Anti-loosening coupler

Abstract

The present invention relates to an anti-loosening coupler and, more specifically, to an anti-loosening coupler capable of maintaining two pipes in a stably bound state in which loosening is impossible, and allowing release of the binding when necessary, thereby being capable of improving reliability, safety, and marketability. The anti-loosening coupler according to the present invention comprises: a first connection pipe connected to a pipe on one side and having a connection port formed at an end thereof; a second connection pipe connected to a pipe on another side and having a connection port formed at an end thereof; a tightening bolt having a bolt head part formed at one side thereof, a male screw part formed at the other side thereof, and a hollow hole into which the first connection pipe is inserted; a lock nut fastened to the tightening bolt to airtightly adhere the connection ports of the first connection pipe and the second connection pipe to each other; and a spiral coil spring embedded in the lock nut to block an unintended unfastening action of the tightening bolt and the lock nut.

Description

anti-loosening coupler

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupler that applies a loosening prevention technology utilizing the rotational elasticity of a spring to a coupler, and that has reliability and safety in protecting people and property from damage to a product or system or a major accident caused by loosening by preventing both sides of the pipe of the coupler from loosening even under external impact or vibration in the natural environment, and that can be freely loosened with a general tool when loosening is intentionally attempted.

[0002] In general, piping work refers to the work of forming a pipeline by cutting and connecting pipes manufactured to a certain length to a certain length according to on-site conditions.

[0003] In these piping works, in addition to the pipes for piping, pipe couplers are used at the connection points due to the need to change the length of the pipe and the location of the pipeline.

[0004] A pipe coupler is a connecting piece that connects pipes and pipes, hoses and hoses, etc. with an axis joint to smoothly move liquids or gases over long distances.

[0005] These pipe couplers have been developed and used in various forms. For example, a pipe coupler includes a first connecting pipe that is connected to one side of the pipes being connected and has a connection port formed at one end, a second connecting pipe that is connected to the other side of the pipe and has a connection port formed at one end, a tightening bolt that has a male thread formed on the outer surface of a body that has a hollow hole into which the first connecting pipe is inserted, and a lock nut that is fastened to the tightening bolt to seal the connection ports of the first and second connecting pipes together airtightly.

[0006] The conventional pipe coupler described above has a problem in that if the tightening state becomes loose or comes off due to rotation of the lock nut in the direction of release due to external factors such as vibration of the fluid flowing in the pipe, fluid force, vibration of an external machine, impact, etc., a serious safety accident may occur and normal operation of the equipment, etc. may become impossible.

[0007] For example, in cases where leaks occur due to poor connection of pipes carrying highly hazardous fluids such as hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid, which are lethal to the human body, such as in semiconductor manufacturing facilities, chemical manufacturing and handling facilities, and gas manufacturing and handling facilities, this can result in serious industrial accidents that can result in casualties as well as enormous property damage due to downtime.

[0008] [Prior Art Literature]

[0009] [Patent Document]

[0010] (Patent Document 0001) Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0213663 "Pipe Connection"

[0011] (Patent Document 0002) Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0220542 "Connecting Port for Adhesive Coated Pipe for Plumbing"

[0012] The present invention has been proposed with the above in mind, and its purpose is to provide a loosening prevention coupler that can maintain a stable binding state so that both pipes cannot be loosened, and can easily perform a binding release operation when release is required, thereby improving reliability, safety, and marketability.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the anti-loosening coupler according to the present invention is characterized by including: a first connecting tube connected to one side of a pipe and having a connection port formed at an end; a second connecting tube connected to the other side of the pipe and having a connection port formed at an end; a tightening bolt having a bolt head formed at one side and a male threaded portion formed at the other side and a hollow hole formed into which the first connecting tube is inserted; a lock nut fastened to the tightening bolt to seal the connection ports of the first connecting tube and the second connecting tube together airtightly; and a spiral coil spring built into the lock nut to block an unintentional loosening action of the tightening bolt and the lock nut.

[0014] The above lock nut has a non-threaded area in which threads are not formed in a predetermined range on the inner surface based on the entry direction of the tightening bolt, a threaded area in which threads are formed in a predetermined range on the inner surface continuously from the non-threaded area, and a connection area in which the connection ports of the first and second connecting pipes are received, wherein the non-threaded area may be formed to have a structure with a larger inner diameter than the threaded area.

[0015] The above spiral coil spring may be configured to include a spiral winding portion wound in a spiral shape and arranged in the non-threaded area, an upstream end bent portion bent radially outward at an end of the spiral winding portion in the entry direction of the tightening bolt and caught by the lock nut, and a downstream end bent portion bent radially outward at an end of the spiral winding portion in the exit direction of the tightening bolt and caught by the lock nut.

[0016] The above non-threaded area may be configured to include an upstream engaging groove formed in a long groove shape along the outer periphery of the lock nut at the end in the direction of entry of the tightening bolt so that an upstream engaging step is provided for inserting and engaging the upstream engaging portion; and a downstream engaging groove formed in a long groove shape along the outer periphery of the lock nut so that the downstream engaging portion is inserted and engaged.

[0017] The above non-screw area may be configured to include a downstream end engaging groove in which the downstream end bending part is inserted and engaged at one end of the downstream end engaging groove, a detachment prevention step portion protruding in contact with the downstream end engaging groove, and a sliding cam surface formed to slope downward from the detachment prevention step portion.

[0018] The above non-screw area may further include a downstream entry cut groove cut from the lower end of the lock nut toward the downstream engagement groove so that the downstream bend portion can enter the inside of the downstream engagement groove.

[0019] The above upper end engaging groove may be formed as an open cut groove that is cut opposite to the lower end engaging groove at the lower end of the lock nut.

[0020] The above lock nut may be formed with an entry thread portion having a female thread so that the male thread portion of the tightening bolt is first screwed in before entering the non-threaded area.

[0021] According to the anti-loosening coupler according to the present invention, when the tightening bolt is fastened, rotation in the direction of release is impossible due to the organic operation of the lock nut and the spiral coil spring, and the anti-loosening operation can be stably performed, and when release is required, the fastening state can be conveniently released by easily performing the release operation, so there is an effect of improving convenience, reliability, and marketability in use.

[0022] The anti-loosening coupler according to the present invention has the advantage of preventing problems caused by accidental or unintentional loosening in advance because the lock nut or tightening bolt cannot be rotated in the direction of loosening while the pipes are connected to each other, and at the same time, in the event of maintenance or an emergency, the connection state can be conveniently released through a simple operation without artificially damaging the anti-loosening nut portion as in the past.

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a release-preventing coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a release-preventing coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a release-prevention coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a spiral coil spring of an anti-loosening coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figures 5a and 5b are perspective views illustrating a lock nut of an anti-loosening coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the main parts separated to explain the operation of a loosening prevention coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a drawing for explaining the state of a spiral coil spring during a tightening operation of a tightening bolt (3), and (b) is a drawing for explaining the state of a spiral coil spring that blocks an unintended loosening operation during a tightening and releasing operation of a tightening bolt (3).

[0029] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a loosening prevention coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a drawing for explaining the state of the downstream short bend (53) during a tightening operation of the tightening bolt (3), and (b) is a drawing for explaining the state of the downstream short bend (53) during a tightening release operation of the tightening bolt (3).

[0030] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, and the same reference numbers will be given to the same components in the drawings.

[0031] Meanwhile, detailed descriptions of the configurations, functions, and effects of each drawing, which can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from general techniques, are briefly or omitted. Furthermore, since the present invention is characterized by a loosening-prevention coupler, the relevant parts will be primarily illustrated and described, and the descriptions of the remaining parts will be simplified or omitted.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a loosening prevention coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a loosening prevention coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a loosening prevention coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a spiral coil spring of a loosening prevention coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views for explaining a lock nut of a loosening prevention coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A illustrates a portion of a downstream end engaging groove (45) and FIG. 5B illustrates a portion of an upstream end engaging groove (44).

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5b, a loosening prevention coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first connecting pipe (1), a second connecting pipe (2), a tightening bolt (3), a lock nut (4), and a spiral coil spring (5), and is characterized in that it is configured so that both pipes (not shown) or hoses (not shown) connected to each other cannot loosen in the loosening direction, thereby maintaining a stable fastening state, and at the same time, when loosening is required, can be easily performed in the loosening direction to separate them. Hereinafter, pipes or hoses are collectively referred to as pipes.

[0034] The first connecting pipe (1) is formed with a connection port (12) of a connecting pipe (11) formed in the shape of a short pipe so as to be connected to one side of the pipes that are connected to each other.

[0035] The connection port (12) is a part that is hermetically connected to the connection port (22) of the second connecting pipe (2) described later, and there are no special restrictions on its shape or structure, but in this embodiment, it is composed of a ring-shaped connection port in which a first ring portion (121), a second ring portion (122), a third ring portion (123), and a fourth ring portion (124) of different diameters are formed in succession.

[0036] The second connecting pipe (2) is formed in the form of a short pipe so that it can be connected to the other pipe among the two connecting pipes, and a connection port (22) is formed at the end of the connecting pipe (21).

[0037] The connection port (22) of the second connecting pipe (2) is formed in the same shape as the connection port (12) of the first connecting pipe (1). In order to maintain airtightness while the connection ports (12, 22) of the first connecting pipe (1) and the second connecting pipe (2) are connected to each other, a sealing member (7) in the shape of a circular cap is installed.

[0038] The tightening bolt (3) is a component having a similar shape to a bolt that is fastened to a lock nut (4), and has a bolt head (31) formed on one side and a male screw portion (32) formed on the other side, while a hollow hole (33) is formed in the inner center into which a first connecting pipe (1) is inserted.

[0039] The lock nut (4) is a component that is fastened to the tightening bolt (3) to seal the connection ports of the first connecting pipe (1) and the second connecting pipe (2) tightly against each other, and is formed to have an external structure that is approximately similar to a hexagonal nut.

[0040] The lock nut (4) has a threaded area (42) in which threads are formed in a certain range on the inner surface, a non-threaded area (43) in which threads are not formed, and a connecting portion (41a) in which the connecting ports (12, 22) of the first connecting pipe (1) and the second connecting pipe (2) are received.

[0041] In addition, the lock nut (4) has an entry thread portion (41b) formed of female threads so that the entry-side male threads of the male thread portion (32) are screwed together first before the male thread portion (32) of the tightening bolt enters the non-threaded area (43) inside the lowest side (based on Figure 3) of the nut body (4a).

[0042] To explain more specifically, the lock nut (4) is formed in order from the bottom to the top in the direction of entry of the tightening bolt (3) as shown in Fig. 3, including an entry screw portion (41b), a non-threaded area portion (43), a threaded area portion (42), and a connecting portion (41a). Here, it is preferable that the entry screw portion (41b) be formed with three or fewer female threads so that the male thread portion (32) can be caught when it is initially entered, and the threaded area portion (42) performs the function of maintaining a fastened state with the lock nut, so it is preferable that a greater number of female threads be formed compared to the entry screw portion (41b).

[0043] The non-threaded area (43) is an area formed with a larger inner diameter than the threaded area (42) and has the characteristic of being formed on the upstream side in the entry direction of the tightening bolt (3). In this way, the non-threaded area (43) must be formed in the entry direction of the tightening bolt to perform smooth tightening and release blocking operations of the tightening bolt. The non-threaded area (43) has a step (43a) formed at the boundary with the threaded area (42). Here, the upstream side means the front part (entry part) into which the tightening bolt enters when fastening with the tightening bolt (3), and may also be referred to as the bolt entry side.

[0044] The threaded area (42) is a configuration that means a predetermined area where threads are formed, and is formed on the downstream side in the direction of advancement of the tightening bolt (3) that is connected to the non-threaded area (42) when the tightening bolt (b) is fastened to the inner surface of the nut body (4a). Here, the downstream side means the rear flow part from which the tightening bolt advances when fastened with the tightening bolt, and may also be referred to as the tightening bolt advance side.

[0045] The spiral coil spring (5) is built into the lock nut (4) as a component to prevent unintentional loosening of the tightening bolt (3) and lock nut (4).

[0046] The above spiral coil spring (5) is wound in a spiral shape as shown in Fig. 4 and has an upstream end bend (52) that is bent diametrically outwardly and hooked in the direction of entry of the tightening bolt (3) of the spiral winding portion (51) arranged in the non-threaded area, and a downstream end bend (53) that is bent diametrically outwardly and hooked in the direction of exit of the tightening bolt.

[0047] Meanwhile, the above non-screw area (43) has an upper end engaging groove (44) in which an upper end bend (52) is accommodated and a lower end engaging groove (45) in which a lower end bend (53) is accommodated.

[0048] The upper end engaging groove (44) is formed in the shape of a long groove along the outer circumference at the lower end in the direction of entry of the tightening bolt (3) of the lock nut (4) so ​​that an upper end engaging protrusion (44a) is provided to engage the upper end bend (52) inserted therein.

[0049] The upper end engaging groove (44) is formed as an open cut groove that is cut opposite to the lower end engaging groove (45) at the bottom of the lock nut (4).

[0050] Meanwhile, the downstream end engaging groove (45) is formed in the shape of a long groove along the outer periphery of the lock nut so that the downstream end bend (53) is inserted and engaged.

[0051] The above downstream end engaging groove (45) has a downstream end engaging groove (46) that is inserted in the direction of advancement of the tightening bolt (3) so that a downstream end bending portion (53) is inserted into one end thereof to engage, a detachment prevention step (47) that protrudes in contact with the downstream end engaging groove (46), and a sliding cam surface (48) that is formed to slope downward from the detachment prevention step (47).

[0052] In the above non-screw area (43), a downstream entry cut groove (49) is formed so that it is cut from the lower end of the lock nut (4) to communicate with the downstream engagement groove (46) so that the downstream bend section (52) can enter the inside of the downstream engagement groove (45).

[0053] Hereinafter, the operation of an anti-loosening coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described.

[0054] The attached drawing 6 is a drawing showing the main parts separated to explain the operation of the anti-loosening coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a drawing for explaining the state of the spiral coil spring during the tightening operation of the tightening bolt (3), and (b) is a drawing for explaining the state of the spiral coil spring that blocks unintended loosening operation during the tightening and releasing operation of the tightening bolt (3).

[0055] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a loosening prevention coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a drawing for explaining the state of the downstream short bend (53) during a tightening operation of the tightening bolt (3), and (b) is a drawing for explaining the state of the downstream short bend (53) during a tightening release operation of the tightening bolt (3).

[0056] Referring to part (a) of Fig. 6, a spiral coil spring (5) is built into the non-threaded area (43) of the lock nut (4), and a tightening operation is performed in which the male screw portion (32) of the tightening bolt (3) is positioned on the entry screw portion (41b) and rotated in the tightening direction (fastening direction) so as to enter the non-threaded area (43) of the lock nut (4) and fastened toward the threaded area (42). When this tightening operation is performed, when the male screw portion (32) enters the non-threaded area (43), the downstream end bend portion (53) is caught in the downstream end engaging groove (46), so that the spiral winding portion (51) of the spiral coil spring (5) is deformed to be elastically expanded by the friction of the male screw portion (32) and maintains an expanded state, thereby enabling the bolt to enter. In this state, the tightening direction rotation motion of the tightening bolt (3) is performed a set number of times so that the screw portion (32) is stably fastened to the screw thread area (42), thereby completing the assembly with the lock nut (4).

[0057] In this way, when the tightening operation of the tightening bolt (3) is completed, if an external force (reverse rotational force) is applied in the direction of releasing the tightening bolt (3) or lock nut (4) due to vibration, impact, or incorrect operation as shown in (b) of FIG. 6, the downstream end bending portion (53) is drawn into the downstream end engaging groove (46) and is caught and fixed as shown in (a) of FIG. 7, so that the frictional force with the male screw portion (32) of the tightening bolt (3) is applied to the spiral winding portion (51), and its inner diameter is reduced (contracted) and the spiral winding portion (51) is seated on the male screw portion (32) and applies an elastic compressive force, so that rotation in the direction of releasing the tightening bolt (3) or lock nut (4) becomes impossible, and the tightened state of the tightening bolt and lock nut also does not loosen, thereby preventing problems caused by accidental or unintentional loosening. It can be prevented in advance.

[0058] Meanwhile, the anti-loosening coupler according to the present invention can conveniently release the fastening state through a simple operation without artificially damaging the coupler in the event of maintenance or an emergency.

[0059] When performing a release operation of the anti-loosening coupler, a tool (not shown) such as a spanner is placed on the bolt head (31) of the tightening bolt (3) and an operating force of a predetermined size or more is applied in the direction of the arrow in (b) of Fig. 7, so that the downstream end bending portion (53) passes over the anti-loosening bump (47) that has come off from the downstream end engaging groove (46), slides on the sliding cam surface (48), and then is positioned in the downstream end engaging groove (45).

[0060] In this way, when the downstream end bend (53) is positioned in the downstream end engaging groove (45), the engaging state is released, the restraining force is no longer applied, and when the tightening bolt (3) is rotated in the releasing direction, the upstream end bend (52) of the spiral coil spring (5) rotates to the upstream end engaging protrusion (44a) and stops, and the spiral winding portion (51) expands, so that a smooth releasing direction rotational motion can be performed. By stably performing this releasing direction rotational motion of the tightening bolt a predetermined number of times, it can be separated from the lock nut (4).

[0061] Although the configuration and operation of the anti-loosening coupler according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this is exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the above-described embodiments can be substituted and modified without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0062] Therefore, it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention extends to the invention described in the patent claims and equivalents thereof.

[0063] The present invention is applied to a loosening prevention coupler that can maintain a stable connection state so that both pipes cannot be loosened, and can easily perform a loosening operation when release is required, but is not limited thereto and can be compatiblely applied to various connecting means that require a loosening prevention function.

Claims

1. A first connecting pipe connected to one side of the pipe and having a connection port formed at the end; A second connecting pipe connected to the other side pipe and having a connection port formed at the end; A tightening bolt having a bolt head formed on one side and a male screw formed on the other side and a hollow hole formed into which the first connecting tube is inserted; A lock nut fastened to the tightening bolt to seal the connection ports of the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe tightly together; and A loosening prevention coupler characterized by including a spiral coil spring built into the lock nut to prevent unintended loosening of the tightening bolt and the lock nut.

2. In paragraph 1, The above lock nut has a non-threaded area in which threads are not formed in a predetermined range on the inner surface based on the entry direction of the tightening bolt, a threaded area in which threads are formed in a predetermined range on the inner surface continuously from the non-threaded area, and a connection area in which the connection ports of the first and second connecting pipes are received, wherein the non-threaded area is formed with a structure having a larger inner diameter than the threaded area, A loosening prevention coupler characterized in that the above spiral coil spring includes a spiral winding portion that is wound in a spiral shape and arranged in the non-threaded area, an upstream end bent portion that is bent diametrically outward at an end of the spiral winding portion in the entry direction of the tightening bolt and is caught by the lock nut, and a downstream end bent portion that is bent diametrically outward at an end of the spiral winding portion in the exit direction of the tightening bolt and is caught by the lock nut.

3. In paragraph 2, The above non-screw area is, An upper end engaging groove formed in the shape of a groove along the outer periphery of the end of the tightening bolt entry direction of the lock nut so that an upper end engaging protrusion is provided by inserting the upper end bending portion; and A loosening prevention coupler characterized by including a downstream engaging groove formed in a groove shape along the outer periphery of the lock nut so that the downstream bending portion is inserted and engaged.

4. In paragraph 3, A loosening prevention coupler characterized in that the non-threaded area includes a downstream end engaging groove into which the downstream end bending portion is inserted and engaged at one end of the downstream end engaging groove, a detachment prevention step portion protruding in contact with the downstream end engaging groove, and a sliding cam surface formed to slope downward from the detachment prevention step portion.

5. In paragraph 4, A loosening prevention coupler characterized in that the non-threaded area further includes a downstream entry cut groove cut from the lower end of the lock nut toward the downstream end engaging groove so that the downstream end bending portion can enter the inside of the downstream end engaging groove.

6. In paragraph 5, A loosening prevention coupler characterized in that the upper end engaging groove is formed as an open cut groove facing the lower end engaging groove at the bottom of the lock nut.

7. In paragraph 3, The above lock nut is a loosening prevention coupler characterized in that an entry thread portion is formed with a female thread so that the male thread portion of the tightening bolt is first screwed in before entering the non-threaded area portion.

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