JP7646145B2 - Pipe Fittings - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to pipe fittings.

Patent Document 1 discloses a housing-type pipe joint. This housing-type pipe joint includes a pair of housing members each having a semicircular cross section that forms an annular cavity on the inner circumferential surface, a seal portion disposed within the cavity of the pair of housing members, and a fastening member that presses the pair of housing members disposed across the pair of pipes to be connected in a direction toward each other to press the seal portion against the ends of the pair of pipes. An annular cavity is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the housing member. The housing members have a semicircular cross section. The seal portion is disposed within the cavity of the pair of housing members. The fastening member presses the pair of housing members disposed across the pair of pipes to be connected in a direction toward each other. This presses the seal portion against the ends of the pair of pipes. An annular protrusion is formed on a part of the end of the pipe. This annular protrusion bulges outward in the radial direction to expand in diameter. An annular groove having an inner surface shape complementary to the annular protrusion of the pipe is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the housing member. When the pair of housing members are fastened together by the fastening member, the annular protrusion of the tube is engaged with the groove of the housing member.

The housing-type pipe joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 can prevent the pipes from coming loose. The housing-type pipe joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 can firmly and reliably connect a pair of pipes using the housing member.

JP 2006-132626 A

The housing-type pipe joint disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when the fastening member indirectly presses the seal portion against the ends of the pair of pipes, the pair of housing members may pinch the portion of the seal portion that is involved in the sealing function. If the portion of the seal portion that is involved in the sealing function is pinched between the pair of housing members, it means that the seal portion may be damaged at that portion. Damage to that portion means that the sealing function may be impaired. If the sealing function is impaired, there is a possibility that the fluid flowing inside the pair of pipes described above may leak from the connection point between the pair of pipes.

The object of the present invention is to provide a pipe fitting that reduces the possibility of damage to the part of the seal that is involved in the sealing function.

The pipe joint of the present invention is explained based on the drawings. Note that the reference symbols used in this section are intended to aid in understanding the contents of the invention and are not intended to limit the contents to the scope shown in the drawings.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a pipe joint 10 includes a fluid leakage prevention portion 20 and a plurality of housing members 22, 22. The fluid leakage prevention portion 20 is for preventing fluid from leaking between one end of one pipe 12 and one end of the other pipe 14. The fluid flows inside the one pipe 12 and the other pipe 14. The other pipe 14 is connected to one end of the one pipe 12. The plurality of housing members 22 , 22 are connected to each other so as to accommodate the fluid leakage prevention portion 20. The fluid leakage prevention portion 20 has a pipe end accommodating portion 40 and a seal portion 42. The pipe end accommodating portion 40 is for accommodating one end of the one pipe 12 and one end of the other pipe 14. The seal portion 42 serves to seal between one end of one pipe 12 and the inner circumference of the pipe end receiving portion 40 , and between one end of the other pipe 14 and the inner circumference of the pipe end receiving portion 40 .

The seal portion 42 seals between one end of one pipe 12 and the inner circumference of the pipe end accommodating portion 40 , and between one end of the other pipe 14 and the inner circumference of the pipe end accommodating portion 40. This results in the portion of the seal portion 42 involved in the sealing being located inside the pipe end accommodating portion 40. Because the portion of the seal portion 42 involved in the sealing is located inside the pipe end accommodating portion 40 , this portion is not sandwiched between the multiple housing members 22, 22. As a result, the portion of the seal portion 42 involved in the sealing function is prevented from being damaged.

The above-mentioned seal portion 42 has a first seal portion 60 and an second seal portion 62. The first seal portion 60 is for sealing between the outer periphery of one end of the first pipe 12 and the inner periphery of the pipe end housing portion 40. The second seal portion 62 is separate from the first seal portion 60. The second seal portion 62 is for sealing between the outer periphery of one end of the second pipe 14 and the inner periphery of the pipe end housing portion 40.

The portion of the seal portion 42 involved in sealing is located inside the pipe end accommodation portion 40. The seal portion 42 has a first seal portion 60 and a second seal portion 62. This eliminates the need to connect the first seal portion 60 and the second seal portion 62 together. If they are not connected together, there is nothing to connect them, and the water contact area is smaller, so even if the fluid flowing inside the first pipe 12 and the second pipe 14 contains chlorine or other substances that have an oxidizing effect on the seal portion 42, the portion connecting them will not be deteriorated by the oxidizing substances.

The one seal portion 60 described above has a one tubular contact member 80 and a one movement limiting portion 82. The one tubular contact member 80 is for adhering to the outer periphery of one end of the one pipe 12 and adhering to the inner periphery of the pipe end accommodating portion 40. The one movement limiting portion 82 is disposed on the opposite side of the other seal portion 62 as viewed from the one tubular contact member 80. The one movement limiting portion 82 can be hooked onto the outer periphery of one end of the one pipe 12. When the one movement limiting portion 82 is hooked onto the outer periphery of one end of the one pipe 12, it limits the movement of the one tubular contact member 80 to the opposite side of the other seal portion 62 as viewed from the one tubular contact member 80. When the one movement limiting portion 82 is not hooked onto the outer periphery of one end of the one pipe 12, it does not limit the movement of the one tubular contact member 80 to the opposite side of one end of the other pipe 14 as viewed from the one tubular contact member 80.
The one cylindrical adhesive material 80 described above has a cylindrical adhesive material main body 100 and an annular inner peripheral film portion 102. The adhesive material main body 100 is for adhering to the outer periphery of one end of the one pipe 12. The inner peripheral film portion 102 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the adhesive material main body 100.
The one-side movement limiting portion 82 has an adhesive contact surface 120 and a pipe outer periphery contact surface 122. The adhesive contact surface 120 is disposed so as to face the one-side cylindrical adhesive material 80 inside the pipe end accommodating portion 40. The pipe outer periphery contact surface 122 narrows as it approaches the adhesive contact surface 120.

When the one-side movement limiting portion 82 is caught on the outer periphery of one end of the one pipe 12, it limits the movement of the one-side tubular adhesive member 80 in the opposite direction to the one end of the other pipe 14 as seen from the one-side tubular adhesive member 80. When the one-side movement limiting portion 82 is not caught on the outer periphery of one end of the one pipe 12, it does not limit the movement of the one-side tubular adhesive member 80 in the opposite direction to the other seal portion 62 as seen from the one-side tubular adhesive member 80. As a result, when one end of a pipe on which the one-side movement limiting portion 82 cannot be caught is accommodated in the pipe end accommodation portion 40 as one end of the one pipe 12 described above, the following possibility is higher than when this is not the case. The possibility is that the one-side tubular adhesive member 80 is pushed out of the pipe end accommodation portion 40 by the pressure of the fluid leaking from between one end of the one pipe 12 and one end of the other pipe 14. As a result, it is more likely that this will become apparent if the pipe is used incorrectly.
The inner circumferential film portion 102 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the adhesive body portion 100. As a result, when one of the tubes 12 that has entered the adhesive body portion 100 penetrates the inner circumferential film portion 102, the inner circumferential film portion 102 comes into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the one of the tubes 12. When the above-mentioned fluid pressure is applied to the inner circumferential film portion 102 that is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the one of the tubes 12 in this state, the inner circumferential film portion 102 seals between the inner circumferential film portion 102 and the outer circumferential surface of the one of the tubes 12.

Alternatively, it is preferable that the tube end accommodation portion 40 described above has a cylindrical space forming portion 50 and an outer peripheral engagement portion 54. The space forming portion 50 forms a space in which one end of one tube 12 and one end of the other tube 14 are accommodated. The outer peripheral engagement portion 54 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the space forming portion 50. The outer peripheral engagement portion 54 engages with one of the multiple housing members 22, 22. In this case, it is preferable that one of the multiple housing members 22, 22 described above has a housing engagement portion 162. The housing engagement portion 162 engages with the outer peripheral engagement portion 54.

When the other seal portion 62 is pressed by the fluid flowing inside the one pipe 12 and the other pipe 14, the pipe end accommodating portion 40 receives a frictional force from the other seal portion 62. When the housing engagement portion 162 is engaged with the outer circumferential engagement portion 54, the pipe end accommodating portion 40 receiving the frictional force does not approach any area of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22. If the pipe end accommodating portion 40 does not approach any area of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22, the possibility that the gap between the area of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22 facing that area and the pipe end accommodating portion 40 becomes large is low. If that possibility is low, the possibility that the one tubular adhesive material 80 is pushed out into the gap is low. If the possibility that the one tubular adhesive material 80 is pushed out into the gap is low, the possibility that water leakage will occur in the pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment, even though the one movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are pressed against each other, is low. If the possibility of leakage is low even though the one-way movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are pressed against each other, when leakage does occur, it is more likely that the cause of the leakage is as follows: the one-way movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are not pressed against each other. This is more likely to be the cause of the leakage, and the leakage can be a trigger to easily discover poor construction such as the enlarged diameter portion 112 not being formed.

Alternatively, it is preferable that the tube end accommodating portion 40 described above has a cylindrical space forming portion 50 and an inner peripheral protrusion portion 52. The space forming portion 50 forms a space in which one end of one tube 12 and one end of the other tube 14 are accommodated. The inner peripheral protrusion portion 52 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the space forming portion 50 so that its side surface faces one end of the other tube 14.

If the inner peripheral protrusion 52 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the space forming portion 50 so that its side faces one end of the other pipe 14, when the relative position of the pipe end accommodating portion 40 with respect to the other pipe 14 changes, the side of the inner peripheral protrusion 52 of the pipe end accommodating portion 40 may come into contact with one end of the other pipe 14. When the inner peripheral protrusion 52 comes into contact with one end of the other pipe 14, the pipe end accommodating portion 40 will not approach any further to any area of the inner peripheral surface of the housing member 22 unless the other pipe 14 moves in the direction of coming out of the pipe fitting 10. If the pipe end accommodating portion 40 does not approach any further to any area of the inner peripheral surface of the housing member 22, the possibility that the gap between the area of the inner peripheral surface of the housing member 22 facing that area and the pipe end accommodating portion 40 will become smaller. If that possibility becomes smaller, the possibility that the one-side cylindrical adhesive material 80 will be pushed out into the gap will become smaller. If the possibility of the one-side tubular adhesive material 80 being pushed out into the gap is low, the possibility of water leakage occurring in the pipe fitting 10 of this embodiment is low, even though the one-side movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are pressed against each other. If the possibility of water leakage occurring is low, even though the one-side movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are pressed against each other, when water leakage does occur, it is more likely that the cause of the water leakage is as follows: the one-side movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are not pressed against each other. This is more likely to be the cause of the water leakage, and the water leakage can be used as a trigger to easily discover construction defects such as the enlarged diameter portion 112 not being formed.

This invention can prevent damage to the part of the seal that is involved in the sealing function due to being pinched by the housing member.

1 is an external view of a pipe joint according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a perspective view of a fluid leakage prevention portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of a tube end housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of one cylindrical adhesive member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of a one-way movement limiting portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a housing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a housing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6. 7 is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. 6. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which one cylindrical contact material and another cylindrical contact material are pushed out from inside a pipe end accommodating portion because an enlarged diameter portion is not formed in a pipe fitting according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. A diagram showing a situation in which one cylindrical contact material and the other cylindrical contact material are pushed out from inside the pipe end accommodating portion because the two housing members are not sufficiently sealed in the pipe fitting of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external view of a pipe joint according to a reference embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of a fluid leakage prevention portion according to a reference embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of a housing member according to a reference embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of Figure 14.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

First Embodiment
[Configuration of pipe joint]
Fig. 1 is an external view of a pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, two pipes 12, 14 are connected to the pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, some of the objects shown are shown in a cut-away state. Below, the configuration of the pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment will be described based on Fig. 1.

The pipe joint 10 of this embodiment is used to connect two pipes 12, 14 to each other. The pipe joint 10 of this embodiment includes a fluid leakage prevention part 20, a plurality of housing members 22, 22, a bolt 24, and a nut 26 (see Figures 6 and 7).

The fluid leakage prevention unit 20 is intended to prevent fluid from leaking between one end of one of the two tubes 12, 14 and one end of the other tube 14. The fluid flows inside the one tube 12 and the other tube 14. In this embodiment, the fluid is water. The other tube 14 is connected to one end of the one tube 12.

In this embodiment, the pipe joint 10 includes two housing members 22, 22. The two housing members 22, 22 house the fluid leakage prevention portion 20. The multiple housing members 22, 22 can be connected to each other so that the fluid leakage prevention portion 20 is housed therein. In this embodiment, the connection is achieved by a bolt 24 and a nut 26. As a result, the bolt 24 and the nut 26 in this embodiment act as a connection portion for connecting the housing members 22, 22 to each other.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fluid leakage prevention unit 20 according to this embodiment. In Figure 2, a portion of the illustrated object is cut away. Figure 3 is a side view of the tube end accommodating unit 40 according to this embodiment. In Figure 3, a portion of the tube end accommodating unit 40 is cut away. Figure 4 is a side view of the one-side cylindrical adhesive member 80 according to this embodiment. In Figure 4, a portion of the one-side cylindrical adhesive member 80 is cut away. Figure 5 is a side view of the one-side movement limiting unit 82 according to this embodiment. In Figure 5, a portion of the one-side movement limiting unit 82 is cut away. The configuration of the fluid leakage prevention unit 20 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

The fluid leakage prevention unit 20 has a pipe end accommodating unit 40 and a seal unit 42. The pipe end accommodating unit 40 is for accommodating the outer periphery of one end of one pipe 12 and the outer periphery of one end of the other pipe 14. The seal unit 42 is for sealing between the outer periphery of one end of one pipe 12 and the inner periphery of the pipe end accommodating unit 40, and between the outer periphery of one end of the other pipe 14 and the inner periphery of the pipe end accommodating unit 40.

The tube end accommodating portion 40 according to this embodiment has a cylindrical space forming portion 50, an inner peripheral protrusion 52, and an outer peripheral engagement portion 54. The space forming portion 50 forms a space in which one end of one tube 12 and one end of the other tube 14 are accommodated. In this embodiment, the space forming portion 50 is cylindrical. The inner peripheral protrusion 52 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the space forming portion 50. In this embodiment, the inner peripheral protrusion 52 has an annular side surface facing one end side of the space forming portion 50 and an annular side surface facing the other end side of the space forming portion 50. The outer peripheral engagement portion 54 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the space forming portion 50 outside the protruding position of the inner peripheral protrusion 52. That is, the inner peripheral protrusion 52 is provided inside the portion of the space forming portion 50 where the outer peripheral engagement portion 54 is provided. As is clear from FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral engagement portion 54 in a plane including the center axis of the space forming portion 50 is semicircular. As a result, the surface of the outer peripheral engagement portion 54 in this embodiment is curved. The outer peripheral engagement portion 54 engages with one of the multiple housing members 22, 22. It goes without saying that the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral engagement portion 54 in a plane including the central axis of the space forming portion 50 is not limited to a semicircular shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, the seal portion 42 in this embodiment has a first seal portion 60 and an other seal portion 62. The first seal portion 60 is for sealing between the outer periphery of one end of the first tube 12 and the inner periphery of the tube end housing portion 40. The other seal portion 62 is separate from the first seal portion 60. The other seal portion 62 is for sealing between the outer periphery of one end of the other tube 14 and the inner periphery of the tube end housing portion 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the one-side seal portion 60 according to this embodiment has a one-side tubular adhesive material 80 and a one-side movement limiting portion 82. The one-side tubular adhesive material 80 is for adhering to the outer periphery of one end of the one pipe 12. The one-side tubular adhesive material 80 is also for adhering to the inner periphery of the pipe end accommodating portion 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the one-side movement limiting portion 82 is arranged on the opposite side of the other-side seal portion 62 as seen from the one-side tubular adhesive material 80. As shown in FIG. 1, an enlarged diameter portion 112 is formed on the one pipe 12. This enlarged diameter portion 112 is formed by a well-known method. This enlarged diameter portion 112 has a tip side tapered surface 116 and a back side tapered surface 118. The tip side tapered surface 116 is arranged on the tip side of one end of the one pipe 12. The tip side tapered surface 116 narrows as it approaches the tip of one end of the one pipe 12. The back tapered surface 118 is disposed on the back side of the tip tapered surface 116 when viewed from the tip of one end of one tube 12. The back tapered surface 118 narrows as it moves away from the tip of one end of one tube 12. On the other hand, the movement limiting portion 82 contacts the tip tapered surface 116 of the enlarged diameter portion 112.

As shown in FIG. 4, one cylindrical adhesive material 80 has an adhesive material main body 100 and an inner peripheral film portion 102. The adhesive material main body 100 is a cylindrical portion with a groove formed on the outer periphery. The inner peripheral film portion 102 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the adhesive material main body 100.

As shown in FIG. 5, the one-side movement limiting portion 82 has an adhesive material contact surface 120 and a pipe outer periphery contact surface 122. The adhesive material contact surface 120 is disposed so as to face the one-side cylindrical adhesive material 80 inside the pipe end housing portion 40. The pipe outer periphery contact surface 122 is disposed so as to face the tip side tapered surface 116 of the enlarged diameter portion 112 on the outer periphery of the one pipe 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the other seal portion 62 according to this embodiment has a other tubular adhesive material 84 and a other movement limiting portion 86. The other tubular adhesive material 84 is for adhering to the outer periphery of one end of the other pipe 14. The other tubular adhesive material 84 is also for adhering to the inner periphery of the pipe end accommodating portion 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the other movement limiting portion 86 is arranged on the opposite side of the one seal portion 60 as seen from the other tubular adhesive material 84. As shown in FIG. 1, the other pipe 14 has an expanded diameter portion 114. This expanded diameter portion 114 is formed by a well-known method. This expanded diameter portion 114 has a tip side tapered surface 116 and a back side tapered surface 118, similar to the expanded diameter portion 112 of the one pipe 12. The tip side tapered surface 116 of the other pipe 14 is arranged on the tip side of one end of the other pipe 14. The tip side tapered surface 116 of the other tube 14 narrows as it approaches the tip of one end of the other tube 14. The back side tapered surface 118 of the other tube 14 is disposed on the back side of the tip side tapered surface 116 when viewed from the tip of one end of the other tube 14. The back side tapered surface 118 of the other tube 14 narrows as it moves away from the tip of one end of the other tube 14. The other movement limiting portion 86 contacts the tip side tapered surface 116 of its enlarged diameter portion 114.

In this embodiment, the structure of the other tubular adhesive material 84 is similar to that of the one tubular adhesive material 80. The structure of the other movement limiting portion 86 is similar to that of the one movement limiting portion 82. As a result, the other movement limiting portion 86 has an adhesive material contact surface 120 and a pipe outer periphery contact surface 122. The adhesive material contact surface 120 of the other movement limiting portion 86 is arranged to face the other tubular adhesive material 84. The pipe outer periphery contact surface 122 of the other movement limiting portion 86 is arranged to face the enlarged diameter portion 116 of the outer periphery of the other pipe 14. Therefore, detailed descriptions of these will not be repeated.

Figure 6 is a front view of the housing members 22, 22 according to this embodiment. Figure 7 is a side view of the housing members 22, 22 according to this embodiment. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 6. Figure 9 is a view taken along line B-B in Figure 6. In Figures 6 to 8, the two housing members 22, 22 are connected to each other by bolts 24 and nuts 26. The configuration of the housing member 22 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 6 to 9.

The housing member 22 has a cylindrical component 140 and a pair of connecting bracket parts 142, 142. The cylindrical component 140 covers the fluid leakage prevention part 20. By connecting multiple housing members 22 to each other, the cylindrical components 140 of the housing members 22 form a space in which the fluid leakage prevention part 20 is housed. One of the pair of connecting bracket parts 142, 142 protrudes from one end of the cylindrical component 140. The other of the pair of connecting bracket parts 142, 142 protrudes from the other end of the cylindrical component 140. A through hole 150 is formed in the connecting bracket part 142. The bolt 24 described above passes through the through hole 150. The nut 26 is screwed into the bolt 24 that passes through the through hole 150, so that the two housing members 22, 22 are connected to each other.

The cylindrical component 140 has a one-end opening forming portion 160, a housing engagement portion 162, and an other-end opening forming portion 164. The one-end opening forming portion 160 forms a part of the opening for one end of one tube 12 to enter the space in which the fluid leakage prevention portion 20 is housed. In this embodiment, the one-end opening forming portion 160 has a one-end opening tapered surface 166. The one-end opening tapered surface 166 narrows as it moves away from the other-end opening forming portion 164. The one-end opening tapered surface 166 is for contacting the back side tapered surface 118 of the enlarged diameter portion 112 of the one tube 12. In this embodiment, the housing engagement portion 162 is a groove-shaped area formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical component 140. The housing engagement portion 162 engages with the outer peripheral engagement portion 54 of the tube end accommodation portion 40. The other end opening forming portion 164 forms a part of the opening through which one end of the other tube 14 enters the space in which the fluid leakage prevention portion 20 is housed. In this embodiment, the other end opening forming portion 164 has an other end opening tapered surface 168. The other end opening tapered surface 168 narrows as it moves away from the one end opening forming portion 160. The other end opening tapered surface 168 is intended to contact the back side tapered surface 118 of the enlarged diameter portion 114 of the other tube 14.

[How to connect pipe fittings]
The method of connecting the pipe joint 10 according to this embodiment is as follows: First, an operator forms the enlarged diameter portion 112 at one end of one pipe 12 by a well-known method. The operator similarly forms the enlarged diameter portion 114 at the other pipe 14.

Next, the worker loosens the bolts 24 and nuts 26 that connect the two housing members 22, 22. Once the bolts 24 and nuts 26 are loosened, the worker disassembles the two housing members 22, 22. The worker removes the fluid leakage prevention unit 20 from the two disassembled housing members 22, 22.

When the fluid leakage prevention unit 20 is removed, the operator inserts one end of one of the tubes 12 into one end of the fluid leakage prevention unit 20. Next, the operator inserts one end of the other tube 14 into the other end of the fluid leakage prevention unit 20.

When one end of one tube 12 and one end of the other tube 14 are inserted into the fluid leakage prevention part 20, the worker covers the fluid leakage prevention part 20 with the two housing members 22, 22. When the two housing members 22, 22 are covered with the fluid leakage prevention part 20, the worker connects the two housing members 22, 22 with the bolts 24 and nuts 26.

Then, the worker checks that the two housing members 22, 22 are in close contact with each other. Once this is confirmed, the worker places a match mark (a marker indicating completion of work) across the two housing members 22, 22. This completes the connection between the pipe fitting 10 of this embodiment and the two pipes 12, 14.

[Explanation of Effects According to the Present Embodiment]
As described above, in the pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment, the portion of the seal portion 42 involved in sealing is located inside the pipe end accommodating portion 40. Because the portion of the seal portion 42 involved in sealing is located inside the pipe end accommodating portion 40, even if the two housing members 22, 22 are brought into close contact with each other by the bolt 24 and the nut 26, the portion involved in sealing is not pinched between the two housing members 22, 22. As a result, the portion of the seal portion 42 involved in the sealing function is prevented from being damaged by being pinched between the housing members 22, 22.

In addition, in the case of the pipe fitting 10 according to the present embodiment, when a fluid such as water is passed between the first pipe 12 and the second pipe 14 and the pressure of the fluid is increased, the first cylindrical adhesive material 80 receives a force in a direction in which it is pushed out from the pipe end housing portion 40 due to the pressure. When the first movement limiting portion 82 is caught on the outer periphery of one end of the first pipe 12, it limits the movement of the first cylindrical adhesive material 80 to the opposite side of the second seal portion 62 as seen from the first cylindrical adhesive material 80. The first movement limiting portion 82 does not limit the movement unless it is caught on the enlarged diameter portion 112 of one end of the first pipe 12. As a result, when the first pipe 12 is connected to the pipe fitting 10 without the enlarged diameter portion 112 being formed, the first cylindrical adhesive material 80 will be pushed out from the pipe end housing portion 40. The same is true for the second cylindrical adhesive material 84. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the first cylindrical adhesive material 80 and the second cylindrical adhesive material 84 are pushed out from the pipe end housing portion 40 in this way. In this situation, the one cylindrical adhesive material 80 cannot seal between one end of the one pipe 12 and the inner circumference of the pipe end housing 40. The other cylindrical adhesive material 84 cannot seal between one end of the other pipe 14 and the inner circumference of the pipe end housing 40. As a result, fluid leaks out from between them. When fluid leaks out, poor installation in at least one of the one pipe 12 and the other pipe 14 can be easily detected.

Moreover, in the case of the pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment, the housing engagement portion 162 engages with the outer circumferential engagement portion 54. Since the housing engagement portion 162 engages with the outer circumferential engagement portion 54, the position of the pipe end accommodating portion 40 is at a predetermined position. When the position of the pipe end accommodating portion 40 is at a predetermined position, the pipe end accommodating portion 40 will not approach any area of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22. When the pipe end accommodating portion 40 does not approach any area of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22, the possibility that the gap between the area of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22 facing that area and the pipe end accommodating portion 40 will become large is reduced. When this possibility is reduced, the possibility that the one tubular adhesive material 80 will be pushed out into the gap is reduced. Similarly, the other tubular adhesive material 84 is also less likely to be pushed out into the gap. This reduces the possibility of water leakage from the pipe fitting 10 of this embodiment, even though the one-side movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are pressed against each other and the other-side movement limiting portion 86 and the enlarged diameter portion 114 are pressed against each other. When the possibility of water leakage is reduced, the cause of the water leakage is more likely to be as follows: the one-side movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are not pressed against each other, or the other-side movement limiting portion 86 and the enlarged diameter portion 114 are not pressed against each other. These are more likely to be the cause of water leakage, and the water leakage can be a trigger to easily discover poor construction, such as at least one of the enlarged diameter portions 112 and 114 not being formed.

In addition, in the case of the pipe joint 10 according to the present embodiment, if the bolt 24 and nut 26 do not sufficiently seal the two housing members 22, 22, the gap between the two housing members 22, 22 will easily open. If the gap between the two housing members 22, 22 opens easily, they will no longer fix the one pipe 12 and the other pipe 14. On the other hand, when a fluid such as water flows between the one pipe 12 and the other pipe 14 and the pressure of the fluid increases, the one tubular adhesion member 80 receives a force in a direction in which it is pushed out from the pipe end housing portion 40 by the pressure. The one tubular adhesion member 80 that receives the force presses the one movement limiting portion 82. The one movement limiting portion 82 that is pressed presses the one pipe 12 through the enlarged diameter portion 112. If the two housing members 22, 22 do not fix the one pipe 12 and the other pipe 14, the one pipe 12 that is pressed will move. The one pipe 12 pushes and widens the gap between the two housing members 22, 22. Accordingly, the one cylindrical adhesive material 80 and the one movement limiting portion 82 also move. The same is true for the other cylindrical adhesive material 84. FIG. 11 shows the state in which the one cylindrical adhesive material 80 and the other cylindrical adhesive material 84 are pushed out from inside the pipe end housing 40 in this manner. In this state, the one cylindrical adhesive material 80 cannot seal between one end of the one pipe 12 and the inner circumference of the pipe end housing 40. The other cylindrical adhesive material 84 cannot seal between one end of the other pipe 14 and the inner circumference of the pipe end housing 40. As a result, fluid leaks out from between them. When the fluid leaks out, poor installation in at least one of the one pipe 12 and the other pipe 14 can be easily detected.

In the case of the pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment, the contact surface 120 of the one-side movement limiting portion 82 is disposed so as to face the one-side cylindrical contact material 80. The position where the contact surface 120 faces the one-side cylindrical contact material 80 is inside the pipe end accommodating portion 40. That is, the contact surface 120 faces the one-side cylindrical contact material 80 inside the pipe end accommodating portion 40, not outside the pipe end accommodating portion 40. This reduces the possibility that the one-side cylindrical contact material 80 will be pushed out of the pipe end accommodating portion 40 even if the position of the enlarged diameter portion 112 is slightly different from the predetermined position. The same applies to the other seal portion 62. As a result, it is possible to prevent fluid leakage caused by the position of the enlarged diameter portions 112, 114 being slightly different from the predetermined position.

In the case of the pipe fitting 10 according to this embodiment, the one-end opening tapered surface 166 of the housing member 22 presses against the back tapered surface 118 of the one pipe 12. The one pipe 12, with the back tapered surface 118 pressed against it, receives a force toward the back of the pipe end housing 40. Accordingly, the one-side movement limiting portion 82 also receives a force. As a result, the one-side movement limiting portion 82 presses against the one-side tubular adhesive material 80. When the one-side tubular adhesive material 80 is pressed, the one-side tubular adhesive material 80 is less likely to be pushed out of the pipe end housing 40. The same is true for the other-side tubular adhesive material 84. As a result, leakage of fluid is better prevented.

In addition, the first cylindrical adhesive member 80 and the second cylindrical adhesive member 84 of the pipe fitting 10 in this embodiment have an inner circumferential membrane portion 102. This reduces the resistance associated with the insertion of the first tube 12 and the second tube 14. When the inner circumferential membrane portion 102 is subjected to fluid pressure, the inner circumferential membrane portion 102 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the first tube 12 or the second tube 14. This improves the sealing function of the seal portion 42.

< Reference form>
[Configuration of pipe joint]
Fig. 12 is an external view of a pipe fitting 200 according to this embodiment . In Fig. 12, two pipes 12, 14 are connected to the pipe fitting 200 according to this embodiment . Fig. 13 is a side view of a fluid leakage prevention unit 220 according to this embodiment . In Figs. 12 and 13, some of the objects shown are shown in a cut-away state. The configuration of the pipe fitting 200 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 12 and 13.

The pipe joint 200 according to this embodiment is used to connect two pipes 12, 14. The pipe joint 200 according to this embodiment includes a fluid leakage prevention portion 220, a plurality of housing members 222, 222, a bolt 24, and a nut 26 (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

The fluid leakage prevention unit 220 is intended to prevent fluid from leaking between one end of one tube 12 and one end of the other tube 14 of the two tubes 12, 14. The fluid flows inside the one tube 12 and the other tube 14. In the present embodiment, the fluid is water. The other tube 14 is connected to one end of the one tube 12.

In this embodiment , the pipe joint 200 includes two housing members 222. The two housing members 222 house the fluid leakage prevention portion 220. The housing members 222 can be connected to each other so that the fluid leakage prevention portion 220 is housed therein. In this embodiment , the connection is achieved by the bolt 24 and the nut 26. As a result, the bolt 24 and the nut 26 according to this embodiment act as a connection portion for connecting the housing members 222 to each other.

The fluid leakage prevention part 220 has a tube end accommodating part 240, a first cylindrical adhesive material 260, and a second cylindrical adhesive material 262. The tube end accommodating part 240 is for accommodating one end of the first tube 12 and one end of the second tube 14. The first cylindrical adhesive material 260 is for adhering to the outer periphery of one end of the first tube 12. The first cylindrical adhesive material 260 is also for adhering to the inner periphery of the tube end accommodating part 240. The first cylindrical adhesive material 260 according to this reference embodiment has an adhesive material main body part 300 and an inner peripheral film part 302. The adhesive material main body part 300 is a cylindrical part. The inner peripheral film part 302 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the adhesive material main body part 300. In this reference embodiment, the first cylindrical adhesive material 260 seals between the outer periphery of one end of the first tube 12 and the inner periphery of the tube end accommodating part 240. That is, the one seal portion according to this embodiment is composed only of the one tubular contact member 260. In this embodiment , the other tubular contact member 262 has the same configuration as the one tubular contact member 260. In this embodiment , the other tubular contact member 262 seals between the outer periphery of one end of the other pipe 14 and the inner periphery of the pipe end housing 240. The other tubular contact member 262 is separated from the one tubular contact member 260. That is, the other seal portion according to this embodiment is composed only of the other tubular contact member 262. In this embodiment , the one tubular contact member 260 and the other tubular contact member 262 are collectively referred to as the "seal portion." These are intended to seal between one end of the one pipe 12 and the inner periphery of the pipe end housing 240, and between one end of the other pipe 14 and the inner periphery of the pipe end housing 240.

The tube end accommodating portion 240 according to this embodiment has a cylindrical space forming portion 250 and an inner peripheral protruding portion 252. The space forming portion 250 forms a space in which one end of one tube 12 and one end of the other tube 14 are accommodated. In this embodiment , the space forming portion 250 is cylindrical. The inner peripheral protruding portion 252 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the space forming portion 250. In this embodiment , the inner peripheral protruding portion 252 has a protruding base portion 280 directly connected to the inner peripheral surface of the space forming portion 250 and an annular portion 282 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the protruding base portion 280. The annular portion 282 has an annular side surface facing one end side of the space forming portion 250 and an annular side surface facing the other end side of the space forming portion 50.

As shown in FIG. 12, an enlarged diameter portion 112 is formed in one of the tubes 12. This enlarged diameter portion 112 has a tip-side tapered surface 116 and a back-side tapered surface 118. An enlarged diameter portion 114 is formed in the other of the tubes 14. This enlarged diameter portion 114 has a tip-side tapered surface 116 and a back-side tapered surface 118, similar to the enlarged diameter portion 112 of the one of the tubes 12.

Fig. 14 is a front view of housing members 222, 222 according to this embodiment . Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of Fig. 14. In Figs. 14 and 15, two housing members 222, 222 are connected to each other by bolts 24 and nuts 26. The configuration of the housing member 222 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 14 and 15.

The housing member 222 has a cylindrical component 340 and a pair of connecting bracket parts 342, 342. The cylindrical component 340 covers the fluid leakage prevention part 220. By connecting the multiple housing members 222 to each other, the cylindrical components 340 of the housing members 222 form a space in which the fluid leakage prevention part 220 is housed. One of the pair of connecting bracket parts 342, 342 protrudes from one end of the cylindrical component 340. The other of the pair of connecting bracket parts 342, 342 protrudes from the other end of the cylindrical component 340. A through hole (not shown) is formed in the connecting bracket part 342. The bolt 24 described above passes through the through hole. The two housing members 222, 222 are connected to each other by screwing a nut 26 into the bolt 24 that passes through the through hole.

The cylindrical component 340 has a one-end opening forming portion 360, an accommodation space forming portion 362, and an other-end opening forming portion 364. The one-end opening forming portion 360 forms a part of an opening for one end of the one tube 12 to enter into the space in which the fluid leakage prevention portion 220 is accommodated. In the case of this reference embodiment, the one-end opening forming portion 360 has a one-end opening tapered surface 366. The one-end opening tapered surface 366 narrows as it moves away from the other-end opening forming portion 364. The one-end opening tapered surface 366 is for contacting the back side tapered surface 118 of the enlarged diameter portion 112 of the one tube 12. In the case of this reference embodiment, the accommodation space forming portion 362 is a groove-shaped region formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical component 140. The accommodation space forming portion 362 forms a space in which the tube end accommodation portion 240 is accommodated. The other-end opening forming portion 364 forms a part of the opening through which one end of the other tube 14 enters the space in which the fluid leakage prevention portion 220 is housed. In the case of this embodiment , the other-end opening forming portion 364 has an other-end opening tapered surface 368. The other-end opening tapered surface 368 narrows as it moves away from the one-end opening forming portion 360. The other-end opening tapered surface 368 is intended to come into contact with the back side tapered surface 118 of the enlarged diameter portion 114 of the other tube 14.

[How to connect pipe fittings]
The method of connecting the pipe joint 200 according to this embodiment is as follows: First, an operator forms the enlarged diameter portion 112 at one end of one pipe 12 by a well-known method. The operator similarly forms the enlarged diameter portion 114 at the other pipe 14.

Next, the worker loosens the bolts 24 and nuts 26 that connect the two housing members 222, 222. Once the bolts 24 and nuts 26 are loosened, the worker disassembles the two housing members 222, 222. The worker removes the fluid leakage prevention part 220 from among the two disassembled housing members 222, 222.

When the fluid leakage prevention unit 220 is removed, the operator inserts one end of one of the tubes 12 into one end of the fluid leakage prevention unit 220. Next, the operator inserts one end of the other tube 14 into the other end of the fluid leakage prevention unit 220.

When one end of one tube 12 and one end of the other tube 14 are inserted into the fluid leakage prevention part 220, the worker covers the fluid leakage prevention part 220 with the two housing members 222, 222. When the two housing members 222, 222 are covered with the fluid leakage prevention part 20, the worker connects the two housing members 222, 222 with the bolts 24 and nuts 26.

Thereafter, the worker checks that the two housing members 222, 222 are in close contact with each other. Once this is confirmed, the worker places a match mark (a mark indicating completion of the work) across the two housing members 222, 222. This completes the connection between the pipe joint 200 according to this embodiment and the two pipes 12, 14.

[Explanation of the effects of this embodiment ]
As described above, in the pipe fitting 200 according to this embodiment , the seal portion is located inside the pipe end accommodating portion 240. Because the seal portion is located inside the pipe end accommodating portion 240, the seal portion is not pinched between the two housing members 222, 222 even when the two housing members 222, 222 are brought into close contact with each other by the bolt 24 and the nut 26. As a result, the seal portion is prevented from being pinched between the housing members 222, 222, and therefore the portions of the seal portion involved in the sealing function are prevented from being damaged.

In the case of the pipe joint 200 according to the present embodiment, when a fluid such as water is passed between the first pipe 12 and the second pipe 14 and the pressure of the fluid is increased, the first tubular contact member 80 receives a force in a direction in which the first tubular contact member 80 is pushed out of the pipe end housing 40 by the pressure. The first end opening tapered surface 366 contacts the back side tapered surface 118 of the enlarged diameter portion 112 of the first pipe 12, thereby restricting the movement of the first pipe 12 toward the first tubular contact member 260 as viewed from the second tubular contact member 262. When the first end opening tapered surface 366 does not contact the enlarged diameter portion 112 of the first pipe 12, the first tubular contact member 260 does not restrict the movement of the first pipe 12. On the other hand, the first tubular contact member 260 seals between the outer periphery of one end of the first pipe 12 and the inner periphery of the pipe end housing 240 by contacting the tip side tapered surface 116 of the enlarged diameter portion 112 of the first pipe 12. As a result, when the first pipe 12 is connected to the pipe joint 200 without the enlarged diameter portion 112 formed thereon, the first tubular adhesive member 260 is unlikely to adhere to the outer periphery of one end of the first pipe 12. The same applies to the second tubular adhesive member 262. As a result, when the first pipe 12 is connected to the pipe joint 200 without the enlarged diameter portion 112 formed thereon, there is a risk that fluid will leak from between the outer periphery of one end of the first pipe 12 and the inner periphery of the pipe end housing 240. When the second pipe 14 is connected to the pipe joint 200 without the enlarged diameter portion 114 formed thereon, there is a risk that fluid will leak from between the outer periphery of one end of the second pipe 14 and the inner periphery of the pipe end housing 240. When the fluid leaks out, it is easy to detect poor installation in at least one of the first pipe 12 and the second pipe 14.

[Modification]
The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Of course, various design modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, what is provided on the outer periphery of one end of the other tube 14 so that the other movement limiting portion 86 can be hooked on the outer periphery of the one end of the other tube 14 is not limited to the enlarged diameter portion 114. What is provided on the outer periphery of one end of the other tube 14 may be a protrusion fixed to the outer periphery. What is provided on the outer periphery of one end of the other tube 14 may be unevenness provided on the outer periphery by knurling. The specific configuration for the other movement limiting portion 86 to be hooked on the outer periphery of one end of the other tube 14 is not limited to the tube outer periphery contact surface 122 that contacts the enlarged diameter portion 114. The other movement limiting portion 86 may have a hook that hooks on a protrusion fixed to the outer periphery of one end of the other tube 14. The specific configuration for the other movement limiting portion 86 to be hooked on the outer periphery of one end of the other tube 14 may be a surface that receives a frictional force from unevenness provided on the outer periphery of one end of the other tube 14 by knurling .

In addition, in the first embodiment, the housing engagement portion 162 and the outer circumferential engagement portion 54 may not be provided. Even in this case, it is possible to easily detect poor installation for the following reasons. That is, in the case of the pipe fitting 10 according to the first embodiment, the inner circumferential protrusion 52 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the space forming portion 50 so that its side surface faces one end of the other pipe 14. If the inner circumferential protrusion 52 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the space forming portion 50, when the relative position of the pipe end accommodating portion 40 with respect to the other pipe 14 changes, the side surface of the inner circumferential protrusion 52 of the pipe end accommodating portion 40 may come into contact with one end of the other pipe 14. When the inner circumferential protrusion 52 comes into contact with one end of the other pipe 14, the pipe end accommodating portion 40 will not come any closer to any region of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22 unless the other pipe 14 moves in the direction of coming out of the pipe fitting 10. If the pipe end accommodating portion 40 does not approach any area of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22 any more, the possibility that the gap between the area of the inner circumferential surface of the housing member 22 facing that area and the pipe end accommodating portion 40 becomes smaller. If that possibility becomes smaller, the possibility that the one tubular adhesive material 80 is pushed out into the gap becomes smaller. Similarly, the other tubular adhesive material 84 is also less likely to be pushed out into the gap. This is because the inner circumferential protrusion 52 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the space forming portion 50 so that its side surface faces one end of the one pipe 12. As a result, the possibility that water leakage will occur in the pipe joint 10 according to this embodiment is smaller, even though the one movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are pressed against each other and the other movement limiting portion 86 and the enlarged diameter portion 114 are pressed against each other. If the possibility of water leakage becomes smaller, the possibility that the cause of the water leakage when it occurs becomes higher as described below. This is because the one-side movement limiting portion 82 and the enlarged diameter portion 112 are not pressed against each other, or the other-side movement limiting portion 86 and the enlarged diameter portion 114 are not pressed against each other. These are likely to be the cause of water leakage, and the water leakage can be a trigger to easily discover poor construction, such as at least one of the enlarged diameter portions 112 and 114 not being formed.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the inner peripheral protrusion 52 does not have to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the space forming portion 50. Even if the inner peripheral protrusion 52 does not protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the space forming portion 50, as long as the housing engagement portion 162 engages with the outer peripheral engagement portion 54, poor installation can be easily detected for the reasons described above.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the housing member 22 may have a notch formed therein to allow a person to visually check whether or not the enlarged diameter portions 112, 114 are formed.

10, 200... Pipe joint 12... One pipe 14... The other pipe 20, 220... Fluid leakage prevention portion 22, 222... Housing member 24... Bolt 26... Nut 40, 240... Pipe end accommodating portion 42... Sealing portion 50, 250... Space forming portion 52, 252... Inner peripheral protrusion portion 54... Outer peripheral engagement portion 60... One sealing portion 62... The other sealing portion 80, 260... One cylindrical contact material 82... One movement limiting portion 84, 262... The other cylindrical contact material 86... The other movement limiting portion 100, 300... Contact material main body 102 , 302...inner peripheral membrane portion 112, 114...expanded diameter portion 116...tip side tapered surface 118...back side tapered surface 120...adhesive material contact surface 122...pipe outer periphery contact surface 140, 340...cylindrical constituent portion 142, 342...connection bracket portion 150...through hole 160, 360...one end opening forming portion 162...housing engagement portion 164, 364...other end opening forming portion 166, 366...one end opening tapered surface 168, 368...other end opening tapered surface 280...projection base portion 282...annular portion 362...accommodation space forming portion

Claims (3)

a fluid leakage prevention portion for preventing a fluid flowing through the one tube and the other tube from leaking between one end of the one tube and one end of the other tube connected to the one end of the one tube;
a plurality of housing members connected to each other so as to accommodate the fluid leakage prevention portion,
The fluid leakage prevention portion is
a pipe end receiving portion for receiving one end of the one pipe and one end of the other pipe;
a seal portion for sealing between one end of the one pipe and an inner periphery of the pipe end housing portion, and between one end of the other pipe and an inner periphery of the pipe end housing portion ,
The seal portion is
a first seal portion for sealing between an outer periphery of one end of the first pipe and an inner periphery of the pipe end housing portion;
a second seal portion that is separate from the first seal portion and that seals between an outer periphery of one end of the second pipe and an inner periphery of the pipe end housing portion,
The one seal portion is
a first cylindrical contact member for contacting an outer periphery of one end of the first pipe and for contacting an inner periphery of the pipe end receiving portion;
a one-side movement limiting portion that is disposed on the opposite side of the other seal portion as viewed from the one tubular contact material, is capable of being hooked onto an outer periphery of one end of the one pipe, and when hooked onto the outer periphery of the one end of the one pipe, limits the movement of the one tubular contact material to the opposite side of the other seal portion as viewed from the one tubular contact material, and does not limit the movement of the one tubular contact material to the opposite side of the other seal portion as viewed from the one tubular contact material unless it is hooked onto the outer periphery of the one end of the one pipe,
The one cylindrical adhesive member is
A cylindrical adhesive body for closely contacting an outer periphery of one end of the one pipe;
and an annular inner peripheral film portion protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the adhesive material main body,
The one-way movement limiting portion,
a contact surface disposed inside the tube end housing so as to face the one cylindrical contact material;
and a pipe outer periphery contact surface which narrows as it approaches the contact surface of the seal material . The pipe end housing portion is
a cylindrical space forming portion that forms a space in which one end of the one pipe and one end of the other pipe are accommodated;
an outer circumferential engagement portion that is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the space forming portion and that engages with any one of the plurality of housing members;
2. A pipe joint according to claim 1 , wherein any one of the plurality of housing members has a housing engaging portion that engages with the outer circumferential engaging portion. The pipe end housing portion is
a cylindrical space forming portion that forms a space in which one end of the one pipe and one end of the other pipe are accommodated;
2. A pipe joint according to claim 1 , further comprising an inner peripheral protrusion protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the space forming portion so as to have a side surface facing one end of the other pipe.

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