Pipe fittings

Abstract

This piping joint comprises: a housing in which an insertion hole is formed into which a pipe is to be inserted; a retainer that is mounted from a storage opening of the housing and can move from a standby position to a lock position; a detection arm that is provided at the retainer, regulates the pushing of the retainer into the housing by a regulating wall of the housing when the retainer is in the standby position, and releases the regulation when bent radially outward of the housing; a pipe lock arm that is provided on the rear side in the insertion direction of the pipe with respect to the detection arm and faces the spool of the inserted pipe on the rear side in the insertion direction when the retainer is in the lock position; an inclined surface that is provided on the detection arm to be inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the pipe and converts the pressing force received from the spool into a force acting radially outward; and an opposing wall that is provided in the housing and faces the detection arm of the retainer in the standby position on the rear side in the insertion direction.

Description

Pipe fittings

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pipe fittings.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-172161 describes a quick connector in which a retainer is combined with a connection confirmation member that allows the retainer to be pushed in when the spool portion passes the position where it can be connected to the retainer after the tube is inserted into the housing. The quick connector described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-172161 prevents the retainer from being pushed in and locked unless the end of the mating tube is fully inserted to the normal complete connection position, making it possible to prevent an incomplete connection state from occurring.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-112554 describes a quick connector in which a retainer has a pair of arms extending to sandwich the outer periphery of a housing from both sides, and the tips of the arms are formed with locking claws with their toes facing the axial direction of the housing. The outer periphery of the housing is provided with an engaging portion with which the locking claws engage so that the retainer can move only in the direction of pushing in when the retainer is in the standby position. The quick connector described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-112554 not only reliably prevents an incomplete connection state, but also allows the retainer to be easily returned to the unlocked standby position without being restricted by working space or other constraints if it becomes necessary to remove the tube after connection.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-003588 describes a connector in which the restricting surface of the detection claw abuts against the receiving surface of the detection hole, thereby holding the retainer in a temporary locking position and preventing inadvertent movement to the full locking position. In the connector described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-003588, when a pipe is inserted into the insertion hole to the correct depth, the bulge pushes open the detection claw, causing a transition from a state in which the restricting surface and the receiving surface abut to a state in which both guide surfaces abut, allowing the retainer to move from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. However, if the pipe is only partially inserted, the bulge does not push open the detection claw, preventing the retainer from being pushed in.

[0005] In one structure, a retainer is temporarily fastened to a housing of a pipe fitting in a standby position, and the arm (detection arm) of the retainer is held in the standby position by abutting against the wall of the housing. In this structure, the detection arm has an inclined surface that is pressed against the inclined surface by the spool of the pipe inserted into the insertion hole of the housing. This causes the detection arm to bend radially outward from the housing, eliminating the abutment against the wall, allowing the retainer to be pushed further into the housing.

[0006] In this case, the direction in which the spool of the pipe presses against the inclined surface is the direction in which the pipe is inserted into the housing, while the direction in which the detection arm bends is the radially outward direction of the housing. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to effectively bend the detection arm by the pressing force received from the spool.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to effectively deflect the detection arm by the pressing force received from the spool of the piping inserted into the insertion hole of the housing.

[0008] A pipe fitting of a first aspect includes a housing having an insertion hole into which a pipe having an annular spool is inserted; a retainer that is attached to a storage opening provided in an outer peripheral wall of the housing and that can be pushed in from a standby position to a locking position; a detection arm that is provided on the retainer and that restricts the pushing of the retainer with a restriction wall of the housing when the retainer is in the standby position and that releases the restriction by the restriction wall by bending radially outward of the housing; and a detection arm that is provided on the retainer rearward of the detection arm in the insertion direction of the pipe, The housing has a pipe lock arm that faces the spool of the pipe inserted at a predetermined position in the housing within the insertion hole and on the rear side in the insertion direction when the retainer is in the locked position; an inclined surface that is provided on the detection arm at an angle with respect to the insertion direction of the pipe into the housing and that converts the pressing force received from the spool of the pipe inserted into the housing into the radially outward force; and an opposing wall that is provided on the housing and faces the detection arm of the retainer in the standby position on the rear side in the insertion direction.

[0009] In this pipe fitting, the pushing of the retainer in the standby position is restricted by the restricting wall of the housing, so the pushing of the retainer is restricted. Here, when a pipe is inserted into the insertion hole of the housing, a pressing force from the spool of the pipe acts on the contact surface of the detection arm during the insertion. The contact surface converts this pressing force into a force acting radially outward of the housing, causing the detection arm to bend radially outward, and the restriction on the pushing of the retainer by the restricting wall is released. Therefore, the retainer can be pushed to the locked position only when the pipe is fully inserted. This prevents a failure in which the retainer is pushed in before the pipe is fully inserted, resulting in the pipe not being locked. When the retainer is in the locked position, the pipe lock arm of the retainer faces the spool within the insertion hole and on the rear side in the insertion direction, preventing the pipe from coming out of the housing.

[0010] The housing is provided with an opposing wall. When the retainer is in the standby position, the opposing wall faces the detection arm of the retainer on the rear side in the insertion direction of the pipe. When the inclined surface receives a force from the spool portion of the pipe during insertion into the housing toward the front side in the insertion direction, the detection arm on the side opposite the inclined surface attempts to rotate in a direction moving rearward in the insertion direction. However, because the opposing wall faces the rear side in the insertion direction, the rotation of the detection arm is prevented by contact with the opposing wall. As a result, the pressing force acting on the inclined surface from the spool portion can effectively deflect the detection arm radially outward.

[0011] A pipe joint of a second aspect is the pipe joint of the first aspect, wherein the opposing wall faces the pipe lock arm of the retainer in the standby position on the front side in the insertion direction.

[0012] This prevents the pipe lock arm from being accidentally deformed or displaced when the retainer is pushed from the standby position toward the locked position. That is, the pipe lock arm can be brought into contact with the rear side of the pipe spool in the insertion direction without deformation or displacement.

[0013] A pipe fitting of a third aspect is the pipe fitting of the first or second aspect, and further includes a convex portion provided on the housing and facing the retainer in the standby position in a direction intersecting the pushing direction of the retainer.

[0014] As a result, if the retainer in the standby position moves relative to the housing in a direction intersecting the pushing direction and comes into contact with the protrusion, further movement is prevented.

[0015] The pipe fitting of a fourth aspect is the pipe fitting of any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising: a front wall provided on the housing and facing the retainer on the front side in the insertion direction; a rear wall provided on the housing and facing the retainer on the rear side in the insertion direction; and a rib connecting the front wall and the rear wall.

[0016] This allows the retainer to be held between the front and rear walls, stably maintaining the standby position. The front and rear walls are connected by ribs, which can suppress relative deformation between the front and rear walls and increase the strength of the housing.

[0017] The pipe fitting of the fifth aspect is the pipe fitting of the fourth aspect, wherein the front wall has a shape that is partially cut out from the outer periphery, and has a cutout portion that makes the tip of the detection arm visible from the front side in the insertion direction when the retainer is in the locked position.

[0018] The cutout is formed by partially cutting out the outer periphery of the front wall, allowing light to pass through from the front to the rear. The retainer is located behind the front wall, so that it is possible to visually confirm from the front through the cutout that the retainer is in the locked position.

[0019] With the technology disclosed herein, the detection arm can be effectively deflected by the pressing force received from the spool of the pipe inserted into the insertion hole of the housing.

[0020] It is an exploded perspective view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure in a longitudinal section along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion. It is a cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure in a longitudinal section in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion. It is a front view, a bottom view, and a cross-sectional view taken along the D-D section of the front view showing the retainer of the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a front view, a bottom view, and a cross-sectional view taken along the E-E section of the front view showing an example different from FIG. 1D of the retainer of the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a perspective view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the retainer in the standby position. It is a side view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the retainer in the standby position. It is a perspective view from the front side showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the retainer in the standby position. It is a plan view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the retainer in the standby position. It is a cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure in a longitudinal section along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion with the retainer in the standby position. It is a perspective view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the retainer in the standby position. It is a cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure in a longitudinal section in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion with the retainer in the standby position. It is a perspective view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the pipe inserted halfway into the housing. It is a cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the pipe inserted halfway into the housing. It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the pipe inserted halfway into the housing. It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example different from FIG. 3C of the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the pipe inserted halfway into the housing. It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the comparative example with the pipe inserted halfway into the housing. It is a cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the pipe further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 3E into the housing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the pipe further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 3E into the housing. It is a perspective view showing the pipe joint of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the pipe further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 3E into the housing and partially broken.Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a pipe fitting of a first embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where a pipe is locked to a housing; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a pipe fitting of a first embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where a pipe is locked to a housing; Fig. 3 is a front view showing a pipe fitting of a first embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where a pipe is locked to a housing; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal-sectional view showing a pipe fitting of a first embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where a pipe is locked to a housing; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal-sectional view showing a pipe fitting of a first embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where a pipe is locked to a housing.

[0021] Hereinafter, a pipe joint 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] 1A, the pipe fitting 100 has a housing 102 and a retainer 152, and is a component that connects a pipe 190 and a tube (not shown). The pipe 190 is an example of a pipe according to the technology of the present disclosure. The pipe 190 has an annular spool 192, the outer diameter of which is locally increased, formed at a position a predetermined distance from the tip of the pipe 190.

[0023] A tubular portion 104 is provided on one side of the housing 102, and a mounting portion 106 is provided on the other side. The tubular portion 104 is cylindrical.

[0024] 1B, the interior of the cylindrical portion 104 is an insertion hole 110 into which the pipe 190 is inserted. That is, the housing 102 has the insertion hole 110 formed on one side thereof, into which the pipe 190 is inserted. The pipe 190 is prevented from coming off by a retainer 152 while connected to the cylindrical portion 104 of the housing 102. The retainer 152 is attached to the housing 102 so that, with the pipe 190 inserted to a predetermined position, the retainer 152 can be pushed in from a standby position (see FIGS. 2A to 2C) to a locking position (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) where the pipe 190 is prevented from coming off.

[0025] Hereinafter, when simply referring to the "axial direction," "height direction," and "width direction," they refer to the axial direction, height direction, and width direction (left and right direction) when the tubular portion 104 is viewed in the insertion direction of the pipe 190 (the direction of arrow A1). The axial direction, height direction, and width direction are indicated by arrows A, U, and W in the drawings. Furthermore, when simply referring to the "radial direction" and "circumferential direction," they respectively refer to the radial direction and circumferential direction of the tubular portion 104 of the housing 102, unless otherwise specified.

[0026] The cylindrical portion 104 has a shape symmetrical about the center line CL in the width direction. The retainer 152 also has a shape symmetrical about the center line CL in the width direction when attached to the housing 102.

[0027] 1A is the upper side of the housing 102. However, the orientation of the pipe fitting 100 when actually used is not limited to the orientation of the housing 102.

[0028] In the following description, the terms "front side" and "rear side" refer to the front side and rear side, respectively, in the direction in which the pipe 190 is inserted into the tubular portion 104. In the drawings, the direction in which the pipe 190 is inserted into the tubular portion 104 is indicated by arrow A1, and the direction in which the pipe 190 is removed is indicated by arrow A2.

[0029] In this embodiment, the other side of the housing 102 is bent at a substantially right angle to the tubular portion 104. However, the direction and angle of bending of the other side of the housing 102 are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the other side of the housing 102 may be formed in a straight line with the tubular portion 104 without being bent in this manner.

[0030] The mounting portion 106 is cylindrical, and a plurality of annular grooves are formed on the outer periphery of the mounting portion 106. A tube (not shown) is attached to the outer periphery of the mounting portion 106.

[0031] 1B , an O-ring 112 is fitted inside the tubular portion 104. The O-ring 112 is retained by a top hat 114 so as not to come off rearward. The O-ring 112 elastically fits tightly to the outer periphery of the pipe 190 inserted into the insertion hole 110, sealing the inner periphery of the tubular portion 104 and the outer periphery of the pipe 190.

[0032] A large diameter portion 116 is formed on the rear side of the cylindrical portion 104, by partially increasing the diameter of the cylindrical portion 104. In this embodiment, the large diameter portion 116 has a shape that widens in the width direction from the cylindrical portion 104, as shown in Figures 1A and 1C. The large diameter portion 116 forms a part of the cylindrical portion 104.

[0033] A groove 118 is formed in the large diameter portion 116, continuing from the upper end to the lower end on the outer periphery of the large diameter portion 116. The retainer 152 is attached to the housing 102 by sliding a housing lock arm 156 (described in detail below) of the retainer 152 from above onto the outside of the groove 118. The pushing direction of the retainer 152 from the standby position to the locking position is indicated by arrow U1, and the pulling direction is indicated by arrow U2.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2B, the groove 118 is formed with protrusions 120 and 122 that engage with the locking claw 176 of the housing lock arm 156 .

[0035] A storage opening 124 is formed in the outer peripheral wall of the large diameter portion 116. The storage opening 124 penetrates the tubular portion 104 from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side in the radial direction at a position above the groove 118. As shown in Figures 2A and 3A, the retainer 152 is attached to the housing 102 by inserting a detection arm 160 and a pipe lock arm 158 (details will be described later) of the retainer 152 into the large diameter portion 116 through the storage opening 124.

[0036] In the large diameter portion 116, a front wall 126 and a rear wall 128 are located forward and rearward of the storage opening 124, respectively. The front wall 126 and the rear wall 128 are connected by a rib 130 extending in the axial direction. The rib 130 is located at the top of the large diameter portion 116 and in the center in the width direction. When the retainer 152 is in the standby position and the locked position, the front wall 126 faces the detection arm 160 on the front side, and the rear wall 128 faces the pipe lock arm 158 on the rear side.

[0037] 2E and 2F, a restriction wall 132 is formed on the housing 102. The restriction wall 132 is located below the detection claw 164 when the retainer 152 is in the standby position.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2G , the upper portion of the restriction wall 132 curves with a curvature that follows the outer periphery of the spool 192 and protrudes outward in the width direction. In the state shown in FIG. 2G , the detection arm 160 is inserted into the large-diameter portion 116 through the storage opening 124 and is in the standby position. When the detection arm 160 is in its natural (unflexed) state, the distance D1 between the detection claws 164 is narrower than the width W1 of the restriction wall 132. Therefore, when the retainer 152 is moved in the direction of arrow U1 relative to the housing 102, the tip of the detection arm 160 contacts the restriction wall 132. This temporarily prevents the retainer 152 from being pushed in the direction of arrow U1. In this state, the locking claw 176 of the housing lock arm 156 is locked by the protrusion 120. In other words, the retainer 152 is restricted from being pushed by the restriction wall 132 and is maintained in the standby position.

[0039] In contrast, when the detection arms 160 are bent outward in the width direction, the distance D1 between the detection claws 164 becomes wider than or equal to the width W1 of the restriction wall 132. Therefore, when the detection arms 160 are bent outward in the width direction, the detection claws 164 are out of contact with the restriction wall 132, and the retainer 152 can move further downward. However, even if the detection claws 164 are not completely out of contact with the restriction wall 132 and maintain a contact state, the retainer 152 may be configured to be pushed in (move downward) by overcoming the catch on the restriction wall 132.

[0040] The restricting wall 132 has a housing protrusion 134 that protrudes upward. The housing protrusion 134 is located at a position corresponding to a detection claw recess 166 formed at the tip of the detection claw 164 of the retainer 152. As will be described later, when the retainer 152 is in the standby position relative to the housing 102, the detection claw recess 166 engages with the housing protrusion 134, as shown in FIG. 2G , to prevent the detection arm 160 from unintentionally bending outward in the width direction. However, the shapes of the detection claw recess 166 and the housing protrusion 134 are set so that, if part of the pressing force applied to the detection claw 164 from the spool 192 of the pipe 190 acts as a force that bends the detection arm 160 outward in the width direction, the engagement between the detection claw recess 166 and the housing protrusion 134 is released, allowing the detection arm 160 to bend outward in the width direction.

[0041] On the widthwise outer side of the restricting wall 132, the storage opening 124 is open all the way to the bottom end of the housing 102. When the detection arm 160 is bent widthwise outward while the retainer 152 is in the standby position, the tip of the detection arm 160 reaches a position where it does not face the restricting wall 132, i.e., a position released from the restricting wall 132. In this state, the retainer 152 can be pushed further into the housing 102 and moved in the direction of arrow U1.

[0042] A partition wall 136, which is an example of an opposing wall, is formed in the center of the front side of the storage opening 124. The partition wall 136 is a wall that divides the storage opening 124 into a front portion and a rear portion. A detection arm 160 of the retainer 152 is inserted into the front portion of the storage opening 124. A pipe lock arm 158 of the retainer 152 is inserted into the rear portion of the storage opening 124. Therefore, as shown in Figures 2A and 3A, when the retainer 152 is in the standby position, the partition wall 136 faces the detection arm 160 on the rear side and faces the pipe lock arm 158 on the front side.

[0043] 3C , when the retainer 152 is in the standby position, the front wall 126 is located in front of each of the detection arms 160 and offset inward in the width direction. The top hats 114 face each of the detection arms 160 on the front side and inward in the width direction. However, a gap GP is generated between the detection arms 160 and the top hats 114.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2C and 2D, a protrusion 138 is formed on the front surface of the rear wall 128 of the housing 102. When the retainer 152 is in the standby position, the protrusion 138 faces a wall portion 178 formed on the retainer 152 in a direction intersecting the pushing direction. In particular, in this embodiment, the protrusion 138 faces the wall portion 178 on the outer side in the width direction. This prevents the retainer 152 in the standby position from moving in the width direction relative to the housing 102. Furthermore, even if the retainer 152 attempts to rotate circumferentially relative to the housing 102 (rotation in the direction of arrow R1 shown in Figure 2C), this circumferential rotation (rotation in the direction of arrow R1 shown in Figure 2C) is prevented in the vicinity of the wall portion 178 because the protrusion 138 faces the wall portion 178.

[0045] 1C and 4D , a notch 140 is provided in the lower part of the front wall 126. The notch 140 is formed by partially cutting out the outer periphery of the front wall 126. The notch 140 penetrates the front wall 126 from the front side to the rear side, allowing light to pass through. Therefore, when the retainer 152 is in the locked position, the detection claw 164 can be seen from the front side through the notch 140.

[0046] 1A, 1D, and 1E, the retainer 152 has a base 154, a housing lock arm 156, a pipe lock arm 158, and a detection arm 160. Since the retainer 152 is formed symmetrically as a whole, these arms are also formed in pairs so as to be symmetrical in the width direction. In addition, these arms extend downward from the base 154.

[0047] The base 154 is a portion located on the rear side, i.e., the upper side, in the pushing direction of the retainer 152 into the housing 102. A recess 162 is formed in the center of the width direction on the underside of the base 154. The recess 162 is formed at a position corresponding to the rib 130 of the housing 102 when the retainer 152 is pushed into the housing 102 in the direction of arrow U1 to be attached to the housing 102. The position and shape of the recess 162 are set in relation to the rib 130 so that the rib 130 fits into the recess 162 when the retainer 152 is correctly oriented relative to the housing 102 (with the detection arm 160 facing forward and the pipe lock arm 158 facing rearward, as shown in FIG. 2E ), but does not fit in the reverse orientation (with the front and rear sides reversed).

[0048] In this embodiment, the detection arm 160 is formed further forward than the housing lock arm 156 and the pipe lock arm 158. A detection claw 164 is formed at the tip of the detection arm 160. The detection claw 164 has an inclined surface 168 and a parallel surface 170. The inclined surface 168 is formed at a position on the detection claw 164 where it comes into contact with the spool 192 of the pipe 190 when the pipe 190 is inserted into the insertion hole 110.

[0049] 1D and 1E , the inclined surface 168 is inclined forward at a predetermined inclination angle θ1 as it extends inward in the width direction. This inclination angle θ1 is an angle with respect to a reference line SL extending in the width direction. When the pipe 190 is further pushed in the insertion direction with the spool 192 in contact with the inclined surface 168, the inclined surface 168 converts part of the pressing force in the insertion direction received from the spool 192 into a force that bends each of the detection arms 160 outward in the width direction. Then, as each of the detection arms 160 bends outward in the width direction, the pipe 190 can be further inserted into the tubular portion 104.

[0050] The inclination angle θ1 of the inclined surface 168 is not particularly limited as long as it achieves this effect, but for example, the inclination angle θ1 is 25 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less. In the example shown in Figure 1D, the inclination angle θ1 is approximately 25 degrees, and in the example shown in Figure 1E, the inclination angle θ1 is approximately 40 degrees.

[0051] The parallel surface 170 is formed continuously from the inclined surface 168 at a position on the inner side of the detection claw 164 in the width direction. Each of the two parallel surfaces 170 is parallel to the insertion direction, and the parallel surfaces 170 are also parallel to each other. As the detection arm 160 expands radially outward and the pipe 190 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 104, the parallel surface 170 rides up on the outer peripheral edge of the spool 192, as shown in FIG. 3F . Therefore, the longer the length of the parallel surface 170 in the insertion direction, the easier it is to stably maintain the state in which the parallel surface 170 rides up on the outer peripheral edge of the spool 192 (a state in which the parallel surface 170 does not fall off the spool 192).

[0052] Here, the thickness of the portion of the detection claw 164 where the inclined surface 168 is provided is defined as T1, and the overall thickness of the detection claw 164 including both the inclined surface 168 and the parallel surface 170 is defined as T2. In this embodiment, the ratio of thickness T1 to thickness T2 (hereinafter referred to as the "inclined surface ratio") is 20% or more and 90% or less. When the thickness T2 is constant, the larger the inclined surface ratio, the larger the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined surface 168, but the thinner the thickness of the parallel surface 170. Conversely, the smaller the inclined surface ratio, the smaller the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined surface 168, but the thicker the thickness of the parallel surface 170.

[0053] When viewed in the axial direction, each detection claw 164 has a shape that protrudes inward in the width direction in a generally triangular shape. A second inclined surface 172 that slopes downward as it extends inward in the width direction is formed at the upper part of the detection claw 164. Furthermore, a third inclined surface 174 that slopes upward as it extends inward in the width direction is formed at the lower part of the detection claw 164.

[0054] When the retainer 152 is pushed in the direction of the arrow U1, the third inclined surface 174 is a surface that comes into contact with the outer peripheral end of the spool 192. As described above, the third inclined surface 174 is inclined upward as it extends inward in the width direction. Therefore, when the retainer 152 is pushed in the direction of the arrow U1, the third inclined surface 174 makes oblique contact with and slides against the outer peripheral end of the spool 192, making it easier to push the retainer 152 in.

[0055] The second inclined surface 172 is a surface that comes into contact with the lower surface of the restricting wall 132 when performing an unlocking operation to move the retainer 152 from the locked position to the standby position. As described above, the second inclined surface 172 is inclined downward as it moves inward in the width direction. Therefore, when the retainer 152 moves in the direction of arrow U2, the second inclined surface 172 slides against the lower surface of the restricting wall 132, making it easier to unlock the retainer 152.

[0056] A locking claw 176 protruding rearward is formed at the tip of each housing lock arm 156. The distance D2 between the left and right locking claws 176 is set slightly narrower than the widthwise distance between the protrusions 120 and 122 formed in the grooves 118. When attaching the retainer 152 to the housing 102, the housing lock arms 156 are inserted into the grooves 118 so that the locking claws 176 abut against the protrusions 120. Then, when the retainer 152 is pushed into the housing 102 in the direction of arrow U1, the housing lock arms 156 bend outward in the widthwise direction, causing the locking claws 176 to overcome the protrusions 120. This places the retainer 152 in a "standby position." In the standby position, even if an attempt is made to remove the retainer 152 in the direction of arrow U2, the locking claws 176 catch on the protrusions 120, providing resistance to removal.

[0057] When the retainer 152 is pushed in the direction of the arrow U1 from this standby position, the housing lock arm 156 bends outward in the width direction, the locking claw 176 moves over the protrusion 122, and the retainer 152 assumes the "locked position." In the locked position, even if the retainer 152 is moved in the direction of the arrow U2, the locking claw 176 gets caught on the protrusion 122, and a resistance force acts against the unlocking operation.

[0058] The lower portion of the pipe lock arm 158, i.e., the portion farther from the base 154, is curved to fit along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 190. When the pipe 190 is inserted into the housing 102 to a predetermined position within the insertion hole 110 and the retainer 152 is pushed into the locked position relative to the housing 102, the curved portion of the pipe lock arm 158 faces the spool 192 on the rear side of the spool 192. As a result, when the pipe 190 moves in the direction of arrow A2, the spool 192 comes into contact with the pipe lock arm 158, preventing the pipe 190 from moving in the direction of arrow A2.

[0059] The retainer 152 has a grip portion 182 that protrudes outward in the width direction from the base portion 154. The grip portion 182 protrudes in a direction intersecting the pushing direction (the direction of arrow U1) of the retainer 152 into the housing 102, allowing an operator to easily grasp the grip portion 182. In particular, in this embodiment, the grip portion 182 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the pushing direction. Therefore, for example, the grip portion 182 can be grasped from the outside in the width direction to push the retainer 152 in the direction of arrow U1 or to perform an unlocking operation in the direction of arrow U2. Furthermore, when the retainer 152 is to be pulled out of the housing 102 for disassembly, gripping the grip portion 182 makes it easier to pull out the retainer 152.

[0060] A stepped surface 184 that slopes upward in a stepped manner as it extends outward in the width direction is formed on the underside of the gripping portion 182. When an operator grips the gripping portion 182 with their fingers from below, the stepped surface 184 provides an appropriate amount of slip resistance to the operator's fingertips.

[0061] Next, the operation of the pipe joint 100 of this embodiment and a method for connecting pipes using the pipe joint 100 will be described.

[0062] When connecting the pipe 190 to the cylindrical portion 104 of the housing 102, first, the retainer 152 is placed in the standby position as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0063] When the retainer 152 is in the standby position, the housing lock arm 156 of the retainer 152 is placed in the groove 118 of the housing 102. Also, as shown in Fig. 2E, the detection arm 160 and the pipe lock arm 158 are inserted into the storage opening 124. Specifically, in the storage opening 124, the detection arm 160 is inserted into an area forward of the partition wall 136, and the pipe lock arm 158 is inserted into an area rearward.

[0064] With the retainer 152 in the standby position as described above, a portion (an inner peripheral portion, see FIG. 3C ) of the front wall 126 of the housing 102 faces the front side of the detection arm 160. Also, the rear wall 128 of the housing 102 faces the rear side of the pipe lock arm 158. This suppresses rattles and tilts of the retainer 152 relative to the housing 102, particularly rattles and tilts in the pushing direction (arrow U1 direction) and the pulling direction (arrow U2 direction), making it possible to maintain the retainer 152 in a stable posture relative to the housing 102 at the standby position.

[0065] When retainer 152 is in the standby position, partition wall 136 also faces the rear side of detection arm 160. That is, front wall 126 faces the front side of detection arm 160, and partition wall 136 faces the rear side. This also suppresses deformation and tilt of detection arm 160 relative to housing 102, making it possible to maintain retainer 152 in a stable posture relative to housing 102 at the standby position.

[0066] Furthermore, when the retainer 152 is in the standby position, the partition wall 136 faces the front side of the pipe lock arm 158. That is, the partition wall 136 faces the front side of the pipe lock arm 158, and the rear wall 128 faces the rear side. This suppresses deformation and tilt of the pipe lock arm 158 relative to the housing 102, making it possible to maintain the retainer 152 in a stable posture relative to the housing 102 at the standby position.

[0067] 2C and 2D , when the retainer 152 is in the standby position, the protrusion 138 on the rear wall 128 of the housing 102 faces the wall portion 178 formed on the retainer 152 in a direction intersecting the pushing direction, particularly in this embodiment, on the outer side in the width direction. This prevents the retainer 152 in the standby position from moving in the width direction relative to the housing 102, and allows the orientation of the retainer 152 relative to the housing 102 to be maintained.

[0068] 3A and 3B, the pipe 190 is inserted into the insertion hole 110 of the tubular portion 104 in the direction of arrow A1. During the insertion, the spool 192 comes into contact with the inclined surface 168 of the detection claw 164. When further force is applied to the pipe 190 in the insertion direction (arrow A1 direction), part of the pressing force acting from the spool 192 on the inclined surface 168 of the detection claw 164 is converted into a force that moves the tip side of the detection arm 160 outward in the width direction (see arrow F1 shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D), causing the tip side of the detection arm 160 to bend outward in the width direction. This makes it possible to push the pipe 190 in the direction of arrow A1.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E , the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined surface 168 is set to be equal to or greater than 25 degrees and equal to or less than 40 degrees. With an inclination angle θ1 of 25 degrees or greater, the pressing force applied to the inclined surface 168 from the spool 192 can be converted more efficiently into a force outward in the width direction, compared to when the inclination angle θ1 is less than 25 degrees. Furthermore, since the inclination angle θ1 is 40 degrees or less, the amount of outward movement of the detection claw 164 in the width direction can be ensured without excessively increasing the inclined surface 168, compared to when the inclination angle θ1 is greater than 40 degrees. FIG. 3C shows the case where the inclination angle θ1 is 25 degrees, and FIG. 3D shows the case where the inclination angle θ1 is 40 degrees. In either case, the detection arm 160 can be deflected outward in the width direction.

[0070] 3C and 3D, when the retainer 152 is in the standby position, a portion of the front wall 126 is located in front of the detection arms 160. The front wall 126 is offset outward in the width direction relative to each of the detection arms 160.

[0071] Here, FIG. 3E shows a partially enlarged view of a pipe joint 90 that does not have a partition wall 136 as a comparative example.

[0072] In the pipe fitting 90 of the comparative example, a case will be considered in which, as in the present embodiment, a pressing force in the direction of arrow A1 acts on the inclined surface 168 from the spool 192 of the pipe 190. In this case, in the pipe fitting 90 of the comparative example, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 3E, the detection arm 160 rotates in a partially twisted manner around the corner 126C of the front wall 126 as the center of rotation (see arrow R2), and it is conceivable that the detection arm 160 will not bend sufficiently outward in the width direction.

[0073] 3C and 3D, in this embodiment, the partition wall 136 is located rearward of the detection arm 160. Therefore, even if the detection arm 160 attempts to rotate in a twisting manner in the direction of arrow R2 (see FIG. 3E), this force is released outward in the width direction as the detection arm 160 comes into contact with the partition wall 136. In other words, the twisting (rotation) of the detection arm 160 is prevented, and the detection arm 160 is maintained in a position in which it is reliably bent (spread) outward in the width direction.

[0074] Then, detection arm 160 bends outward in the width direction, and pipe 190 is further pushed in the direction of arrow A1, so that parallel surface 170 of detection claw 164 comes into contact with the outer peripheral edge of spool 192, as shown in Figures 3F to 3H. That is, in this state, detection claw 164 rides up onto spool 192.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E , the inclined surface ratio of the detection claw 164, i.e., the ratio of the thickness T1 of the inclined surface 168 to the thickness T2 of the entire detection claw 164, is 90% or less. This ensures a wider thickness T1 of the inclined surface 168 compared to when the inclined surface ratio exceeds 90%. This ensures that the detection claw 164 can reliably maintain a state in which it is resting on the spool 192. For example, the position of the spool 192 in the axial direction of the pipe 190 varies due to tolerances. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D , the outer peripheral end of the spool 192 has a curved corner 192T that is convex radially outward. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral end (curved portion) of the spool 192 also varies due to tolerances. However, even if there is variation in the position of the spool 192 and the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral end, in this embodiment, the thickness of the parallel surface 170 is ensured, so that the detection claw 164 is highly effective in maintaining a state where it is mounted on the spool 192.

[0076] With the detection claw 164 thus placed on the spool 192, the pipe 190 can be pushed further forward as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Then, when the pipe 190 hits the top hat 114 as shown in Figure 4C, the pipe 190 cannot be pushed further forward.

[0077] In this state, the detection arm 160 is bent outward in the width direction, and the tip of the detection arm 160 is located at a position in the width direction outer than the restriction wall 132. Because the tip of the detection arm 160 does not face the restriction wall 132, the retainer 152 can be pushed into the housing 102 in the direction of arrow U1. The states shown in Figures 4A to 4E show the state in which the retainer 152 is pushed into the housing 102 and is in the locked position.

[0078] A third inclined surface 174 that slopes upward as it extends inward in the width direction is formed on the detection claw 164 of the detection arm 160. When the retainer 152 is attached to the housing 102, the third inclined surface 174 comes into contact with the outer peripheral end of the spool 192. As a result, when the retainer 152 is pushed into the housing 102 in the direction of arrow U1, the third inclined surface 174 slides against the outer peripheral end of the spool 192 at an angle, making it easy to push the retainer 152 in.

[0079] The retainer 152 is in the locked position when the locking claw 176 of the housing lock arm 156 moves over the projection 122 of the housing 102. When the retainer 152 is in the locked position, the locking claw 176 is locked by the projection 120, so that resistance is applied to any attempt to move the retainer 152 in the direction of arrow U2.

[0080] 4B and 4C, the pipe lock arm 158 is positioned behind the spool 192. This prevents the pipe 190 from moving in the direction of arrow A2 relative to the housing 102, and the pipe 190 is locked in a predetermined position.

[0081] 4D , a notch 140 is provided in the lower portion of the front wall 126 of the housing 102, and the notch 140 is located at a position corresponding to the detection claw 164 of the retainer 152 when the retainer 152 is in the locked position. When the retainer 152 is in the locked position, the detection claw 164 is visible from the front through the notch 140. In other words, since the operator can visually confirm from the front that the retainer 152 is in the locked position, it is possible to prevent poor connection in which the pipe 190 is not locked.

[0082] The retainer 152 is provided with gripping portions 182. When pulling out the retainer 152 from the housing 102 or performing an unlocking operation, the operator can directly grasp the gripping portions 182 from both sides in the width direction, improving workability and eliminating the need for dedicated tools.

[0083] In particular, the grip portion 182 has a stepped surface 184, which can be easily pulled out or unlocked by placing a finger or the like on the stepped surface 184 to prevent slippage. It is of course no problem to grip the grip portion 182 when pushing the retainer 152. Even in this case, gripping the grip portion 182 makes the pushing operation easier.

[0084] 4E , a second inclined surface 172 that slopes downward as it extends inward in the width direction is formed on detection claw 164 of detection arm 160. When retainer 152 is pulled out of housing 102, second inclined surface 172 contacts and slides against the lower surface of restriction wall 132 at an angle, facilitating the operation of unlocking retainer 152.

[0085] The pipe fitting 100 according to the technology of the present disclosure can be applied to any location, and can be used as a fitting for connecting two pipes (in the above example, a pipe 190 and a tube (not shown)). As an example, it can be used as a fitting for pipes through which liquids (fuel, coolant, etc.) flow in automobiles, motorcycles, etc. More specifically, in automobiles, the pipe fitting 100 according to the technology of the present disclosure can be used in connections between a fuel tank and various fuel pipes, and in connections that connect various pipes in a canister, intercooler, fuel injection rail, etc.

[0086] In particular, in motorcycles, for example, fuel tanks are frequently attached and detached. Therefore, when the pipe fitting 100 according to the technology of the present disclosure is applied to the connection portion of the pipes that connect the fuel tank and engine in a motorcycle, the pipe fitting 100 has a grip portion 182, which makes it easy to push in and unlock the retainer 152 when connecting and disconnecting the pipes associated with attaching and detaching the fuel tank. Of course, this is not limited to motorcycles, and even in four-wheeled automobiles, the retainer 152 can be easily unlocked at the connection portion of the pipes that are the subject of maintenance, for example, during maintenance.

[0087] Although the technology of the present disclosure has been described above using embodiments, the technology of the present disclosure can be implemented by modifying the embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the scope of the rights of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0088] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-110514, filed on July 8, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

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