Pipe coupling

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pipe coupling configured such that a tube (T1) can be reliably attached by a simple operation. As a solution, a pipe coupling (1) is provided with: a housing (2) having a protrusion (2a) formed therein; a rotating part (7) having a recess (7a) formed therein, the recess (7a) being engageable with the protrusion (2a); a receiving part (3) movable together with the rotating part (7); and an operation part (6) movable together with the receiving part (3) along an axis (P1) of the housing (2).

Description

Pipe joint

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe joint.

[0002] Pipe joints are widely used for piping connections of various manufacturing facilities and piping connections of equipment.

[0003] Conventionally, technologies related to pipe joints are known (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-326976, Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-050457).

[0004] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-326976, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-050457

[0005] The conventional technology has a problem that it is difficult to determine whether the tube has been inserted to the completed mounting position. When the insertion amount of the tube is insufficient, fluid leakage is likely to occur, and there is a risk that the tube will come out.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a pipe joint having a configuration in which a tube can be surely attached by a simple operation.

[0007] As one embodiment, the above problem is solved by the solution disclosed below.

[0008] The pipe joint according to the present invention includes a housing in which a convex portion is formed, a rotating portion in which a concave portion that can be engaged with the convex portion is formed, a receiving portion that can move together with the rotating portion, and an operating portion that can move along the axis of the housing together with the receiving portion. By pushing the tube inserted into the housing, the rotating portion rotates and the convex portion engages with the concave portion to be in an engaged state, and the tube is locked in the engaged state.

[0009] According to this configuration, a tube can be surely attached by a simple operation.

[0010] As an example, a C-ring assembled to the rotating portion and movable inside the housing is provided. Thereby, when pulling out the tube, it is possible to easily return the rotating portion to the original position by using the restoring force of the C-ring.

[0011] For example, the rotating part has a stopper portion against which the tube abuts, and the housing has a first step corresponding to the stopper portion. By pushing the tube in, the rotating part rotates in the forward direction and contacts the first step, and by pulling out the tube, the rotating part rotates in the reverse direction and moves away from the first step. This makes it easy to lock the tube in the correct position. For example, the device includes a gripping part assembled to the operating part and capable of locking onto the tube, and an annular elastic body that is held between the operating part and the receiving part and is movable together with the operating part. This makes it easy to improve operability.

[0012] According to the present invention, a pipe fitting can be realized that allows for reliable tube installation with simple operations.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a pipe joint according to this embodiment, viewed from diagonally above. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the pipe joint shown in Figure 1, viewed from diagonally below. Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the pipe joint shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the pipe joint shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a schematic unfolded view of the pipe joint shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pipe joint shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the tube inserted into the pipe joint shown in Figure 1 is in contact with the rotating part. Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the arrangement configuration of the annular elastic body in the state shown in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a structural diagram showing the cross-section of the state shown in Figure 7 viewed at an angle. Figure 10 shows the state in which the rotating part is rotated by the pressure of the tube, following the state shown in Figure 7. Figure 11 shows the state in which the operating part is locked, following the state shown in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the arrangement configuration of the annular elastic body in the state shown in Figure 11.

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a pipe joint 1 with a configuration suitable for connecting piping in semiconductor-related equipment and various facilities in clean rooms. In all the drawings used to explain the embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for members having the same function, and repeated descriptions of such members may be omitted.

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views showing an example of a pipe fitting 1 according to this embodiment. The housing 2 is an integral structure having a bottom portion 2d, a hexagonal portion 2e, and a housing portion 2f. The bottom portion 2d has a male screw formed thereon that can be connected to equipment. The hexagonal portion 2e is hexagonal in shape that can be supported by a tool such as a spanner or wrench. As an example, when connecting piping in various manufacturing equipment or equipment, the bottom portion 2d of the pipe fitting 1 is attached to the input side of the device and used.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the pipe fitting 1 includes a cylindrical housing 2 through which fluid passes. The housing 2 includes a receiving portion 3, an annular elastic body 4 and a C-ring 8 assembled to the receiving portion 3 and movable along the axis P1, and a gripping portion 5, an operating portion 6, and a rotating portion 7 that are movable along the axis P1 together with the receiving portion 3. Here, in order to make it easier to explain the positional relationship of each part of the pipe fitting 1, the directions are indicated by X, Y, and Z arrows in the figures. When actually using the pipe fitting 1, it is not limited to these directions and can be used in any direction without any problems.

[0017] The annular elastic body 4 is made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), elastic rubber, or a composite material thereof. The annular elastic body 4 is an annular squeeze packing and an X-ring. The annular elastic body 4 preferably has four lips, but is not limited to this, and can also have two or three lips. In addition, the annular elastic body 4 may have through holes formed at positions parallel to the axis P1.

[0018] The C-ring 8 is a metal spring made of stainless steel, a copper alloy, or steel. There may be one or more C-rings 8.

[0019] The housing 2, receiving part 3, rotating part 7, gripping part 5, and operating part 6 are made of various resin materials. This configuration suppresses the generation of metal powder and allows for weight reduction. These components can also be made of metal materials depending on the application.

[0020] Tube T1 is an insertable component inserted from the outside, through which fluid passes. Housing 2 has a through-hole 11a through which fluid passes in the direction of axis P1 via tube T1. Housing 2 also has a pair of windows 2c formed at rotationally symmetrical positions with respect to axis P1. For example, the windows 2c are cross-shaped. However, the windows 2c can also be square-shaped or T-shaped.

[0021] The housing 2 has a first step 11 and a second step 12 formed inside. The rotating part 7 has a stopper portion 7d formed inside. The stopper portion 7d is the part where the end of the tube T1 makes contact. The first step 11 is formed at a position corresponding to the stopper portion 7d of the tube T1. In other words, the first step 11 corresponds to the tube end S1 of the rotating part 7, which is the position where the tube T1 is pushed in and sealed when it abuts against the stopper portion 7d. The second step 12 corresponds to the initial position Q1 of the rotating part 7.

[0022] The operating section 6 has a pair of guide sections 6a and a pair of movable handles 6b. The pair of guide sections 6a and the pair of movable handles 6b are arranged to surround the tube T1 inserted from the outside. The operating section 6 also has a base 6c on which the pair of guide sections 6a and the pair of movable handles 6b are arranged, and a projection 6e that protrudes from the base 6c in a direction toward the annular elastic body 4 along the axis P1. The projection 6e has a tapered shape on the inside.

[0023] The annular elastic body 4 has a shape with lips protruding in four directions and is an X-ring. When the tube T1 is pushed in, the operating part 6 moves in the thrust direction and the protruding part 6e comes into contact with the lips of the annular elastic body 4. When the tube T1 is pushed in further, the annular elastic body 4 deforms in the radial direction. As the annular elastic body 4 deforms in the radial direction, the gap between the outside of the tube T1 and the inside of the housing is sealed.

[0024] The gripping section 5 has a base 5a and a plurality of arm sections 5b erected on the base 5a at predetermined pitches around the axis P1. Each arm section 5b has a claw 5c protruding toward the axis P1. The number of arm sections 5b is between 4 and 12, preferably between 6 and 8. The arm sections 5b surround the outer circumference of the tube T1 at multiple points and act as a cantilever. When the operating section 6 is pulled up, the pressing state of the annular elastic body 4 is released. In other words, the locking state of the claws 5c is released by the restoring force of the arm sections 5b, and the annular elastic body 4 returns to a state where it does not press against the tube T1.

[0025] The gripping portion 5 has a pair of first projections 5d formed in a position that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the axis P1. The first projections 5d are movable along the axis P1 and can engage with the window portion 2c. The movable handle 6b has a pair of second projections 6d formed in a position that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the axis P1. When the tube T1 reaches the tube end S1 while abutting against the abutment portion 7d, the tube T1 is locked in place. In this locked state, pushing the operating portion 6 further causes the second projections 6d to engage with the window portion 2c, locking the operating portion 6. The user can easily understand that the tube T1 is locked and that the gap between the outside of the tube T1 and the inside of the housing 2 is sealed by the annular elastic body 4.

[0026] The movable handle 6b is positioned so that its end on the entrance side moves toward the axis P1. For example, when a user grasps the movable handle 6b and moves it toward the axis P1, the second projection 6d detaches from the window portion 2c. With the second projection 6d detached from the window portion 2c, the operating section 6 can be pulled out from the housing 2.

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic unfolded view of the pipe joint 1. The pipe joint 1 has multiple components housed in a housing 2, with a rotating part 7, a C-ring 8, a receiving part 3, an annular elastic body 4, a gripping part 5, and an operating part 6 attached to the housing 2. The rotating part 7 has an axially symmetrical ring part 7c. The receiving part 3 has a pair of first inclined parts 3b formed thereon. The ring part 7c has second inclined parts 7b formed thereon, each corresponding to the first inclined parts 3b.

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pipe fitting 1. The area enclosed by the dashed line in the figure indicates the seal structure 10. When the tube T1, which is an insertable component, is not inserted, the bottom surface of the rotating part 7 is in the initial position Q1. The operating part 6 is attached to the housing 2 and is movable in the thrust direction within a predetermined range. The annular elastic body 4 is sandwiched between the operating part 6 and the receiving part 3 and moves together with the operating part 6.

[0029] Next, the installation procedure for attaching tube T1 to pipe fitting 1 will be explained below using the examples shown in Figures 7 to 12.

[0030] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the tube T1 is inserted into the pipe fitting 1 and in contact with the rotating part 7. Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the seal structure 10 in the state shown in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a structural view of the cross-section in the state shown in Figure 7, viewed at an angle.

[0031] As shown in Figure 8, the tube T1 is inserted into the pipe fitting 1 and in contact with the rotating part 7. However, when the tube T1 is not locked, there is a gap between the inside of the housing 2 and the annular elastic body 4, and a gap between the outside of the tube T1 and the annular elastic body 4.

[0032] As shown in Figure 9, a protrusion 2a is formed on the first step 11 of the housing 2 at a position parallel to the axis P1. A recess 7a is formed on the lower side of the rotating part 7 at a position that can engage with the protrusion 2a. The rotating part 7 is movable in the direction of the axis P1 together with the receiving part 3.

[0033] As shown in Figure 10, the tube T1 is pushed into the rotating part 7 and the rotating part 7 is rotated, causing the protrusion 2a to be inserted into the recess 7a, and the tube T1 is locked in place by pushing the tube T1 while the protrusion 2a is inserted into the recess 7a. In this example, the rotating part 7 rotates around the axis P1 by pushing the tube T1 against the restoring force of the C-ring 8 and sliding the second inclined part 7b against the first inclined part 3b. In other words, by pushing the tube T1 and sliding the second inclined part 7b against the first inclined part 3b, the C-ring 8 contracts radially and the rotating part 7 rotates in the positive direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 11, when the tube T1 reaches the abutment 7d and then the tube end S1, the claw 5c locks onto the tube T1. Also, when the tube T1 reaches the tube end S1, pressing the operating part 6 locks the operating part 6, maintaining the locked state of the tube T1.

[0035] According to this embodiment, a pipe fitting 1 can be realized in which the tube T1 can be reliably attached with simple operations.

[0036] In the above-described pipe fitting 1, the configuration in which the bottom 2d of the housing 2 is attached to the input side of the device was used as an example, but the invention is not limited to this example. This embodiment can be configured to allow branching of the main piping. This embodiment can also be applied to valves.

Claims

1. A pipe joint comprising a housing having a protrusion, a rotating part having a recess that can engage with the protrusion, a receiving part that can move together with the rotating part, and an operating part that can move together with the receiving part along the axis of the housing, wherein pushing a tube inserted into the housing causes the rotating part to rotate, the protrusion to engage with the recess, and the tube is locked in the engaged state.

2. The pipe joint according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a C-ring that is assembled to the rotating part and is movable inside the housing.

3. The pipe fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating part has a stopper portion against which the tube abuts, the housing has a first step corresponding to the stopper portion, the rotating part rotates in the forward direction and contacts the first step when the tube is pushed in, and the rotating part rotates in the reverse direction and moves away from the first step when the tube is pulled out.

4. The pipe joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by comprising a gripping portion assembled to the operating portion and lockable onto the tube, and an annular elastic body that is sandwiched between the operating portion and the receiving portion and is movable together with the operating portion.

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