Fastener, male threaded member, female threaded member

Abstract

To provide a fastener capable of shortening the time required for fastening.SOLUTION: A fastener comprises: a male-screw-side member having a screw part 11 where male screw surfaces 12A, 12B with a male-screw-side screw thread 12 formed thereon and outer circumferential pieces 13A, 13B without the male-screw-side screw thread 12 are disposed alternately; and a female-screw-side member 20 having a screw hole 21 where female screw surfaces 22A, 22B with a female-screw-side screw thread 22 formed thereon and inner circumferential pieces 23A, 23B without the female-screw-side screw thread 22 are disposed alternately, so that the male screw surfaces 12A, 12B and the female screw surfaces 22A, 22B can be screwed together. The male-screw-side screw thread 12 is formed such that a width thereof in an axial direction of the screw part 11 increases from the front to the rear in a direction of relative rotation in screwing the male screw surfaces 12A, 12B and the female screw surfaces 22A, 22B together. The female-screw-side screw thread 22 is formed such that the width thereof in the axial direction of the screw hole 21 decreases from the front to the rear in the direction of relative rotation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener, a male thread-side member, and a female thread-side member. [Background Art]

[0002] A fastener achieves fastening by threadedly engaging a male thread and a female thread with each other. Regarding such fasteners, for example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for preventing loosening after the male thread and the female thread are fastened. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-112204 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In conventional fasteners such as that disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, fastening is performed by threadedly engaging the thread ridge of the male thread and the thread ridge of the female thread such that the two ridges rotate relative to each other over the entire length thereof, so fastening takes time when these thread ridges are long.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastener, a male thread-side member, and a female thread-side member that can shorten the time required for fastening. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a fastener according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a male screw-side member having a threaded portion in which a male screw surface on which a male screw thread is formed and an outer peripheral piece on which a male screw thread is not formed are alternately arranged in the outer peripheral direction, and a female screw-side member having a threaded hole in which the male screw surface and the female screw surface can be screwed together, wherein the threads on the male screw-side are formed such that the width in the axial direction of the threaded portion widens as the relative rotation direction is moved from the front to the rear when the male screw surface and the female screw surface are screwed together, and the threads on the female screw-side are formed such that the width in the axial direction of the threaded hole narrows as the relative rotation direction is moved from the front to the rear.

[0007] Furthermore, in a second aspect of the present invention, a locking portion is further provided in the threaded portion and the threaded hole so as to lock the relative rotation of the threaded portion and the threaded hole when the male threaded surface and the female threaded surface are screwed together.

[0008] Furthermore, in a third aspect of the present invention, the locking portion comprises a protrusion formed on the threads of the male screw and a recess formed on the threads of the female screw, into which the protrusion is fitted when the screw is engaged.

[0009] Furthermore, in a fourth aspect of the present invention, the protrusion is formed at the rear end of the male thread on the direction of relative rotation, and the recess is formed at the front end of the female thread on the direction of relative rotation.

[0010] Furthermore, in a fifth aspect of the present invention, the locking portion comprises a protrusion formed on the threads of the female screw and a recess formed on the threads of the male screw, into which the protrusion is fitted when the screw is engaged.

[0011] Furthermore, in a sixth aspect of the present invention, the convex portion has a convex curved surface on the front side in the relative rotation direction and a stepped shape on the rear side in the relative rotation direction, and the concave portion has a concave curved surface on the rear side in the relative rotation direction corresponding to the front side of the convex portion and a stepped shape on the front side in the relative rotation direction corresponding to the rear side of the convex portion.

[0012] Furthermore, in a seventh aspect of the present invention, the threaded portion is cylindrical in shape and has a through hole on its inside that communicates with the threaded hole when the male threaded surface and the female threaded surface are screwed together.

[0013] Furthermore, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, a male threaded pipe is provided radially outward from the axis of the through hole, with one end facing the relative rotation direction of the threaded portion when the male threaded surface and the female threaded surface are screwed together, and a female threaded pipe is provided radially outward from the axis of the threaded hole, with one end facing the relative rotation direction of the threaded hole when the male threaded surface and the female threaded surface are screwed together, and with the one end fitting with the one end of the male threaded pipe when the male threaded surface and the female threaded surface are screwed together.

[0014] Furthermore, the male screw-side member according to the ninth aspect of the present invention comprises a male screw surface arranged in a part of the outer circumference of the screw portion on which the male screw-side threads are formed, and outer peripheral pieces arranged alternately with the male screw surface in the outer circumference to form the outer circumference of the screw portion, on which the male screw-side threads are not formed, wherein the width of the male screw-side threads widens in the axial direction of the screw portion as it moves from the front in the relative rotation direction when screwing into the screw hole toward the rear in the relative rotation direction.

[0015] Further, the female screw side member according to the tenth aspect of the present invention includes: a female screw surface that is disposed at a part of a screw hole in an inner circumferential direction and on which a female screw-side thread is formed; and inner circumferential pieces that form the inner circumference of the screw hole by being alternately arranged with the female screw surface in the inner circumferential direction, and on which no female screw-side thread is formed, wherein the width of the female screw-side thread in the axial direction of the screw hole narrows from the front in the relative rotation direction when the female screw-side thread is screwed together with a screw portion toward the rear in the relative rotation direction.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the fastener, the male screw side member, and the female screw side member of the present invention, the time required for fastening can be shortened.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the fastener according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a II-II cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a III-III cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the screw portion shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is an axial cross-sectional view of the screw hole shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged view schematically showing a state where the male screw surface shown in FIG. 2 is screwed onto the female screw surface shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged perspective view of the convex portion shown in FIG. 2 and the concave portion shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the male screw side member according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 of the female screw side member according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is an axial cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the male screw surface and the female screw surface according to the second embodiment of the present invention are screwed together. [Figure 11] It is a partially enlarged view of the male screw-side pipe and the female screw-side pipe shown in FIG. 10. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same constituent elements in each drawing as much as possible, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0019] ==First Embodiment== Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0020] ≪Configuration≫ First, the configuration of a fastener 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described.

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fastener 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the fastener 1 mainly includes a male screw member 10 and a female screw member 20.

[0022] The male screw member 10 mainly includes a cylindrical screw portion 11 having a through hole 14 inside.

[0023] The screw portion 11 extends in the axial direction such that, in the outer circumferential direction, male screw surfaces 12A and 12B on which male threads 12 are formed and outer circumferential strips 13A and 13B on which no male thread 12 is formed are alternately arranged.

[0024] Broadly speaking, the outer circumferential strip 13A and the outer circumferential strip 13B each have a shape obtained by cutting off a portion in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical shape.

[0025] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows how the threaded portion 11 is formed such that the male threaded surface 12A, outer peripheral piece 13A, male threaded surface 12B, and outer peripheral piece 13B are arranged in the circumferential direction. The solid arrows in Figure 2 indicate the relative rotational directions when screwing the male threaded surface 12A into the female threaded surface 22B (described later) and the male threaded surface 12B into the female threaded surface 22A (described later).

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the outer diameter of the screw thread 12 (dotted arrow) is larger than the outer diameters of the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B (dashed arrow).

[0027] On the other hand, the female screw-side member 20 shown in Figure 1 is mainly provided with a screw hole 21.

[0028] The screw hole 21 is axially extended such that, in the inner circumferential direction, female screw surfaces 22A and 22B on the female screw side, where the screw threads 22 are formed, and inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B on which the screw threads 22 are not formed are arranged alternately.

[0029] The inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B are roughly shaped by cutting out a portion of the inner surface of a cylindrical shape in the circumferential direction.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows how the screw hole 21 is formed such that the female screw surface 22A, inner circumferential piece 23A, female screw surface 22B, and inner circumferential piece 23B are arranged in the circumferential direction. The solid arrows in Figure 3 indicate the relative rotational directions when screwing the male screw surface 12A into the female screw surface 22B (described later) and the male screw surface 12B into the female screw surface 22A (described later).

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the diameter of the screw hole 21 in the screw thread portion 22 (dotted arrow) is smaller than the diameter of the holes in the inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B (dashed arrow).

[0032] Figure 4 is a side view of the threaded portion 11 shown in Figure 1 (note that the protrusion 31, which will be described later, is omitted in Figure 4). The solid arrows in Figure 4 indicate the relative rotational directions when screwing the male threaded surface 12A onto the female threaded surface 22B (described later) and vice versa.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the threads 12 are formed such that the width of the threaded portion 11 in the axial direction increases as it moves from the front in the relative rotation direction to the rear in the relative rotation direction.

[0034] Figure 5 is an axial cross-sectional view of the screw hole 21 shown in Figure 1 (note that the recess 32, which will be described later, is omitted in Figure 5). The solid arrows in Figure 5 indicate the relative rotational directions when screwing the male threaded surface 12A onto the female threaded surface 22B (described later) and vice versa.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the screw threads 22 are formed such that the width in the axial direction of the screw hole 21 narrows as you move from the front in the relative rotation direction to the rear in the relative rotation direction. As a result, the space between adjacent screw threads 22 is formed such that the width in the axial direction of the screw hole 21 widens as you move from the front in the relative rotation direction to the rear in the relative rotation direction.

[0036] Here, Figure 6 is a schematic enlarged view showing the state in which the male threaded surface 12B shown in Figure 2 is screwed into the female threaded surface 22A shown in Figure 3. In Figure 6, the threads 12 of the male threaded surface 12B are represented by dashed lines. As shown in the schematic enlarged view of Figure 6, the female threaded surface 22B can be screwed onto the male threaded surface 12A, and the female threaded surface 22A can be screwed onto the male threaded surface 12B. By screwing them together, the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 can be fastened together.

[0037] Furthermore, the through hole 14 of the cylindrical threaded portion 11 shown in Figure 2 communicates with the threaded hole 21 shown in Figure 3 when the two are screwed together. This allows the male threaded member 10 and the female threaded member 20 to be used as flow channels, for example, in water pipes.

[0038] Here, the fastener 1 according to this embodiment further comprises a protrusion 31 shown in Figures 2 and 6, and a recess 32 shown in Figures 3 and 6. The protrusion 31 and recess 32 are examples of locking portions formed on the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 to lock the relative rotation of the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 when the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B are screwed together.

[0039] Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the convex portion 31 shown in Figure 2 and the concave portion 32 shown in Figure 3. However, in Figure 7, the recess 32 is shown as an inside view with a dashed line. Also, although Figure 7 shows the fitted state of the convex portion 31 and the recess 32, for ease of understanding, the fitted convex portion 31 and the recess 32 are shown slightly separated.

[0040] Furthermore, the solid arrows in Figure 7 represent the relative rotational direction of the threaded portion 11 and the protrusion 31 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together and the threaded portion 11 is fastened into the threaded hole 21, while the dashed arrows in Figure 7 represent the relative rotational direction of the threaded hole 21 and the recess 32.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, the protrusion 31 is formed on the surface of the screw thread 12. However, the protrusion 31 may be provided at one location or at multiple locations among the multiple screw threads 12 formed on the male screw surface 12A and the male screw surface 12B (Note that in Figure 2, as an example, the protrusion 31 is shown on two screw threads 12).

[0042] Furthermore, the protrusion 31 has a convex curved surface on the forward side 31A in the relative rotation direction and a stepped surface on the rear side 31B in the relative rotation direction.

[0043] The recesses 32 are formed on the surface of the screw threads 22. However, the number of recesses 32 corresponding to the protrusions 31 may be provided at locations corresponding to the protrusions 31 when the male screw surfaces 12A, 12B and female screw surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together (Note that Figure 3 shows an example where recesses 32 are provided on two screw threads 22).

[0044] Furthermore, the recess 32 is designed to accommodate the convex portion 31 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together. The rear side 32A in the relative rotation direction is a concave curved surface corresponding to the front side 31A of the convex portion 31 in the relative rotation direction, and the front side 32B in the relative rotation direction is a stepped surface corresponding to the rear side 31B of the convex portion 31 in the relative rotation direction.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B of the threaded portion 11 are longer than the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B, respectively. Also, in the threaded hole 21, it is preferable that the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B are longer than the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B, respectively.

[0046] In particular, the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B are preferably made to be more than half to two-thirds of the total circumference in the circumferential direction of the threaded portion 11. Similarly, the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B are preferably made to be more than half to two-thirds of the total circumference in the circumferential direction of the threaded hole 21. Making these lengths more than half makes it easier to insert the threaded portion 11 into the threaded hole 21. Also, making these lengths two-thirds or less improves the fastening force between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21.

[0047] More preferably, in the threaded portion 11, the outer peripheral piece 13A and the outer peripheral piece 13B are made about 1% longer than the male thread surface 12A and the male thread surface 12B, respectively, and in the threaded hole 21, the inner peripheral piece 23A and the inner peripheral piece 23B are made about 1% longer than the female thread surface 22A and the female thread surface 22B, respectively.

[0048] ≪Operation≫ Next, the operation of the fastener 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, as shown in Figure 1, the threaded portion 11 is inserted linearly into the threaded hole 21 at angles such that the male threaded surface 12A and the inner circumferential piece 23B, the male threaded surface 12B and the inner circumferential piece 23A, the outer circumferential piece 13A and the female threaded surface 22A, and the outer circumferential piece 13B and the female threaded surface 22B are facing each other.

[0049] With the threaded portion 11 inserted into the threaded hole 21, the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are rotated relative to each other by 90° so that the male threaded surface 12A and the female threaded surface 22B, and the male threaded surface 12B and the female threaded surface 22A, respectively, are screwed together, thereby fastening the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21.

[0050] Regarding the above screw connection, first, the narrowest side of the thread 12 on the male thread surface 12A is inserted from the narrowest side of the thread 22 on the female thread surface 22B (the side with the widest width between the threads 22).

[0051] If you continue to rotate them relative to each other, eventually the narrowest side of the thread 12 on the male thread surface 12A and the widest side of the thread 22 on the female thread surface 22B (the side with the narrowest gap between the threads 22), and the widest side of the thread 12 on the male thread surface 12A and the narrowest side of the thread 22 (the side with the widest gap between the threads 22), will slide into contact with each other and be screwed together.

[0052] The above explanation regarding the threading of the male thread surface 12A and the female thread surface 22B also applies to the male thread surface 12B and the female thread surface 22A.

[0053] Furthermore, when the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B are screwed together with the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B as described above, the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 32 fit together, thereby reliably locking the relative rotation between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21.

[0054] Furthermore, when the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are rotated relative to each other so that the male threaded surface 12A and the female threaded surface 22B, and the male threaded surface 12B and the female threaded surface 22A, the convex portion 31 fits into the concave portion 32 from the forward side 31A in the relative rotation direction of its convex curved surface.

[0055] <Effects> The fastener 1 according to this embodiment has a male threaded member having a threaded portion 11 in which male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B on which male threads 12 are formed and outer peripheral pieces 13A, 13B on which no male threads 12 are formed are alternately arranged in the outer peripheral direction, and female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B on which female threads 22 are formed and inner peripheral pieces 23A, 23B on which no female threads 22 are formed are alternately arranged in the inner peripheral direction, and the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and female threaded surfaces 22 The system comprises a female threaded member 20 having a screw hole 21 into which A and 22B can be screwed, wherein the threads 12 on the male threaded side are formed such that the width of the threaded portion 11 widens in the axial direction as it moves from the front in the relative rotational direction to the rear in the relative rotational direction when the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B are screwed together, and the threads 22 on the female threaded side are formed such that the width of the screw hole 21 narrows in the axial direction as it moves from the front in the relative rotational direction to the rear in the relative rotational direction. Unlike conventional threaded portions, which have continuous threads, the threaded portion 11 has outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B, resulting in shorter threads 12 (when the axial length is the same as that of a conventional threaded portion). Similarly, unlike conventional screw holes, which have continuous threads, the screw hole 21 has inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B, resulting in shorter threads 22 (when the axial length is the same as that of a conventional screw hole). Therefore, the fastener 1 according to this embodiment can shorten the time required for fastening compared to conventional fasteners. Furthermore, when screwing the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B to the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B, the thread 12 is first inserted into the thread 22 from the narrowest side, resulting in less friction at the start of insertion and making screwing easier.

[0056] Furthermore, in the fastener 1 according to this embodiment, the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B are longer than the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B in the circumferential direction, and the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B are longer than the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B in the circumferential direction. As already explained, when inserting the threaded portion 11 into the threaded hole 21, it is first inserted at an angle such that the male threaded surface 12A and the inner circumferential piece 23B, the male threaded surface 12B and the inner circumferential piece 23A, the outer circumferential piece 13A and the female threaded surface 22A, and the outer circumferential piece 13B and the female threaded surface 22B are facing each other. By making the outer circumferential pieces 13A and 13B longer than the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B in the circumferential direction, and the inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B longer than the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B in the circumferential direction, even if the insertion angle is slightly off, the threads 12 of the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B and the threads 22 of the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B will not come into contact, allowing for smooth insertion.

[0057] Furthermore, the fastener 1 according to this embodiment further includes locking portions formed on the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 to lock the relative rotation of the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together. This prevents the threaded connection between the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B from loosening.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking portion comprises a protrusion 31 formed on the thread 12 on the male screw side and a recess 32 formed on the thread 22 on the female screw side, into which the protrusion 31 is fitted when screwed together. This makes it possible to prevent the threaded connection between the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B from loosening with a simple structure.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusion 31 is formed at the rear end of the male thread 12 in the relative rotational direction, and the recess 32 is formed at the front end of the female thread 22 in the relative rotational direction. As a result, when the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are rotated relative to each other, with the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B being screwed together, the length over which the protrusions 31 of the threads 12 on the male thread side contact the surface of the threads 22 on the female thread side is shortened, allowing for smoother fitting.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking portion may include a protrusion 31 formed on the thread 22 on the female thread side and a recess 32 formed on the thread 12 on the male thread side, into which the protrusion 31 is fitted when screwed together. This makes it possible to prevent the screwed state between the male thread surfaces 12A, 12B and the female thread surfaces 22A, 22B from loosening with a simple structure.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusion 31 has a convex curved surface on the forward 31A side in the relative rotation direction and a stepped shape on the rear 31B side in the relative rotation direction, and the recess 32 has a concave curved surface on the rear 32A side in the relative rotation direction corresponding to the forward 31A side of the protrusion 31 and a stepped shape on the forward 32B side in the relative rotation direction corresponding to the rear 31B side of the protrusion 31. As a result, when the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are rotated relative to each other, with the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B screwed together, the convex portion 31 fits into the recessed portion 32 from the forward side 31A in the relative rotation direction, which is a convex curved surface, allowing for smooth fitting. Furthermore, when removing, the convex portion 31 is removed from the stepped rear side 31B in the relative rotation direction, which is easier to remove compared to, for example, when the rear side 31B in the relative rotation direction of the convex portion 31 is a vertical surface.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the threaded portion 11 is cylindrical in shape and has a through hole 14 on its inside that communicates with the threaded hole 21 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together. This allows the male and female threaded members to be used as flow paths in water pipes and the like, thus improving convenience.

[0063] Furthermore, the male thread side member 10 according to this embodiment is arranged in a part of the outer circumference direction of the threaded portion 11 and comprises male thread surfaces 12A, 12B on which the male thread side threads 12 are formed, and outer peripheral pieces 13A, 13B which are arranged alternately with the male thread surfaces 12A, 12B in the outer circumference direction to form the outer circumference of the threaded portion 11 and on which the male thread side threads 12 are not formed. The male thread side threads 12 widen in the axial direction of the threaded portion 11 as it moves from the front in the relative rotation direction to the rear in the relative rotation direction when screwing into the screw hole 21 (that is, when the male thread surfaces 12A, 12B and the female thread surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed into each other). Unlike conventional male screws, which have continuous threads, the threaded portion 11 has outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B, resulting in shorter threads 12 (when the axial length is the same as that of a conventional threaded portion). Therefore, the time required for fastening can be reduced compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, when screwing the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B with the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B, the narrowest side of the threaded surface 12 is inserted first between the threaded surfaces 22 on the female side, resulting in less friction at the start of insertion and making screwing easier.

[0064] Furthermore, the female thread side member 20 according to this embodiment is arranged in a part of the inner circumferential direction of the screw hole 21 and comprises female thread surfaces 22A, 22B on which the female thread side threads 22 are formed, and inner circumferential pieces 23A, 23B which are arranged alternately with the female thread surfaces 22A, 22B in the inner circumferential direction to form the inner circumference of the screw hole 21 and on which the female thread side threads 22 are not formed. The width of the female thread side threads 22 in the axial direction of the screw hole 21 narrows as it moves from the front in the relative rotation direction to the rear in the relative rotation direction when screwing with the threaded portion 11 (i.e., when the male thread surfaces 12A, 12B and the female thread surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together). Unlike conventional female threads, which have continuous threads, the threaded hole 21 has inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B, resulting in shorter threads 22 (when the axial length is the same as that of a conventional threaded hole), thus reducing the time required for fastening compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, when screwing the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B with the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B, the narrowest side of the threaded surface 22 is inserted first between the threaded surfaces 12 on the male threaded side, resulting in less friction at the start of insertion and making screwing easier.

[0065] ==Second Embodiment== A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0066] <<Structure>> Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the male screw-side member according to the second embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment"), corresponding to Figure 2. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the female screw-side member according to this embodiment, corresponding to Figure 3.

[0067] In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the fastener 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a first male threaded pipe 41 and a second male threaded pipe 42 shown in Figure 8, and a first female threaded pipe 43 and a second female threaded pipe 44 shown in Figure 9.

[0068] As shown in Figure 8, the first male threaded pipe 41 has an outer diameter less than the radius of the through hole 14 and is located radially outward from the axis O1 in the through hole 14. Although Figure 8 shows three first male threaded pipes 41 arranged radially in the direction of the threaded portion 11 (i.e., radially in the direction of the through hole 14), there may be one or more first male threaded pipes 41.

[0069] Furthermore, the first male threaded pipe 41 extends in the axial direction of the threaded portion 11 (i.e., in the axial direction of the through hole 14), and as shown in Figure 8, the tip end 41A of the threaded portion 11 is positioned to face the relative rotation direction of the threaded portion 11 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together (in the direction of the arrow in Figure 8).

[0070] The second male threaded pipe 42 has an outer diameter less than the radius of the through hole 14 and is located radially outward from the axis O1 in the through hole 14. Although Figure 8 shows three second male threaded pipes 42 arranged radially in the direction of the threaded portion 11 (i.e., radially in the direction of the through hole 14), there may be one or more second male threaded pipes 42.

[0071] Furthermore, the second male threaded pipe 42 extends in the axial direction of the threaded portion 11 (i.e., the axial direction of the through hole 14), and as shown in Figure 8, the tip end 42A of the threaded portion 11 is positioned to face the relative rotation direction of the threaded portion 11 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together (the direction of the arrow in Figure 8).

[0072] Furthermore, the second male threaded pipes 42 are positioned to be separated from each of the first male threaded pipes 41 at an angle of 180°, which is twice the relative rotation angle (90°) when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together.

[0073] As shown in Figure 9, the first female threaded pipe 43 has an outer diameter less than the radius of the threaded hole 21 and is located radially outward from the axis O2 in the threaded hole 21. Although Figure 9 shows three first female threaded pipes 43 arranged radially in the threaded hole 21, the number of first female threaded pipes 43 is assumed to be the same as the number of first male threaded pipes 41.

[0074] Furthermore, the first female threaded pipe 43 extends in the axial direction of the threaded hole 21, and as shown in Figure 9, the inlet end 43A of the threaded hole 21 is positioned to face the relative rotation direction of the threaded hole 21 (the direction of the arrow in Figure 9) when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together.

[0075] The second female threaded pipe 44 has an outer diameter less than the radius of the threaded hole 21 and is located radially outward from the axis O2 in the threaded hole 21. Although Figure 9 shows three second female threaded pipes 44 arranged radially in the threaded hole 21, the number of second female threaded pipes 44 is assumed to be the same as the number of second male threaded pipes 42.

[0076] Furthermore, the second female threaded pipe 44 extends in the axial direction of the threaded hole 21, and as shown in Figure 9, the inlet end 44A of the threaded hole 21 is positioned to face the relative rotation direction of the threaded hole 21 (the direction of the arrow in Figure 9) when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together.

[0077] Furthermore, the second female threaded pipes 44 are positioned to be separated from each first female threaded pipe 43 at an angle of 180°, which is twice the relative rotation angle (90°) when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together.

[0078] Furthermore, the first female threaded pipe 43 is positioned 90° away from the first male threaded pipe 41 at a relative rotation angle of the threaded portion 11 when screwed together, and is located forward of the threaded portion 11 in the relative rotation direction (i.e., rearward of the threaded hole 21 in the relative rotation direction). Also, the second female threaded pipe 44 is positioned 90° away from the second male threaded pipe 42 at a relative rotation angle of the threaded portion 11 when screwed together, and is located forward of the threaded portion 11 in the relative rotation direction (i.e., rearward of the threaded hole 21 in the relative rotation direction).

[0079] In other words, when the threaded portion 11 is inserted into the threaded hole 21, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first male threaded pipe 41, the first female threaded pipe 43, the second male threaded pipe 42, and the second female threaded pipe 44 are positioned at 90° offsets from each other in a radial cross-sectional view.

[0080] As a result, when the threaded portion 11 is first inserted linearly into the threaded hole 21, the male threaded pipes 41, 42 and the female threaded pipes 43, 44 do not come into contact. Then, with the threaded portion 11 inserted into the threaded hole 21, the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are rotated relative to each other, so that the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B come into contact.

[0081] Here, Figure 10 is an axial cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B are screwed together. Note that the second male threaded pipe 42 and the second female threaded pipe 44 are omitted in Figure 10.

[0082] In the state where the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together, as shown in Figure 10, the end 43A of the first female threaded pipe 43 fits with the end 41A of the first male threaded pipe 41, and the end 44A of the second female threaded pipe 44 fits with the end 42A of the second male threaded pipe 42.

[0083] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the end 41A of the first male threaded pipe 41 and the end 43A of the first female threaded pipe 43.

[0084] An annular projection 51 is formed at end 41A. An annular recess 52 corresponding to the shape of the projection 51 is formed at end 43A.

[0085] Furthermore, a spring washer 53, a washer 54, and an O-ring 55 are provided in order at the base of the projection 51 of end 41A. By providing these, when end 41A with the projection 51 and end 43A with the recess 52 are fitted together, airtightness can be ensured at the fitting portion between the first male threaded pipe 41 and the first female threaded pipe 43 without any gaps.

[0086] However, the configuration of the end 41A of the first male threaded pipe 41 and the configuration of the end 43A of the first female threaded pipe 43 may be reversed.

[0087] The explanation using Figure 11 described above also applies to the end 42A of the second male threaded pipe 42 and the end 44A of the second female threaded pipe 44.

[0088] In this embodiment, the axial and / or circumferential positions of the ends 41A of the multiple first male threaded pipes 41 may be different from each other. Similarly, the axial and / or circumferential positions of the ends 42A of the multiple second male threaded pipes 42 may be different from each other.

[0089] <Effects> The fastener 1 according to this embodiment further comprises: male threaded pipes 41, 42, which are provided radially outward from the axis O1 in the through hole 14, with one end 41A, 42A facing the relative rotation direction of the threaded portion 11 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together; and female threaded pipes 43, 44, which are provided radially outward from the axis O2 in the threaded hole 21, with one end 43A, 44A facing the relative rotation direction of the threaded hole 21 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together, with one end 43A, 44A fitting with one end 41A, 42A of the male threaded pipes 41, 42 when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together. As a result, when the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B are screwed together with the female threaded surfaces 22A and 22B, the male threaded pipes 41 and 42 and the female threaded pipes 43 and 44 are in communication with each other. Therefore, they can be used as piping for purposes independent of the male threaded member 10 and the female threaded member 20, further improving convenience. The above-mentioned uses for the connected first male threaded pipe 41 and first female threaded pipe 43 include, for example, fluid passages and solid passages (when there are two or more first male threaded pipes 41 and first female threaded pipes 43), hydraulic supply and return paths (when there are two or more first male threaded pipes 41 and first female threaded pipes 43), electrical wiring arrangements (such as a single-phase three-wire system if there are three or more first male threaded pipes 41 and first female threaded pipes 43), and gas passages (such as O2, N, and CO2 passages if there are three or more first male threaded pipes 41 and first female threaded pipes 43). The same applies to the connected second male threaded pipe 42 and second female threaded pipe 44. Therefore, the first male threaded pipe 41 and first female threaded pipe 43 can be used for different purposes than the second male threaded pipe 42 and second female threaded pipe 44.

[0090] ==Torture== It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, any design modifications made to the above-described examples by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above embodiments and the following modifications can be combined to the extent that it is technically possible, and any combination thereof is also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as it retains the features of the present invention.

[0091] For example, in each embodiment, the threaded portion 11 is provided with two male threaded surfaces and two outer peripheral pieces, and the threaded hole 21 is provided with two female threaded surfaces and two inner peripheral pieces. However, the present invention does not limit the number of these surfaces. That is, the threaded portion 11 only needs to have one or more male threaded surfaces and one or more outer peripheral pieces, and the threaded hole 21 only needs to have one or more female threaded surfaces and one or more inner peripheral pieces. However, it is preferable that the number of male threaded surfaces, outer peripheral pieces, female threaded surfaces and inner peripheral pieces be the same.

[0092] The relative rotation angle between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 required to screw the male threaded surface and the female threaded surface varies depending on the number of male and female threaded surfaces. For example, if the circumferential lengths of the male thread surface, outer piece, female thread surface, and inner piece are the same, and there is one of each, the relative angle of rotation will be 180°. Alternatively, if there are two male threads, two outer circumferential pieces, two female threads, and two inner circumferential pieces, the relative rotation angle will be 90° (the above embodiment uses this shape as an example). Alternatively, if there are three male threads, three outer circumferential pieces, three female threads, and three inner circumferential pieces, the relative angle of rotation will be 60°. Alternatively, if there are four male threads, four outer circumferential pieces, four female threads, and four inner circumferential pieces, the relative rotation angle will be 45°. In other words, the more faces there are, the smaller the relative rotation angle between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 becomes, thus reducing the time required for fastening.

[0093] Furthermore, regardless of the number of faces, it is preferable that the outer circumferential piece is longer than the male threaded surface in the circumferential direction, and the inner circumferential piece is longer than the female threaded surface in the circumferential direction. When formed in this way, the angle of relative rotation described above will naturally change.

[0094] Alternatively, the outer circumferential piece may be shorter than the male thread surface in the circumferential direction, and the inner circumferential piece may be shorter than the female thread surface in the circumferential direction. This improves the fastening force between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21.

[0095] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the relative rotation angle when the male threaded surfaces 12A, 12B and the female threaded surfaces 22A, 22B are screwed together is 90°, so the first male threaded pipe 41, the first female threaded pipe 43, the second male threaded pipe 42, and the second female threaded pipe 44 are each positioned at 90° offsets. However, if the relative rotation angle changes as described above, the pipes are arranged so that they are separated by an angle equal to the relative rotation angle.

[0096] Furthermore, Figures 1, 4, and 5 show a state where the threads 12 and 22 are not inclined with respect to the radial direction of the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21. This is because, in conventional screws, the threaded portion is inserted into the threaded hole by rotating it, but in fastener 1, the threaded portion 11 is inserted linearly into the threaded hole 21 with the male threaded surfaces 12A and 12B facing the inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B, and then rotated to screw it in, so there is no need to advance it axially during rotation. However, the threads 12 and 22 may be inclined as in conventional screws.

[0097] Furthermore, the shapes of thread 12 and thread 22 are not limited to those shown in Figures 1 to 11, but can be changed to various other shapes.

[0098] Alternatively, the protrusions 31 may be formed on the female screw surfaces 22A and 22B, and the recesses 32 may be formed on the male screw surfaces 12A and 12B. In this case as well, the protrusions 31 have a convex curved surface on the forward side 31A in the relative rotation direction and a stepped surface on the rear side 31B in the relative rotation direction. The recesses 32 are fitted to the protrusions 31 when the male screw surfaces 12A and 12B are screwed together with the female screw surfaces 22A and 22B, and the rear side 32A in the relative rotation direction has a concave curved surface corresponding to the forward side 31A of the protrusions 31 in the relative rotation direction, while the forward side 32B in the relative rotation direction has a stepped surface corresponding to the rear side 31B of the protrusions 31 in the relative rotation direction.

[0099] Furthermore, the male screw-side member 10 may have a head similar to that of a normal male screw. In addition, the threaded portion 11 may be dense, similar to that of a normal threaded portion, without having a through hole 14 on the inside. The female screw-side member 20 may have a bottom surface on the side opposite to the entrance side (i.e., the insertion side of the male screw-side member 10).

[0100] Furthermore, fastener 1 can be used for objects with a diameter ranging from a few centimeters to several tens of meters. Various materials can also be used, including metal, PVC, glass, and others. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0101] 1... Fastener, 10... Male threaded side member, 11... Threaded portion, 12... Thread (on the male threaded side), 12A, 12B... Male threaded surface, 13A, 13B... Outer circumference piece, 14... Through hole, 20... Female threaded side member, 21... Threaded hole, 22... Thread (on the female threaded side), 22A, 22B... Female threaded surface, 23A, 23B... Inner circumference piece, 24... Fan-shaped member, 31... Convex portion, 32... Recessed portion, 41... First male threaded side piping, 42... Second male threaded side piping, 43... First female threaded side piping, 44... Second female threaded side piping

Claims

1. A threaded portion that is inserted into a threaded hole of a female threaded member, rotates relative to the female threaded member to screw into the threaded hole, and is cylindrical with a through hole on the inside, having a male threaded surface arranged in a part of the outer circumference where the threads of the male threaded side are formed, and outer peripheral pieces that are arranged alternately with the male threaded surface in the outer circumference to form the outer circumference, and where the threads of the male threaded side are not formed, Within the through hole, a male threaded pipe is provided radially outward from the axis of the through hole, with one end of the threaded portion facing the direction of the relative rotation, and through this relative rotation, the one end engages with and communicates with one end of the female threaded pipe provided on the female threaded member, A male screw-side member equipped with a screw.

2. Multiple male threaded pipes are provided. The aforementioned plurality of male threaded pipes each extend in the direction of the axis and are arranged in the radial direction of the through hole. The male screw-side member according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned male threaded piping includes a first male threaded piping and a second male threaded piping. The second male threaded pipe is positioned at an angle approximately twice the relative rotation angle when the threaded portion and the threaded hole are screwed together, and is separated from the first male threaded pipe. The male screw-side member according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The male threaded pipe has a projection or recess formed at one end that fits with the female threaded pipe. The male screw-side member according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A sealing member is provided at one end of the male threaded pipe to ensure airtightness of the fitting portion between the male threaded pipe and the female threaded pipe. The male screw-side member according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A screw hole into which the threaded portion of a male screw-side member is inserted and screwed into the threaded portion by relative rotation with respect to the male screw-side member, the screw hole having a female screw surface located in a part of the inner circumferential direction where the threads of the female screw side are formed, and an inner circumferential piece that is arranged alternately with the female screw surface in the inner circumferential direction to form the inner circumference, where the threads of the female screw side are not formed, Within the aforementioned screw hole, a female screw pipe is provided radially outward from the axis of the screw hole, with one end on the entrance side of the screw hole facing the direction of the relative rotation, and through the relative rotation, this end engages with and communicates with one end of the male screw pipe provided on the male screw member, A female threaded side member equipped with a female thread.

7. Multiple female threaded pipes are provided, The plurality of female threaded pipes each extend in the direction of the axis and are arranged relative to each other in the radial direction of the threaded hole. The female threaded side member according to claim 6.

8. The female threaded piping is positioned such that, when the threaded portion is inserted into the threaded hole, it is separated from the corresponding male threaded piping by a circumferential distance equal to the relative rotational angle between the threaded portion and the threaded hole during screwing. The female threaded side member according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The female threaded pipe has a recess or projection at one end that fits with the male threaded pipe. The female threaded side member according to claim 6 or 7.

10. A sealing member is provided at one end of the female threaded pipe to ensure airtightness of the fitting portion between the male threaded pipe and the female threaded pipe. The female threaded side member according to claim 6 or 7.

11. The male screw-side member according to claim 1, The female threaded side member according to claim 6, A fastener equipped with the following features.

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