JP6595303B2 - Pipe fitting - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe joint used for piping for water supply or hot water supply, for example.

  As a conventional pipe joint, a sealing member (water-stopping member) that comes into contact with the tubular body is provided in a portion (insertion portion) that partitions the insertion space for inserting the tubular body (pipe), and water is sealed. An arrangement in which a colorant is disposed on a path that leaks to the outside beyond a member is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In the pipe joint of Patent Document 1, when water leaking beyond the sealing member comes into contact with the colorant, the water is colored by the colorant, so that the water leak can be detected.

JP 2010-209950 A

However, in general, even if the pipe joint itself does not have a water leak detection function, it may be possible to confirm the presence or absence of water leak in the pipe joint sufficiently effectively. For example, at a new construction site, the presence or absence of water leakage is confirmed by visually confirming the presence or absence of water from the pipe joint by conducting a watertight test in which the pipe including the pipe joint is filled with water and a predetermined water pressure is applied. There are many cases where this is possible. Thus, in an environment where the presence or absence of water leakage can be determined by visually confirming the seepage of water, the pipe joint itself does not necessarily have a water leakage detection function.
On the other hand, at the renovation construction site, pipe joints are used in narrow areas such as between walls and floors or ceilings already installed, and the housing, so there is no leakage due to visual confirmation of water seepage from the pipe joints. Judgment is difficult.
As described above, it is sufficient if the presence or absence of water leakage can be confirmed by an effective method other than a watertight test at a renovation construction site or the like, but the technique of Patent Document 1 can add a water leakage detection function when necessary. Since the leak detection function (colorant) is mounted on the pipe joint at the time of manufacturing the pipe joint instead of the configuration, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of cost and the like.
The above-mentioned problem is the same when detecting leakage of fluid other than water.

  The present invention is for solving the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe joint to which a fluid leakage detection function can be added as necessary.

In the pipe joint of the present invention, a pipe joint body in which an insertion space for inserting a tubular body from one side in the axial direction is formed on the inner peripheral side of a portion on one side in the axial direction, and the tubular body includes the differential A sealing member that fluid-tightly seals between the pipe joint main body and the tubular body in a state of being inserted into the insertion space, and a fluid flowing through the tubular body in the insertion space. An annular leakage detection member disposed on a path that leaks beyond the stop member, wherein at least a part of the leakage detection member is externally attached to the pipe coupling body. A window portion is formed, and the leak detection member is connected to the inside of a pipe joint that is visually recognized from the outside through the window portion when the leak detection member comes into contact with a predetermined fluid. It is characterized by being configured so that the appearance of is changed.
According to the pipe joint of the present invention, it is possible to add a fluid leak detection function only by disposing a leak detection member in the insertion space as necessary.

In the pipe joint of the present invention, the insertion space is formed between an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part provided in the portion on the one axial side of the pipe joint body, and the sealing member Is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder part, and the leak detection member is disposed in the insertion space on the other axial side than the sealing member, and the window part is provided on the outer cylinder. It is suitable if it is formed in the part.
Thereby, the member for leak detection can be arranged in the insertion space more easily.

In the pipe joint according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the leak detection member has a fitting portion that is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body at an end portion in the axial direction.
Thereby, the member for leak detection can be arranged in the insertion space more easily.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pipe joint capable of adding a fluid leak detection function as necessary.

It is a partial section side view showing a 1st embodiment of a pipe joint of the present invention. It is a partial cross section side view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the pipe joint of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pipe joint according to the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a part of the pipe joint 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a cross section along the axial direction of the pipe joint 1. The axial direction of the pipe joint 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “axial direction”) is a direction along the pipe axis O of the pipe joint 1.
In this example, a pipe connection port 30 is formed on one side in the axial direction of the pipe joint 1 (on the left side in FIG. 1) to connect with a tubular body 21 such as a polybutene water supply / hot water pipe. .
In the following, for convenience of explanation, one side in the axial direction of the pipe joint 1 (the pipe connection port 30 side) will be referred to as “the first side in the axial direction”, and the other side in the axial direction of the pipe joint 1 (the pipe connection port). The side opposite to the 30th side) is referred to as the “second axial direction side”.

  The pipe joint 1 of this embodiment includes a pipe joint main body 10 and a sealing member 14. In this example, the pipe joint main body 10 includes a pipe line forming member 17, a cap 11, a fitting member 15, a lock claw 13, and a release ring 12.

  The pipe line forming member 17 is made of, for example, metal, and forms a pipe line (flow path) by its inner peripheral surface. A portion on the first axial direction side (left side in FIG. 1) in the pipe line forming member 17 constitutes the inner cylinder part 100 of the pipe joint body 10.

The cap 11 is made of, for example, resin, is configured in a cylindrical shape, and is provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylindrical portion 100. A portion on the second axial side (the right side in FIG. 1) of the cap 11 is fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the fitting member 15 by press fitting or the like.
The fitting member 15 is made of, for example, a substantially transparent resin, is configured in a cylindrical shape, and is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cap 11 and the outer peripheral side of the inner cylindrical portion 100. The end of the fitting member 15 on the second axial side is fixed to the outer peripheral surface portion of the pipe forming member 17 adjacent to the second side in the axial direction by press fitting or the like.
The lock claw 13 is made of, for example, metal, is formed in an annular shape, and is bent into a substantially V shape that is convex on the first side in the axial direction. The lock claw 13 is arranged on the inner circumferential side of the cap 11 and the outer circumferential side of the inner cylindrical portion 100 on the first axial side with respect to the fitted member 15. A plurality of claw portions 13a are formed at the inner peripheral end of the lock claw 13 and spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. The inner diameter of the lock claw 13 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the portion of the fitted member 15 that faces the inner cylinder portion 100 in the radial direction and the inner diameter of the release ring 12.
The release ring 12 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in an annular shape. The release ring 12 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the cap 11 and the outer circumferential side of the inner cylinder portion 100 on the first axial side with respect to the lock claw 13.
The cap 11, the first axial portion of the fitted member 15, the lock claw 13, and the release ring 12 are located on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylindrical portion 100 with an interval therebetween. 101 is configured.

Between the inner cylinder part 100 and the outer cylinder part 101, the cyclic | annular insertion space 16 for inserting tubular bodies 21, such as a pipe for hot water supply and hot water supply, from the axial direction 1st side is formed.
The sealing member 14 is made of, for example, an elastic O-ring, and is provided in the circumferential groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 100 at the intermediate position in the axial direction in the insertion space 16 over the entire circumference. Yes. In the illustrated example, the pair of sealing members 14 are accommodated in separate circumferential grooves. In a state where the tubular body 21 is not inserted into the insertion space 16, the outer diameter of the sealing member 14 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder portion 100. When the tubular body 21 is inserted into the insertion space 16, the sealing member 14 is deformed so as to be in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body 21.

  The tube connection port 30 is configured by the inner cylinder part 100, the outer cylinder part 101, and the sealing member 14.

In the pipe joint 1 configured as described above, when the tubular body 21 is inserted into the insertion space 16, the claw portion 13 a of the lock claw 13 bites into the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 21 and is locked to the tubular body 21. . At this time, the space between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 100 is sealed fluid-tightly by the sealing member 14. In this way, the tubular body 21 is connected to the pipe joint 1 with one touch. In addition, since the to-be-inserted member 15 that divides a part of the insertion space 16 is configured to be substantially transparent, the tubular body 21 is inserted to the back of the insertion space 16 (end on the second axial side). This can be confirmed from the outside.
On the other hand, when removing the tubular body 21 from the pipe joint 1, a jig (not shown) is inserted into the cap 11 in the axial direction from the first axial direction toward the release ring 12, and the release ring 12 is axially moved. Push to the second side. Then, the release ring 12 presses the claw portion 13a of the lock claw 13 to release the engagement of the claw portion 13a with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 21. In this state, when the tubular body 21 is pulled out to the first side in the axial direction, the tubular body 21 can be detached from the pipe joint 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pipe joint 1 of the present embodiment has an annular leakage accommodated in an end portion on the second axial side in the insertion space 16 on the second axial side from the sealing member 14. The detection member 20 is further provided. At the time of connecting the tubular body 21 to the pipe joint 1, the tubular body 21 is inserted into the insertion space 16 adjacent to the leakage detection member 20 on the first axial side. In this example, the leak detection member 20 is configured in an endless shape (ring shape) extending over the entire circumference. The length of the leak detection member 20 along the axial direction is such that when the leak detection member 20 is housed in the insertion space 16, the end on the first axial direction side of the leak detection member 20 is a pair of It is set so as to be positioned on the second axial side from the sealing member 14. Thereby, in the state where the tubular body 21 is inserted into the insertion space 16 adjacent to the leakage detection member 20 on the first axial direction side, the end on the second axial direction side of the tubular body 21 is sealed. It will be located in the axial direction 2nd side rather than the member 14. FIG.

  The leak detection member 20 is disposed on a path in the insertion space 16 where the fluid flowing through the tubular body 21 leaks beyond the sealing member 14. In the example of FIG. 1, the path through which the fluid flowing through the tubular body 21 leaks beyond the sealing member 14 in the insertion space 16 is, for example, more axial than the pair of sealing members 14 in the inner cylindrical portion 100. A path that passes between the outer peripheral surface on the second side and the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body 21, a path that passes through the end on the second axial side of the tubular body 21 in the insertion space 16, This is a path that passes between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 21.

In this example, the leak detection member 20 is configured such that the portion in contact with water (the portion wetted with water) changes color from the first color to the second color by contact with water. ing. Note that once the water in contact with the leak detection member 20 dries, the color of the dried portion returns from the second color to the first color.
The leak detection member 20 includes, for example, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), POM (polyacetal), or PA (polyamide).

As an example of the configuration for changing the color from the first color to the second color at the portion where the leak detection member 20 is in contact with a predetermined fluid such as water, the leak detection member 20 is, for example, A configuration is conceivable comprising a layer of paint exhibiting a second color applied to the outer surface and a layer of concealing agent applied thereon. The masking agent is opaque in the dry state and exhibits a first color (eg, white), but becomes transparent upon contact with water. Note that once the water in contact with the masking agent is dry, the masking agent becomes opaque and returns to the first color.
The action of such a masking agent is, for example, in a state where the masking agent is dry, while reflecting light due to minute irregularities on the surface of the masking agent, the masking agent is in contact with water and getting wet. Then, the surface of the masking agent is temporarily flattened, and light is transmitted without being reflected or refracted. In this case, the masking agent can repeatedly exhibit such an action.
The layer of the masking agent is preferably composed of a white low refractive index pigment and a binder. White low-refractive index pigment is a fine powder whose refractive index is close to that of water. When it comes into contact with water, light scattering at the interface is suppressed and it becomes transparent, and when water disappears, it becomes opaque and white. It is what has. The refractive index of the white low refractive index pigment is preferably 1.8 or less. Examples of white low refractive index pigments include inorganic pigments such as amorphous silica, kaolin, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and aluminum oxide, and organic pigments such as plastic pigments. Resins used for the binder include polymers of acrylic acid and its derivatives, polymers of methacrylic acid and its derivatives, polystyrene, styrene / acrylate copolymer, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride, Examples thereof include vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate, polypropylene, nitrocellulose and derivatives thereof.
In this case, the leak detection member 20 exhibits the color of the concealing agent (first color) in the dry state, but when it comes into contact with water, the layer of the concealing agent becomes transparent at the portion in contact with the water. The color (second color) of the paint layer under the masking agent layer will be exhibited. When the leak detection member 20 dries again, the color returns from the second color to the first color.
In addition, when the color of the material itself of the main body of the leak detection member 20 is different from the color of the masking agent, even if a masking agent layer is directly applied on the main body of the leak detection member 20, the same effect can be obtained. can get.

  In this example, in a state where the leak detection member 20 is accommodated in the end portion on the second axial direction side in the insertion space 16, the outer cylinder portion 101 is fitted on the outer peripheral side corresponding to the leak detection member 20. Member 15 is located. In this example, since the fitting member 15 is substantially transparent, the leakage detection member 20 is externally (in this example, from the outer peripheral side and in the axial direction of the leakage detection member 20). An annular (more specifically, extending over the entire circumference) window portion 15a is formed which makes the whole visible.

In the state where the leakage detection member 20 and the tubular body 21 are inserted into the insertion space 16 as described above, the fluid (water in this example) flowing through the tubular body 21 is temporarily separated from the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 100. When water leaks due to passing between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body 21 and exceeding the sealing member 14, the water that has passed the sealing member 14 and has reached the leak detecting member 20 is separated from the leak detecting member 20. By contact, the color of the leakage detection member 20 is changed from the first color to the second color at least at a part (in this example, a part in contact with water). Thereby, since the external appearance (in this example, the color of the leakage detection member 20) of the pipe joint 1 visually recognized from the outside through the window portion 15a changes, it is possible to detect water leakage.
As described above, in this embodiment, the leakage detection function can be added to the pipe joint simply by accommodating the leakage detection member 20 in the insertion space 16.

  In this example, the leak detection member 20 has an outer diameter that is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the lock claw 13 and that is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member 14. It has a large inner diameter (as a result, an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 100).

As a method for inserting the leak detection member 20 and the tubular body 21 into the insertion space 16, for example, in a state where the first axial side (left side in FIG. 1) of the tube connection port 30 faces upward, The detection member 20 may be dropped into the insertion space 16 and then the tubular body 21 may be inserted into the insertion space 16 from above.
Alternatively, the leak detection member 20 and the tubular body 21 are put together while the leak detection member 20 is placed on the end surface of the tubular body 21 with the first axial direction of the tube connection port 30 facing downward. It may be inserted into the insertion space 16 from below.

  According to the present embodiment, the leakage detection member 20 is inserted before the tubular body 21 is inserted at an arbitrary timing as required, for example, when the presence or absence of water leakage cannot be confirmed by a watertight test at a renovation construction site or the like. An effective water leakage detection function can be added to the pipe joint simply by being accommodated in the space 16. Therefore, unlike the prior art, when manufacturing a pipe joint, it is not necessary to mount a water leak detection function on the pipe joint, so that manufacturing costs and labor can be greatly reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the inner diameter of the leak detection member 20 may be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member 14. In this case, the leakage detection member 20 is pushed into the insertion space 16 and accommodated by the tubular body 21 or a jig. In this case, as compared with the case where the inner diameter of the leak detection member 20 is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sealing member 14 as in the above example, the radial thickness of the leak detection member 20 is further increased. Since it is possible to ensure a large value, the rigidity of the leak detection member 20 can be increased.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a part of the pipe joint 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a cross section along the axial direction of the pipe joint 1. About the pipe joint 1 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, only a different point from the pipe joint 1 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.
In the pipe joint 1 according to the second embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the end of the tubular body 21 on the side where the leak detection member 20 is inserted into the insertion space 16 at the end in the axial direction of the leak detection member 20. It has the fitting part 20a fitted in. The fitted-in portion 20a is formed in an annular shape, and its outer diameter is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tubular body 21, and its inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing member 14. It is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder part 100. In this example, the inner diameter of the leak detection member 20 other than the fitted portion 20a is made equal to the inner diameter of the fitted portion 20a.

  When the leak detection member 20 and the tubular body 21 are inserted into the insertion space 16, the fitted portion 20 a of the leak detection member 20 is the end of the tubular body 21 on the side inserted into the insertion space 16. The leakage detection member 20 and the tubular body 21 are inserted into the insertion space 16 together in a state of being fitted into the inner peripheral surface.

  According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the leak detection member 20 can be disposed in the insertion space 16 more stably and easily. In particular, in the present embodiment, when the pipe joint 1 is fixed to an external building or the like with the first axial direction of the pipe connection port 30 facing downward, the leakage is stably and easily performed. This is advantageous in that the detection member 20 can be inserted into the insertion space 16 from below.

  In addition, in 2nd Embodiment, as long as the to-be-inserted part 20a can be inserted in the internal peripheral surface of the tubular body 21, it is not restricted to the case where it is comprised cyclically | annularly, For example, it forms in the circumferential direction at intervals. The plurality of slits may be configured to be discontinuous in the circumferential direction.

The pipe joint of the present invention is not limited to those of the first and second embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible.
For example, the configuration of the leakage detection member 20 is not limited to that which changes color due to contact with water as in the above example. As further exemplified below, the leak detection member 20 is a pipe joint that is visually recognized from the outside through the window portion 15a by contacting with a predetermined fluid (a predetermined liquid other than water or a predetermined gas). What is necessary is just to be comprised so that the external appearance of 1 may change. Even in such a configuration, it is effective for a pipe joint only by accommodating the leakage detection member 20 in the insertion space 16 at the same time as or before the insertion of the tubular body 21 as needed. New fluid leak detection function can be added.
For example, the leak detection member 20 may be configured such that at least a portion in contact with the fluid changes color due to contact with a predetermined fluid other than water.
Further, the leakage detection member 20 is changed from a state in which at least a portion in contact with the fluid does not exhibit characters or patterns to a state in which characters or patterns are exhibited by contact with a predetermined fluid, or It changes from a state where characters and patterns are presented to a state where characters and patterns are not present, or changes from a state where the first characters and patterns are presented to a state where the second characters and patterns are presented. May be configured.
Further, the leak detection member 20 is in contact with a predetermined fluid, and at least a portion in contact with the fluid has a certain color, character, or pattern (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as “display”). It may be configured to change from a state to a substantially transparent state, or from a substantially transparent state to a state that exhibits a certain display. When at least a part of the leak detection member 20 is in a substantially transparent state, when the inside of the pipe joint 1 is viewed from the outside through the window portion 15a, the leak detection member 20 is passed through the portion of the leak detection member 20. The inner cylinder portion 100 (and eventually the pipe line forming member 17) is visually recognized. In this case, the display different from the display of the leak detection member 20 when it is not in a substantially transparent state on the outer peripheral surface portion of the inner cylinder portion 100 which is located on the inner peripheral side with respect to the leak detection member 20. When at least a part of the leak detection member 20 is in a substantially transparent state, for example, when the inside of the pipe joint 1 is viewed from the outside through the window portion 15a, The display painted on the inner cylinder portion 100 can be visually recognized through the portion of the member 20.

In addition, the annular leak detection member 20 is not limited to the case where it is configured in an endless shape (ring shape) as in the above example. In addition, for example, the annular leak detection member 20 is discontinuous in the circumferential direction by a slit. It may be configured in a C shape.
The outer diameter of the leak detection member 20 may be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the lock claw 13. In this case, a plurality of axial grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the leak detection member 20 to receive the claw portions 13a of the lock claw 13 when the leak detection member 20 is inserted into the insertion space 16. Then, it is suitable. In this case, as compared with the case where the outer diameter of the leak detection member 20 is substantially equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the lock claw 13 as in the first and second embodiments, the thickness of the leak detection member 20 in the radial direction is smaller. Therefore, the rigidity of the leak detection member 20 can be increased.

In addition, the window part 15a formed in the outer cylinder part 101 should just be the structure which can visually recognize at least one part of the member 20 for a leak detection from the outside.
For example, the window portion 15a is not limited to a case where the window portion 15a is configured by a substantially transparent member such as a resin as a part of the fitted member 15 as in the first and second embodiments, and the outer cylinder portion 101 is arranged in the radial direction. You may be comprised by the opening (hole) which penetrates.
Further, the window portion 15a is not limited to being provided over the entire circumference as in the first and second embodiments, and may be provided only at one place or a plurality of places in the circumferential direction. However, it is more preferable that it is provided over the entire circumference as in the above example, since any fluid leakage can be immediately confirmed at any position in the circumferential direction.
Further, the window portion 15a is not limited to the case where the entire axial direction of the leakage detection member 20 is visible from the outside as in the above example, and only a part of the leakage detection member 20 in the axial direction is externally visible. The structure which enables visual recognition may be sufficient.

  The sealing member 14 is not limited to being provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 100, and may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 101 so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 21. In this case, the inner cylinder part 100 may be omitted, and the insertion space 16 is partitioned by the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder part 101. Also in this case, the leak detection member 20 is arranged on a path in the insertion space 16 where the fluid flowing through the tubular body 21 leaks beyond the sealing member 14. For example, the leak detection member 20 is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder portion 101 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 21 on the first axial side of the sealing member 14 in the insertion space 16. May be.

  The pipe joint by this invention can be utilized for piping for arbitrary fluids, such as cold water, warm water, oil, gas, for example.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Pipe fitting 10: Pipe fitting main body 11: Cap 12: Release ring 13: Lock claw 13a: Lock claw claw part 14: Sealing member 15: Fit-in member 15a: Window part 16: Plug-in space, 17: Pipe line forming member, 20: Leak detection member, 20a: Insertion part of leak detection member, 21: Tubular body, 30: Pipe connection port, 100: Inside of the fitting body Cylinder part, 101: Outer cylinder part of pipe fitting body, O: Pipe axis of pipe fitting

Claims (2)

A pipe fitting body in which an insertion space for inserting a tubular body from one side in the axial direction is formed on the inner peripheral side of the portion on one side in the axial direction,
In a state where the tubular body is inserted into the insertion space, a sealing member that seals fluid tightly between the pipe joint body and the tubular body;
An annular leakage detection member disposed on a path in which the fluid flowing through the tubular body leaks beyond the sealing member in the insertion space;
A pipe joint comprising:
The pipe joint main body is formed with a window portion that allows at least a part of the leakage detection member to be visually recognized from the outside.
The leak detection member, by the leakage detection member is in contact with the fluid, the interior of the appearance of the pipe joint is visible from the outside through the window portion is configured to change,
The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the leak detection member has a fitting part fitted into an inner peripheral surface of the tubular body at an end in an axial direction thereof . The insertion space is formed between an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part provided in the part on the one axial side of the pipe joint body,
The sealing member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion,
The leakage detection member is disposed in the insertion space on the other side in the axial direction than the sealing member ,
The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein the window portion is formed in the outer cylinder portion.

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