Pipe fitting with alignment function

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a pipe fitting with an alignment function such that even if a movable part is inclined for the purpose of alignment, no gap is created that would allow entry of a sliding seal member. [Solution] A male pipe fitting 10 comprises: a first fitting main body 14; a second fitting main body 18 disposed in a displaceable manner in a direction intersecting a longitudinal axis L; an intermediate member 20 disposed therebetween; a first seal member 28 sealing between the fitting main body and the intermediate member; and a second seal member 30 sealing between the second fitting main body and the intermediate member. The intermediate member 20 is pressed by the first seal member 28 such that a first surface 22 is away from the first fitting main body and a second surface 24 is in contact with the second fitting main body. When the second fitting main body 18 is inclined, the intermediate member 20 tilts together with the second fitting main body 18 while remaining in contact with the second fitting main body 18, and the first seal member 28 deforms to follow the tilting of the intermediate member 20 and maintain the seal between the first fitting main body 14 and the intermediate member 20.

Description

Pipe fitting with aligning function

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe joint that can be detachably connected to a corresponding pipe joint, and more particularly to a pipe joint having an aligning function.

[0002] In industrial facilities, a pair of pipe fittings is often used to connect two pipes. Each pair of pipe fittings consists of a female pipe fitting and a corresponding male pipe fitting. The two pipe fittings are connected by inserting the male pipe fitting into the female pipe fitting while aligning their centers. However, when the two pipe fittings are fixed to a mechanical device and automatically connected by the mechanical device, misalignment of the mechanical device or dimensional errors of the pipe fittings can cause the two pipe fittings to not align precisely. This can result in a large load being applied to the pipe fittings during connection, or even an inability to connect them. Similarly, when multiple pipe fittings are attached to a single component, dimensional errors of the pipe fittings or assembly errors can cause the centers of several pairs of pipe fittings to not align precisely. To address this issue, pipe fittings with aligning functions have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pipe fitting having a tubular outer member and an inner member disposed therein, with the inner member being radially displaceable relative to the outer member. When attempting to connect pipe joints that are misaligned, the inner member displaces to match the center position of the corresponding pipe joint, thereby aligning the centers and enabling proper connection. An O-ring seals between the outer and inner members, and the O-ring slides against the inner member as the inner member displaces radially relative to the outer member, maintaining a seal.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-98119

[0004] In the conventional pipe joints described above, in order for the inner member to be able to smoothly displace radially relative to the outer member, the inner member needs a certain amount of play in the longitudinal direction relative to the outer member. Therefore, when a radial force acts on the inner member, the inner member may tilt relative to the outer member. This creates a small gap between the inner and outer members around the O-ring. If the inner member displaces radially in this state, part of the O-ring may get stuck in the gap. When the pressure in the flow path is high, the O-ring is pressed radially outward, making it even more likely to get stuck in the gap. If the O-ring gets stuck in the narrow gap in this way, it will gradually break down.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe fitting with an alignment function that prevents gaps from being created into which the sliding seal member can slip even when the movable part is tilted due to alignment.

[0006] That is, the present invention provides a pipe fitting with an aligning function that is detachably connectable to a corresponding pipe fitting, comprising: a first joint body having a first flow path; a second joint body having a second flow path and disposed displaceably relative to the first joint body in a direction intersecting a longitudinal axis of the first flow path; an intermediate member disposed between the first joint body and the second joint body, the intermediate member having a first surface facing the first joint body in the longitudinal axis direction, a second surface opposite to the first surface facing the second joint body in the longitudinal axis direction, and a through hole that passes from the first surface to the second surface and communicates the first flow path with the second flow path; a first seal member that is crushed between the first joint body and the first surface of the intermediate member to seal between the first joint body and the intermediate member; and a second seal member that is crushed between the second joint body and the second surface of the intermediate member to seal between the second joint body and the intermediate member. the intermediate member is pressed by the first seal member so that the first surface is separated from the first joint body and the second surface is in contact with the second joint body; when the second joint body is displaced in the intersecting direction relative to the first joint body, the second joint body slides on the second surface of the intermediate member and the second seal member slides against at least one of the second joint body and the intermediate member; when the second joint body tilts relative to the first joint body, the intermediate member tilts together with the second joint body while remaining in contact with the second joint body, and the first seal member deforms in accordance with the tilt of the intermediate member to maintain a seal between the first joint body and the intermediate member.

[0007] In this pipe joint, when the second joint body, which is displaceable to provide the aligning function, tilts, the intermediate member tilts together with the second joint body while remaining in contact with the second joint body. This prevents a gap from forming between the second joint body and the intermediate member when the second joint body tilts. This makes it possible to prevent the second seal member from entering the gap when the second joint body is displaced while tilted or when high pressure is generated in the flow path.

[0008] Furthermore, the first joint body has a first recess that accommodates the first seal member, and the first recess has an inclined surface that slopes radially outward toward the intermediate member, and at least a portion of the first seal member can be crushed between the inclined surface and the first surface of the intermediate member.

[0009] With this configuration, the first seal member can be prevented from moving radially outward due to pressure within the flow path.

[0010] Furthermore, the second joint body has a second recess that accommodates the second seal member and an abutment surface located radially outward of the second recess, and the abutment surface is configured to abut against the second surface of the intermediate member, so that when the second joint body is displaced in the intersecting direction relative to the first joint body, the abutment surface and the second seal member slide on the second surface.

[0011] In addition, the second recess has an annular groove that accommodates the second seal member and a separation surface that is located radially inside the annular groove and forms a gap between it and the second surface of the intermediate member, and the annular groove has an inner inclined surface that is inclined toward the intermediate member toward the separation surface, and an outer vertical surface that is approximately perpendicular to the abutment surface, and the second seal member is held in close contact with the inner inclined surface and the outer vertical surface.

[0012] Because the second seal member is held by the inner inclined surface and the outer vertical surface, it is possible to prevent the second seal member from moving relative to the second joint body when sliding relative to the intermediate member or from twisting between the second joint body and the intermediate member. Furthermore, because a gap is formed on the radially inner side of the annular groove, the portion of the second seal member that does not fit within the annular groove when crushed can escape into this gap. This makes it easy to crush the second seal member so that the abutment surface of the second joint body and the second surface of the intermediate member abut against each other while keeping the second seal member in close contact with the inner inclined surface and the outer vertical surface.

[0013] Furthermore, the first seal member may be an O-ring having a first cross-sectional diameter, the second seal member may be an O-ring having a second cross-sectional diameter smaller than the first cross-sectional diameter, and the first seal member may be crushed more than the second seal member and press the intermediate member with a greater force than the second seal member.

[0014] Furthermore, the intermediate member may be held by the first joint body so as to be prevented from being displaced in the intersecting direction.

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pipe joint having an aligning function according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a male pipe fitting with an aligning function according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the male pipe fitting of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a male pipe fitting with an aligning function according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 1. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the male pipe fitting of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a first view showing a process of connecting the male pipe fitting of Figure 1 to a corresponding female pipe fitting. Figure 8 is a second view showing a process of connecting the male pipe fitting of Figure 1 to a corresponding female pipe fitting. Figure 9 is a third view showing a process of connecting the male pipe fitting of Figure 1 to a corresponding female pipe fitting. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second fitting body is inclined relative to the first fitting body.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, a pipe fitting according to one embodiment of the present invention is a male pipe fitting 10 with an aligning function that is detachably connected to a corresponding female pipe fitting (matching pipe fitting) 80.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , the male pipe fitting 10 comprises a first fitting body 14 having a first flow path 12, a second fitting body 18 having a second flow path 16, and an intermediate member 20 disposed between the first fitting body 14 and the second fitting body 18. The intermediate member 20 has a first surface 22 facing the first fitting body 14, a second surface 24 opposite the first surface 22 and facing the second fitting body 18, and a through hole 26 extending from the first surface 22 to the second surface 24. A first seal member 28 is disposed between the first fitting body 14 and the first surface 22 of the intermediate member 20. A second seal member 30 is disposed between the second fitting body 18 and the second surface 24 of the intermediate member 20. The first seal member 28 is crushed between the first fitting body 14 and the first surface 22 to seal between the first fitting body 14 and the intermediate member 20. The second seal member 30 is crushed between the second joint body 18 and the second surface 24, thereby sealing the gap between the second joint body 18 and the intermediate member 20. The first flow path 12 and the second flow path 16 communicate with each other via the through hole 26 to form a single flow path. As will be described later, the second joint body 18 is displaceable in a direction intersecting (substantially perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis L of the first flow path 12 of the first joint body 14.

[0019] The first joint body 14 has a flow path forming portion 32 that defines the first flow path 12, and an accommodation space forming portion 34 that defines an accommodation space that accommodates a portion of the second joint body 18 and the intermediate member 20. A circular first recess 36 for accommodating the first seal member 28 is formed at the connection between the flow path forming portion 32 and the accommodation space forming portion 34. The second joint body 18 has a protruding end portion 40 that protrudes radially outward inside the accommodation space forming portion 34 of the first joint body 14. The protruding end portion 40 has a circular second recess 42 and an abutment surface 44 formed radially outward from the second recess 42.

[0020] As shown in more detail in Figure 2, the first recess 36 has an inclined surface 38 that slopes radially outward toward the intermediate member 20. The second recess 42 has an annular groove 46 for accommodating the second seal member 30, and a separation surface 48 located radially inward of the annular groove 46. The separation surface 48 is spaced from the second surface 24 of the intermediate member 20, forming a gap between the separation surface 48 and the second surface 24. The annular groove 46 has an inner inclined surface 50 that slopes toward the intermediate member 20 toward the separation surface 48, and an outer vertical surface 52 that is approximately perpendicular to the abutment surface 44 of the intermediate member 20.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 , a press member 54 is attached to the accommodation space forming portion 34 of the first joint body 14. The press member 54 is held in the accommodation space forming portion 34 by a stop ring 56. The press member 54 has an engagement surface 60 that engages with the engagement surface 58 of the protruding end portion 40 of the second joint body 18. The press member 54 holds the second joint body 18 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L relative to the first joint body 14 by pressing the engagement surface 58 of the second joint body 18 with the engagement surface 60. The press member 54 has an annular locking groove 62 that partially accommodates the stop ring 56. The press member 54 is pressed in a direction away from the first joint body 14 by the elastic forces of the first seal member 28 and the second seal member 30, but the stop ring 56 engages with the engagement inclined surface 64 of the annular locking groove 62 to prevent it from coming off the first joint body 14.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the male pipe fitting 10 is assembled by sequentially inserting the first seal member 28, the intermediate member 20, the second seal member 30, and the protruding end portion 40 of the second joint body 18 into the accommodation space forming portion 34 of the first joint body 14, and then inserting the presser member 54 together with the stop ring 56 into the accommodation space forming portion 34. When attaching the presser member 54, the stop ring 56 is temporarily reduced in diameter and accommodated in the annular locking groove 62. When the stop ring 56 reaches the position of the locking groove 66 formed in the accommodation space forming portion 34, the stop ring 56 expands in diameter and is partially accommodated in both the annular locking groove 62 and the locking groove 66, as shown in Figure 1. This fixes the presser member 54 to the first joint body 14, thereby holding the second joint body 18 and other components. In order to remove the pressing member 54, the stop ring 56 needs to be reduced in diameter, but since the stop ring 56 is pressed radially outward by the engaging inclined surface 64, the stop ring 56 will not be unintentionally reduced in diameter due to vibration or impact, causing the pressing member 54 to come off.

[0023] In this embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 3 , the first seal member 28 is an O-ring having a first cross-sectional diameter D1, and the second seal member 30 is an O-ring having a second cross-sectional diameter D2. The second cross-sectional diameter D2 is smaller than the first cross-sectional diameter D1. In the assembled state shown in FIG. 1 , the first seal member 28 is crushed more in the direction of the longitudinal axis L than the second seal member 30. The intermediate member 20 is pressed in opposite directions by the crushed first seal member 28 and second seal member 30. Because the pressing force of the first seal member 28 is greater than the pressing force of the second seal member 30, the intermediate member 20 is pressed by the pressing force of the first seal member 28 and is held in a position where the second surface 24 abuts against the abutment surface 44 of the second seal member 30. At this time, the first surface 22 of the intermediate member 20 is slightly spaced from the first joint body 14. A portion of the first seal member 28 is disposed on the inclined surface 38 and is crushed between the inclined surface 38 and the first surface 22. The portion crushed on the inclined surface 38 is crushed more than the other portions, resulting in a greater elastic force. In particular, because the inclined surface 38 is formed on the radially outer portion of the first recess 36, the first seal member 28 is effectively prevented from further radially outward deformation when high pressure is generated in the second flow path 16. The second seal member 30 is held in close contact with the inner inclined surface 50 and the outer vertical surface 52 within the second recess 42. As will be described later, the second seal member 30 slides on the second surface 24 of the intermediate member 20 together with the second joint body 18. However, because the second seal member 30 is held in close contact with the inner inclined surface 50 and the outer vertical surface 52, the second seal member 30 is effectively prevented from moving relative to the second joint body 18 or from twisting between the second joint body 18 and the intermediate member 20 during sliding. In the illustrated example, the second seal member 30 is sized to fit exactly within the annular groove 46 when crushed, but if the second seal member 30 is too large to fit completely within the annular groove 46 due to dimensional errors in the second seal member 30 or the annular groove 46, a portion of the second seal member 30 will be received in the gap between the separation surface 48 and the second surface 24.This action makes it possible to easily bring the second seal member 30 into close contact with the inner inclined surface 50 and the outer vertical surface 52, while bringing the abutment surface 44 of the second joint body 18 and the second surface 24 of the intermediate member 20 into abutment with each other.

[0024] The intermediate member 20 has an outer diameter that is approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the accommodation space forming portion 34 of the first joint body 14, and is held in the first joint body 14 so as to be prevented from being displaced radially relative to the first joint body 14.

[0025] In this embodiment, a valve body 68 and a spring 70 that biases the valve body 68 are disposed in the second flow path 16 of the second joint body 18. The second flow path 16 is closed by the valve body 68.

[0026] 4 to 8, the male pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment is fixed to a first device X and used together with a corresponding female pipe fitting 80 fixed to a second device Y. The female pipe fitting 80 includes a fitting body 82 fixed to the second device Y, a valve body 86 disposed in a flow path 84 of the fitting body 82, and a spring 88 that biases the valve body 86. The valve body 86 is pressed against a valve seat 90 by the spring 88 to close the flow path 84. As will be described below, the male pipe fitting 10 is connected to the female pipe fitting 80 when the first device X moves relatively closer to the second device Y.

[0027] In the state shown in Figure 4, the center axis C1 of the second fitting body 18 of the male pipe fitting 10 coincides with the longitudinal axis L of the first flow path 12 but is offset from the center axis C2 of the fitting body 82 of the female pipe fitting 80. As the first device X approaches the second device Y in this state, the tip end 18a of the second fitting body 18 of the male pipe fitting 10 abuts the inclined tip end 82a of the fitting body 82 of the female pipe fitting 80, as shown in Figure 5. As the first device X further approaches the second device Y, the second fitting body 18 receives a force from the fitting body 82 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis L (downward as viewed in the figure). This causes the second fitting body 18 to displace downward and become aligned with the fitting body 82, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, the center axis C1 of the second fitting body 18 coincides with the center axis C2 of the fitting body 82. At this time, the convex portion 72 protruding inward of the pressing member 54 is received in the concave portion 74 formed on the outer periphery of the second joint body 18. With this configuration, the range of movement of the second joint body 18 can be increased without increasing the radial size of the male pipe joint 10.

[0028] As the first device X approaches the second device Y, as shown in Figure 7, the second fitting body 18 of the male pipe fitting 10 is inserted into the female pipe fitting 80 and abuts against the valve element 86, and the valve element 68 of the male pipe fitting 10 abuts against the valve seat 90 of the female pipe fitting 80. As the first device X approaches the second device Y, as shown in Figure 8, the valve element 68 of the male pipe fitting 10 and the valve element 86 of the female pipe fitting 80 each move to their open positions, completing the connection.

[0029] When a force acts on the second joint body 18 of the male pipe fitting 10 during the connection process described above or when another object strikes it, the second joint body 18 may tilt slightly relative to the first joint body 14, as shown in FIG. 9 . At this time, the intermediate part 20 is pressed with a large force by the first seal member 28, so it tilts together with the second joint body 18, maintaining a state in which the second surface 24 abuts against the abutment surface 44. Since the relative position between the second joint body 18 and the intermediate part 20 does not change, the second seal member 30 does not deform. However, as the intermediate part 20 tilts relative to the first joint body 14, the distance between the first surface 22 of the intermediate part 20 and the first joint body 14 changes depending on the location, and the first seal member 28 is further partially crushed. In other words, the first seal member 28 deforms in response to the tilt of the intermediate part 20, maintaining a seal between the first joint body 14 and the intermediate part 20. When the force on the second joint body 18 is released, the elastic force of the first seal member 28 causes the second joint body 18 to return to a state in which its central axis C1 is parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

[0030] In this manner, in the male pipe fitting 10, even when the second joint body 18, which displaces to perform its aligning function, tilts, the abutment surface 44 of the second joint body 18 remains in abutment with the second surface 24 of the intermediate part 20, and no gap is formed therebetween. This prevents the second seal member 30, which slides against the second surface 24 of the intermediate part 20 in a sealed manner, from getting between the abutment surface 44 and the second surface 24. This prevents the second seal member 30 from being crushed and damaged. On the other hand, although tilting of the intermediate part 20 changes the size of the gap between the intermediate part 20 and the first joint body 14, the first seal member 28 deforms accordingly, thereby maintaining a seal between the first joint body 14 and the intermediate part 20.

[0031] The male pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment also provides the following additional advantages. Because the second seal member 30 is not substantially deformed when the second fitting body 18 is tilted, the contact state between the second seal member 30 and the intermediate member 20 does not change. Therefore, regardless of the tilt of the second fitting body 18, the sealed state provided by the second seal member 30 between the second fitting body 18 and the intermediate member 20 can be stably maintained. Furthermore, because the second seal member 30 is not substantially deformed, the frictional resistance between the second seal member 30 and the second surface 24 of the intermediate member 20 does not increase. Therefore, even when the second fitting body 18 is tilted, it can smoothly slide and displace on the second surface 24. Because the first seal member 28 has a larger cross-sectional diameter D1 than the second seal member 30, it is more likely to follow deformation in the crushing direction (the direction of the longitudinal axis L). Furthermore, because the first seal member 28 does not deteriorate due to sliding like the second seal member 30, it is less likely to break even when it is deformed. Due to these effects, even if the second joint body 18 is tilted, the sealing provided by the first seal member 28 and the second seal member 30 can be maintained more stably, and leakage of the internal fluid can be more reliably prevented. Furthermore, by using separate seal members for the second seal member 30, which accommodates displacement for aligning the second joint body 18, and the first seal member 28, which accommodates tilting of the second joint body 18, the load on each seal member is distributed, making them less likely to break, and making it possible to extend the product life as a whole.

[0032] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the pipe fitting with an alignment function may be configured as a female pipe fitting, and the corresponding pipe fitting may be configured as a male pipe fitting. Furthermore, the intermediate member may have recesses for holding the first seal member and the second seal member. If the second seal member is held by the intermediate member, the second seal member will slide relative to the second joint body when the second joint body is displaced for alignment. The valve structures provided in both pipe fittings are not necessarily provided.

[0033] 10 Male pipe fitting 12 First flow path 14 First fitting body 16 Second flow path 18 Second fitting body 18a Tip portion 20 Intermediate member 22 First surface 24 Second surface 26 Through hole 28 First seal member 30 Second seal member 32 Flow path forming portion 34 Storage space forming portion 36 First recess 38 Inclined surface 40 Protruding end portion 42 Second recess 44 Abutment surface 46 Annular groove 48 Separation surface 50 Inner inclined surface 52 Outer vertical surface 54 Pressing member 56 Stop ring 58 Engagement surface 60 Engagement surface 62 Annular locking groove 64 Engagement inclined surface 66 Locking groove 68 Valve body 70 Spring 72 Convex portion 74 Convex portion 80 Female pipe fitting (matching pipe fitting) 82 Fitting body 82a Tip portion 84 Flow path 86 Valve body 88 Spring 90 Valve seat portion X First device Y Second device C1 Central axis C2 Central axis D1 First cross-sectional diameter D2 Second cross-sectional diameter L Longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A pipe joint having a centering function, which is detachably connected to a corresponding pipe joint, comprising: A first joint body having a first flow path; A second joint body having a second flow path and disposed displaceably in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis of the first flow path with respect to the first joint body; An intermediate member disposed between the first joint body and the second joint body, having a first surface facing the first joint body in the direction of the longitudinal axis, a second surface facing the second joint body in the direction of the longitudinal axis on the opposite side of the first surface, and a through hole penetrating from the first surface to the second surface to communicate the first flow path and the second flow path; A first seal member crushed between the first joint body and the first surface of the intermediate member to seal between the first joint body and the intermediate member; A second seal member crushed between the second joint body and the second surface of the intermediate member to seal between the second joint body and the intermediate member; The intermediate member is pressed by the first seal member such that the first surface is away from the first joint body and the second surface abuts against the second joint body; When the second joint body is displaced in the intersecting direction with respect to the first joint body, the second joint body slides on the second surface of the intermediate member, and the second seal member slides with respect to at least one of the second joint body and the intermediate member; When the second joint body tilts with respect to the first joint body, the intermediate member tilts together with the second joint body while remaining in contact with the second joint body, and the first seal member deforms following the tilting of the intermediate member to maintain the seal between the first joint body and the intermediate member.

2. The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the first joint body has a first recess for accommodating the first seal member, the first recess has an inclined surface inclined toward the intermediate member in the radially outer direction, and at least a part of the first seal member is crushed between the inclined surface and the first surface of the intermediate member.

3. The second joint body has a second recess for accommodating the second sealing member and a contact surface located radially outside the second recess, and the contact surface is adapted to contact the second surface of the intermediate member. When the second joint body is displaced in the intersecting direction with respect to the first joint body, the contact surface and the second sealing member are adapted to slide on the second surface. The pipe joint according to claim 1.

4. The second recess has an annular groove for accommodating the second sealing member and a separation surface located radially inside the annular groove and forming a gap with the second surface of the intermediate member. The annular groove has an inner inclined surface inclined toward the intermediate member side with respect to the separation surface and an outer vertical surface substantially perpendicular to the contact surface, and the second sealing member is held in close contact with the inner inclined surface and the outer vertical surface. The pipe joint according to claim 3.

5. The first sealing member is an O-ring having a first cross-sectional diameter, the second sealing member is an O-ring having a second cross-sectional diameter smaller than the first cross-sectional diameter, and the first sealing member is crushed more than the second sealing member and presses the intermediate member with a force greater than that of the second sealing member. The pipe joint according to claim 1.

6. The intermediate member is held by the first joint body so that displacement in the intersecting direction is prevented. The pipe joint according to claim 1.

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