JP3564466B2 - Flexible tube fittings - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a joint for a flexible tube, and more particularly, to a joint for a flexible tube for a flexible tube formed of a corrugated pipe used for gas piping or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIGS. 11 and 12 show such a flexible tube joint, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-180980.
[0003]
Here, reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible tube, which is composed of a thin stainless steel corrugated tube 2 and a resin-made tubular covering 3 covering the outer periphery of the corrugated tube 2. In the corrugated tube 2, reference numeral 4 denotes a peak, and 5 denotes a valley. The flexible tube 1 is connected to the joint in a state where the coating 3 is removed at several ridges at the tip of the corrugated tube 2.
[0004]
In this joint, reference numeral 11 denotes a cylindrical main body, which is formed of metal such as brass, and has an external thread portion 12 formed at one end thereof, so that it can be connected to a connected body such as a gas pipe. ing. A hexagonal portion 13 is used for screwing the outer thread portion 12.
[0005]
On the inner circumference on the other end side of the cylindrical main body 11, in order from the opening side, an inner screw portion 15, an inner peripheral surface 16, an annular sealing material housing portion 17, and a rear end surface of the sealing material housing portion 17 18 are formed. An annular rubber sealing material 21 is loosely press-fitted in the sealing material housing portion 17. The seal member 21 has a refractory portion 22 located on the back side of the tubular main body 11 and a general rubber portion 23 located on the opening side of the tubular main body 11 with respect to the refractory portion 22 in the axial direction. It has a configuration. The refractory portion 22 is formed of a relatively hard material having fire resistance, such as nitrile rubber mixed with thermally expandable graphite. The general rubber portion 23 is made of a material that does not have fire resistance but is soft and has excellent sealing performance, such as nitrile rubber.
[0006]
The rear end face 18 is formed along the radial direction to the inner peripheral side of the sealing material 21. Further, an annular projection 19 is formed so as to be continuous with the inner peripheral end of the rear end face 18. The annular protrusion 19 extends from the back end face 18 toward the opening side of the cylindrical main body 11 at the same position as the sealing material housing portion 17 along the axial direction and at a position on the inner peripheral side of the sealing material housing portion 17. It is formed so as to protrude in the axial direction, and as shown in FIG. 11 , when the corrugated pipe 2 is inserted into the inner peripheral portion of the sealing material 21, it is configured to enter the inside of the corrugated pipe 2 without a large gap. ing. A tapered surface 20 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip of the annular protrusion 19.
[0007]
Reference numeral 25 denotes a retaining ring which is formed in a tubular shape from a metal such as brass and has, at one end thereof, an outer thread portion 26 which can be screwed into the inner thread portion 15 of the tubular body 11. On the outer circumference on the other end side of the retaining ring 25, an outer circumferential surface 27 having a larger diameter than the outer screw portion 26 is formed. The retaining ring 25 is formed with a hole 24 through which the flexible tube 1 is inserted. A tapered surface 28 whose diameter increases toward the distal end of the retaining ring 25 is formed on the inner periphery of the distal end of the retaining ring 25 in the hole 24.
[0008]
In a state where the retaining ring 25 is screwed into the cylindrical main body 11 as shown in FIG. 11 , the inner peripheral taper surface 28 of the retaining ring 25, the inner peripheral surface 16 of the cylindrical main body 11, and the end surface of the sealing material 21 are combined. An enclosed space 29 is formed. In this space 29, an annular retainer 30 is arranged. The retainer 30 is formed of a metal material such as brass, and has a radially inward protrusion 31 formed at one end thereof, that is, at the back of the tubular main body 11. The projection 31 can be engaged with the valley 5 of the corrugated tube 2. On the outer periphery of the retainer 33, a tapered surface 32 that can contact the inner peripheral tapered surface 28 of the retaining ring 25 is formed.
[0009]
Further, in the retainer 30, the notch in the axial direction from the one end side having the protrusion 31 toward the other end is formed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction, so that the diameter of the protrusion 31 can be expanded from the state shown in the drawing. It is configured as follows. An annular groove 33 having a rectangular cross section is formed on the outer periphery of one end of the retainer 30, and a ring spring 34 for urging the protrusion 31 of the retainer 30 to a reduced diameter state shown in the figure. Is inlaid. A washer 35 is interposed between the end face of the retainer 30 and the end face of the sealing material 21.
[0010]
In such a structure, when forming a joint, first, the sealing material 21 is fitted into the housing portion 17 of the tubular main body 11 in a state where the retaining ring 25 is not mounted. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the sealing material 21 is not completely pushed into the inner end of the housing portion 17, but the end portion is projected from the housing portion 17 in the axial direction. Is also lightly pressed into the opening side of the cylindrical main body 11.
[0011]
Then, with the retainer 30 with the ring spring 34 fitted in the annular groove 33 accommodated inside the tapered surface 28 of the retaining ring 25, the retaining ring 25 is screwed into the tubular main body 11 and fixed. A washer 35 is interposed between the retainer 30 and the seal member 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 12 , the retainer 30 is sandwiched between the protruding seal member 21 and the tapered surface 28 of the retaining ring 25, and is held in a centered state by the action of the tapered surface 28.
[0012]
To the joint in this state, the flexible tube 1 cut off at the valley portion 5 of the corrugated tube 2 and the covering 3 removed at several ridges at the tip of the corrugated tube 2 as shown in FIG. 25 into the hole 24 from the end. This insertion is usually performed manually by an operator. Then, the peak portion 4 at the tip of the corrugated tube 2 hits the projection 31 of the retainer 30, and pushes the sealing material 21 to the deep end face 18 of the housing portion 17 via the retainer 30 and the washer 35 .
[0013]
When the pushing is further continued, the corrugated tube 2 passes through the position of the protrusion 31 by the spread of the retainer 30 at the position of the protrusion 31 against the force of the spring 34 at the position of the protrusion 31. Thereafter, the protrusion 31 is reduced in diameter and engages with the valley 5 of the corrugate tube 2 by the action of the spring 34. Similarly, when several peaks of the corrugated pipe 2 pass through the projection 31 of the retainer 30, the several peaks of the corrugated pipe 2 enter the inside of the sealing material 21 as shown in FIG .
[0014]
At this time, the sealing member 21 exhibits a required sealing function by its inner peripheral surface being in close contact with the peak portion 4 of the corrugated tube 2. In detail, the general rubber portion 23 of the sealing material 21 is in close contact with the peak portion 4 of the corrugate tube 2, so that the sealing performance during normal use is ensured. When exposed to a high temperature due to a fire, the general rubber portion 23 is burned out, but the refractory portion 22 remains without being burned out, so that the sealed state is maintained. In addition, since the corrugated tube 2 is held by the annular projection 19 so as not to cause misalignment, a decrease in sealing performance due to such misalignment is prevented.
[0015]
When the end of the corrugated tube 2 is inserted into the fireproof portion 22 of the sealing material 21 as described above, the joining operation between the flexible tube 1 and the joint is completed. FIG. 11 shows this joint completed state. At this time, the protrusion 31 of the retainer 30 is reduced in diameter by the spring 34 and engages with the valley 5 on the outer periphery of the corrugate tube 2.
[0016]
When a pulling force from the joint acts on the flexible tube 1, the outer peripheral tapered surface 32 of the retainer 30 in which the protrusion 31 is engaged with one valley 5 of the corrugated tube 2 hits the tapered surface 28 of the retaining ring 25. The retainer 30 receives a radially inward reaction force from the retaining ring 25. Then, the protrusion 31 of the retainer 30 presses the outer periphery of the one valley portion 5 of the corrugated pipe 2 over the entire circumference, and the engagement between the retainer 30 and the corrugated pipe 2 is ensured. This prevents the flexible tube 1 from coming out of the joint.
[0017]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a conventional flexible tube joint, even when the general rubber portion 23 of the sealing material is burned out when exposed to a high temperature due to a fire as described above, the sealing performance of the joint is not impaired . Thereafter, it is necessary that the sealing performance is maintained by the refractory portion 22 of the sealing material 21. For this purpose, when the corrugated pipe 2 is inserted into the joint, it is necessary that the tip of the corrugated pipe 2 should surely enter the inside of the refractory part 22.
[0018]
The fact that the distal end of the corrugated pipe 2 has entered the inside of the refractory portion 22 as described above can be confirmed by the response when the distal end of the corrugated pipe 2 hits the rear end face 18 of the tubular main body by insertion.
[0019]
However, when the corrugate tube 2 is inserted into the sealing material 21 in order to exhibit the required sealing performance by the sealing material 21, a certain degree of press-fitting state occurs, and there is a corresponding response at the time of this insertion. Also, when the tip of the corrugated tube 2 hits the protrusion 31 of the retainer 30, there is a corresponding response, and it is difficult to distinguish between these responses and the response when the corrugated tube 2 hits the rear end surface 18.
[0020]
For this reason, although the insertion completion state of the flexible tube 2 as shown in FIG. 11 has not been reached, the operator may erroneously determine that the state is the insertion completion state.
[0021]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and to enable a corrugated tube of a flexible tube to be inserted into a joint to be surely inserted to a predetermined position.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a tubular joint for a flexible tube formed of a corrugated tube, wherein an annular sealing material is disposed inside the joint, and the flexible tube is provided at a tip of the corrugated tube. The part can be inserted toward the inside of the joint from the opening at the end of the cylindrical joint in which the seal material is arranged, and the annular seal material has a fireproof part and does not have fire resistance. general rubber portion which exhibits a predetermined sealing performance with those which are arranged in the axial direction, that the tip portion of the Korugeito tube enters the inside of said refractory part and the general rubber portion, the Korugeito in close contact with the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the tube, said being configured to exert a required fire resistance and sealing performance between the fitting and Korugeito tube, and the required refractory performance and sealing performance It enters the tip of the Korugeito tube to volatilization is to a predetermined position within the refractory portion and the generally sealed portion of the sealing member, when said sealing member is in close contact with the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the Korugeito tube, this Korugeito A member exhibiting a click action in cooperation with the pipe is provided inside the joint, and the member exhibiting the click action is formed of a thin plate-like body, and a corrugated pipe inserted into the joint is provided. It is configured to emit the hit response by hitting, and when further insertion force is applied to the corrugated tube while receiving this response, it is elastically deformed by this, so that the corrugate tube is further inserted and The response is released .
[0023]
Here, "click action"
(1) There is a response that the corrugated tube has hit something by the insertion of the corrugated tube. When the corrugated tube is further subjected to an insertion force while receiving the response, the corrugated tube is further inserted into the joint, and Such an action that the response is released,
(2) An effect in which a sound such as "click" or "snap" is generated with the above operation.
[0024]
Therefore, according to the present invention, by confirming the click action by the operator, the corrugated tube can be reliably inserted to a predetermined position inside the joint.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS . 1 to 10 , in which the same members as those shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0026]
1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Here, a spring housing 40 having a rectangular cross-section with a smaller diameter than the seal housing 17 is formed at a position deeper than the rear end face 18 of the seal housing 17 in the cylindrical main body 11. A disc spring 41 is accommodated in the spring accommodating portion 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the disc spring 41 has a state in which the outer peripheral portion 42 is located on the back side of the cylindrical main body 11 with respect to the inner peripheral portion 43, in other words, the inner peripheral portion 43 has an opening of the cylindrical main body 11. It is accommodated in the spring accommodating part 40 in the state located on the side. In addition, when the disc spring 41 is accommodated in the spring accommodating portion 40 in this manner, it is fitted to the annular projection 19, and is preferably formed in a spherical shape as shown in the figure.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the corrugated tube 2 of the flexible tube 1 is manually inserted through the opening of the retaining ring 25 in the joint in which the disc spring 41 is housed, the corrugated tube 2 passes through the retainer 30 and then enters the inside of the sealing member 21. The valley portion 5 at the tip of the inserted corrugated tube 2 hits the inner peripheral portion 43 of the disc spring 41 in the state shown in FIG. Then, the response is transmitted to the operator's hand via the inserted corrugated tube 2.
[0028]
If there is such a response, the insertion force is applied to the corrugated tube 2 with a stronger force than before. Then, the disc spring 41 is elastically inverted by the force as shown in FIG. 3, that is, a click action occurs in the present invention, and as shown in FIG. Move to the back of. Thereby, the response when the inner peripheral portion 43 is pressed is released at the operator's hand, and it is confirmed that the corrugated tube 2 has been inserted to the predetermined position. That is, it is confirmed that the ridge 4 at the tip of the corrugated tube 2 has been inserted into the fireproof portion 22 of the sealing material 21.
[0029]
Further, there may be a case where a sound generated when the disc spring 41 is elastically inverted in this way can be heard, whereby it can be confirmed that the corrugated tube 2 has been inserted to a predetermined position.
[0030]
The disc spring 41 can be housed in the housing part 40 in a normal state and then pushed by the valley 5 at the tip of the corrugated tube 2 to be elastically inverted. It is also possible that the disc spring 41 is housed in the housing part and is returned to the original state by the pressing by the corrugate tube 2. Reverting from the inverted state to the original state in this way has the advantage that a small force is applied to the corrugated tube 2 to change the state of the disc spring 41.
[0031]
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the spring accommodating portion 40 is formed in a tapered shape in which the depth increases toward the inside in the radial direction.
With such a configuration, in the disc spring stored state shown in FIG. 4A, the outer peripheral portion 42 of the disc spring 41 is in contact with the radially outer shallow portion or the rear end face 18 of the storage section 40. When the corrugated tube 2 is inserted in this state, the inner peripheral portion 43 of the disc spring 41 is pressed against the valley 5 of the corrugated tube 2 as shown in FIG. The click action in the present invention occurs. At this time, since the accommodating portion 40 is formed in a tapered shape, the inner peripheral portion 43 of the disc spring 41 enters the inner side of the cylindrical main body 11 more than the outer peripheral portion 42, and therefore, the disc spring 41 is securely inserted. It can be elastically inverted to perform a responsive click action.
[0032]
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the spring accommodating portion 40 is formed to have a rectangular cross section and a smaller diameter than the outer peripheral portion 42 of the disc spring 41.
[0033]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the disc spring 41 is housed in the tubular main body 11 in a state where the outer peripheral portion 42 does not enter the housing portion 40 and abuts on the rear end face 18 of the tubular main body 11. You. When the corrugated tube 2 is inserted in this state, the inner peripheral portion 43 of the disc spring 41 is pressed against the valley 5 of the corrugated tube 2 as shown in FIG. The click action in the present invention occurs. At this time, the inner peripheral portion 43 enters the housing portion 40, and thereby is located further back than the outer peripheral portion 42 in a state where the inner peripheral portion 43 hits the rear end surface 18. Therefore, the disc spring 41 can be surely elastically inverted to perform a responsive click action.
[0034]
FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Here, the spring accommodating portion 40 includes an outer peripheral side accommodating portion 57 on the inner side of the outer end side surface 57 and an inner peripheral side accommodating portion 58 formed on the inner peripheral side and further on the inner side of the outer peripheral side accommodating portion 57. Each of these housing portions 57 and 58 is formed in a rectangular cross section.
[0035]
With such a configuration, the disc spring 41 is accommodated in the tubular main body 11 with the outer peripheral portion 42 accommodated in the outer peripheral side accommodation portion 57 as shown in FIG. When the corrugated tube 2 is inserted in this state, the inner peripheral portion 43 of the disc spring 41 is pressed against the valley 5 of the corrugated tube 2 as shown in FIG. The click action in the present invention occurs. At this time, the inner peripheral portion 43 enters the inner peripheral side accommodation portion 58, and thereby, is located further back than the outer peripheral portion 42 accommodated in the outer peripheral side accommodation portion 57. Therefore, the disc spring 41 can be surely elastically inverted to perform a responsive click action.
[0036]
Further, in the state where the insertion of the corrugated tube 2 shown in FIG. 6B is completed, that is, in a state where the sealing material 21 is pushed in until it comes into contact with the rear end surface 18, the outer peripheral portion 42 of the disc spring 41 is located on the outer peripheral side of the rear end surface 18. It is stuck in the side accommodating portion 57 and does not contact the sealing material 21. That is, since the disc spring 41 is elastically inverted without contacting the sealing material 21, the sound generated at the time of inversion by contacting the sealing material 21 is not absorbed by the sealing material 21. This sound is transmitted well to the outside, so that the worker can surely hear the sound. That is, it is possible to exhibit an excellent click action.
[0037]
7 and 8 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention . Here, the spring accommodating portion 40 is formed as in the case of the above-described first embodiment, and an annular spring body 51 is accommodated in the spring accommodating portion 40. The spring body 51 is formed in a ring shape from a thin material, and has a curved portion 52 that can be fitted to the peak portion 4 at the tip of the corrugated tube 2, and an opening side of the tubular main body 11 with respect to the curved portion 52. And a guide portion 53 formed at the center. The guide portion 53 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the peak portion 4 at the tip of the corrugate tube 2 and has a cylindrical main body 11 so that the peak portion 4 can enter the guide portion 53. Is formed in an open shape toward the opening side.
[0038]
With such a configuration, when the corrugated tube 2 is inserted as shown in FIG. 7A , the crest 4 at the tip of the corrugated tube 2 hits the guide portion 53 of the spring body 51, and the operator receives a response due to this. . Thereafter, when an insertion force is further applied, the peak portion 4 of the corrugated tube 2 enters the inside of the corrugated tube 2 while elastically pushing and expanding the guide portion 53, and after passing through the guide portion 53, as shown in FIG. In the curved portion 52. The fit into the curved portion 52 after passing through the guide portion 53, that is, the click action in the present invention releases the response when hitting the guide portion 53, and confirms that the corrugated tube 2 has been inserted to a predetermined position. Is done.
[0039]
The sound generated when the peak 4 of the corrugated tube 2 passes through the guide portion 53 of the spring body 51 and gets stuck in the curved portion 52 may be heard, whereby the corrugated tube 2 is inserted to a predetermined position. You can confirm that.
[0040]
9 to 10 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention . Here, a metal stopper 56 is embedded in a portion of the sealing material 21 on the inner side of the general rubber portion 23, specifically, in a portion of the general rubber portion 23 at a boundary between the refractory portion 22 and the general rubber portion 23. Is provided. The stopper 56 is formed of a C-shaped thin plate having a part cut out in the circumferential direction, and is formed such that the inner diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the peak portion 4 of the corrugated tube 2. .
[0041]
With this configuration, when the corrugated tube 2 is inserted as shown in FIG. 9A , the crest 4 at the tip of the corrugated tube 2 hits the inner peripheral edge of the stopper 56, and the operator receives a response. Thereafter, when an insertion force is further applied, the peak portion 4 of the corrugated tube 2 passes through the C-shaped stopper 56 while elastically pushing and expanding the stopper 56, and as shown in FIG. It gets stuck on the inner circumference. The stopper 56 elastically returns to the original state. After passing through the stopper 56, the refractory portion 22 is fitted into the inner peripheral side, that is, the click action in the present invention releases the response when the refractory portion 22 hits the stopper 56, and the corrugated tube 2 is inserted to a predetermined position. Is confirmed.
[0042]
The dimensions such as the inner diameter of the C-shaped stopper 56 and the range of formation along the circumferential direction can be set as appropriate . Also, by providing the stopper 56 eccentrically with respect to the sealing material 21, the response when the peak portion 4 of the corrugate tube 2 hits the stopper 55 and the resistance when the stopper 55 is pushed away and passes through the inside of the stopper 55 are also provided. Can be set to be preferable.
[0043]
The above-described first to sixth embodiments can be configured by appropriately combining two or more.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a tubular joint for a flexible tube formed of a corrugated tube, an annular sealing material is disposed inside the joint, and the flexible tube is an end portion of the corrugated tube. However, the end of the cylindrical joint in which the sealing material is arranged can be inserted into the interior of the joint through the opening at the end, and the annular sealing material has the distal end of the corrugate pipe inserted therein. Thereby, it is configured so as to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the tip portion of the corrugated pipe and to exert a required sealing function between the joint and the corrugated pipe, and the sealing material is in close contact with the outer periphery of the tip portion of the corrugated pipe. When the tip of the corrugated pipe enters the inside of the sealing material to a predetermined position where the required sealing function is exhibited, the corrugated pipe cooperates with the corrugated pipe. Therefore member exhibiting clicking action, since as provided in the interior of the joint, by the operator to confirm the clicking action can be inserted into a predetermined position inside the reliably fittings Korugeito tube.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of a flexible tube joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view showing a state before a flexible tube is inserted into the joint of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the disc spring shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a joint for a flexible tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a flexible tube joint according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a joint for a flexible tube according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a joint for a flexible tube according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the spring body in FIG . 7;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of a joint for a flexible tube according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an overall view of a sealing material in FIG . 9;
FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway front view of a conventional flexible tube joint.
FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway front view showing a state before a flexible tube is inserted into the joint of FIG . 11;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible tube 2 Corrugated tube 11 Cylindrical main body 41 Disc spring 51 Spring body 56 Stopper

Claims (1)

A tubular joint for a flexible tube formed of a corrugated tube,
An annular sealing material is arranged inside the joint,
The flexible tube, the tip of the corrugated tube, from the opening of the end of the cylindrical joint where the sealing material is arranged, can be inserted toward the interior of this joint,
The annular sealing material is provided with a refractory portion and a general rubber portion having no fire resistance but exhibiting a predetermined sealing performance arranged in the axial direction, and the refractory portion and the general rubber portion are provided. As the tip of the corrugated pipe enters the inside of the corrugated pipe, the corrugated pipe comes into close contact with the outer periphery of the tip of the corrugated pipe so that the joint and the corrugated pipe exhibit required fire resistance and sealing performance. Composed,
The tip of the corrugated pipe enters a predetermined position inside the refractory part of the sealing material and the general sealing part so as to exhibit the required fire resistance and sealing performance, and the sealing material is inserted into the tip of the corrugated pipe. A member exhibiting a click action by cooperating with the corrugated tube when in close contact with the outer periphery of the joint is provided inside the joint ,
The member exhibiting the click action is formed of a thin plate-shaped body, and is configured to emit a response when hit by a corrugated tube inserted into the joint, while receiving the response. The joint for a flexible tube, wherein the corrugated tube is further configured so that when the insertion force is further applied to the corrugated tube, the corrugated tube is subjected to elastic deformation, whereby the corrugated tube is further inserted and the response is released. .

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