JP2001289381A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector for easily performing unlocking operation of a clamp, preventing a careless failure in resetting the clamp and smoothing the unlocking operation of the clamp. SOLUTION: A socket 10 is formed with a plug 50 to be insertable therein. The socket 10 is mounted with the clamp 30. The clamp 30 has a locked portion 34 engageable with the plug 50. The clamp 30 is elastic enough to hold the locked portion 34 in a locked condition. The free end of the locked portion 34 is provided with a cam contact portion 35. The socket 10 has a socket-side cam portion 18 along which the cam contact portion 35 of the locked portion 34 is slid. The socket-side cam portion 18 gives elastic deformation to the clamp 30 in an unlocked condition by the sliding of the cam contact portion 35 of the locked portion 34 during the thrusting operation of the clamp 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector which can be diverted to a pipe joint used for a fluid pipe in an engine cooling system or an intake system of an automobile or other connectors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a connector, a pipe joint (also referred to as a conventional example 1) used for fluid piping in an engine cooling system or an intake system of an automobile will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the pipe joint, and FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the same. As shown in FIG. 15, the pipe joint includes a socket 110, a clamp 130, and a plug 150. Hereinafter, the plug 150, the socket 110, and the clamp 130 will be described in this order for convenience of description.

[0003] The plug 150 will be described. The plug 150 shown in FIG. 15 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. One end of the plug 150 serves as an insertion port 151 to be inserted into a socket 110 (described later). The other end of the plug 150 is formed so that a hose (not shown) or the like can be connected thereto. A pair of flanges 154 and 155 are formed in an annular shape on an outer peripheral surface of a substantially intermediate portion of the plug 150.
An engagement groove 156 is formed between the pair of flanges 154 and 155. A flange (referred to also as an engagement flange) 154 on the plug insertion side has a tapered insertion guide surface 154a.
Are formed.

Next, the socket 110 will be described. FIG.
Is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. One end of the socket 110 is a receiving port 111 into which the insertion port 151 of the plug 150 is inserted. The other end of the socket 110 is formed so that a hose (not shown) or the like can be connected thereto.

A pair of openings 114 are formed symmetrically in the middle of the receiving port 111 (see FIG. 16). The opening 114 is formed in a slit shape extending in the circumferential direction of the receiving port 111 as shown in FIG. In addition, on the outer surface of the receiving port 111, the temporarily fixing recesses 1 located on one side of the intermediate portion of each opening 114 are respectively provided.
15 are symmetrically formed (see FIG. 16).

Next, the clamp 130 will be described. FIG.
And the clamp 130 shown in FIG. 16 is formed by bending a spring wire in a substantially inverted U-shape,
2 and locking portions 134 extending substantially in parallel from both ends of the operation portion 132. At the free end (lower end portion in FIG. 16) of each locking portion 134, a hook 135 is formed which is alternately bent in the front and back directions in FIG.

[0007] As shown in FIG.
Can move upward with respect to the socket 110 in a state where the intermediate portion of each locking portion 134 is fitted into each opening 114 of the socket 110 (see a two-dot chain line 130 in FIG. 16).
Attached to. In this mounting state, FIG.
As shown by the solid line 130, the clamp 130 is held in a locked state in which the intermediate portion of the locking portion 134 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 111 of the socket 110 due to the elasticity of the clamp 130 itself.

Next, the plug 1 is
The case of connecting 50 will be described. In the state shown in FIG.
Is inserted. Then, both the engagement portions 134 of the clamp 130 are pushed open by the insertion guide surface 154a of the engagement flange 154 of the plug 150, and each engagement portion 134 of the clamp 130 relatively gets over the engagement flange 154. As a result, the clamp 130 is elastically restored, and each locking portion 134 of the clamp 130 is
0 engages with the engagement groove 156 (see FIG. 16). Thus, the socket 110 and the plug 150 are connected with one touch.

Next, when it is desired to release the connection of the plug 150 to the socket 110, the operating portion 132 of the clamp 130 is pulled up with respect to the socket 110 by using a tool (not shown) such as a flathead screwdriver. Are engaged with the temporary fixing recesses 115 of the socket 110 (see the two-dot chain line 135 in FIG. 16). Then, by pulling up the clamp 130,
As each hook 135 of the clamp 130 moves along the outer peripheral surface of the socket 110, the locking portions 134 are pushed open, and the clamp 130 is elastically deformed to an unlocked state (in FIG. 16, a two-dot chain line). 130). As a result, the engagement of the locking portion 134 with the engagement flange 154 of the plug 150 is released.
The plug 150 can be removed. When reconnecting the plug 150 to the socket 110, the operating unit 132 of the clamp 130 is pressed to
An operation of returning 0 to the locked state is performed.

[0010] In addition to the above-mentioned conventional example 1, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
No. 277980 discloses a pipe joint (also referred to as Conventional Example 2). This pipe joint will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 is a side view of the pipe joint, FIG. 18 is a front view of the clamp, FIG. 19 is a side view showing a connected state of the pipe joint,
20 is a sectional view taken along line XX-XX of FIG. 19, and FIG.
3 is a sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the pipe joint includes a socket 210, a clamp 230, and a plug 250. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, plug 2
50, the socket 210, and the clamp 230 will be described in this order.

The plug 250 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape (see FIG. 20). As shown in FIG.
0 (the left end in FIG. 17) is a socket 210
The slot 251 is inserted into a slot (described later).
An engagement flange 254 is formed in an annular shape on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion port 251 of the plug 250.

The socket 210 has a substantially cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 17, one end (the right end in FIG. 17) of the socket 210 is a receiving port 211 into which the insertion port 251 of the plug 250 is inserted. A pair of openings 214 are formed symmetrically in the receiving port 211 (see FIG. 20).

[0013] As shown in FIG.
The operation part 232 is formed in a substantially inverted U-shape on a synthetic resin material having elasticity.
And locking portions 234 extending substantially in parallel from both end portions.

As shown in FIG.
Each of the locking portions 234 is connected to each of the openings 2 of the receiving port 211.
In a state fitted to 14, it is movably attached to the receiving port 211 downward. In this state, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, the clamp 230 is held in a locked state in which the intermediate portion of the locking portion 234 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 211 of the socket 210 by the elasticity of the clamp 230 itself. A protrusion-like open protrusion 236 is formed at an end (the upper end in FIG. 18) of each locking portion 234 of the clamp 230 (see FIGS. 17 and 21). Each open protrusion 236 corresponds to the outer peripheral surface of the socket 210 as shown in FIG.

Next, the plug 2 is
The case of connecting 50 will be described. Also in Conventional Example 2,
By inserting the insertion port 251 (see FIG. 17) of the plug 250 into the receiving port 211 of the socket 210 shown in FIG. 19, each locking portion 234 of the clamp 230 engages with the plug 250 similarly to the first conventional example. The flange 254 (FIG. 17)
) And the socket 210 and the plug 250 are connected (see FIG. 19).

Next, when it is desired to release the connection of the plug 250 to the socket 210, the operating portion 232 of the clamp 230 is pressed against the socket 210 (see a two-dot chain line 232 in FIG. 21). Then, the opening protrusions 236 (see FIG. 21) of the clamp 230 are moved along the outer peripheral surface of the socket 210 by the pressing movement of the clamp 230, so that both locking portions 234 (see FIG. 20).
Is pushed open, and the clamp 230 is elastically deformed to the unlocked state. Thereby, the plug 25
Since the engagement of the locking portion 234 with the engagement flange 254 of 0 is released, the plug 250 can be removed from the socket 210. When the pressing on the clamp 230 is released, the clamp 230 elastically returns to the locked state, so that the plug 2
50 can be reconnected.

[0017]

However, according to the clamp 130 of the first prior art (see FIGS. 15 and 16), when it is desired to unlock the clamp, the clamp 130 must be pulled up using a tool or the like. So
There was a problem that the unlock operation of the clamp 130 was difficult. Further, in the locked state of the clamp 130, as shown in FIG. 16, when the operation unit 132 is in contact with the socket 110 without any gap, it is more difficult to pull up the operation unit 132. To reconnect the plug 150 to the socket 110, the operation unit 13 of the clamp 130 is required.
2 needs to be pressed to return the clamp 130 to the locked state.
I forgot to return.

According to the conventional example 2 (see FIGS. 17 to 21), the pressing operation of the clamp 230 causes the clamp 23 to be pressed.
0 can be unlocked. Therefore, unlike the first conventional example, a tool for pulling the clamp 230 is not required. Further, when the pressing on the clamp 230 is released, the clamp 230 is elastically restored to the locked state, so that an extra operation for returning the clamp 230 to the locked state is unnecessary. Thus, according to Conventional Example 2, the problem of Conventional Example 1 is temporarily solved.

However, in the conventional example 2, the clamp 2
An open protrusion 236 projecting from the side surface of the locking portion 234 on the side opposite to the free end is pushed and spread by the outer peripheral surface of the socket 210 (see a two-dot chain line 236 in FIG. 21). In this case, one plane on which the locking portion 234 of the clamp 230 elastically deforms is on the line XX-XX in FIG. 19, whereas the center of the open protrusion 236 of the clamp 230 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the socket 210. Are on the line XXI-XXI in FIG. For this reason, since a force to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 19 acts on the clamp 230 during the pressing operation, the clamp 230 is easily inclined. Therefore, according to the conventional example 2, the clamp 23
Due to the inclination of the clamp 230 generated at the time of the unlock operation of 0, there is a problem that the unlock operation becomes difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to enable easy operation of unlocking the clamp and careless return of the clamp. It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector which can prevent the clamp operation and can smoothly perform the unlocking operation of the clamp.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a socket, a clamp and a plug,
The socket is formed so that the plug can be inserted therein, the clamp is attached to the socket so that the clamp can be pressed, and the clamp has a locking portion that can be engaged with the plug. The clamp has elasticity to hold the locking portion in a locked state to be engaged with the plug, and the clamp is formed to be elastically deformable to an unlocked state to release the engagement of the locking portion to the plug. The locking portion is provided with a cam contact portion located on a free end side opposite to the pressing operation side of the clamp, and the socket includes:
Providing a socket-side cam portion on which the cam contact portion of the locking portion slides, wherein the socket-side cam portion slides when the cam contact portion of the locking portion slides when the clamp is pressed.
A connector characterized by elastically deforming a clamp to an unlocked state.

With such a configuration, the clamp attached to the socket is held in a locked state by its elasticity. Therefore, the socket and the plug can be connected by engaging the locking portion of the clamp with the plug inserted into the socket. To release the connection of the plug to the socket, the clamp is pressed. Then, the clamp is elastically deformed to the unlocked state by sliding so that the cam contact portion of the locking portion of the clamp is pushed and spread with respect to the socket side cam portion of the socket. As a result, the engagement of the locking portion of the clamp with the plug is released, so that the plug can be removed from the socket. Therefore, unlike the first conventional example, a tool is not required for unlocking the clamp, so that the unlocking operation of the clamp can be easily performed. Further, when the pressing on the clamp is released from the unlocked state, the clamp is elastically restored and returns to the locked state. Therefore, unlike conventional example 1, no extra operation is required to return the clamp from the unlocked state to the locked state, so that careless forgetting to return the clamp can be prevented.

Further, when the clamp is pressed, the cam abutting portion of the engaging portion of the clamp is pushed open by the socket-side cam portion of the socket.
As compared with the above, the clamp is less inclined and the clamp can be unlocked smoothly. In the present invention, the free end of the locking portion of the clamp may be used as the cam contact portion provided on the locking portion of the clamp, or a dedicated portion may be provided for the locking portion. Further, the “pressing operation of the clamp” in this specification refers to an operation in which an operator presses the clamp against the socket with a fingertip.

The invention according to claim 2 includes a socket, a clamp, and a plug, wherein the socket is formed so that the plug can be inserted, the clamp is attached to the socket so as to be able to be pressed, and the clamp is A locking portion engageable with the plug through an opening provided in the socket, the clamp has elasticity to hold the locking portion in a locked state for engaging the plug, and the clamp has The clamp is formed so as to be elastically deformable in an unlocked state for releasing the engagement of the engaging portion with the plug, and the clamp is provided with a clamp-side cam portion disposed in an opening of the socket. A cam contact portion on which the clamp side cam portion slides, wherein the clamp side cam portion is a cam contact portion of the opening of the socket when the clamp is pressed. By sliding, a connector, characterized in that to elastically deform the clamp to the unlocked state.

With this configuration, the clamp attached to the socket is held in a locked state by its elasticity. Therefore, the socket and the plug can be connected by engaging the locking portion of the clamp with the plug inserted into the socket. To release the connection of the plug to the socket, the clamp is pressed. Then, the clamp side cam portion of the locking portion of the clamp is slid relatively to the cam contact portion of the opening portion of the socket so as to be pushed open, whereby the clamp is elastically deformed to the unlocked state. As a result, the engagement of the locking portion of the clamp with the plug is released, so that the plug can be removed from the socket. Therefore, unlike the first conventional example, a tool is not required for unlocking the clamp, so that the unlocking operation of the clamp can be easily performed. When the pressing on the clamp is released, the clamp is elastically restored and returns to the locked state. Therefore, unlike conventional example 1, no extra operation is required to return the clamp from the unlocked state to the locked state, so that careless forgetting to return the clamp can be prevented.

Further, when the clamp is pressed, the clamp side cam portion of the clamp is pushed and spread by the cam contact portion of the opening of the socket.
As compared with the above, the clamp is less inclined and the clamp can be unlocked smoothly. In the present invention, as the cam contact portion provided in the opening of the socket, the end of the opening of the socket may be used, or a dedicated member may be provided in the opening.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the plug is provided with an engaging portion with which the engaging portion of the clamp engages, and the plug inserting side of the engaging portion engages with the clamp when the plug is inserted into the socket. 3. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion guide surface for pushing and opening the stop portion.

With this configuration, when the plug is inserted into the socket, the engaging guide of the plug is pushed and opened by the insertion guide surface provided on the engaging portion of the plug, and the engaging portion of the plug is engaged with the engaging portion. Relatively gets over, the clamp is elastically restored and returns to the locked state, so that the engaging portion engages with the engaging portion of the plug. Therefore, the socket and the plug can be connected with one touch without the need for unlocking the clamp.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention will be described. Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a pipe joint used for a fluid pipe in an engine cooling system, an intake system, and the like in an automobile will be described.
1 is a perspective view of a pipe joint, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a socket and a clamp, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe joint, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a deformed state of a clamp when a plug is inserted, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the unlocked state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the pipe joint includes a socket 10, a clamp 30, and a plug 50. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the plug 50, the socket 10, and the clamp 30 will be described in this order.

The plug 50 will be described. The plug 50 shown in FIG. 1 is made of resin and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
One end of the plug 50 is an insertion port 51 to be inserted into the socket 10 (described later). The other end of the plug 50 is a connection port 52 for connecting a hose or the like (not shown). An annular bulge 52 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the connection port 52. In the plug 50, the insertion port 51 side is referred to as a plug insertion side or a front side, and the connection port 52 side is referred to as a rear side.

A pair of front and rear flanges 54 and 55 are formed in an annular shape on an outer peripheral surface of a substantially intermediate portion of the plug 50. The pair of flanges 54 and 55 are parallel to each other, and an annular engagement groove 56 is formed between the flanges 54 and 55. On the plug insertion side of the front flange 54, a substantially tapered insertion guide surface 54a having a gradually decreasing diameter from the outer peripheral surface of the flange 54 toward the front is formed. The front flange (also referred to as an engagement flange) 54 corresponds to an engagement portion in this specification.

Next, the socket 10 will be described. The socket 10 shown in FIG. 2 is made of resin and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. One end of the socket 10 is a receiving port 11 into which the insertion port 51 of the plug 50 is inserted. The other end of the socket 10 is a connection port 12 for connecting a hose or the like (not shown). An annular bulging portion 12 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the connection port 12. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the connection port 12 is formed in an uneven surface having a substantially corrugated cross section. In the socket 10, the receiving port 11 side is called a plug receiving side or a front side, and the connecting port 12 side is called a rear side.

A pair of left and right openings 14 are formed symmetrically in the middle of the receiving port 11 (see FIG. 3). The opening 14 is formed in a substantially slit shape extending in the circumferential direction of the receiving port 11, as shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, two arc-shaped front guide walls 16 and one rear guide wall 17 projecting from the receiving port 11 at predetermined intervals. ing. The front guide walls 16 are formed at a predetermined interval from each other. The front guide wall 16 is located on the front side on the circumference of the opening 14, and the rear guide wall 17 is located on the rear side on the circumference of the opening 14. As shown in FIG. 3, both guide wall portions 16 and 17 have a height higher than an operation portion 32 of a clamp 30 in a locked state, which will be described later, and have a greater width than the operation portion 32 (see FIG. 3). (Refers to the width in the left-right direction).

As shown in FIG. 2, right and left socket-side cam portions 18 which are located below the openings 14 and protrude outward are formed symmetrically below the receiving opening 11. ing. The lower surfaces of both socket-side cam portions 18 are mutually continuous in one plane. Each of the socket-side cam portions 18 is formed with a cam slope 18a that descends outward from near the lower end of each opening 14 (see FIG. 3).

Next, the clamp 30 will be described. The clamp 30 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is formed by bending a metal spring wire in a substantially inverted U-shape. And a locking portion 34 extending in parallel. As shown in FIG. 2, an enlarged pressing surface portion 32 a protruding substantially U-shaped in front of the socket is formed at the center of the operation portion 32. A free end (lower end in FIG. 3) of each locking portion 34 is provided with a hook 35 bent forward (on the paper surface in FIG. 3).
Are formed. The free end of each locking part 34 is connected to the operating part 32 (clamp 30) of the clamp 30 referred to in this specification.
(Corresponding to the pressing operation side of the present invention), and a hook 35 formed at the free end thereof corresponds to the cam contact portion according to claim 1 of the present invention.

The clamp 30 is moved from the state shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
0 with the socket 10 fitted in each of the openings 14.
Is mounted so as to be movable downward. At this time, the operation unit 32 of the clamp 30 is connected to the front guide wall 16.
And the guide wall 17 on the rear side. Further, the enlarged pressing surface portion 32a of the operation portion 32 is fitted between the left and right front guide walls 16.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate portion of the locking portion 34 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 11 of the socket 10 due to the elasticity of the clamp 30 itself (also referred to as a locked state). ). In this locked state, the engaging portion 34 of the clamp 30 engages with the engaging groove 56 of the plug 50 inserted into the receiving port 11 of the socket 10.
Are engageable.

The clamp 30 is formed so as to be elastically deformable so that the intermediate portion of the locking portion 34 does not protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 11 of the socket 10 (also referred to as an unlocked state) (FIG. 1). 5). In this unlocked state, the plug 5 inserted into the socket 11 of the socket 10
0 to the engagement flange 54 (see FIG. 3).
Is not engaged.

Each of the hooks 35 of the locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 is located at a corner formed by the outer peripheral surface of the socket 10 and the cam slope 18a of each of the socket side cam portions 18. This prevents the clamp 30 from rattling in the vertical direction.

Next, the case where the plug 50 is connected to the socket 10 in the above-described pipe joint will be described. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the insertion port 51 of the plug 50 is inserted into the reception port 11 of the socket 10. Then plug 5
The two locking portions 34 of the clamp 30 are pushed open by the insertion guide surface 54a of the engagement flange 54 of No. 0 (in FIG. 4,
When each locking portion 34 relatively gets over the engaging flange 54, the clamp 30 is elastically restored, and each locking portion 34 is engaged with the engaging groove 56 of the plug 50. At the same time, it engages with the engagement flange 54 (see FIG. 3). Thus, the socket 10 and the plug 50 are connected with one touch. Although not shown, the inner peripheral surface of the socket 10 has an O for maintaining airtightness between the socket 10 and the plug 50 when the plug 50 is inserted.
A seal material such as a ring is assembled.

Next, the plug 5 for the socket 10
When the user wants to release the connection of 0, the operation unit 32 of the clamp 30 is pressed. Then, the hook (cam abutting portion) 35 of each locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 is pushed and spread over the cam slope 18 a of each socket side cam portion 18 of the socket 10 by the pressing movement of the clamp 30, and slides. By doing so, both locking portions 34 are expanded in opposite directions, and the clamp 30 is elastically deformed to the unlocked state (see FIG. 5). Thereby, the engagement of the locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 with the engagement flange 54 of the plug 50 is released, so that the plug 50 can be removed from the socket 10. When the pressing on the clamp 30 is released, the clamp 30 is elastically restored and returns to the locked state (see FIG. 3).

According to the above-described pipe joint, the clamp 30 can be unlocked by pressing the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 as described above. Therefore, unlike the conventional example 1 (see FIG. 15 and FIG. 16), it is not necessary to use a tool for the unlock operation of the clamp 30, so that the unlock operation of the clamp 30 can be easily performed.

In the unlocked state, the clamp 3
When the pressing on 0 is released, the clamp 30 is elastically restored and returns to the locked state. Therefore, Conventional Example 1 (FIG. 15)
Unlike FIG. 16), no extra operation is required to return the clamp 30 from the unlocked state to the locked state.
Inadvertent forgetting of returning the clamp 30 can be prevented.

Further, when the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 is pressed, the hook (cam abutting portion) 35 of the locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 is pushed and spread by the socket side cam portion 18 of the socket 10. Conventional example 2
As compared with the above, the clamp 30 is less inclined and the unlock operation of the clamp 30 can be performed smoothly.

When the plug 50 is inserted into the socket 10, as described above, the socket 10 and the plug 50 can be connected with one touch without the need to unlock the clamp 30.

The operating portion 3 of the clamp 30 is attached to the front guide wall 16 and the rear guide wall 17 provided on the socket 10.
By fitting 2 (see FIG. 1), it is possible to prevent the operation unit 32 from being displaced in the front-rear direction when the clamp 30 is pressed.

Further, the front guide wall 16 and the rear guide wall 17 provided on the socket 10 are
It is formed at a height higher than 2 (see FIG. 3). Thus, unnecessary pressing operation on the operation unit 32 of the clamp 30, so-called erroneous operation, can be prevented.

Also, by forming the pressing surface enlarged portion 32a on the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 (see FIG. 1), the pressing area of the operating portion 32 pressed by the fingertip of the operator during the pressing operation of the clamp 30 is enlarged. The clamp 30
Of the operation unit 32 can be improved.

Further, the enlarged pressing surface 32a of the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 is fitted between the front guide walls 16 provided on the socket 10, so that the operating portion 32 is pressed when the clamp 30 is pressed. It is possible to prevent displacement in the left-right direction. Thereby, the displacement of the clamp 30 in the direction around the socket can be prevented, and the locking portions 34 of the clamp 30 can be uniformly opened.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Embodiment 2
Is a modification of the first embodiment, so that the modified portion will be described in detail, and the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the pipe joint, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a deformed state of the clamp 30 when the clamp 30 is inserted. Each solid line 30 in FIGS. 6 and 7 indicates the locked state of the clamp 30, and the two-dot chain line 3 in FIG.
0 indicates an unlocked state of the clamp 30, and a two-dot chain line 30 in FIG. 7 indicates a deformed state of the clamp 30 when the plug 50 is inserted into the socket 10.

In the second embodiment, the locked state of the clamp 30 in the first embodiment (the solid lines 34 in FIGS. 6 and 7).
2), the locking portions 34 are inclined such that the distance between the pair of locking portions 34 of the clamp 30 gradually decreases from the operation portion 32 side toward the hook 35 side. Correspondingly, the left and right socket side cam portions 18 of the socket 10 are formed so as to reduce the interval between them. With this configuration, the size of the socket 10 can be reduced.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Embodiment 3
Is a modification of the first embodiment, so that the modified portion will be described in detail, and the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a pipe joint, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a deformed state of the clamp 30 when the clamp 30 is inserted. 8 and 9 indicate the locked state of the clamp 30, the two-dot chain line 30 in FIG. 8 indicates the unlocked state of the clamp 30, and the two-dot chain line 30 in FIG. 3 shows a deformed state of the clamp 30 at the time of insertion.

In the third embodiment, the socket-side cam portion 18 is eliminated from the socket 10 in the first embodiment. Instead, a clamp-side cam portion 37 disposed in the opening 14 of the socket 10 is formed symmetrically between each locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 and the hook 35 connected thereto. Each of the clamp side cam portions 37 has an inclined shape that descends from the lower end of the locking portion 34 toward the hook 35. Each of the clamp-side cam portions 37 is formed so as to be slidable at the lower end portion (reference numeral 14a) of the opening portion 14 of the socket 10. The lower end 14 a of each opening 14 of the socket 10 is formed with a slope corresponding to the inclination of the clamp-side cam 37. The lower end 14a of the opening 14
Corresponds to the cam contact portion according to claim 2 of the present invention. Note that the shape of the lower end portion 14a of the opening 14 is not limited to the slope, and may be replaced with an arc-shaped cross section, a mountain shape, or the like.

Each of the hooks 35 of the clamp 30 is bent substantially in an L-shape with respect to the clamp-side cam portion 37, so that the clamp 30 is locked (the two-dot chain line 3 in FIG. 8).
0) along the outer peripheral surface of the socket 10.
As a result, the clamp 30 is prevented from coming off upward. Note that, unlike the first and second embodiments, the hook 35 in the present embodiment does not have a function as a cam contact portion.

Also in the above-described pipe joint, the first embodiment is used.
Similarly, the socket 10 and the plug 50 can be connected with one touch. When the connection of the plug 50 to the socket 10 is to be released, the operation unit 32 of the clamp 30 is pressed. Then, the clamp 30 is unlocked by sliding relatively to the lower end portion (cam contact portion) 14a of the opening 14 of the socket 10 so that the clamp side cam portion 37 of the clamp 30 is expanded. Elastically deformed. Thereby, the engagement of the locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 with the plug 50 is released, so that the plug 50 can be removed from the socket 10. When the pressing on the clamp 30 is released, the clamp 30 elastically recovers and returns to the locked state.

When the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 is pressed, the clamp-side cam portion 37 of the clamp 30 is pressed.
Is the lower end (cam contact portion) 1 of the opening 14 of the socket 10
4a, the clamp 30 is hardly tilted as in the first embodiment.
Unlock operation can be performed smoothly.

[Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, a part of the third embodiment is changed, so that the changed part will be described in detail, and the description overlapping with the third embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the pipe joint. Note that a solid line 30 in FIG. 10 indicates a locked state of the clamp 30, and a two-dot chain line 30 in FIG. 10 indicates an unlocked state of the clamp 30.

In the fourth embodiment, the operation section 3 of the clamp 30 is replaced with the clamp side cam section 37 in the third embodiment.
A clamp-side cam portion 38 disposed in the opening 14 of the socket 10 is formed symmetrically between the 2 and each of the locking portions 34 connected thereto. Each clamp side cam section 38
Has an inclined shape that descends from the outer end of the operation portion 32 toward the upper end of the locking portion 34. Each clamp side cam section 38
Is the upper end (reference number, 14b) of the opening 14 of the socket 10.
Is slidably formed. The upper end 14b of each opening 14 of the socket 10 is
Is formed with a slope corresponding to the inclination of. The upper end 14b of the opening 14 corresponds to the cam contact portion according to claim 2 of the present invention. The upper end 14b of the opening 14
Is not limited to the slope, and may be replaced with an arc-shaped or mountain-shaped cross section. Further, each hook 35 of the clamp 30 is bent substantially in an L-shape with respect to the locking portion 34 as in the third embodiment, so that the clamp 30 is prevented from coming off upward.

In the above-described pipe joint, Embodiment 3
Similarly, the socket 10 and the plug 50 can be connected with one touch. When the connection of the plug 50 to the socket 10 is to be released, the operation unit 32 of the clamp 30 is pressed. Then, the clamp 30 slides relatively to the upper end portion (cam contact portion) 14b of the opening 14 of the socket 10 so that the clamp side cam portion 38 of the clamp 30 is pushed and spread, whereby the clamp 30 is unlocked. Elastically deformed. Thereby, the engagement of the locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 with the plug 50 is released, so that the plug 50 can be removed from the socket 10. When the pressing on the clamp 30 is released, the clamp 30 elastically recovers and returns to the locked state.

When the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 is pressed, the clamp side cam portion 38 of the clamp 30 is pressed.
Is the upper end (cam abutting portion) 1 of the opening 14 of the socket 10
4b, the clamp 30 is hardly tilted as in the third embodiment.
Unlock operation can be performed smoothly.

[Fifth Embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the fifth embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is changed, so that the changed part will be described in detail, and the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the socket side cam portion 18 of the socket 10.

In the fifth embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the receiving port 11 of the socket 10 and the cam slope 18 a
A vertical wall 20 is provided at a corner portion of the vertical axis. The vertical wall 20 is located on the rear side of the opening 14 and substantially corresponds to the lower half of the locking portion 34 of the clamp 30. With such a configuration, the rearward displacement of the locking portion 34 when the clamp 30 is pressed can be prevented by the vertical wall 20 (see the two-dot chain line 34 in FIG. 11).

Further, a stopper portion 22 protruding from the outer surface of the socket 10 is provided. The stopper 22 is located on the front side of the opening 14. The lower surface of the stopper portion 22
The socket 10 is formed on a stepped surface 22 a with respect to the outer peripheral surface. The outer surface 22b of the stopper portion 22 is formed as a slope that smoothly continues from the outer peripheral surface of the socket 10 to the outer edge of the stepped surface 22a.

With this configuration, when an external force is applied to the unlocked clamp 30 in a direction opposite to the pressing direction, that is, in the pulling-up direction, the hook 35 of the clamp 30 is moved to the stepped surface 22 a of the stopper portion 22. , The clamp 30 can be prevented from coming off (see a two-dot chain line 35 in FIG. 11).

The clamp 30 for the socket 10
At the time of mounting, the hook 35 of the clamp 30 descends while sliding on the outer surface 22b of the stopper portion 22, so that the stopper portion 22 can be passed over smoothly. The vertical wall 20 and / or the stopper 22 in the fifth embodiment are different from the first embodiment in the second embodiment.
The present invention can also be applied to the socket 10 in.

Sixth Embodiment A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the sixth embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is changed, so that the changed part will be described in detail, and the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view showing the periphery of the socket-side cam portion 18 of the socket 10.

In the sixth embodiment, a projection 24 projecting on a cam slope 18a is provided at the outer end of a socket-side cam 18 of a socket 10. With this configuration, when the clamp 30 may be lowered too much when the operation unit 32 of the clamp 30 is pressed,
When the hook 35 of the clamp 30 comes into contact with the projection 24 of the socket-side cam portion 18, the hook (cam contact portion) 35 from the cam slope 18 a of the socket-side cam portion 18.
Can be prevented from falling off. In addition, the protrusion 24 in the sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the second embodiment.
The present invention can also be applied to the socket 10 in.

[Seventh Embodiment] A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the seventh embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is changed, so that the changed part will be described in detail, and the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the guide wall of the socket 10.

In the seventh embodiment, two guide walls 17 on the rear side of the socket 10 are formed at a predetermined interval in the same manner as the guide walls 16 on the front side. The enlarged pressing surface portion 32a of the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 can be fitted between each other (in FIG. 13, a two-dot chain line 32a).
reference).

With this configuration, the clamp 30 can be moved in either direction of the state where the enlarged pressing surface 32a of the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 is indicated by the solid line 32a in FIG. 13 and the state indicated by the two-dot chain line 32a in FIG. It can be attached to the socket 10. Note that the rear guide wall portion 17 in the seventh embodiment can be applied to the socket 10 in the second to fourth embodiments in addition to the first embodiment.

[Eighth Embodiment] An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the eighth embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is changed, so that the changed part will be described in detail, and the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the operation unit 32 of the clamp 30.

In the eighth embodiment, the enlarged pressing surface 32a of the operating portion 32 of the clamp 30 is formed in a substantially Ω shape. With this configuration, even when the length of the operation unit 32 of the clamp 30 is short, the pressing area of the operation unit 32 pressed by the fingertip of the operator during the pressing operation of the clamp 30 can be increased. In addition, the pressing surface enlarged portion 32a in the eighth embodiment can be applied to the clamp 30 in the second to fourth embodiments in addition to the first embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the connector of the present invention can be applied not only to a pipe joint but also to other connectors. Further, the clamp 30 may be made of resin instead of metal. Further, the socket 10 and / or the plug 50 may be made of metal such as aluminum alloy or brass instead of resin. Further, the locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 may be provided on only one side. In this case, a support portion for supporting the operation portion 32 of the clamp 30 so as to be able to be pressed may be provided in the socket 10. Further, the shape of the opening 14 of the socket 10 is not limited to the slit. In addition, a bulged pipe having an outer peripheral surface with a bulge portion as used for a general quick connector can be applied to the plug. In this case, the bulge portion of the bulged pipe can be set as the engaging portion with which the locking portion of the clamp engages.

The insertion guide surface 54a of the plug 50 may be omitted. In this case, the plug 50 may be connected to the socket 10 by the same operation as when the plug 50 is removed. Further, when the insertion opening 51 of the plug 50 is inserted into the receiving opening 11 of the socket 10, if the plug is positioned in the insertion direction, one flange 55 of the plug 50 may be removed. Also,
The insertion port 51 of the plug 50 is the receiving port 1 of the socket 10
If the plug is positioned with respect to the direction around the axis when the plug is inserted into the bracket 1, instead of the engaging flange 54, an engaging portion of only the portion engaging with the locking portion 34 of the clamp 30 is formed. Is also good.

[0076]

According to the connector of the present invention, the clamp can be unlocked without using a tool, so that the clamp can be easily unlocked.
Also, just releasing the pressure on the clamp in the unlocked state will elastically restore the clamp to the locked state,
Inadvertent forgetting of returning the clamp can be prevented.
Further, since the clamp is hardly inclined at the time of the pressing operation, the unlock operation of the clamp can be performed smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe joint according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a socket and a clamp.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a pipe joint.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a deformed state of a clamp when a plug is inserted.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an unlocked state of the clamp.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe joint according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a deformed state of the clamp when the plug is inserted.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a pipe joint according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a deformed state of the clamp when the plug is inserted.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a pipe joint according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view around a socket-side cam portion of the socket showing the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view around a socket-side cam portion of a socket showing a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the vicinity of a guide wall of a socket according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view around an operation unit of a clamp according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a pipe joint showing Conventional Example 1.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a pipe joint.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a pipe joint showing Conventional Example 2.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the clamp.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing a connection state of the pipe joint.

20 is a sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI in FIG. 19;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Socket 14 Opening part 14a Lower end part (cam contact part) 14b Upper end part (cam contact part) 18 Socket side cam part 30 Clamp 34 Locking part 35 Hook (Cam contact part) 37 Clamp side cam part 50 Plug 54 Engagement flange (engagement part) 54a Insertion guide surface

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3J039 AA03 BB01 FA01 FA08 3J106 AA01 AB01 BA01 BB01 BC04 BD01 BE21 BE26 BE29 CA02 EB05 EC01 EC07 ED33 EE01 EF01

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A socket comprising a socket, a clamp, and a plug, wherein the socket is formed so that the plug can be inserted, the clamp is attached to the socket so as to be able to be pressed, and the clamp is engaged with the plug. The clamp has elasticity to hold the lock in a locked state for engaging the plug; and the clamp releases the engagement of the lock with the plug. The clamp is formed so as to be elastically deformable in an unlocked state, and a locking portion of the clamp is provided with a cam contact portion located on a free end side opposite to a pressing operation side of the clamp. A socket-side cam portion on which a cam contact portion of the portion slides, and the socket-side cam portion unlocks the clamp by sliding the cam contact portion of the locking portion when the clamp is pressed. Connector, characterized in that to elastically deform the click state. 2. A socket comprising a socket, a clamp, and a plug, wherein the socket is formed so that the plug can be inserted, the clamp is attached to the socket so as to be able to be pressed, and the clamp is provided on the socket. A locking portion engageable with the plug through the opening, the clamp has elasticity to hold the locking portion in a locked state for engaging with the plug, and the clamp has an engagement with the plug. The clamp is formed so as to be elastically deformable in an unlocked state for releasing the engagement of the stop portion. The clamp is provided with a clamp-side cam portion disposed in an opening of the socket. A cam contact portion on which a clamp side cam portion slides is provided, and the clamp side cam portion slides on a cam contact portion of the opening of the socket when the clamp is pressed. The connector, characterized in that to elastically deform the clamp to the unlocked state. 3. A plug is provided with an engaging portion with which a locking portion of a clamp is engaged, and the plug-inserting side of the engaging portion pushes and opens the locking portion of the clamp when the plug is inserted into the socket. 3. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion guide surface.