Connector

Abstract

A pipe (3) is inserted into a hollow path (10a) of a connector body (10) and locked to a retainer (20). Left and right retaining parts (25) and left and right locking legs (22) extend downward from left and right side parts of a base part (21) of the retainer (20). The left and right locking legs (22) are elastically deformable in the radial direction of the pipe (3) in front of the left and right retaining parts (25). Left and right slits (26) are provided between the front and rear of the left and right retaining parts (25) and the left and right locking legs (22). The left and right detection claws (23) of the left and right locking legs (22) abut with a bulge (5) in a radially open state. The left and right locking claws (24) protrude frontward from the left and right locking legs (22). The connector body (10) includes: a first restriction surface (15a) that restricts the upward movement of the locking claws (24) when the retainer (20) is at the temporary locking position; a second restriction surface (15b) that restricts the downward movement of the locking claws (24); and guide grooves (15) that allow the locking claws (24) to move in the radial direction when the locking legs (22) are elastically deformed.

Description

Connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector for pipe connection.

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 7228541 and International Publication No. 2024 / 014141 disclose a connector used for pipe connection. The connector has a cylindrical connector body and a retainer movably connected to the connector body. A hollow passage into which a pipe can be inserted is formed inside the connector body. Near the tip of the pipe, a bulge protruding radially outward is provided. The retainer is held at a temporary locking position before the pipe is inserted. The pipe is inserted into the hollow passage until the bulge moves to the back side of the retainer relative to the connector body, and the retainer is moved from the temporary locking position to the main locking position. Thereby, the bulge is prevented from coming off by the retainer that has moved to the main locking position. Thus, the pipe is locked to the connector body.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7228541 discloses a two-action type connector in which the retainer is manually moved from the temporary locking position to the main locking position after inserting the pipe into the connector body. The retainer is U-shaped with an opening downward when viewed from the insertion direction (front-rear direction) of the pipe. The retainer has an upper base portion and left and right locking legs extending downward from both left and right sides of the base portion substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the pipe. The left and right locking legs are each divided into a front leg and a rear leg by a slit. By providing the slit, each of the front leg and the rear leg can be pressed against the inner wall surface of the connector body in the front-rear direction.

[0004] In the connector disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7228541, there is a laborious process of manually moving the retainer. Also, it is necessary to confirm that the pipe has been inserted into the hollow passage up to the position where the bulge is prevented from coming off before moving the retainer. Further, depending on the arrangement of the connector, it may be difficult for an operator to insert a hand to manually move the retainer.

[0005] International Publication No. 2024 / 014141 discloses a one-action connector in which the retainer automatically moves from a temporary locking position to a permanent locking position when a pipe is inserted into the connector body. The U-shaped retainer has an upper base, left and right locking legs extending downward from both sides of the base, and left and right retaining parts extending downward from both sides of the base at the rear (front side in the insertion direction) of the left and right locking legs. The left and right retaining parts are each connected to the left and right locking legs in the front-rear direction. Each of the left and right locking legs is provided with a detection claw that contacts the pipe body of the pipe. When the pipe is inserted, the detection claw contacts the pipe body, causing the left and right locking legs to expand radially outward from the pipe.

[0006] Each of the left and right locking legs is provided with a locking claw that engages with a guide groove on the connector body. Until the bulge reaches the space between the left and right detection claws, the engagement between the guide groove and the locking claw restricts the retainer's movement from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position. When the bulge reaches the space between the left and right detection claws, the left and right locking legs open widely radially outward, and the locking claws are guided by the guide groove and become able to move downward. The retainer automatically moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position using the elastic energy accumulated when the left and right locking legs open radially outward. The retaining part restricts the bulge's movement backward.

[0007] The connector body disclosed in International Publication No. 2024 / 014141 has a radial (left-right) gap between the left and right locking legs to allow the left and right locking legs to be elastically deformed radially outward and radially inward. The connector body also has a front-rear gap between it and the retainer to allow the locking claws to be inserted into the guide grooves and assembled to the temporary locking position. Due to these left-right and front-rear gaps, there is play in the left-right and front-rear directions of the retainer relative to the connector body. This play may cause the retainer to unintentionally move from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, or the play may cause the retainer to unintentionally come out of the connector body from the temporary locking position.

[0008] Therefore, a connector is needed that can automatically move the retainer from its temporary locking position to its permanent locking position when a pipe is inserted, while restricting unintentional movement of the retainer from its temporary locking position.

[0009] According to one feature of this disclosure, a connector for pipe connection comprises a connector body and a retainer. The connector body has a hollow passage. The retainer locks a pipe, which is inserted into the hollow passage from rear to front, to the connector body. The retainer has a base, left and right retaining parts, and left and right locking legs. The base extends in the left and right direction. The left and right retaining parts extend downward from both the left and right sides of the base and are inserted into the connector body, restricting the pipe bulge from coming out to the rear. The left and right locking legs extend downward from both the left and right sides of the base in front of the left and right retaining parts and are inserted into the connector body, and are elastically deformable in the radial direction of the pipe. Left and right slits are provided between the left and right retaining parts and the left and right locking legs in the front-rear direction. Each of the left and right locking legs is provided with left and right sensing claws that contact the bulge when the left and right locking legs are radially open during pipe insertion. Left and right locking claws are provided that protrude in the front-rear direction from the left and right locking legs. The connector body has a first restricting surface, a second restricting surface, and guide grooves. The first restricting surface restricts the upward movement of the locking claws, holding the retainer in a temporary locking position. The second restricting surface restricts the movement of the locking claws from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position below. The left and right guide grooves are provided between the first and second restricting surfaces and allow radial movement of the left and right locking claws when the left and right locking legs undergo elastic deformation.

[0010] Therefore, by providing slits on both sides, the left and right locking legs can be elastically deformed, preventing the left and right retaining parts from elastically deforming. As a result, the gap between the left and right retaining parts and the connector body can be made extremely small. This suppresses play in the retainer relative to the connector body. This prevents the left and right locking claws from unintentionally moving left or right from the temporary locking position in the guide groove and exceeding the first or second restricting surface. Thus, it is possible to prevent the retainer from unintentionally moving from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position or from coming out of the connector body. Moreover, when the pipe is inserted, the left and right detection claws contact the bulge of the pipe, for example, in the vertical direction at approximately the same height as the axis of the pipe, causing the left and right locking legs to undergo a large elastic deformation in the radial direction of the pipe. As a result, the retainer can be automatically moved from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position by utilizing a large amount of elastic energy.

[0011] According to other features of this disclosure, the connector body is located between the left and right retaining portions and has columns adjacent to each of the left and right retaining portions. The left and right locking legs are further away from the columns than the left and right retaining portions. Therefore, the adjacency of the left and right retaining portions to the columns suppresses lateral play of the retainer relative to the connector body. This prevents the retainer from unintentionally moving from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position or from coming out of the connector body. Moreover, the left and right locking legs have an elastically deformable gap between them and the columns. This allows sufficient elastic energy to be accumulated in the left and right locking legs to automatically move the retainer from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position when a pipe is inserted.

[0012] According to other features of this disclosure, the connector body has a guide inclined surface that slopes forward and upward above the first restricting surface. When the retainer is inserted into the connector body and moves to the temporary locking position, the locking claws contact the guide inclined surface, causing the locking legs to elastically deform backward, guiding the locking claws to the temporary locking position below the first restricting surface. Therefore, when assembling the retainer to the connector body, the locking legs can be bent backward using the slit and the guide inclined surface. This allows the locking claws to move beyond the first restricting surface and into the guide groove. As the locking legs elastically return to their natural state, the locking claws that have moved to the temporary locking position in the guide groove are restricted from moving upward beyond the first restricting surface. This prevents the retainer from coming out of the connector body from the temporary locking position.

[0013] According to other features of this disclosure, the connector body has left and right walls adjacent to the outer surfaces of the left and right retaining portions. The left and right locking legs are positioned further away from the left and right walls than the left and right retaining portions. Therefore, the outer surfaces of the left and right retaining portions are adjacent to the left and right walls, which suppresses lateral play of the retainer relative to the connector body. This prevents the retainer from unintentionally moving from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position or from coming out of the connector body. Moreover, the left and right locking legs have an elastically deformable gap between them and the left and right walls. This allows sufficient elastic energy to be accumulated in the left and right locking legs to automatically move the retainer from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position when a pipe is inserted.

[0014] According to other features of this disclosure, the left and right locking claws extend forward from each of the left and right locking legs. The retainer has left and right protrusions that extend forward from each of the left and right locking legs above the left and right locking claws. The left and right protrusions face the front wall of the connector body in the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position. Therefore, by providing left and right protrusions that project forward in the same direction as the extension of the left and right locking claws, the play of the retainer in the front-rear direction relative to the connector body can be suppressed. As a result, for example, when inserting a pipe, it is possible to prevent the retainer from tilting in the front-rear direction relative to the connector body. This prevents the retainer from unintentionally coming out of the connector body in the temporary locking position.

[0015] According to other features of this disclosure, the left and right contact portions provided on each of the left and right detection claws, which contact the bulge, are at approximately the same height as the axis of the pipe in the vertical direction when in the temporary locking position. Therefore, when the bulge passes between the left and right detection claws, the left and right locking legs open until the distance between the left and right contact portions is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the bulge. As a result, greater elastic energy can be stored in the left and right locking legs. This allows for greater energy to be automatically moved from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

[0016] This is an overall perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. This is an overall perspective view of the retainer when it is in the permanent locking position. This is an exploded perspective view of the connector. This is a cross-sectional view of the connector body taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3. This is a front view of the retainer. This is a left side view of the retainer. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Figure 8. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in Figure 8 when the retainer moves to the temporary locking position. This is a rear view cross-sectional view when the detection claw contacts the pipe body. This is a rear view cross-sectional view when the detection claw contacts the bulge. This is a rear view cross-sectional view when the retainer is in the permanent locking position. This is a rear view cross-sectional view of the connector according to the second embodiment when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. This is a rear view cross-sectional view when the retainer moves to the temporary locking position. This is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the third embodiment. This is a rear view cross-sectional view when the retainer is in the temporary locking position. This is a cross-sectional view from the rear of the connector retainer according to the fourth embodiment when it is in the temporary locking position. This is a cross-sectional view from the rear of the connector retainer according to the fifth embodiment when it is in the temporary locking position. This is a cross-sectional view from the rear of the connector retainer according to the sixth embodiment when it is in the temporary locking position.

[0017] One embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. As shown in Figure 1, the connector 1 has a substantially rectangular box-shaped connector body 10 and a retainer 20 that is movably mounted on the connector body 10. The connector body 10 is integrally mounted on an elbow-shaped tube portion 2. The tube portion 2 has a pipe connection portion 2a at one end to which the connector body 10 is mounted, and a tube connection portion 2b at the other end. A tube (not shown) is connected to the tube connection portion 2b. For example, the tube connection portion 2b is inserted into the end of the tube.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, a hollow passage 10a is formed in the center of the connector body 10, penetrating in the front-to-back direction. The pipe 3 can be inserted into the hollow passage 10a. The pipe 3 is attached to the connector body 10 by holding the pipe 3 inserted into the hollow passage 10a with the retainer 20. In this way, the pipe 3, the pipe section 2, and the tube are fluidly connected as a single flow path. In the following description, the far side of the pipe 3 in the insertion direction is referred to as the front, and the near side of the pipe in the insertion direction is referred to as the rear. The vertical direction is defined by the direction of movement of the retainer 20, with the temporary locking position of the retainer 20 being the upper side and the permanent locking position of the retainer 20 being the lower side. The left-right direction is defined by the orientation of the pipe 3 as viewed from the near side in the insertion direction. The vertical, front-to-back, left-to-right directions are directions for the convenience of explanation and do not specify, for example, the orientation of the connector 1 in its assembled state.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the pipe 3 has a cylindrical pipe body 4 with a tip 4a. Behind the tip 4a, a bulge 5 is provided that extends radially outward from the outer surface of the pipe body 4. The bulge 5 is ring-shaped and extends around the entire circumference of the pipe 3. The pipe body 4 and the bulge 5 are integrally formed from a metal such as aluminum. A flow channel is formed in the center of the pipe body 4, penetrating in the front-to-back direction.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the connector body 10 has a rear wall 11 and a front wall 12 that are substantially parallel to each other. The rear wall 11 and the front wall 12 are both substantially rectangular flat plates that extend substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The rear wall 11 and the front wall 12 are connected front to back via left and right walls 13. The connector body 10 is integrally formed from, for example, synthetic resin. A circular rear opening 11a is provided in the center of the rear wall 11, penetrating in the front-rear direction. The rear opening 11a is provided with a diameter that allows the bulge 5 to pass through. A circular front opening 12a is provided in the center of the front wall 12, penetrating in the front-rear direction. The front opening 12a is provided with a diameter that allows the tip 4a of the pipe body 4 to pass through but prevents the bulge 5 from passing through. The rear opening 11a and the front opening 12a are coaxially aligned on the axis J of the pipe 3 to be inserted.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the hollow passage 10a of the connector body 10 is formed between the rear opening 11a and the front opening 12a. The upper ends of the rear wall 11, the front wall 12, and the left and right walls 13 work together to form an upper opening 10b into which the retainer 20 can be inserted from above downwards. An upward overhang 12b (see Figure 3) is provided on the upper part of the front wall 12, extending upwards. The upper end of the upward overhang 12b is at approximately the same height as the upper end of the base 21 of the retainer 20 in the temporary locking position. As a result, even if a worker tries to move the retainer 20 to the permanent locking position by pushing the upward overhang 12b together with the upper end of the base 21 of the retainer 20 in the temporary locking position with their fingers, the upward overhang 12b will brace itself and prevent the retainer 20 from moving. Currently, various types of connectors equipped with retainers are available, and there are many types of pipe assembly work methods. For example, there are two methods of assembly: one in which the retainer is manually pushed towards the locking position with fingers after inserting the pipe, and another in which the retainer automatically moves to the locking position when the pipe is inserted, as in this disclosure. It is assumed that assembly workers routinely push the retainer while working, regardless of the method used. Even in such cases, by providing the upper protrusion 12b as needed, it is possible to prevent the retainer 20 from unintentionally moving to the locking position.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the upper part of the connector body 10 is provided with a column 14 that connects the rear wall 11 and the front wall 12 in the front-rear direction. The column 14 includes a left column 14a and a right column 14b, which are arranged approximately symmetrically. As shown in Figure 8, the left locking leg 22 and retaining part 25 of the retainer 20, which will be described later, are inserted between the left column 14a and the left wall 13a in the left-right direction. The right locking leg 22 and retaining part 25 of the retainer 20 are inserted between the right column 14b and the right wall 13b in the left-right direction. In other words, the left and right columns 14 are arranged between the left and right locking legs 22 and the left and right retaining parts 25 in the left-right direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 8, the rear of the left and right walls 13 is provided with left and right stepped portions 13c that protrude inward in the left and right direction. Due to the left and right stepped portions, the rear of the upper opening 10b is narrower in the left and right direction than the front. The left and right retaining portions 25 of the retainer 20, which will be described later, are inserted between the left and right stepped portions 13c. The left and right locking legs 22 of the retainer 20 are inserted into the connector body 10 in front of the left and right stepped portions 13c.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, guide grooves 15 are provided on the rear surface of the front wall 12. The guide grooves 15 are arranged approximately symmetrically. The guide grooves 15 serve as paths that guide the left and right locking claws 24, which will be described later, from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the guide groove 15 has a first restricting surface 15a, a second restricting surface 15b, a guide surface 15c, and an upright surface 15d. The left guide groove 15 will be described below, but the right guide groove 15 has a similar structure that is approximately symmetrical. The upper right end of the guide groove 15 extends to the outer edge of the hollow passage 10a. The first restricting surface 15a extends approximately horizontally in a planar manner from the upper right end of the guide groove 15 toward the left. The direction perpendicular to the surface of the first restricting surface 15a faces downward. The first restricting surface 15a is provided at approximately the same height as the axis J of the pipe 3 (see Figure 7) in the vertical direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the second restricting surface 15b extends approximately horizontally in a planar manner from the upper right end of the guide groove 15 toward the left. The direction perpendicular to the surface of the second restricting surface 15b is upward. The second restricting surface 15b extends approximately parallel to the first restricting surface 15a. The second restricting surface 15b has a gap between it and the first restricting surface 15a in the vertical direction that allows the locking claw 24, described later, to be inserted and that allows the locking claw 24 to move in the left-right direction. In other words, the vertical distance between the first restricting surface 15a and the second restricting surface 15b is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the vertical length of the locking claw 24.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the guide surface 15c extends in a planar manner downward and to the left from the left end of the first restricting surface 15a. The inclination angle of the guide surface 15c with respect to the first restricting surface 15a is, for example, 40° to 50°, and for example, 45°. The upright surface 15d extends in a planar manner approximately downward from the left end of the second restricting surface 15b. The upright surface 15d is slightly inclined to the right toward the downward. A gap is provided between the guide surface 15c and the second restricting surface 15b or the upright surface 15d, through which the locking claw 24, described later, can pass. The lower end of the upright surface 15d is connected to a locking surface 16 that holds the locking claw 24 in the locking position. The locking surface 16 extends in a planar manner approximately horizontally toward the right from the lower end of the upright surface 15d.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, a guide inclined surface 17 is provided on the rear surface of the front wall 12. The guide inclined surface 17 is located above the first restricting surface 15a, on the opposite side from the direction of the permanent locking position. The guide inclined surface 17 is rectangular when viewed from the rear, and its width is approximately the same as the distance from the right end of the first restricting surface 15a to the left end of the guide surface 15c. As shown in Figure 10, the guide inclined surface 17 is a planar shape that slopes backward from top to bottom. The inclination angle of the guide inclined surface 17 with respect to the first restricting surface 15a is, for example, 30° to 60°, and for example, 45°. The guide inclined surface 17 guides the locking claw 24 when the retainer 20 is inserted into the connector body 10 from top to bottom and moved to the temporary locking position.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the retainer 20 is substantially U-shaped, having a base 21, left and right locking legs 22, and left and right retaining parts 25. The retainer 20 is integrally formed and is made of, for example, a relatively elastic synthetic resin. The base 21 extends in a flat plate shape in the left-right direction at the top of the retainer 20. The left and right locking legs 22 extend downward from both the left and right sides of the base 21. The left and right retaining parts 25 extend downward from both the left and right sides of the base 21 behind the left and right locking legs 22. A slit 26 extending in the vertical direction is provided between the left locking leg 22 and the left retaining part 25 in the front-rear direction. A slit 26 extending in the vertical direction is provided between the right locking leg 22 and the right retaining part 25 in the front-rear direction. By providing the slits 26, the locking legs 22 can be elastically deformed independently of the retaining parts 25 in the left-right or front-rear direction.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, a plate-shaped central retaining portion 21a is provided in the center of the base portion 21, extending downward. The central retaining portion 21a is provided at approximately the same front-to-back position as the retaining portion 25. A forward projection portion 21b (see Figure 9) is provided, which is bent in an L-shape forward from the lower end of the central retaining portion 21a. The amount of forward projection of the forward projection portion 21b is approximately the same as that of the forward projection portion 25e, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 13, the central retaining portion 21a is located radially outward of the pipe body 4 and faces the rear surface of the bulge 5 when the retainer 20 has moved to the permanent locking position. By providing the forward projection portion 21b and the forward projection portion 25e, if the bulge 5 is not inserted to the correct position, the forward projection portion 21b and the forward projection portion 25e will interfere with the bulge 5, causing the retainer 20 to be positioned between the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position, and preventing it from moving to the permanent locking position. Therefore, it can also function as a check mechanism.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the retaining portion 25 is a flat plate extending in the vertical and horizontal directions. A tapered surface 25d is provided extending upward and backward from the lower end 25a of the retaining portion 25. The inner surface 25b and outer surface 25c of the retaining portion 25 in the horizontal direction extend in a planar manner, substantially parallel to each other. A forward projection portion 25e is provided on the inner surface 25b side of the retaining portion 25. The amount of forward projection of the forward projection portion 25e is substantially the same as that of the forward projection portion 21b described above. As shown in Figure 13, the retaining portion 25 is located radially outward of the pipe body 4 when the retainer 20 is moved to the main locking position and faces the rear surface of the bulge 5. The retaining portion 25 and the central retaining portion 21a work together to prevent the bulge 5 from coming out backward and to prevent the pipe 3 from coming out of the connector 1.

[0032] As shown in Figure 8, the inner surface 25b of the retaining portion 25 is adjacent to the outer surface 14c of the column 14 of the connector body 10 in the left-right direction. The inner surface 25b of the retaining portion 25 is positioned in sliding contact with or with a small gap from the outer surface 14c of the column 14. The distance in the left-right direction between the inner surface 25b of the retaining portion 25 and the outer surface 14c of the column 14 is maintained at approximately constant levels at all stages from when the retainer 20 is positioned in the temporary locking position until it moves to and is held in the permanent locking position. The outer surface 25c of the retaining portion 25 is adjacent to the stepped portion 13c of the left and right walls 13 in the left-right direction. The outer surface 25c of the retaining portion 25 is positioned in sliding contact with or with a small gap from the stepped portion 13c. The distance in the left-right direction between the outer surface 25c of the retaining portion 25 and the stepped portion 13c is maintained at approximately constant levels at all stages from when the retainer 20 is positioned in the temporary locking position until it moves to and is held in the permanent locking position.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the locking legs 22 extend vertically approximately perpendicular to the base 21 in their natural state. The locking legs 22 have a tip 22a on their lower end. The tip 22a is located inside the connector body 10 when the retainer 20 is in the temporary locking position, and protrudes downward from the connector body 10 when the retainer 20 is in the permanent locking position (see Figure 13). The tip 22a can be operated to release the retaining mechanism for the pipe 3. The tip 22a has a handle portion with a stepped anti-slip surface formed on its inner circumference. By pushing the handle portion outward in the left-right direction, the left and right locking legs 22 are expanded when in the permanent locking position. In this way, the engagement between the left and right locking claws 24 and the locking surface 16 can be released.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, the inner surface 22b and outer surface 22c of the locking leg 22 extend in a planar manner, substantially parallel to each other. The inner surface 22b of the locking leg 22 is located outward in the left-right direction compared to the inner surface 25b of the retaining portion 25. The outer surface 22c of the locking leg 22 is at approximately the same left-right position as the outer surface 25c of the retaining portion 25 when the locking leg 22 is in its natural state.

[0035] As shown in Figure 8, the inner surface 22b of the locking leg 22 is further away from the outer surface 14c of the column 14 of the connector body 10 than the inner surface 25b of the retaining portion 25 in the left-right direction. The outer surface 22c of the locking leg 22 has a wider gap between it and the left and right walls 13 in the left-right direction than the gap between the outer surface 25c of the retaining portion 25 and the stepped portion 13c. Therefore, the locking leg 22 can be elastically deformed in both the left-right and right-outward directions, with the upper part connected to the base portion 21 as the pivot point. The gap between the inner surface 22b of the locking leg 22 and the outer surface 14c of the column 14, and the gap between the outer surface 22c of the locking leg 22 and the left and right walls 13 are set so that the locking leg 22 does not interfere with the column 14 or the left and right walls 13 during elastic deformation when the retainer 20 is assembled to the connector body 10, and until the retainer 20 moves from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, a detection claw 23 is provided at the tip of the locking leg 22 above the tip 22a, projecting inward in the left-right direction. The detection claw 23 contacts the pipe body 4 or bulge 5 (see Figures 11 and 12). The left and right detection claws 23 contact the pipe body 4 or bulge 5 at their left and right contact portions 23b. The contact portions 23b are aligned at approximately the same height as the axis J of the pipe 3 to be inserted in the vertical direction. The detection claw 23 is located below the lower end 25a of the retaining portion 25. The detection claw 23 has an inclined surface 23a that faces rearward and inward in the left-right direction. The inclination direction of the inclined surface 23a is toward the center of the retainer 20 in the left-right direction toward the front (see Figures 8 and 9). The inclined surface 23a extends almost vertically with little inclination in the vertical direction.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the locking leg 22 has a locking claw 24 that protrudes forward from the front surface. The locking claw 24 is located at approximately the same vertical position as the upper part of the detection claw 23. The locking claw 24 is rectangular columnar in shape, having an upper surface 24a, a lower surface 24b, an inner surface 24c, and an outer surface 24d. The upper surface 24a and lower surface 24b of the locking claw 24 are planar and extend approximately horizontally from each other. The inner surface 24c of the locking claw 24 is tapered, inclining inward in the left-right direction from top to bottom. The inner surface 24c of the locking claw 24 is located outward in the left-right direction compared to the inner surface 22b of the locking leg 22. The outer surface 24d of the locking claw 24 extends following the outer surface 22c of the locking leg 22. As shown in Figure 10, the locking claw 24 protrudes from the locking leg 22 with a front-to-back length approximately the same as or slightly longer than the groove depth of the guide groove 15.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the lower end of the slit 26 extends to the lower end 25a of the retaining portion 25. The upper end 26a of the slit 26 is located below the base portion 21. When the locking leg 22 and the retaining portion 25 are in their natural state, the slit 26 has a substantially constant front-to-back width from the upper end 26a to the lower end. The locking leg 22 and the retaining portion 25 are independent of each other below the upper end 26a of the slit 26. The locking leg 22 has a protrusion 27 that projects forward from the front. The protrusion 27 is located below the upper end 26a of the slit 26. The protrusion 27 protrudes with a front-to-back length that is substantially the same as the locking claw 24. A tapered surface 27a is provided on the lower side of the protrusion 27, which slopes backward from top to bottom. Providing the tapered surface 27a makes it easier to insert the retainer 20 into the connector body 10 from top to bottom, improving ease of assembly.

[0039] The operation of the retainer 20 when assembled to the connector body 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 7, 8, and 10. First, the retainer 20 is inserted downward from the upper opening 10b of the connector body 10. The retainer 20 is inserted in a position where the tip 22a of the locking leg 22 is positioned downward. When the lower surface 24b of the locking claw 24 comes into contact with the guide inclined surface 17, the locking claw 24 is pushed backward by the guide inclined surface 17 as the retainer 20 is pushed downward. As a result, the lower part of the locking leg 22 bends backward. The locking leg 22 can bend without interfering with the retaining part 25 because there is a slit 26 between it and the retaining part 25 in the front-rear direction. During this time, the retaining part 25 hardly undergoes elastic deformation. As a result, the retaining part 25 is guided by the outer surface 14c of the column 14 and the stepped portion 13c of the left and right walls 13 and moves straight downward.

[0040] Further pushing the retainer 20 downwards causes the locking claw 24 to move beyond the lower end of the guide inclined surface 17 to approximately the same vertical position as the guide groove 15. When the upper surface 24a of the locking claw 24 crosses the first restricting surface 15a, the locking leg 22, which had been bent backward, returns to its natural state, and the locking claw 24 moves forward and enters the guide groove 15. The upper surface 24a of the locking claw 24 that has entered the guide groove 15 faces the first restricting surface 15a. The lower surface 24b of the locking claw 24 faces the second restricting surface 15b. Thus, the retainer 20 is held in the temporary locking position. The locking claw 24 is restricted from moving upward from the temporary locking position in the guide groove 15 beyond the first restricting surface 15a. The locking claw 24 is also restricted from moving downward from the temporary locking position beyond the second restricting surface 15b to the permanent locking position.

[0041] Furthermore, the inner surface 25b of the retaining portion 25 is adjacent to the outer surface 14c of the column 14. The outer surface 25c of the retaining portion 25 is adjacent to the stepped portion 13c of the left and right walls 13. As a result, the retainer 20 in the temporary locking position has little play in the left and right direction, and movement in the left and right direction is restricted. This prevents the locking claw 24 in the temporary locking position from unintentionally moving in the left and right direction and moving to the main locking position below the second restricting surface 15b. In addition, the protrusion 27 of the locking leg 22 is adjacent to the front wall 12. As a result, the retainer 20 in the temporary locking position has little play in the front and back direction, and movement and swinging in the front and back direction are restricted. This prevents the retainer 20 in the temporary locking position from unintentionally tilting in the front and back direction, and prevents the locking claw 24 in the temporary locking position from coming out of the guide groove 15 above the first restricting surface 15a, or moving to the main locking position below the second restricting surface 15b.

[0042] The operation of the retainer 20 when assembling the pipe 3 to the connector body 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. First, when the pipe 3 is inserted into the hollow passage 10a, the tip 4a (see FIG. 1) of the pipe body 4 abuts against the inclined surfaces 23a of the left and right detection claws 23. When the pipe 3 is further inserted forward, as shown in FIG. 11, the left and right detection claws 23 are respectively pushed outward in the left - right direction by the pipe body 4. At this time, the contact portion 23b where the detection claw 23 contacts the pipe body 4 is located at substantially the same vertical position as the axis J of the pipe 3. The left and right locking legs 22 bend so that the distance between them increases toward the lower tip 22a side. Thereby, elastic energy is accumulated in the left and right locking legs 22. On the other hand, the retaining portion 25 does not interfere with the pipe body 4 and does not elastically deform.

[0043] The locking claw 24 moves outward in the left - right direction (outward in the radial direction of the pipe 3) with the upper surface 24a facing the first regulating surface 15a and the lower surface 24b facing the second regulating surface 15b. Since the locking claw 24 has not yet crossed the second regulating surface 15b in the left - right direction, the movement of the retainer 20 to its main locking position remains restricted.

[0044] When the pipe 3 is further inserted forward, as shown in FIG. 12, the bulge 5 pushes the left and right detection claws 23 outward in the left - right direction. Therefore, the bulge 5 can pass forward between the left and right detection claws 23. The left and right locking legs 22 bend so as to further increase the distance between the tips 22a. Thereby, the elastic energy accumulated in the left and right locking legs 22 becomes even greater. At this time, the contact portion 23b where the detection claw 23 contacts the bulge 5 is located at substantially the same vertical position as the axis J of the pipe 3 or slightly below it. The outer surfaces 24d (see FIG. 5) of the left and right locking claws 24 respectively abut against the guide surfaces 15c. The inner surfaces 24c of the left and right locking claws 24 move outward in the left - right direction from the second regulating surface 15b. Thereby, the left and right locking claws 24 are guided by the planar guide surfaces 15c and move downward without being forced and without losing their momentum. Also at this time, the retaining portion 25 does not interfere with the bulge 5 or the pipe body 4 and does not elastically deform.

[0045] Immediately after the bulge 5 reaches the space between the left and right detection claws 23, the force pushing the left and right detection claws 23 outward is released. The left and right locking legs 22 return to their natural state, extending almost vertically from their bent state. The elastic energy accumulated in the left and right locking legs 22 is released, and the upward movement of the left and right locking claws 24 is restricted by the guide surface 15c. As a result, the contact portion 23b moves downward along the outer circumferential surface of the bulge 5, and the locking claws 24 move inward in the left-right direction toward the locking surface 16. As shown in Figure 13, the upper surface 24a of the locking claw 24 comes into contact with the locking surface 16. Thus, the retainer 20 is locked in this locking position. As the bulge 5 moves forward of the retaining portion 25 and the central retaining portion 21a, the retaining portion 25 and the central retaining portion 21a face the rear surface of the bulge 5 in the front-rear direction. This restricts the rearward movement of the pipe 3, preventing it from coming loose from the connector body 10. With the protrusion 27 (see Figure 8) in contact with the front wall 12, the inclination of the retainer 20 in the front-rear direction relative to the connector body 10 is still restricted. Therefore, the retainer 20 in this locked position is prevented from coming loose unintentionally.

[0046] As described above, the connector 1 for pipe connection has a connector body 10 and a retainer 20, as shown in Figures 1, 7, 11, 12, and 13. The connector body 10 has a hollow passage 10a. The retainer 20 locks the pipe 3, which is inserted into the hollow passage 10a from rear to front, to the connector body 10. The retainer 20 has a base 21, left and right retaining parts 25, and left and right locking legs 22. The base 21 extends in the left and right direction. The left and right retaining parts 25 extend downward from both the left and right sides of the base 21 and are inserted into the connector body 10, and restrict the rearward dislodgement of the bulge 5 of the pipe 3. The left and right locking legs 22 extend downward from both the left and right sides of the base 21 in front of the left and right retaining parts 25 and are inserted into the connector body 10, and are elastically deformable in the radial direction of the pipe 3. Left and right slits 26 are provided between the left and right retaining portions 25 and the left and right locking legs 22 in the front-rear direction. Each of the left and right locking legs 22 is provided with left and right detection claws 23 that contact the bulge 5 when the left and right locking legs 22 are opened radially when the pipe 3 is inserted. Left and right locking claws 24 are provided that protrude forward from the left and right locking legs 22. The connector body 10 has a first restricting surface 15a, a second restricting surface 15b and a guide groove 15. The first restricting surface 15a restricts the upward movement of the locking claws 24 and holds the retainer 20 in a temporary locking position. The second restricting surface 15b restricts the movement of the locking claws 24 from the temporary locking position to the lower permanent locking position. The left and right guide grooves 15 are provided between the first regulating surface 15a and the second regulating surface 15b, and allow radial movement of the left and right locking claws 24 when the left and right locking legs 22 undergo elastic deformation.

[0047] Therefore, by providing the left and right slits 26, the left and right locking legs 22 can be elastically deformed so that the left and right retaining portions 25 do not elastically deform. Therefore, the gap between the left and right retaining portions 25 and the connector body 10 can be made extremely small. Therefore, the play of the retainer 20 with respect to the connector body 10 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to regulate the left and right locking claws 24 from inadvertently moving left and right from the temporary locking position in the guide groove 15 and exceeding the first regulating surface 15a or the second regulating surface 15b. Thus, it is possible to regulate the retainer 20 from inadvertently moving from the temporary locking position to the main locking position or coming out of the connector body 10. Moreover, when the pipe 3 is inserted, the left and right detection claws 23 abut against the bulge 5 of the pipe 3 in a state where they are aligned substantially at the same height as the axis J of the pipe 3, for example, in the vertical direction. Therefore, the left and right locking legs 22 are greatly elastically deformed in the radial direction of the pipe 3. Therefore, the retainer 20 can be automatically moved from the temporary locking position to the main locking position by utilizing a large amount of elastic energy.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the connector body 10 is located between the left and right retaining portions 25 and has columns 14 adjacent to each of the left and right retaining portions 25. The left and right locking legs 22 are farther from the columns 14 than the left and right retaining portions 25. Therefore, since the left and right retaining portions 25 are adjacent to the columns 14, the play of the retainer 20 in the left and right directions with respect to the connector body 10 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to regulate the retainer 20 from inadvertently moving from the temporary locking position to the main locking position or coming out of the connector body 10. Moreover, the left and right locking legs 22 have an elastically deformable gap between the left and right walls 13 and the columns 14. As a result, when the pipe 3 is inserted, sufficient elastic energy can be accumulated in the left and right locking legs 22 to automatically move the retainer 20 from the temporary locking position to the main locking position.

[0049] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the connector body 10 has a guide inclined surface 17 that slopes forward and upward above the first restricting surface 15a. When the retainer 20 is inserted into the connector body 10 and moves to the temporary locking position, the locking claw 24 comes into contact with the guide inclined surface 17, causing the locking leg 22 to elastically deform backward, and the locking claw 24 is guided to the temporary locking position below the first restricting surface 15a. Therefore, when assembling the retainer 20 to the connector body 10, the locking leg 22 can be bent backward using the slit 26 and the guide inclined surface 17. This allows the locking claw 24 to move beyond the first restricting surface 15a and into the guide groove 15. As the locking leg 22 elastically returns to its natural state, the locking claw 24 that has moved to the temporary locking position in the guide groove 15 is restricted from moving upward beyond the first restricting surface 15a. This prevents the retainer 20 from coming out of the connector body 10 from the temporary locking position.

[0050] As shown in Figure 8, the connector body 10 has left and right walls 13 adjacent to the outer surfaces 25c of the left and right retaining portions 25. The left and right locking legs 22 are positioned further away from the left and right walls 13 than the left and right retaining portions 25. Therefore, the outer surfaces 25c of the left and right retaining portions 25 are adjacent to the left and right walls 13, which suppresses lateral play of the retainer 20 relative to the connector body 10. This prevents the retainer 20 from unintentionally moving from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position or from coming out of the connector body 10. Moreover, the left and right locking legs 22 have an elastically deformable gap between them and the left and right walls 13. This allows sufficient elastic energy to be accumulated in the left and right locking legs 22 to automatically move the retainer 20 from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position when the pipe 3 is inserted.

[0051] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the left and right locking claws 24 extend forward from each of the left and right locking legs 22. The retainer 20 has left and right protrusions 27 that extend forward from each of the left and right locking legs 22 above the left and right locking claws 24. The left and right protrusions 27 face the front wall 12 of the connector body 10 in the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position. Therefore, by providing left and right protrusions 27 that protrude forward in the same direction as the extension of the left and right locking claws 24, the play of the retainer 20 in the front-rear direction relative to the connector body 10 can be suppressed. As a result, for example, when inserting the pipe 3, the tilting of the retainer 20 in the front-rear direction relative to the connector body 10 can be suppressed.

[0052] As shown in Figure 12, the left and right contact portions 23b, which are provided on each of the left and right detection claws 23 and come into contact with the bulge 5, are at approximately the same height as the axis J of the pipe 3 in the vertical direction when in the temporary locking position. Therefore, when the bulge 5 passes between the left and right detection claws 23, the left and right locking legs 22 open until the distance between the left and right contact portions 23b is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the bulge 5. As a result, greater elastic energy can be stored in the left and right locking legs 22. This makes it possible to increase the energy required to automatically move the retainer 20 from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position.

[0053] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. The connector 30 of the second embodiment has a connector body 31 instead of the connector body 10 shown in Figure 1. In the following description, only parts that differ from the first embodiment will be denoted by different reference numerals and described in detail. As shown in Figure 14, the connector body 31 has a hollow passage 31a that penetrates in the front-rear direction, similar to the hollow passage 10a of the first embodiment, and an upper opening 31b that opens upward (see Figure 7). The retainer 20 can be inserted into the connector body 31 from the upper opening 31b downward.

[0054] As shown in Figure 14, the front wall 12 of the connector body 31 is provided with left and right guide grooves 32. The left and right guide grooves 32 hold the left and right locking claws 24 in a temporary locking position and guide the locking claws 24 toward the guide surface 32c when the locking legs 22 elastically deform outward in the left and right direction during insertion of the pipe 3 (see Figure 1). The second restricting surface 32b, guide surface 32c, and upright surface 32d of the left and right guide grooves 32 are provided with the same shape and arrangement as the second restricting surface 15b, guide surface 15c, and upright surface 15d of the first embodiment (see Figure 7). The first restricting surface 32a is provided at the same vertical position as the first restricting surface 15a of the first embodiment, but differs in that its inner end in the left and right direction is connected to an insertion opening 33a that opens upward.

[0055] As shown in Figure 14, a guide inclined surface 33 is provided on the front wall 12 of the connector body 31. The guide inclined surface 33 extends in a planar shape, inclined outward in the left-right direction upward from the insertion opening 33a. The lower end of the guide inclined surface 33 communicates with the guide groove 32 at the insertion opening 33a. The inclination angle of the guide inclined surface 33 with respect to the first regulating surface 32a is, for example, 50° to 70°, and for example, 60°. The left-right width of the insertion opening 33a is slightly larger than the left-right width of the locking claw 24. The locking claw 24 can be inserted into the guide groove 32 from the insertion opening 33a.

[0056] The operation of the retainer 20 when assembled to the connector body 31 will be explained with reference to Figures 14 and 15. First, the retainer 20 is inserted downward from the upper opening 31b of the connector body 31. The retainer 20 is inserted in a position where the tip 22a of the locking leg 22 is positioned downward. When the lower surface 24b of the locking claw 24 comes into contact with the guide inclined surface 33, the locking claw 24 is pushed inward in the left-right direction by the guide inclined surface 33 as the retainer 20 is pushed downward. As a result, the lower part of the locking leg 22 bends inward in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the retaining part 25 is independent of the locking leg 22 by the slit 26 and therefore hardly undergoes elastic deformation. As a result, the retaining part 25 is guided by the outer surface 14c of the column 14 and the stepped portion 13c of the left and right walls 13 and moves straight downward (see Figure 8).

[0057] Further pushing the retainer 20 downwards causes the locking claw 24 to enter the insertion opening 33a from the lower end of the guide inclined surface 33 and move to the guide groove 32. When the upper surface 24a of the locking claw 24 crosses the first restricting surface 32a, the locking leg 22, which had been bent inward in the left-right direction, returns to its natural state, and the locking claw 24 moves outward in the left-right direction and enters between the first restricting surface 32a and the second restricting surface 32b. Thus, the retainer 20 is held in the temporary locking position. The locking claw 24 is prevented from moving upward from the temporary locking position in the guide groove 32 beyond the first restricting surface 32a. The locking claw 24 is also prevented from moving downward from the temporary locking position beyond the second restricting surface 32b to the permanent locking position.

[0058] Furthermore, the lateral play of the retaining portion 25 is suppressed by the stepped portion 13c between the column 14 and the left and right walls 13, thereby suppressing the lateral play of the entire retainer 20 in the temporary locking position. In addition, the front-rear play of the retainer 20 in the temporary locking position is restricted by the protrusion 27 of the locking leg 22. This prevents the locking claw 24 in the temporary locking position from unintentionally moving in the lateral or front-rear direction and coming out above the first restricting surface 32a, or moving to the permanent locking position below the second restricting surface 32b.

[0059] The connector 30 of the second embodiment described above provides the same effects as the connector of the first embodiment. For example, it can prevent the left and right locking claws 24 from unintentionally coming out above the first restricting surface 32a from their temporary locking position in the guide groove 32, or from moving to the permanent locking position below the second restricting surface 32b. Moreover, when the retainer 20 is automatically moved from the temporary locking position to the permanent locking position, the large elastic energy of the left and right locking legs 22, which are bent by being pressed by the bulge 5 of the pipe 3, can be utilized.

[0060] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. The connector 40 of the third embodiment has a connector body 41 and a retainer 50 instead of the connector body 10 and retainer 20 shown in Figure 1. In the following description, only parts that differ from the first and second embodiments will be denoted by different reference numerals and described in detail. As shown in Figure 16, the connector body 41 has a hollow passage 41a that penetrates in the front-rear direction, similar to the hollow passage 10a of the first embodiment, and an upper opening 41b that opens upward (see Figure 7). The retainer 50 can be inserted into the connector body 41 downward from the upper opening 41b.

[0061] As shown in Figure 17, the front wall 12 of the connector body 41 is provided with left and right guide grooves 42. The first restricting surface 42a, guide surface 42c, and upright surface 42d of the left and right guide grooves 42 are provided with the same shape and arrangement as the first restricting surface 32a, guide surface 32c, and upright surface 32d of the second embodiment (see Figure 15). The guide inclined surface 33 is provided in the same way as in the second embodiment. The left and right inner ends of the second restricting surface 42b are located further outward in the left and right direction than the second restricting surface 32b of the second embodiment. A planar inner restricting surface 42e is provided that rises upward from the left and right inner ends of the second restricting surface 42b. The vertical distance between the first restricting surface 42a and the second restricting surface 42b is slightly greater than the vertical length of the locking claw 24.

[0062] As shown in Figure 16, the retainer 50 has left and right locking legs 51 and left and right retaining parts 52. The locking legs 51 and retaining parts 52 are provided in substantially the same shape and arrangement as the locking legs 22 and retaining parts 25 of the first embodiment (see Figure 3). The lower end 52a of the retaining part 52 is located above the tip 51a of the locking leg 51 and the detection claw 23. The inner surface 51b of the locking leg 51 is located outward in the left-right direction than the inner surface 52b of the retaining part 52. The outer surface 51c of the locking leg 51 is located in substantially the same left-right position as the outer surface of the retaining part 52. The retainer 50 differs from the retainer 20 of the first embodiment in that there is no slit between the locking legs 51 and the retaining parts 52 in the front-rear direction.

[0063] As shown in Figure 17, when the retainer 50 is in the temporary locking position, the lower surfaces 24b of the left and right locking claws 24 are adjacent to the second restricting surface 42b in the vertical direction, and the inner surfaces 24c of the left and right locking claws 24 are adjacent to the inner restricting surface 42e in the horizontal direction. This restricts the movement of the left and right locking claws 24 downward and inward in the horizontal direction. Thus, even in the case of a retainer 50 that does not have a slit between the locking leg 51 and the retaining portion 52, the horizontal play of the left and right locking claws 24 in the temporary locking position can be suppressed. Therefore, the horizontal play of the left and right locking legs 51 in the temporary locking position can be suppressed, and the retainer 50 can be prevented from unintentionally coming out upward or moving to the lower permanent locking position.

[0064] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 18. The connector 60 of the fourth embodiment has a connector body 61 and a retainer 65 instead of the connector body 10 and retainer 20 shown in Figure 1. In the following description, only the parts that differ from the first to third embodiments will be denoted by different reference numerals and described in detail. As shown in Figure 18, the connector body 61 has a hollow passage 61a that penetrates in the front-rear direction, similar to the hollow passage 10a of the first embodiment, and an upper opening 61b that opens upward (see Figure 7). The retainer 65 can be inserted into the connector body 61 from the upper opening 61b downward.

[0065] As shown in Figure 18, the front wall 12 of the connector body 61 is provided with left and right guide grooves 62. The first restricting surface 62a, guide surface 62c, and upright surface 62d of the left and right guide grooves 62 are provided with the same shape and arrangement as the first restricting surface 32a, guide surface 32c, and upright surface 32d of the second embodiment (see Figure 15). The guide inclined surface 33 is provided in the same way as in the second embodiment. The left and right outer ends of the second restricting surface 62b are located further inward in the left and right direction than the second restricting surface 32b of the second embodiment. A planar stepped portion 62e is provided that extends downward and stands upright from the left and right outer ends of the second restricting surface 62b. The left and right position of the stepped portion 62e is further outward in the left and right direction than the inner restricting surface 42e of the third embodiment (see Figure 17). The vertical distance between the first restricting surface 62a and the second restricting surface 62b is slightly greater than the vertical length of the locking claw 24.

[0066] As shown in Figure 18, the retainer 65 is provided in substantially the same shape as the retainer 50 of the third embodiment (see Figure 17). The retainer 65 differs from the retainer 50 in that it has left and right inward projections 66 that protrude inward in the left and right direction from the inner surfaces 52b of the left and right retaining portions 52. The left and right inward projections 66 are adjacent to the outer surfaces 14c of the left and right columns 14 when the retainer 65 is in the temporary locking position. This suppresses left and right play of the retainer 65 when it is held in the temporary locking position. Below the left and right inward projections 66, a tapered surface 66a is provided that is inclined downward and inward in the left and right direction. By providing the tapered surface 66a, it becomes easier to insert the retainer 65 into the connector body 61 from above downward, improving ease of assembly. As described above, similar to the third embodiment, by suppressing the lateral play of the retainer 65 in the temporary locking position, it is possible to prevent the retainer 65 from unintentionally coming out upward or moving to the permanent locking position below.

[0067] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 19. The connector 70 of the fifth embodiment has a connector body 61 and a retainer 71 instead of the connector body 10 and retainer 20 shown in Figure 1. In the following description, only the parts that differ from the first to fourth embodiments will be denoted by different reference numerals and described in detail.

[0068] As shown in Figure 19, the retainer 71 is provided in substantially the same shape as the retainer 50 of the third embodiment (see Figure 17). The retainer 71 differs from the retainer 50 in that it has locking claws 72 of a different shape from those of the third embodiment. The left and right locking claws 72 are provided at substantially the same vertical position as the upper parts of the left and right detection claws 23. The locking claws 72 are columnar in shape, having an upper surface 72a, a lower surface 72b, and an inner surface 72c. The upper surface 72a and lower surface 72b of the locking claws 72 are planar and extend substantially horizontally from each other. The inner surface 72c of the locking claws 72 is located at substantially the same left and right position as the inner surface 51b of the locking leg 51. The outer surface of the locking claws 72 extends in accordance with the outer surface 51c of the locking leg 51.

[0069] As shown in Figure 19, a notched recess is provided at the lower inward side of the locking claw 72. The recess of the locking claw 72 includes a recessed horizontal surface 72d extending in the left-right direction and a recessed upright surface 72e extending in the up-down direction. The recessed horizontal surface 72d extends outward in the left-right direction from the inner surface 72c above the lower surface 72b and is approximately parallel to the lower surface 72b. The recessed upright surface 72e extends outward in the left-right direction from the inner surface 72c and is upward from the lower surface 72b. The recessed horizontal surface 72d and the recessed upright surface 72e are approximately perpendicular to each other. When the retainer 71 is in the temporary locking position, the upper surface 72a faces the first restricting surface 62a, and the lower surface 72b faces the horizontal surface of the stepped portion 62e. The recessed horizontal surface 72d faces the second restricting surface 62b, and the recessed upright surface 72e faces the upright surface of the stepped portion 62e. This restricts the vertical and horizontal inward movement of the left and right locking claws 72 at the temporary locking position. As described above, by suppressing the vertical and horizontal play of the retainer 71 at the temporary locking position, similar to the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent the retainer 71 from unintentionally coming out upward or moving to the lower permanent locking position.

[0070] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 20. The connector 80 of the sixth embodiment has a connector body 81 and a retainer 85 instead of the connector body 10 and retainer 20 shown in Figure 1. In the following description, only parts that differ from the first to fifth embodiments will be denoted by different reference numerals and described in detail. As shown in Figure 20, the connector body 81 has a hollow passage 81a that penetrates in the front-rear direction, similar to the hollow passage 10a of the first embodiment, and an upper opening 81b that opens upward (see Figure 7). The retainer 85 can be inserted into the connector body 81 downward from the upper opening 81b.

[0071] As shown in Figure 20, a column 82 is provided at the top of the connector body 81, connecting the rear wall 11 (see Figure 1) and the front wall 12 in the front-rear direction. One column 82 is provided in the center of the connector body 81 in the left-right direction. The left locking leg 22 and retaining portion 87 of the retainer 85 are inserted between the column 82 and the left wall 13a in the left-right direction. The right locking leg 22 and retaining portion 87 of the retainer 85 are inserted between the column 82 and the right wall 13b in the left-right direction. The column 82 has outer surfaces 82a that extend planarly in the front-rear and up-down directions at both the left and right ends.

[0072] As shown in Figure 20, the retainer 85 has a base 86, left and right locking legs 22, and left and right anti-loosening parts 87. The left and right locking legs 22 and the left and right anti-loosening parts 87 extend downward from both the left and right sides of the base 86, respectively. A slit is provided between the locking legs 22 and the anti-loosening parts 87 in the front-rear direction, similar to the slit 26 (see Figure 1). Of the locking legs 22 and the anti-loosening parts 87, the locking legs 22 can be elastically deformed independently in the left-right or front-rear direction. A concave column receiving recess 86a is provided at the lower center of the base 86 in the left-right direction, facing upward. The column receiving recess 86a functions as a relief to accommodate the column 82 when the retainer 85 moves to the main locking position.

[0073] As shown in Figure 20, the retaining portion 87 has a lower end 87a, an outer surface 87c, and a tapered surface 87d, similar to the lower end 25a, outer surface 25c, and tapered surface 25d of the retaining portion 25 (see Figure 3). The lower shape of the retaining portion 87 is the same as that of the retaining portion 25, but the upper shape is different. The first inner surface 87b at the bottom of the retaining portion 87 extends planarly in the front-rear and up-down directions at the same left-right position as the inner surface 25b of the retaining portion 25. The upper part of the retaining portion 87 is an inward projection portion 87e that protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the first inner surface 87b. The inward projection portion 87e protrudes inward in the left-right direction until it reaches the column receiving recess 86a. The second inner surface 87f, which is the left-right inner end of the inward projection portion 87e, extends planarly in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0074] As shown in Figure 20, the left and right outer surfaces 82a of one column 82 are adjacent to the second inner surfaces 87f of the left and right retaining portions 87, respectively, when the retainer 85 moves to the permanent locking position. This reduces the lateral play of the retainer 85 relative to the connector body 81 when the retainer 85 is in the permanent locking position. When the retainer 85 is in the temporary locking position, the lateral play can be suppressed by the outer surfaces 87c of the left and right retaining portions 87 being adjacent to the left and right walls 13, respectively (see Figure 8).

[0075] As shown in Figure 20, the retaining portion 87 is provided with a forward projection 87g along the left-right inner portion of the first inner surface 87b and the inwardly protruding portion 87e. The forward projection 87g is provided so as to extend the upper part of the forward projection 25e (see Figures 5 and 6) inward in the left-right direction. The amount of forward projection of the forward projection 87g is approximately the same as that of the forward projection 25e. The forward projection 87g is located radially outward of the pipe body 4 and faces the rear surface of the bulge 5 when the retainer 85 is moved to the permanent locking position (see Figure 13). The connector 80 of the sixth embodiment described above provides the same effects as the connector of the first embodiment. For example, it can suppress left-right play of the retainer 85 relative to the connector body 81 in the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position. This prevents the retainer 85 from moving unintentionally.

[0076] Various modifications can be made to the connectors 1, 30, 40, 60, 70, and 80 of this embodiment described above. The example shows a connector body and retainer made of synthetic resin. Alternatively, for example, either the connector body or the retainer, or both, may be made of a metal such as aluminum. The pipe 3 may be made of metal or synthetic resin.

[0077] An example configuration is shown in which one end of the pipe section is a pipe connection section 2a and the other end is a tube connection section 2b, with the connector body provided only on the pipe connection section 2a side. Alternatively, both ends of the pipe section 2 may be pipe connection sections 2a, and a connector body to which retainers can be attached may be provided on both pipe connection sections 2a. An elbow pipe pipe section 2 is used as an example, but it may also be a straight pipe, or a two-piece structure in which elbow pipes and straight pipes can be combined as needed.

[0078] An example is shown of a locking claw protruding forward from the locking leg and a guide groove recessed in the rear surface of the front wall. Alternatively, the locking claw may protrude rearward from the locking leg and the guide groove may be provided on the front surface of the rear wall.

[0079] An example was given of a configuration in which the left and right retaining parts have their inner surfaces adjacent to the left and right outer surfaces of the columns in the left and right directions, thereby suppressing lateral play in the retaining parts. An example was given of a configuration in which the left and right retaining parts have their outer surfaces adjacent to the stepped portions of the left and right walls in the left and right directions, thereby suppressing lateral play in the retaining parts. Alternatively, for example, either the inner or outer surface of the left and right retaining parts may be adjacent to the columns or left and right walls. For example, a column may be added between the outer surfaces of the left and right retaining parts and the left and right walls in the left and right directions, so that the outer surfaces of the left and right retaining parts and the column are adjacent.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting pipes, comprising: a connector body having a hollow passage; a retainer for locking a pipe inserted into the hollow passage from rear to front to the connector body, wherein the retainer comprises: a base extending in the left-right direction; left and right retaining portions extending downward from both the left and right sides of the base and inserted into the connector body, and restricting the rearward dislodgement of the pipe's bulge; left and right locking legs extending downward from both the left and right sides of the base in front of the left and right retaining portions and inserted into the connector body, and elastically deformable in the radial direction of the pipe; left and right slits provided between the left and right retaining portions and the left and right locking legs in the front-rear direction; left and right detection claws provided on each of the left and right locking legs, which contact the bulge when the left and right locking legs are radially open during pipe insertion; and left and right locking claws protruding in the front-rear direction from the left and right locking legs, wherein the connector body is A connector comprising: a first restricting surface that restricts the upward movement of the locking claw and holds the retainer in a temporary locking position; a second restricting surface that restricts the movement of the locking claw from the temporary locking position to a lower permanent locking position; and left and right guide grooves provided between the first and second restricting surfaces and allowing the left and right locking legs to move radially when the left and right locking legs are elastically deformed.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector body is located between the left and right retaining portions and has columns adjacent to each of the left and right retaining portions, and the left and right locking legs are further away from the columns than the left and right retaining portions.

3. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector body has a guide inclined surface that is inclined forward and upward above the first regulating surface, and when the retainer is inserted into the connector body and moves to the temporary locking position, the locking claws come into contact with the guide inclined surface, causing the locking legs to elastically deform backward, and the locking claws are guided to the temporary locking position below the first regulating surface.

4. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector body has left and right walls adjacent to the outer surfaces of the left and right retaining portions, and the left and right locking legs are located further away from the left and right walls than the left and right retaining portions.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the left and right locking claws extend forward from each of the left and right locking legs, the retainer has left and right protrusions that extend forward from each of the left and right locking legs above the left and right locking claws, and the left and right protrusions are opposite to the front wall of the connector body so as to be able to abut against it in the temporary locking position and the permanent locking position.

6. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the left and right contact portions provided on each of the left and right detection claws and in contact with the bulge are at approximately the same height as the axis of the pipe in the vertical direction at the temporary locking position.

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