Pipe connector

Abstract

The objective of a pipe connector according to the present invention is to control whether a fluid flows in a pipe or change the flow direction of the fluid, the pipe connector comprising: a body unit for providing an inner space; a sleeve unit inserted onto the end portion of the pipe; and a nut unit using screw-fastening with the body unit while inserted onto the pipe, so as to maintain the state in which the sleeve unit is inserted in the inner space, wherein the nut unit has to-be-locked parts that protrudes therefrom, and the body unit includes locking parts protruding therefrom to interfere with the rotation of the to-be-locked parts when the nut unit rotates, so that that the degree of fastening of the nut unit is controlled.

Description

pipe connector

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe connection, and more particularly, to a pipe connection for controlling the flow of fluid flowing in a pipe or changing the direction of the fluid flow.

[0002] In the manufacturing process of semiconductors and displays, various liquid chemicals are frequently used.

[0003] For example, diluted hydrofluoric acid, a chemical agent, is used in processes such as cleaning and etching semiconductor substrates, and this chemical agent flows through pipes such as tubes and pipes.

[0004] Here, the pipe for the flow of chemicals is connected to another pipe through a pipe connection such as a fitting or valve, and the pipe connection controls whether the chemicals flow or changes the flow direction.

[0005] The chemicals flowing within the above pipes are typically high-purity and highly toxic, and for this reason, any chemical leaks that occur during the flow can lower the yield of semiconductor production and also cause fatal damage to workers.

[0006] For the above reasons, pipe connectors for connecting pipes must have strict sealing properties and excellent durability.

[0007] A conventional pipe connection includes a body unit, a sleeve unit, and a nut unit, and the pipes are connected to each other when the nut unit is screwed to the body unit, and a sealing property is achieved in this process.

[0008] However, in the case of conventional pipe connections, it was impossible to know to what extent the nut unit had to be fastened on the body unit to be optimally fastened, which resulted in damage to the unit due to excessive fastening, and even if the nut unit was optimally fastened, there was a problem in which the nut unit came loose from the body unit due to vibration caused by external influences.

[0009] Problems like the above ultimately lead to chemical leaks, resulting in enormous losses such as casualties and factory shutdowns. Therefore, research and development to prevent these problems in advance is urgently needed.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pipe connection that implements optimal fastening of a nut unit on a body unit while preventing loosening of the nut unit and preventing leakage of fluid flowing in the pipe.

[0011] A pipe connection according to the present invention comprises: a body unit providing an internal space for controlling whether a fluid flowing in a pipe flows or for changing the direction of the fluid flow; a sleeve unit inserted into an end of the pipe; and a nut unit for maintaining the sleeve unit inserted into the internal space by a screw fastening method with the body unit while in a state of being inserted into the pipe; wherein the nut unit has an alignment protrusion provided so as to be protruded so as to identify whether or not it is optimally fastened with the body unit, and the optimal fastening may be conditioned on the alignment protrusion being aligned with an alignment-targeted protrusion provided so as to be protruded on the body unit.

[0012] The nut unit of the pipe connection according to the present invention has an alignment groove provided in a recessed manner to identify whether it is optimally fastened with the body unit, and the optimal fastening may be conditioned on the alignment groove being aligned with an alignment groove provided in a recessed manner on the body unit.

[0013] The pipe connection according to the present invention may further include an elastic locking unit for preventing loosening of the nut unit on the body unit by allowing the alignment protrusion and the alignment-target protrusion to be inserted simultaneously while the alignment protrusion and the alignment-target protrusion are aligned.

[0014] The pipe connection according to the present invention may further include an elastic locking unit for preventing loosening of the nut unit on the body unit by simultaneously fitting into the alignment groove and the alignment-target groove while the alignment groove and the alignment-target groove are aligned.

[0015] The nut unit of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be characterized in that it has a protrudingly provided catch portion, and the body unit has a protrudingly provided catch portion so that rotation of the catch portion is prevented during the rotation of the nut unit, thereby adjusting the degree of fastening of the nut unit.

[0016] The engaging portion of the pipe connection according to the present invention may include a first engaging step and a second engaging step that increase the external force for rotation of the nut unit by a first size and a second size, respectively, and the maximum value of the second size for the engaging portion to pass over the second engaging step may be greater than the maximum value of the first size for the engaging portion to pass over the first engaging step.

[0017] The second catch protrusion of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be characterized in that it is formed to protrude further from the outer surface of the body unit than the first catch protrusion.

[0018] The engaging portion of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be characterized by having a groove provided between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion so that the engaging portion can rotate by a decreasing external force before passing the second engaging portion after passing the first engaging portion by an external force increased by the first size.

[0019] The nut unit of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be provided so that, when the number of times the size of the external force for rotation increases due to the first engaging protrusion or the second engaging protrusion being engaged during the process of the engaging portion being rotated corresponds to a predetermined number of times, optimal fastening with the body unit is completed.

[0020] The nut unit of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be characterized in that the optimal connection with the body unit is completed when the catch is positioned in the groove.

[0021] The catching portion of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be characterized by having a first catching protrusion formed by protruding to a first height along the direction in which the catching portion rotates, a second catching protrusion formed by protruding to a second height higher than the first height, and a groove formed between the first catching protrusion and the second catching protrusion.

[0022] The first engagement step of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be characterized by having a first entry surface that is formed to be inclined or rounded so that entry is possible during the process of the engagement part being rotated.

[0023] The second catch step of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be characterized by having a second entry surface formed to be inclined or rounded so that the catch portion located in the groove can enter during the process of rotation.

[0024] The first entry surface of the pipe connection according to the present invention may be characterized by having a gentler inclination angle than the second entry surface.

[0025] The first engagement step of the pipe connection according to the present invention may have a first entry surface formed to be inclined so that entry is possible during the process of the engagement part rotating, and one surface of the engagement part opposite to the first entry surface may be formed to be inclined so that entry into the first entry surface is smooth.

[0026] According to the pipe connection according to the present invention, when a pipe is inserted into a body unit via a sleeve unit and then a nut unit is screw-fastened, the optimal degree of fastening of the nut unit is achieved, thereby preventing damage due to over-fastening, etc.

[0027] In addition, it is possible to prevent leakage of fluid flowing in the pipe by preventing loosening due to vibration from the external environment after the optimal fastening of the nut unit.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a pipe connection according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a pipe connection according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view along line AA of Figure 1.

[0031] Figures 4 to 7 are drawings for explaining the fastening process between units provided in the pipe connection according to the present invention.

[0032] A pipe connection according to the present invention comprises: a body unit providing an internal space for controlling whether a fluid flowing in a pipe flows or for changing the direction of the fluid flow; a sleeve unit inserted into an end of the pipe; and a nut unit for maintaining the sleeve unit inserted into the internal space by a screw fastening method with the body unit while in a state of being inserted into the pipe; wherein the nut unit has an alignment protrusion provided so as to be protruded so as to identify whether or not it is optimally fastened with the body unit, and the optimal fastening may be conditioned on the alignment protrusion being aligned with an alignment-targeted protrusion provided so as to be protruded on the body unit.

[0033] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention will be able to easily propose other inventions that are retrograde or other embodiments included within the scope of the spirit of the present invention by adding, modifying, or deleting other components within the scope of the same spirit. However, this will also be considered to be included within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0034]

[0035] In addition, components having the same function within the same scope of the same idea shown in the drawings of each embodiment are described using the same reference numerals.

[0036]

[0037] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a pipe connection according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a pipe connection according to the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Fig. 1.

[0038]

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the pipe connection (100) according to the present invention may be a structure for controlling whether a fluid flows in a pipe (P) or changing the direction of the fluid flow, and may be, for example, a fitting or a diaphragm valve.

[0040] The above pipe connection (100) may include a body unit (110) that provides a cylindrical internal space (S1), a sleeve unit (120) that is inserted into an end of the pipe (P) to fix the pipe (P) within the internal space (S1), a nut unit (130) that maintains the sleeve unit (120) inserted into the internal space (S1), etc.

[0041] The above body unit (110) can be provided in various shapes such as an elbow shape, a tee shape, a straight shape, or a cross shape when the pipe connection port (100) according to the present invention is a fitting, and can be provided in various shapes such as a tee shape when the pipe connection port (100) according to the present invention is a diaphragm valve.

[0042] The above body unit (110) may include an outer cylinder (111) formed to have a relatively larger diameter and an inner cylinder (112) formed to have a relatively smaller diameter, and an insertion space (S2) may be formed between the outer cylinder (111) and the inner cylinder (112) to insert an insertion portion (126) of a sleeve unit (120) to be described later.

[0043] The sleeve unit (120) may include a flared portion (122) inserted into an end of a pipe (P) to expand the diameter of the pipe (P), an insertion portion (126) inserted into the insertion space (S2), a connecting portion (124) connecting the flared portion (122) and the insertion portion (126), and a regulation portion (128) provided on the inside of the insertion portion (126) to regulate the degree of insertion of the sleeve unit (120) into the internal space (S1).

[0044] The above nut unit (130) can be maintained in a state in which the sleeve unit (120) is inserted into the internal space (S1) by a screw fastening method with the outer tube (111) of the body unit (110) while being inserted into the pipe (P).

[0045] The sleeve unit (120) is inserted into the internal space (S1) and as the nut unit (130) is screw-fastened to the body unit (110), it is pressurized by the nut unit (130) and the sealing ring (140), which is a type of rubber ring located on the inside of the nut unit (130), and moves forward. In this process, a sealing effect is implemented to prevent fluid leakage.

[0046] Meanwhile, the nut unit (130) may be provided with a catch portion (132) provided protrudingly at an end, and the body unit (110) may be provided with a catch portion (116) provided protrudingly so that the rotation of the catch portion (132) is prevented during the rotation of the nut unit (130), thereby adjusting the degree of fastening of the nut unit (130).

[0047] The above-mentioned catch portion (132) and the above-mentioned catch portion (116) can be formed at a 180° position as shown in the drawing, but are not necessarily limited thereto, and the formation position and number of formations can be changed according to the intention of a person skilled in the art.

[0048] The above-mentioned catch portion (116) may be provided with a first catch protrusion (113) formed by protruding to a first height along the direction in which the catch portion (132) rotates, a second catch protrusion (115) formed by protruding to a second height higher than the first height, and a groove (114) formed between the first catch protrusion (113) and the second catch protrusion (115).

[0049] In other words, the second catch (115) may be formed to protrude further from the outer surface of the body unit (110) than the first catch (113).

[0050] The first catch (113) may have a first entry surface that is formed to be inclined or rounded so that entry is possible during the process of rotating the catch (132).

[0051] The second catch (115) may be provided with a second entry surface that is formed to be inclined or rounded so that the catch (132) located in the groove (114) can be entered during the process of rotation.

[0052] The first entry surface may have a gentler incline angle than the second entry surface, and one side of the catch (132) facing the first entry surface may be formed to be inclined to facilitate entry into the first entry surface.

[0053] Meanwhile, the first catch jaw (113) and the second catch jaw (115) can increase the external force for rotation of the nut unit (130) by a first size and a second size, respectively.

[0054] Here, the first magnitude of external force and the second magnitude of external force for the catch (132) to pass through the first catch (113) and the second catch (115) respectively become increasingly larger.

[0055] The maximum value of the second size for the above-mentioned catch portion (132) to pass through the second catch step (115) may be greater than the maximum value of the first size for the above-mentioned catch portion (132) to pass through the first catch step (113).

[0056] The above groove (114) can enable rotation by a decreasing external force before the engaging portion (132) passes the first engaging protrusion (113) and then the second engaging protrusion (115) by an external force increased by the first size.

[0057] When the above nut unit (130) is positioned with the catch (132) in the groove (114), optimal fastening with the body unit (110) can be completed.

[0058] Specifically, the nut unit (130) is caught by the first catch protrusion (113) or the second catch protrusion (115) during the process of the catch portion (132) rotating, and the number of times the size of the external force for rotation increases corresponds to a predetermined number of times, and when the catch portion (132) is positioned in the groove (114), it can be provided so that optimal fastening with the body unit (110) is completed.

[0059] Meanwhile, when the nut unit (130) is optimally fastened to the body unit (110), the alignment protrusion (134) and the alignment-target protrusion (117) are aligned with each other, and at the same time, the alignment groove (136) and the alignment-target groove (118) are also aligned with each other.

[0060] The above alignment protrusion (134) may be a part of the nut unit (130) and may be provided in a protruding manner to identify whether the nut unit (130) is optimally fastened with the body unit (110). When the catch (132) is positioned in the groove (114), it is aligned with the alignment protrusion (117) provided in a protruding manner on the body unit (110).

[0061] In addition, the alignment groove (136) may be provided as a part of the nut unit (130) to identify whether the nut unit (130) is optimally fastened with the body unit (110), and when the catch (132) is positioned in the groove (114), it is aligned with the alignment groove (118) provided as a groove on the body unit (110).

[0062] Ultimately, the above optimal fastening is conditioned on the alignment of the alignment protrusion (134) and the alignment-target protrusion (117) and the alignment groove (136) and the alignment-target groove (118), and thereafter, the nut unit (130) can be prevented from being loosened from the body unit (110) by the elastic locking unit (150).

[0063] The elastic locking unit (150) can be inserted so that the alignment protrusion (134) and the alignment-target protrusion (117) can be inserted simultaneously while the alignment protrusion (134) and the alignment-target protrusion (117) are aligned, and can be fitted into the alignment groove (136) and the alignment-target groove (118) simultaneously.

[0064] The above elastic locking unit (150) may have an insertion hole (152) as shown in the drawing for inserting the alignment protrusion (134) and the alignment-to-be-aligned protrusion (117), but is not necessarily limited thereto and may also have an insertion groove.

[0065] In addition, the elastic locking unit (150) may have a fitting protrusion (154) formed at an end to be fitted into the alignment groove (136) and the alignment groove (118).

[0066]

[0067] Figures 4 to 7 are drawings for explaining the process of fastening between units provided in a pipe connection according to the present invention.

[0068]

[0069] Referring to FIG. 4, the sleeve unit (120) is inserted into the internal space (S1) of the body unit (110) while the sleeve unit (120) is inserted into the end of the pipe (P).

[0070] In this case, the nut unit (130) may be inserted into the pipe (P).

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, after the sleeve unit (120) is inserted into the body unit (110), the nut unit (130) is rotated to be screw-fastened to the body unit (110).

[0072] When the above nut unit (130) is rotated, the nut unit (130) moves forward on the body unit (110), and the degree of movement is determined by the setting of the lead, which is the distance traveled in a straight line per rotation.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 6, as the nut unit (130) moves forward, the catch (132) of the nut unit (130) catches the first catch (113) of the body unit (110), and in this case, the external force for rotation increases to a first size and passes over the first catch (113).

[0074] When the above-mentioned catch (132) passes the first catch (113), it is located in the groove (114), and as the external force for rotation increases to the second size, it passes the second catch (115).

[0075] In the process in which the above-mentioned catch portion (132) passes the first catch protrusion (113) and the second catch protrusion (115), the user can feel that the number of times the external force for rotation increases occurs twice, and when the nut unit (130) is rotated 180°, the user can feel the external force increase once again.

[0076] When the number of times the size of the external force increases during the process of rotating the hook (132) corresponds to a predetermined number of times, the optimal fastening of the nut unit (130) on the body unit (110) is completed.

[0077] For example, in the present invention, the lead may be set so that the optimal fastening of the nut unit (130) is completed when the user feels an increase in external force a total of 5 times, and when the user feels an increase in external force a total of 5 times, the catch (132) is positioned in the groove (114) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0078] In this case, the alignment protrusion (134) and the alignment target protrusion (117) are aligned with each other, and the alignment groove (136) and the alignment target groove (118) are aligned with each other.

[0079] Meanwhile, after the fastening of the nut unit (130) is completed, a process of elastically deforming the elastic locking unit (150) and fitting it from the outside of the nut unit (130) and the body unit (110) is performed, and when the alignment protrusion (134) and the alignment-target protrusion (117) are inserted into the insertion hole (152) and the fitting jaw (154) is fitted into the alignment groove (136) and the alignment-target groove (118), the pipe connection by the pipe connection member (100) according to the present invention is completed.

[0080]

[0081] Although the configuration and features of the present invention have been described above based on embodiments according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and therefore, it is made clear that such changes or modifications fall within the scope of the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. In a pipe connection for controlling the flow of fluid flowing in a pipe or changing the flow direction of the fluid, Body unit providing interior space; A sleeve unit inserted into the end of the above pipe; and A nut unit that maintains the sleeve unit inserted into the internal space by a screw fastening method with the body unit while inserted into the pipe; The above nut unit is, It has an alignment protrusion provided to identify whether it is optimally connected to the above body unit, The above optimal fastening is, A pipe connection having a condition that the alignment protrusion is aligned with an alignment protrusion provided by protruding from the body unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The above nut unit is, It has an alignment groove provided to identify whether it is optimally connected to the above body unit, The above optimal fastening is, A pipe connection having a condition that the above alignment groove is aligned with an alignment groove provided by being recessed on the above body unit.

3. In paragraph 1, A pipe connection device characterized in that it further includes an elastic locking unit for preventing loosening of the nut unit on the body unit by simultaneously inserting the alignment protrusion and the alignment-target protrusion while the alignment protrusion and the alignment-target protrusion are aligned.

4. In paragraph 2, A pipe connection device characterized in that it further includes an elastic locking unit for preventing loosening of the nut unit on the body unit by simultaneously fitting into the alignment groove and the alignment-target groove while the alignment groove and the alignment-target groove are aligned.

5. In paragraph 1, The above nut unit is, Equipped with a protruding catch, The above body unit, A pipe connection device characterized in that it has a protruding catch portion so that the rotation of the catch portion is prevented during the rotation of the nut unit, thereby adjusting the degree of fastening of the nut unit.

6. In paragraph 5, The above-mentioned part is, It has a first catch and a second catch so that the external force for rotation of the above nut unit increases by a first size and a second size, respectively, The maximum value of the second size for the above-mentioned catch to pass through the second catch is: A pipe connection, characterized in that the above-mentioned catch portion is larger than the maximum value of the first size for passing through the first catch.

7. In paragraph 6, The above second blocking jaw is, A pipe connection member characterized in that it is formed to protrude further from the outer surface of the body unit than the first catch.

8. In paragraph 6, The above-mentioned part is, A pipe connection device characterized in that it has a groove provided between the first engaging jaw and the second engaging jaw so that the engaging portion can rotate by a decreasing external force before passing the second engaging jaw after passing the first engaging jaw by an external force increased by the first size.

9. In paragraph 8, The above nut unit is, A pipe connection device characterized in that, when the number of times the size of the external force for rotation increases due to the first or second engaging jaw being engaged during the process of rotating the engaging portion corresponds to a predetermined number of times, the optimal connection with the body unit is completed.

10. In paragraph 8, The above nut unit is, A pipe connection, characterized in that when the above-mentioned catch is positioned in the above-mentioned groove, the above-mentioned optimal connection with the above-mentioned body unit is completed.

11. In paragraph 5, The above-mentioned part is, A pipe connection device characterized by having a first catch protrusion formed by protruding to a first height along the direction in which the catch portion rotates, a second catch protrusion formed by protruding to a second height higher than the first height, and a groove formed between the first catch protrusion and the second catch protrusion.

12. In paragraph 11, The above first blocking jaw is, A pipe connection member characterized in that it has a first entry surface that is formed to be inclined or rounded so that entry is possible during the process of the above-mentioned hanging part being rotated.

13. In paragraph 12, The above second blocking jaw is, A pipe connection member characterized in that it has a second entry surface formed to be inclined or rounded so that entry is possible during the process of the engaging portion located in the above groove being rotated.

14. In paragraph 13, The above first entry surface is, A pipe connection characterized by a slope angle that is gentler than the second entry surface.

15. In paragraph 11, The above first blocking jaw is, It has a first entry surface that is formed to be inclined so that entry is possible during the process of rotating the above-mentioned hook part, One side of the above-mentioned catch portion facing the above-mentioned first entry surface is, A pipe connection port characterized in that it is formed at an angle to allow smooth entry into the first entry surface.

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