clamping band 40 fits into the receiving recesses 18 formed in the pair of divided halves 10, ensuring that the tightened state is maintained without axial displacement.

[0029] Next, we will describe the case of connecting large-diameter pipes 70 as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. As shown in Figure 3A, the ends of the cladding pipes 72 of the two pipes 70 are shifted axially and retracted to expose the ends of the flow pipes 71, which are then inserted and fixed into the connection portions 51 on both sides of the joint 50. Note that the ends of the cladding pipes 72 are housed in a pipe housing portion 17T located away from the joint 50, as will be described later, so the amount by which the ends of the cladding pipes 72 are shifted axially is large. Therefore, instead of shifting the ends of the cladding pipes 72 axially and retracting them, or in addition to retracting them, they may be cut as needed.

[0030] A joint 50 connecting two pipes 70 is set into the groove 10a of one half of the divided body 10. In this set state, the joint 50 is housed in the joint housing space forming region 13 of the divided body 10, and half of the circumference of the engaging recess 52 engages with the engaging projection 13a. In addition, half of the circumference of the end of the coated pipe 72 is housed in the large-diameter pipe housing portion forming region 17 of the pipe housing space forming region 14 of the divided body 10.

[0031] Next, as with the small-diameter pipe 60, the pair of divided halves 10 are closed. As a result, the joint 50 is housed in the joint housing space 13T (see Figure 1B) of the pair of divided halves 10, and the end of the cladding pipe 72 of the pipe 70 is housed in the large-diameter pipe housing section 17T (see Figure 1B) of the pipe housing space 14T. The flow pipe 71 is exposed between the joint 50 and the end of the cladding pipe 72. A gap is formed between this exposed flow pipe 71 and the inner circumference of the small-diameter pipe housing section 15T.

[0032] Since the inner diameter of the pipe housing portion 17T formed by the pair of divided halves 10 is equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cladding pipe 72, the inner circumferential surface of the pipe housing portion 17T is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cladding pipe 72. This prevents heat from escaping between the joint 50 and the end of the cladding pipe 72. In addition, since the annular rib 17a bites into and locks onto the outer circumference of the cladding pipe 72, axial movement of the cladding pipe 72 is prohibited, and the cladding pipe 72 can be securely held.

[0033] Finally, as shown in Figure 3B, by wrapping and tightening the clamping band 40 around the joint housing space 13T and the pipe housing section 17T, the closed state of the pair of divided halves 10 can be maintained, and the ends of the joint 50 and the coated pipe 72 can be firmly held. Other effects are the same as in the case of the piping 60, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0034] As described above, when either pipe housing section 15T or 17T is selected to house the end of the corresponding pipe's cladding, the other pipe housing section does not get in the way, thus eliminating the need to cut the divided half 10.

[0035] <Other Embodiments> Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In these embodiments, components corresponding to the prior embodiments are given the same or similar numbers, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 4, the stepped surface shape at the boundary between the pipe housing region 15 and 17 of different diameters in the divided half 10 differs from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, the stepped surface at the boundary between the pipe housing region 15 and 17 is perpendicular to the axis, whereas in the second embodiment, the stepped surface 100 is tapered. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0036] In the third embodiment shown in Figure 5, the inner diameter of the pipe housing space forming region 14 of the divided half 10 expands in three stages toward the outer end, and has three pipe housing forming regions 15, 16, and 17. Ribs 15a, 16a, and 17a are formed on the inner circumference of these pipe housing forming regions 15, 16, and 17, respectively, extending in the circumferential direction in a semi-annular shape. In this embodiment, it is possible to accommodate three types of piping with different outer diameters. That is, when using small-diameter piping, the end of the pipe's cladding is housed in the inner small-diameter pipe housing formed by a pair of small-diameter pipe housing forming regions 15. When using intermediate-diameter piping, the end of the pipe's cladding is housed in the intermediate-diameter pipe housing formed by a pair of intermediate-diameter pipe housing forming regions 16. When using large-diameter piping, the end of the pipe's cladding is housed in the outer large-diameter pipe housing formed by a pair of large-diameter pipe housing forming regions 17. The function of the annular ribs 15a, 16a, and 17a is the same as in the first embodiment; if the cladding tube is corrugated, they enter into the valleys of the tube, and if the cladding tube is cylindrical, they bite into the outer surface of the tube.

[0037] The heat-insulating member 1A of the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 6 is used when connecting pipes 60 and 70 (see Figures 2A and 3A) similar to those of the first embodiment at a right angle to an L-shaped joint (not shown). The pair of divided halves 10A are L-shaped, and the grooves formed on the mating surfaces are also L-shaped. A joint housing space forming region 13A is formed at the corners of these grooves, and pipe housing space forming regions 14 are formed at both ends. The configuration of the pipe housing space forming region 14 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0038] The heat-insulating member 1B of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 7 is used when connecting three pipes to a T-shaped joint (not shown). The pair of divided halves 10B are T-shaped, and the grooves formed on the mating surfaces are also T-shaped. A joint housing space forming region 13B is formed in the center of this groove, and pipe housing space forming regions 14 are formed at the three ends. The configuration of the pipe housing space forming region 14 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made as long as they do not contradict the spirit of the invention. The pair of divided halves may be connected by hinges made of separate components instead of being connected by a resin hinge, or they may not be connected by hinges at all. In the above-described embodiment, the diameters of the flow pipes of multiple types of piping are equal, while the diameters of the cladding pipes are different. However, not only the diameter of the cladding pipes but also the diameter of the flow pipes may be different. The protrusions formed on the inner circumference of the pipe housing may be numerous scattered protrusions instead of circumferentially extending ribs, or they may have a textured surface. The receiving recess may be formed to extend in the circumferential direction. The piping may also be used to circulate other fluids, such as refrigerants. [Industrial applicability]

[0040] This invention can be applied to insulation devices for joints in pipes that circulate hot water, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1, 1A, 1B Insulation material 10, 10A, 10B split half 13T Joint housing space 14T pipe housing space 15T Pipe housing 17T Pipe housing 13a Engaging projection 15a, 16a, 17a Ribs (projections) 18 Receiving recess 40. Tightening band (tightening strip) 50 fittings 52 Engagement recess 60, 70 piping 61,71 Flow pipe 62,72 Cladding tube

Claims

1. A heat insulation device for a joint connecting a plurality of pipes having a fluid-conducting pipe and a covering pipe covering the outer circumference of the fluid-conducting pipe, The heat-insulating member comprises a pair of divided halves, the pair of divided halves, when joined together in a closed state, cooperate to form a joint housing space for housing the joint and a plurality of pipe housing spaces for housing the piping, and each of the pipe housing spaces has a plurality of pipe housing sections whose inner diameter gradually increases from the joint housing space side toward the outer end. Each of the aforementioned pipe housings extends in the axial direction, and ribs extending in the circumferential direction are provided protruding from the inner circumference of the pipe housing. A pipe joint insulation device characterized in that the end of the pipe having a different outer diameter from the cladding pipe can be selectively connected to the joint, and in this connected state, the end of the flow pipe is connected to the connection part of the joint, the end of the cladding pipe is housed in a pipe housing among the plurality of pipe housings having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cladding pipe, the inner circumference of the pipe housing contacts the outer circumference of the cladding pipe in the axial direction, and the rib locks onto the outer circumference of the cladding pipe.

2. The pipe housing portion is provided with a plurality of ribs spaced apart in the axial direction, and the inner circumference of the pipe housing portion is divided into a plurality of ribs, each having a plurality of contact surface areas that contact the outer circumference of the coated pipe, as described in Claim 1.

3. The pipe joint insulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering pipe has a corrugated pipe shape, and the ribs fit into the valleys of the covering pipe while the inner circumference of the pipe housing maintains contact with the outer circumference of the multiple peaks of the covering pipe.

4. The pipe joint insulation device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the covering pipe is cylindrical in shape, and the ribs bite into the outer circumference of the covering pipe while the inner circumference of the pipe housing portion maintains contact with the outer circumference of the covering pipe.

5. The heating device for a pipe joint according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inner circumference of the innermost pipe housing portion, which has the smallest inner diameter, extends to the end face of the connecting portion of the joint, and the tip of the coated pipe housed in the innermost pipe housing portion abuts against the end face of the connecting portion.

6. The pipe joint insulation device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a step is formed between the inner circumferences of the plurality of pipe housings, and the tip of the coated pipe housed in the outer pipe housing abuts against the step.

7. The pipe joint insulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that an engaging projection is formed on the inner surface of the joint housing space, and an engaging recess is formed in the joint that engages with the engaging projection.

8. The pipe joint insulation device according to claim 1, further comprising a tightening strip that is wrapped around the outer circumference of the pair of divided halves in the closed state to tighten the pair of divided halves, wherein a receiving recess for receiving the tightening strip is formed on the outer circumference of the pair of divided halves.

9. The heating device for pipe joints according to claim 8, characterized in that the receiving recesses are formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of pipe housing portions in the pipe housing space.

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