JPH0320634Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a pipe joint structure used for interconnecting refrigerant pipes in, for example, an automobile air conditioner.

(Prior art) For example, in an automobile air conditioner, in addition to the refrigerant piping that constitutes the so-called cooling cycle system,
Hot water piping, etc. are installed, and hot water such as refrigerant or engine cooling water flowing through these piping is guided to a heat exchanger, which cools and heats the air blown into the passenger compartment. Heating and cooling. In order to interconnect various types of piping, including those for automobile air conditioners, a conventional pipe joint structure is a threaded joint as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 16082/1982. Some pipes are connected to each other by.

FIG. 7 shows such a conventional pipe joint structure. This joint is a joint for refrigerant piping, and includes a union 2 fixed to one end of the first pipe 1 by welding such as brazing,
The union 2 is attached to the end of the other second pipe 3.
It has a nut 4 screwed to. Second
The pipe 3 is formed with a bead 6 that comes into contact with the end of the union 2, and the tip 3a of the second pipe 3
An O-ring 5 is attached between the inner circumferential surface 2a of the opening of the union 2 and the inner circumferential surface 2a of the union 2 to ensure airtightness or watertightness.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) In such a conventional pipe joint, the pipes 1 and 3 are connected to each other by threading the union 2 and the nut 4. Therefore, it is not only necessary to use tools such as spanners and wrenches during this connection operation, but also it is necessary to use these tools to tighten the union 2 and nut 4 with a predetermined tightening force. It was not easy to manage.

In order to eliminate such inconveniences, an unknown joint structure has recently been proposed that uses a leaf spring housed in a sleeve instead of the screw connection between the nut 4 and the union 2. The joint structure using this leaf spring is as shown in Figures 8 and 9.
An elastic body 14 made of a leaf spring is installed in a sleeve 13 that engages with a radial step 12 formed on one pipe 11, and this elastic body 14 is attached to the other pipe 1.
5, to connect both pipes 11 and 12.

However, in such a joint structure, when disconnecting the pipes 11 and 12, as shown in FIG. When the engagement with the radial stepped portion 16 is removed, the connection between both pipes is instantly removed.
This is disadvantageous when the internal pressure of the pipe is high. For example, if such a pipe joint structure is used as a refrigerant pipe and the pipes are disconnected without forgetting to drain the internal refrigerant gas, the pressure of the internal refrigerant gas will tend to pull both pipes apart at the joint. Because it was applied suddenly, it was not favorable for work.

Furthermore, when disconnecting the pipes, a detachment jig 17 is always required, and for this purpose, as shown in FIG. This pipe joint structure could not be applied to a place where a sufficient space L could not be secured, and it was unsatisfactory from a practical standpoint.

The present invention has been developed in view of these circumstances, and provides a pipe joint structure that allows pipes to be easily connected and disconnected even when installed in a narrow space, and that provides high operational safety. The purpose is to

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention forms a first radial stepped portion on the outer periphery of the end of one of the first pipes, and , engages a sleeve housing an elastic body having tongues that elastically deform in the radial direction, fits an adapter insertable into the sleeve around the outer periphery of the end of the other second pipe, and attaches to the adapter, a second radial step portion to which the tongue piece of the elastic body is locked; a circumferential slope portion that releases the tongue piece of the elastic body from locking with the second radial step portion by rotational movement of the adapter; and the sleeve. The present invention is characterized in that a stopper protrusion is formed to be inserted into a guide groove formed in the adapter at a predetermined rotational position of the adapter.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a pipe joint structure according to this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of main parts according to the same embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the - line shown in Fig. 2. 4 is a sectional view taken along the - line shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the main part when the joint is removed according to the same embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the - line shown in FIG. 5. .

In this embodiment, a refrigerant pipe used in an automobile air conditioner will be explained as an example.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the refrigerant circulates inside the first and second pipes 21 and 22 as refrigerant piping, sealing performance is required when the pipes are connected to each other.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a bead portion 23 is formed at a position slightly away from the tip of one of the first pipes together with the first radial step portion 24 by press working, etc., and the bead portion 23 and the tip of the pipe 21 are connected. An O-ring 26 and back-up springs 27, 27 are attached to the outer periphery of the end 25 between them, and the other second
The inner periphery of the end 28 of the pipe 22 is brought into close contact.

A contact portion 30 formed on the cylindrical sleeve 29 engages with the first radial step portion 24 of the bead portion 23 formed on the first pipe 21 . This cylindrical sleeve 29 has
An elastic body 31 that elastically deforms in the radial direction is disposed on the inner peripheral side thereof.
A housing recess 32 is formed in which the housing is housed.

The elastic body 31, as shown in detail in FIG.
It has a base 32 having a C-shaped cross section, and a plurality of tongues 33 extending from the base 32 and elastically deformable in the radial direction.

On the other hand, an adapter 35 that can be inserted into the sleeve 29 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the end 28 of the second pipe 22 . This adapter 35 is roughly divided into a nut part 36 for rotational operation, and a second pipe 2.
2, and a flange portion 38 with which the tongue piece 33 engages. A tool such as a spanner is attached to the nut portion 36 to rotate the entire adapter 35. A second radial stepped portion 39 is formed on the flange portion 38 so as to face the tongues 33 and engage with the tips of the tongues 33 formed on the elastic body 31 . On the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 37,
The circumferentially inclined portions 40 are provided with tongue pieces 33 at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
are formed as many as . The maximum diameter of the circumferentially inclined portion 40 and the outer diameter of the flange portion 38 are approximately equal, and are slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 41 formed in the end portion 29a of the sleeve 29.

Furthermore, a stopper protrusion 42 is formed at the maximum diameter position of each circumferentially inclined portion 40 formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body portion 37 . The radial height and circumferential width of this stopper protrusion 42 are matched to the radial height and circumferential width of the guide groove 43 formed in the end 29a of the sleeve 29.
Insertion is possible by matching the rotational positions of each.

In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,
A circumferential protrusion 33a is formed at the tip of each tongue piece 33 formed on the elastic body 31. This circumferential direction 33
In order to make smooth sliding contact with the circumferentially inclined portion 40 formed on the adapter 35, a curved surface portion 33 is provided at a.
b is formed.

Next, the effect will be explained.

The pipes are connected to each other in the above-described pipe joint structure as follows.

First, as shown in Figure 1, both pipes 2
A sleeve 29 and an adapter 35 are attached to each end of the tubes 1 and 22, respectively. Next, the elastic body 31 is installed inside the sleeve 29. Then, the adapter 35 is rotated relative to the sleeve 29, and the rotational position of the stopper protrusion 42 is aligned with the circumferential position of the guide groove 43 formed in the sleeve 29. In this state, insert the adapter 35 into the sleeve 29 through the insertion hole 41.
When inserted from above, the stopper protrusion 42 is guided by the guide groove 43 and the entire adapter 35 is accommodated within the sleeve 29.

At that time, as shown in FIG.
The tongue piece 33 of the elastic body 31 accommodated in the housing recess 32 contacts the outer periphery of the flange portion 38 and is elastically deformed radially outward, and thereafter the adapter 35 continues to move axially into the sleeve 29. Tongue piece 33
The tip end of the radial step 39 finally engages the second radial step 39 . In this state, the joint work is easily completed, and the axial elastic force of the elastic body 31 acts in the direction of butting the pipes 21 and 22 together through the adapter 35 and the sleeve 29.
They never become disconnected from each other.

Further, when removing such a pipe joint, the following procedure is performed.

First, a tool such as a spanner is attached to the nut portion 36 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the nut portion 36 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 3 and 4. Then, the entire adapter 35 rotates relative to the sleeve 29, and as shown in FIG. The rotational position of 42 is shifted. During the rotation, the circumferential inclined portion 40 formed on the outer periphery of the adapter 35 first comes into contact with the curved surface portion 33b formed on the tongue piece 33 of the elastic body 31, and as it rotates, the tongue piece 33 is moved outward in the radial direction. Spread it smoothly. Then, the tongue piece 33 of the elastic body 31 is pushed up to the maximum diameter position of the circumferentially inclined portion 40 at a predetermined rotational position of the adapter 35 . Since the maximum diameter of the circumferentially inclined portion 40 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the flange portion 38, as shown in FIG. Force is applied in the direction,
The tongue piece 33 slides on the outer periphery of the flange portion 38, and the pipe 22 moves relative to the pipe 21 in the axial direction.

At that time, as shown in FIG.
Since the stopper protrusion 42 formed on the outer periphery of the pipe 22 and the guide groove 42 formed on the end 29a of the sleeve 29 do not align in the circumferential direction, the protrusion 42 comes into contact with the end 29a, and the pipe of the pipe 22 Relative axial movement with respect to 21 is limited.

Thereafter, the refrigerant gas inside the pipe flows out through the gap formed by the relative movement of the pipe in the axial direction, and the pressure inside the pipe becomes equal to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, in the subsequent work, no extra force due to the refrigerant pressure is exerted, so that the speed and safety of the work can be ensured.

Next, in order to completely disconnect the pipes from each other, the adapter 35 is rotated relative to the sleeve 29 in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. The rotational position is adjusted to the circumferential position of the guide groove 43 formed in the sleeve 29. In this state, if the pipe 21 is pulled out together with the sleeve 29 from the pipe 22 and the sleeve 35, the protrusion 42 is guided by the guide groove 43 and can be easily and safely removed.

Furthermore, even when the pipes 21 and 22 are connected in an extremely narrow space, such as near the wall 45, no special jig is required for connecting and disconnecting them.
It's easy to do.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, four circumferentially inclined portions 40 are formed on the outer periphery of the adapter 35 at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. It may be formed.
However, in the case of these embodiments, the guide grooves 43 formed in the sleeve 29 and the tongue pieces in the elastic body 31 accommodated in the sleeve 29 are adjusted according to the number and circumferential position of the circumferentially inclined portions 42. 33
It is also necessary to change the number and position in the circumferential direction.

(Effects of the invention) As described above, according to the invention, a first radial step is formed on the outer periphery of the end of one first pipe, and the first radial step is provided with radial and axial directions. An adapter that can be inserted into the sleeve is fitted around the outer periphery of the end of the other second pipe, and the elastic body is inserted into the adapter. a second radial step portion to which the tongue piece is locked; a circumferential slope portion formed on the sleeve to release the tongue piece from the second radial step portion in the elastic body by rotational movement of the adapter; Since the stopper protrusion is formed to be inserted into the guide groove at a predetermined rotational position of the adapter, an excellent effect is achieved in that attachment and detachment of the pipe joint can be carried out easily and safely, especially in a narrow space.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a pipe joint structure according to this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of main parts according to the same embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the - line shown in Fig. 2. 4 is a sectional view taken along the - line shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the main part when the joint is removed according to the same embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the - line shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part showing a conventional pipe joint structure, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are main part sectional views showing recently proposed pipe joint structures. 21...first pipe, 22...second pipe, 2
4...First radial step part, 28... End part, 29...
Sleeve, 31...elastic body, 32...accommodating recess,
33... Tongue piece, 33a... Radial protrusion, 33b
... Curved surface portion, 35 ... Adapter, 39 ... Second radial step portion, 40 ... Circumferential direction inclined portion, 42 ... Stopper protrusion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A first radial step 24 is formed on the outer periphery of the end of one first pipe 21, and the first radial step 24 includes:
Elastic body 3 having tongue pieces 33 that elastically deform in the radial direction
An adapter 35 that can be inserted into the sleeve 29 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the end of the other second pipe 22, and the tongue piece of the elastic body 31 is attached to the adapter 35. 33 is locked, and the second radial step portion 39 of the tongue piece 33 on the elastic body 31 is caused by the rotational movement of the adapter 35.
A circumferential inclined portion 40 that releases the lock from the radial stepped portion 39 and a guide groove 4 formed in the sleeve 29.
A pipe joint structure characterized in that a stopper protrusion 42 is formed on the adapter 35 at a predetermined rotational position of the adapter 35.