JP2008151159A - Quick connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a quick connector having structure allowing smooth operation of a retainer even in a small piping space, while a tube connection part is formed in a bent condition in relation to a pipe connection part. <P>SOLUTION: A pair of first engagement windows 41, 41 are formed on a cylindrical retainer retention part 23 of a pipe insertion part 7 with opposing to a radial symmetric position in an extension direction of a resin tube connection part 9, and a pair of second engagement windows 43, 43 are formed with opposing to a radial direction symmetric position shifted from the pair of first engagement windows 41, 41 in a circumference direction by 90°. The connector is constructed in such a manner that the pair of first engagement windows 41, 41 or the pair of second engagement windows 43, 43 are selected, and that a retainer 5 can be attached to the selected engagement windows. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a quick connector used for connecting a gasoline fuel pipe or the like of an automobile.

  For example, a quick connector as shown in Patent Document 1 is used for connecting a gasoline fuel pipe of an automobile. This quick connector has a tube connection part (resin tube connection part) on one side in the axial direction, a cylindrical pipe connection part (pipe insertion part) in which a retainer holding part is formed on the other side in the axial direction, and retainer holding A retainer that is fitted in the part, and the other pipe (pipe body) is relatively inserted into the pipe connection part from the other end opening in the axial direction of the pipe connection part or the retainer holding part and snap-fitted. Is connected to the other pipe.

  The retainer is formed as a substantially annular body having a C-shaped cross section, and has an engagement portion (engagement slit) that snap-engages with the annular engagement protrusion of the mating pipe inserted into the pipe connection portion. A pair of holding protrusions (engagement claw portions) provided at the symmetric place are inserted into a pair of engagement windows formed at the radially symmetric place of the retainer holding section, and the axial direction of the engagement window is By being engaged with the end portion, the retainer holding portion is held in a retaining state.

  The retainer is provided with a pair of operation parts (operation arms) so as to correspond to the holding protrusions, and when the operation parts are pressed from the outside in the radial direction, the interval between the holding protrusions of the retainer is narrowed. It is configured. Therefore, by operating the operation portion, the engagement of the holding projection with the engagement window can be released, and the mating pipe can be relatively extracted from the quick connector together with the retainer.

JP 2002-89765 A

  By the way, such a quick connector is used in, for example, an engine room of an automobile in which various parts are densely arranged and a piping space is narrow and limited. Therefore, in piping work, it is necessary to consider that the quick connector is disposed in the piping space in a state where the operation portion of the retainer can be easily operated. That is, for example, if the quick connector is accommodated in a narrow pipe space with the retainer operating parts positioned on both sides in the width direction, the retainer operating part is operated when the quick connector is removed from the mating pipe. It becomes impossible.

  Therefore, when fitting the tube connector of the quick connector to the tube (resin tube), the quick connector is operated at a rotation angle position that makes the operation unit easy to operate according to the piping space where the quick connector is accommodated. Need to be connected to the tube.

  However, in a quick connector in which the tube connection portion is formed in a bent state with respect to the pipe connection portion so as to correspond to the piping line, the pipe connection portion can easily operate the operation portion of the retainer in the piping space portion to be accommodated. The quick connector cannot be connected to the tube so that the rotation angle position is correct.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a quick connector having a configuration that allows a retainer to be operated easily even in a narrow piping space, while the tube connection portion is formed in a bent state with respect to the pipe connection portion.

  In order to achieve this object, a quick connector according to the present invention has a tube connecting portion connected to a tube on one side in the axial direction, and a cylindrical pipe connecting portion formed with a retainer holding portion on the other side in the axial direction. A retainer which is held by the retainer holding portion and engages with a mating pipe and prevents the mating pipe from coming off, and the retainer has an annular or substantially annular retainer main body (main body portion) and the retainer main body A pair of holding projections provided at symmetric locations in the radial direction, and a pair of operation portions formed on the retainer body corresponding to the pair of holding projections, and the pair of holding projections The retainer holding portion is formed so as to be held by the retainer holding portion by engaging with a pair of engagement windows formed at radially symmetric portions of the retainer holding portion, and the pair of operation portions are operated by operating the pair of operating portions. A quick connector formed so that the engagement between the engagement window and the holding protrusion is released, wherein the tube connection portion is formed to be bent in connection with the pipe connection portion, and The engagement windows are formed in two sets of a first pair of engagement windows and a second pair of engagement windows, and the first pair of engagement windows and the second pair of engagement windows are mutually connected. It is provided by being shifted by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction so that either one of the first engagement window or the second engagement window can be selected to engage the holding protrusion of the retainer. It is composed of.

  The pipe connection portion and the tube connection portion form, for example, a connector body. The connector body can be made of resin or metal, and the retainer can also be made of resin or metal. The pipe connection part is formed in a straight tube shape, for example. The retainer can be formed so as to be fitted into the retainer holding portion, and can have an engagement slit at one end portion in the axial direction, into which the annular engagement protrusion of the mating pipe is fitted and engaged. The operation unit may be an operation arm that extends from the retainer body to the other side in the axial direction. The position of the pair of operation portions with respect to the pipe connection portion changes by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction depending on whether the first pair of engagement windows is used or the second pair of engagement windows is used.

  The first pair of engagement windows or the second pair of engagement windows are selected so that the operation portion of the retainer attached to the quick connector arranged in the piping space is positioned in a direction that is easy to operate, By engaging the retainer holding projections with the selected pair of engagement windows and attaching the retainer to the retainer holding part, it is possible to avoid the operation part of the retainer being difficult to operate when removing the quick connector from the mating pipe. It becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view of a quick connector according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the quick connector, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector body, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retainer used for the quick connector.

  The quick connector 1 is used for connecting a gasoline fuel pipe of an automobile, and includes a cylindrical or cylindrical connector body 3 and a substantially annular retainer 5. The connector body 3 is made of glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA / GF), and a cylindrical resin tube connection portion 9 is bent 90 degrees at one axial end portion of a cylindrical pipe insertion portion (pipe connection portion) 7. In this state, the through hole 11 penetrates from the tip of the resin tube connection portion 9 to the other end in the axial direction of the pipe insertion portion 7. The resin tube connection portion 9 has a plurality of retaining annular protrusions 13 formed integrally with an interval in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface, and the resin tube 15 (see FIG. 5) on the outer periphery or the outer peripheral surface. Is configured to be tightly fitted and connected. A relatively deep annular seal fitting groove 17 is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end side of the resin tube connecting portion 9. When the resin tube 15 is fitted or press-fitted into the resin tube 15, the seal fitting groove 17 has an inside. An annular seal 19 (see FIG. 5) is arranged on the front. Further, an outward flange-like stopper 21 is formed at the base end portion of the resin tube connecting portion 9 so as to abut against the distal end portion of the resin tube 15 during press-fitting into the resin tube 15 and prevent over-insertion.

  The pipe insertion portion 7 of the connector body 3 includes a large-diameter retainer holding portion 23 on the other side in the axial direction, an intermediate seal holding portion 25 having a smaller diameter than the retainer holding portion 23, and a shaft having a smaller diameter than the seal holding portion 25. The connecting portion 27 is formed integrally with the connecting portion 27 on one side in the direction, and the resin tube connecting portion 9 is provided integrally with the connecting portion 27. On the one axial side of the inner peripheral surface of the seal holding portion 25, there are two annular seal members of a first O-ring 29 on one axial side and a second O-ring 31 on the other axial side. 33, that is, a short cylindrical shape that is fitted side by side with an interval in the axial direction, and has an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the connecting portion 27 on the other axial side of the inner peripheral surface of the seal holding portion 25. Alternatively, a cylindrical resin bush 35 is fitted. The resin bush 35 has an annular contact surface or an annular inner end surface that is formed at one axial end on the inner side of the retainer holding portion 23 with an annular end surface 37 on the other side in the axial direction. The seal holding portion 25 is fitted to the other axial end portion so as to be positioned on the same plane as 39. The O-rings 29 and 31 are positioned in the axial direction between the annular step surface 39 formed at one end in the axial direction inside the seal holding portion 25 and the resin bush 35.

  The cylindrical retainer holding portion 23 of the pipe insertion portion 7 is formed with a first pair of engagement windows 41, 41 facing the radially symmetric position in the extending direction of the resin tube connecting portion 9. Opposing the pair of engagement windows 41, 41 to a radially symmetric position shifted 90 degrees in the circumferential direction (or facing a radially symmetric position in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the resin tube connecting portion 9) A pair of engagement windows 43, 43 are formed, and each engagement window 41, 43 has the same shape. Therefore, in the retainer holding part 23, four engagement windows or four engagement windows having the same shape are formed at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction (at equal intervals in the circumferential direction). One end (end surface) 45, 47 in the axial direction of the engagement windows 41, 43 is on the other axial side of the annular contact surface 39 inside the retainer holding portion 23 and the annular end surface 37 on the other axial side of the resin bush 35 or It is arranged to be located somewhat on the other side in the axial direction.

  A retainer 5 made of PA is fitted in the retainer holding portion 23, and the retainer 5 is configured to be relatively flexible and elastically deformable. The retainer 5 is formed with a pair of engaging claw portions 49 and 49 projecting radially outward at a radially symmetrical position of the other axial end portion, and a relatively large deformation between the circumferential end portions 51 and 51. The main body 53 has a C-shaped or C-shaped (substantially annular) cross section provided with a clearance for use, and the inner surface of the main body 53 is located on one axial side at a circumferential position corresponding to the engaging claw 49. The one end 55 in the axial direction of the main body 53 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mating pipe 57 (see FIG. 5) at the circumferential position corresponding to the engaging claw 49. An arcuate portion having an inner diameter (an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the annular engagement protrusion 59 (see FIG. 5) of the mating pipe 57) is provided. The inner surface of the portion of the main body 53 facing the deformation gap is formed in a substantially cylindrical inner state (having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the annular engagement protrusion 59 of the mating pipe 57). A notch-shaped recess 61 is formed in one axial end portion 55 of the portion facing the deformation gap.

  At the other axial end of the main body 53 of the retainer 5, a pair of operating arms 63, 63 (inclined radially outward from the position corresponding to the engaging claws 49, 49 toward the other axial side). An operation portion is integrally provided, and operation end portions 65 and 65 projecting radially outward are formed at the other axial end portions of the operation arms 63 and 63, respectively. Further, engagement slits 67 and 67 extending in the circumferential direction are formed opposite to each other at the arc-shaped portion of the axial end portion 55 of the main body 53, and the retainer 5 having such a configuration is here engaged. Retainer holding so that the claw portions 49, 49 enter into the first pair of engagement windows 41, 41 of the retainer holding portion 23 and engage with the other axial ends of the engagement windows 41, 41 in a retaining manner. It is pushed into the part 23 and fitted. The width or circumferential length of each engagement window 41, 43 is set to be equal to or substantially equal to the circumferential length of the engagement claw portion 49.

  The inner surfaces 69 and 69 of the retainer 5 facing the arcuate section extending from the operation arms 63 and 63 to the engagement slits 67 and 67 are respectively tapered toward the center or the center axis direction toward one side in the axial direction. Although it is inclined, when the mating pipe 57 is inserted into the main body 53 of the retainer 5 from the operation end portions 65 and 65 of the operation arms 63 and 63, the annular engagement protrusion 59 of the mating pipe 57 is tapered on the retainer 5. The inner surfaces 69 and 69 are in contact with each other at the boundary position between the operation arm 63 and the main body 53. 2 and 3, reference numeral 71 is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the retainer holding portion 23, and is positioned in the notch-shaped recess 61 of the main body 53 of the retainer 5 to prevent the retainer 5 from rotating. The anti-rotation protrusion 71 is provided with four anti-rotation protrusions 71 corresponding to the four engagement windows 41, 43, but corresponds to one engagement window 41 and one engagement window 43. And only two may be provided. Further, when the retainer 5 is most displaced to one side in the axial direction within the retainer holding portion 23, one end in the axial direction is in contact with or substantially in contact with the annular contact surface 39 (or the annular end surface 37 of the resin bush 35). It is configured.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the quick connector 1 is connected to the mating pipe 57.

  The operation arms 63 and 63 are inserted into the main body 53 of the retainer 5 from the operation end portions 65 and 65 side, that is, inserted into the quick connector 1 from the other axial end opening 73 of the retainer holding portion 23 and fitted. The mating pipe 57 is made of metal, for example, and has an insertion end portion 75 formed by providing an annular engagement protrusion 59 on the outer peripheral surface on one axial side. The inner surface of the main body portion 53 of the retainer 5 is pushed and spread, and is pushed into the quick connector 1 or the connector main body 3 (pipe insertion portion 7) until it is fitted into the engagement slits 67 and 67 and snap-engaged. The mating pipe 57 is prevented from being detached from and inserted into the quick connector 1 by snapping the annular engagement protrusion 59 into the engagement slits 67 and 67 of the main body 53 of the retainer 5. The That is, it is positioned in the axial direction. One end in the axial direction of the mating pipe 57 or the insertion end portion 75 passes through the O-rings 31 and 29 and reaches the inside of the connecting portion 27, so The O-rings 29 and 31 are sealed between the quick connector 1 (more specifically, the seal holding portion 25) and the insertion end portion of the mating pipe 57. One side in the axial direction of the 75 annular engagement protrusion 59 is inserted so that no play occurs in the resin bush 35 and the connecting portion 27 having the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the insertion end 75 of the mating pipe 57. Has been.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing a case where the mounting direction of the retainer 5 is changed by the quick connector 1.

  For example, when the retainer 5 is attached to the retainer holding portion 23 using the first pair of engagement windows 41, the quick connector 1 is used when the resin tube 15 and the mating pipe 57 are connected using the quick connector 1. When the operating space 63 of the retainer 5 is difficult to operate, the retainer 5 is engaged with the second pair of engagement windows 43, that is, the engagement claw portion 49 of the retainer 5 is engaged. It can be fitted into the retainer holding part 23 so as to enter the window 43 and engage with the engagement window 43 to prevent it from coming off. When the retainer 5 is fitted to the retainer holding portion 23 using the second pair of engagement windows 43, the retainer 5 is fitted to the retainer holding portion 23 using the first pair of engagement windows 41. It can be performed in the same way. When the second pair of engagement windows 43 is used, compared to the case where the first pair of engagement windows 41 is used, the arrangement positions of the pair of operation arms 63 (for example, relative to the connector main body 3 or the pipe insertion portion 7). (Positioning position) can be shifted 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

  As described above, the quick connector of the present invention can adjust the rotation angle position of the retainer according to the state of the piping space in which the quick connector is arranged, and thus is suitable for piping connection in an engine room of an automobile. is there.

1 is a perspective view of a quick connector according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing of a quick connector. It is a perspective view of a connector main part. It is a perspective view of the retainer used for a quick connector. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which connected the quick connector to the other party pipe. It is a figure which shows the case where the attachment direction of a retainer is changed.

Explanation of symbols

1 Quick connector 5 Retainer 7 Pipe insertion part (pipe connection part)
9 Resin tube connection part 15 Resin tube 23 Retainer holding part 41, 43 Engagement window 49 Engagement claw part 53 Main part (Retainer main part)
57 Mating pipe
63 Operation arm (operation unit)

Claims (1)

A tubular pipe connection part having a tube connection part connected to the tube on one side in the axial direction and a retainer holding part formed on the other side in the axial direction, and being engaged with the mating pipe held by the retainer holding part And a retainer that relatively prevents the mating pipe from coming off, the retainer having an annular or substantially annular retainer body, and a pair of holding projections provided at radially symmetric locations of the retainer body. A pair of operation portions formed on the retainer body corresponding to the pair of holding projections, and the pair of holding projections are formed at radially symmetric portions of the retainer holding unit. It is formed so as to be held by the retainer holding portion by engaging with the engagement window, and the engagement between the engagement window and the holding protrusion is released by operating the pair of operation portions. Formed as And that, a quick connector that is,
The tube connecting portion is formed in a bent state in the pipe connecting portion,
The pair of engagement windows are formed as two pairs of a first pair of engagement windows and a second pair of engagement windows, and the first pair of engagement windows and the second pair of engagement windows. Are provided so as to be shifted from each other by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction, and either one of the first pair of engagement windows or the second pair of engagement windows is selected and the holding projection of the retainer is A quick connector, characterized in that it is configured to be engageable.

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