JP7809735B2 - Drain hose cap and air conditioning drain hose - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a drain hose cap and an air conditioning drain hose.

A drain piping system is formed by connecting a drain pipe installed in an air conditioner's indoor unit and an air conditioning drain pipe with an air conditioning drain hose. In such a drain piping system, a drain pipe attachment portion for connecting to the drain pipe is provided at the end of the air conditioning drain hose that connects to the drain pipe. Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a method of connecting the drain pipe (referred to as a first joint member connected to the drain pipe in Patent Document 1) and the drain pipe attachment portion of the air conditioning drain hose (referred to as a second joint member in Patent Document 1) with a fastener.

When installing a drain piping system, air conditioning drain pipes and drain hoses may be tested for leaks. This type of test is also known as an airtight test. In one example, the end of the air conditioning drain hose is blocked before it is connected to the drain pipe, and the drain piping is filled with gas to apply pressure to the drain piping system. If the pressure in the drain piping system does not decrease for a specified period of time, it is determined that there are no leaks in the air conditioning drain pipes and drain hoses.

Various proposals have been made for drain hose caps that can be attached to air conditioning drain hoses. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a drain hose cap (called a blocking cap in Patent Document 1) that is attached to an air conditioning drain hose with a fastener. Such drain hose caps are sometimes used to block the connection of an air conditioning drain hose during airtightness testing.

JP 2015-105789 A

However, it can be difficult to attach a drain hose cap to an air conditioning drain hose. For example, if the indoor unit is installed above the ceiling, it is difficult to visually inspect the end of the air conditioning drain hose, making it difficult to attach the drain hose cap to the air conditioning drain hose. There is a demand for a drain hose cap that is easy to attach to an air conditioning drain hose.

A drain hose cap according to a first aspect of the present invention solves this problem. It is an air conditioning drain hose that connects an indoor unit's drain pipe to an air conditioning drain pipe installed in a building, and has a cap main body that closes the end of the air conditioning drain hose. The air conditioning drain hose has a connecting pipe that connects to the drain pipe, a drain pipe attachment portion that attaches the connecting pipe to the drain pipe, and an engaged portion provided on the drain pipe attachment portion. The cap main body includes a stopper portion that closes the connecting pipe and an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion of the air conditioning drain hose. The engaging portion moves from a disengaged position where the engaging portion does not engage with the engaged portion to an engaged position where the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion by rotating the cap main body relative to the drain pipe attachment portion in a first rotational direction in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe.

With this configuration, the engaging portion can engage with the engaged portion by rotating the cap body in the first rotational direction, making it easy to attach the drain hose cap to the air conditioning drain hose.

A drain hose cap according to a second aspect is the drain hose cap according to the first aspect, wherein one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is configured as a protrusion, and the other of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is configured as a flange having a groove through which the protrusion passes.

With this configuration, when attaching the drain hose cap to the air conditioning drain hose, the projection passes through the groove in the flange, allowing the engagement portion to move to the disengaged position.

A drain hose cap according to a third aspect is the drain hose cap according to the second aspect, wherein the protrusion is provided on the cap main body and the flange is provided on the drain pipe mounting portion.

This configuration makes it easy to align the protrusion with the groove in the flange when attaching the drain hose cap to the air conditioning drain hose.

A drain hose cap according to a fourth aspect is the drain hose cap according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a first rotation stopper that stops rotation of the cap main body in the first rotation direction, and the first rotation stopper stops rotation of the cap main body in the first rotation direction when the engaging portion is positioned at the engaging position.

With this configuration, when the engaging portion is positioned in the engaged position, the first rotation stopper stops rotation in the first rotation direction, allowing the operator to know that the engaging portion and engaged portion have engaged.

A fifth aspect of the drain hose cap is the drain hose cap of the fourth aspect, further comprising a second rotation stopper that stops rotation of the cap main body in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and the second rotation stopper stops rotation of the cap main body in the second rotation direction when the engaging portion is positioned in the disengaged position.

With this configuration, when the engaging portion is in the disengaged position, the second rotation stopper stops rotation in the second rotation direction, allowing the operator to know that the engaging portion and engaged portion are not engaged.

A drain hose cap according to a sixth aspect is the drain hose cap according to the fifth aspect, wherein the first rotation stopper is configured to stop rotation of the cap main body in the first rotation direction by abutting against the drain pipe mounting portion, and the second rotation stopper is configured to stop rotation of the cap main body in the second rotation direction by abutting against the drain pipe mounting portion, and the second rotation stopper is provided at a different position in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe from the first rotation stopper.

With this configuration, the first rotation stopper and the second rotation stopper are positioned at a distance in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the portion of the drain pipe mounting part that abuts the first rotation stopper and the portion that abuts the second rotation stopper can be positioned at a distance in the circumferential direction. This allows the rotation stopper to be optimally positioned according to the shape of the drain pipe mounting part.

The drain hose cap of the seventh aspect is the drain hose cap of the sixth aspect, wherein when the second rotation stopper is in contact with the drain pipe mounting portion, the cap can be inserted into or removed from the connecting pipe in the axial direction of the connecting pipe.

With this configuration, by abutting the second rotation stopper against the drain pipe mounting portion, the drain hose cap can be positioned circumferentially when attaching the drain hose cap to the air conditioning drain hose.

The drain hose cap of an eighth aspect is the drain hose cap of the second or third aspect, wherein the cap main body is provided with a mark for positioning the cap main body relative to the drain pipe mounting portion so that the protrusion overlaps the groove.

With this configuration, the marks allow the cap body to be positioned relative to the drain pipe mounting portion so that the protrusions and grooves are aligned circumferentially.

A ninth aspect of the drain hose cap is the drain hose cap of any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the stopper portion has a cylindrical portion that covers the outer periphery of the connecting pipe.

With this configuration, the cylindrical portion can protect the connecting pipe of the air conditioning drain hose.

A drain hose cap according to a tenth aspect is the drain hose cap according to the ninth aspect, wherein the drain pipe attachment portion of the air conditioning drain hose has a guide portion that guides the tip of the connecting pipe into the drain pipe of the indoor unit, and the tubular portion is configured to be guided by the guide portion when the plug portion closes the connecting pipe.

With this configuration, the cylindrical portion is guided by a guide portion that guides the tip of the connecting pipe into the drain pipe, making it easy to attach the drain hose cap to the air conditioning drain hose.

The drain hose cap of an eleventh aspect is the drain hose cap of any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the drain hose cap is a cap for airtightness testing of the air conditioning drain hose.

With this configuration, an airtightness test can be performed by sealing the drain piping system with the drain hose cap.

The air conditioning drain hose of a twelfth aspect includes the connecting pipe, the drain pipe mounting portion, a hose portion through which drain water discharged from the drain pipe of the indoor unit flows, and the drain hose cap of any one of the first to eleventh aspects.

With this configuration, the drain piping system can be configured using an air conditioning drain hose that can be easily closed with a drain hose cap.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioning drain hose that connects an indoor unit's drain pipe to an air conditioning drain pipe installed in a building, and includes: a hose portion through which drain water discharged from the drain pipe flows; a connecting pipe connected to the drain pipe so that the drain water flows through the hose portion; and a drain pipe mounting portion that attaches the connecting pipe to the drain pipe and is provided with an engaged portion. The drain pipe mounting portion is configured to allow attachment of a drain hose cap having a cap main body that closes the connecting pipe, and the cap main body has an engaging portion. The drain pipe mounting portion changes from a disengaged state in which the engaging portion does not engage with the engaged portion to an engaged state in which the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion by rotating the cap main body relative to the drain pipe mounting portion in a first rotational direction within the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe.

With this configuration, the cap body is engaged by rotating in the first rotational direction, making it easy to attach the drain hose cap to the air conditioning drain hose.

1 is a schematic diagram of a drain piping system including an air conditioning drain hose according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end portion of the air conditioning drain hose according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the end of the air conditioning drain hose without the insulating cover. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drain hose cap according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the drain hose cap according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the drain hose cap according to the embodiment. 1 is a side view showing a state in which the drain hose cap is attached to an air conditioning drain hose. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which the drain hose cap is attached to an air conditioning drain hose. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning drain hose and a drain hose cap in a disengaged state. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning drain hose and a drain hose cap in an engaged state. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning drain hose and a drain hose cap in a disengaged state. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning drain hose and a drain hose cap in an engaged state.

<Embodiment>
The air conditioning drain hose 10 and the drain hose cap 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG.

<Air conditioner>
Referring to Figure 1, an air conditioning drain hose 10 connects a drain pipe 5 of an indoor unit 1 to an air conditioning drain pipe 2 arranged in a building B. In one example, the indoor unit 1 is a ceiling-embedded type that is embedded in a ceiling F. The indoor unit 1 discharges drain water that has accumulated in the drain of the indoor unit 1 by pumping it up with a pump 3. The discharged drain water passes through the air conditioning drain hose 10 and flows into the air conditioning drain pipe 2.

Refer to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a plan view of the indoor unit 1. In one example, the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1 has a first surface 4A, a second surface 4B, and a third surface 4C. In the plan view of the indoor unit 1, the extension direction of the first surface 4A and the extension direction of the second surface 4B are perpendicular to each other. In plan view, the third surface 4C is inclined with respect to both the first surface 4A and the second surface 4B. In one example, the third surface 4C intersects with both the first surface 4A and the second surface 4B at an angle of 45°. The third surface 4C connects the end of the first surface 4A and the end of the second surface 4B.

Refer to Figures 2 and 4. In one example, the drain pipe 5 is provided on the third surface 4C of the housing 4. The third surface 4C is inclined with respect to the axis of the drain pipe 5. In a plan view, the axis of the drain pipe 5 is parallel to the extension direction of the first surface 4A and perpendicular to the extension direction of the second surface 4B.

<Air conditioning drain hose>
1 and 4 , an air conditioning drain hose 10 and an air conditioning drain pipe 2 constitute a drain piping system in a building B. The air conditioning drain hose 10 flows drain water discharged from a drain pipe 5 of an indoor unit 1 into the air conditioning drain pipe 2. In one example, the air conditioning drain hose 10 includes a hose portion 11. The drain water discharged from the drain pipe 5 flows through the hose portion 11.

<Connecting pipe>
3 and 4, the air conditioning drain hose 10 has a connecting pipe 12, a drain pipe attachment portion 13, and an engaged portion 14. The connecting pipe 12 is connected to the drain pipe 5. The connecting pipe 12 is connected to the drain pipe 5 so as to allow drain water to flow through the hose portion 11. In one example, the connecting pipe 12 is inserted inside the drain pipe 5. Hereinafter, the state in which the connecting pipe 12 is connected to the drain pipe 5 will be referred to as the "connected state." Note that in FIG. 4, the insulating cover 16, which will be described later, is omitted from the air conditioning drain hose 10 of FIG. 3.

In one example, the connecting pipe 12 has a seal portion 15. The seal portion 15 is disposed between the inner periphery of the drain pipe 5 and the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 12. The seal portion 15 prevents drain water from leaking between the inner periphery of the drain pipe 5 and the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 12. In one example, the seal portion 15 is an O-ring. The seal portion 15 may also be a packing with a square cross section. A groove for receiving the seal portion 15 is provided on the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 12.

The air conditioning drain hose 10 is equipped with an insulating cover 16. The insulating cover 16 insulates the connecting pipe 12 (described below) from the outside air by wrapping the connecting pipe 12. In one example, the insulating cover 16 is made of an opaque material. Examples of the insulating cover 16 include polystyrene foam or insulating tape.

<Drain pipe mounting part>
3 and 4 , the drain pipe mounting portion 13 mounts the connecting pipe 12 to the drain pipe 5. After the connecting pipe 12 is mounted to the drain pipe 5, the drain pipe mounting portion 13 is fixed to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1 with a removable fastener such as a screw. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 has a guide portion 17. The guide portion 17 guides the tip 12T of the connecting pipe 12 to the drain pipe 5 of the indoor unit 1.

The guide portion 17 has a first recess 18. The first recess 18 has a first side surface 19 and a first bottom surface 20. The first side surface 19 is arranged to surround the first bottom surface 20. The first recess 18 has a first opening 21. The first opening 21 surrounds the first bottom surface 20. In the direction along the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12, the first bottom surface 20 is connected to one edge of the first side surface 19. The other edge of the first side surface 19 forms the first opening 21. In the connected state, the first opening 21 opens toward the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1.

The guide portion 17 further has a second recess 22. The second recess 22 is provided between the first recess 18 and the connecting pipe 12 in the direction along the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12. The second recess 22 has a second side surface 23. A second opening 24 is formed at one edge of the second side surface 23 in the direction along the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12. The second side surface 23 connects to the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18. The second opening 24 is provided in the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18.

In one example, the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18 faces the third surface 4C of the housing 4 in the connected state. In a plan view, the first bottom surface 20 is inclined with respect to the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12 so as to correspond to the third surface 4C of the housing 4.

See Figures 1 and 4. The second recess 22 is configured so that the drain pipe 5 passes through the second opening 24. The second recess 22 is configured in a cylindrical shape such that the axis of the second recess 22 coincides with the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12.

A method for connecting the connecting pipe 12 to the drain pipe 5 by guiding the tip 12T of the connecting pipe 12 to the drain pipe 5 using the guide portion 17 will be described.
A worker connecting the air conditioning drain hose 10 to the indoor unit 1 first brings the drain pipe mounting portion 13 close to the drain pipe 5 so that the tip of the drain pipe 5 abuts the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18 of the guide portion 17. Once the tip of the drain pipe 5 abuts the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18, the worker moves the drain pipe 5 to the second opening 24 of the second recess 22 while keeping the tip of the drain pipe 5 abutting the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18. The worker then inserts the tip of the drain pipe 5 into the second opening 24 of the second recess 22. The connecting pipe 12 is inserted into the drain pipe 5 by pushing the drain pipe 5 into the second opening 24 of the second recess 22. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 is then fixed to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1 with a fixing device.

Because the indoor unit 1 is located near the ceiling F, when connecting the connecting pipe 12 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 to the drain pipe 5 of the indoor unit 1, the connecting pipe 12 and the drain pipe 5 may not be directly visible. Also, the connecting pipe 12 and the drain pipe 5 may not be directly visible due to the opaque insulating cover 16. The air conditioning drain hose 10 can guide the tip 12T of the connecting pipe 12 to the drain pipe 5 using the guide portion 17 of the drain pipe mounting portion 13. Therefore, even when the connecting pipe 12 and the drain pipe 5 are not directly visible, it is easy to connect the connecting pipe 12 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 to the drain pipe 5 of the indoor unit 1.

<Engaged portion>
3 and 5 . The drain pipe mounting portion 13 is configured so that the drain hose cap 30 can be attached thereto. An engaged portion 14 is provided on the drain pipe mounting portion 13. An engaging portion 42 of the drain hose cap 30, which will be described later, engages with the engaged portion 14. In one example, the engaged portion 14 is provided on the guide portion 17. In the example of FIG. 3 , the engaged portion 14 is provided on the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18.

The drain pipe mounting portion 13 is configured to be switchable between a disengaged state and an engaged state. The disengaged state is a state in which the engaging portion 42 does not engage with the engaged portion 14. In the disengaged state, the drain hose cap 30 can be inserted and removed from the air conditioning drain hose 10. The engaged state is a state in which the engaging portion 42 engages with the engaged portion 14. In the engaged state, the drain hose cap 30 cannot be inserted and removed from the air conditioning drain hose 10. Specifically, in the engaged state, the drain hose cap 30 is attached to the air conditioning drain hose 10, and the drain hose cap 30 cannot be removed from the air conditioning drain hose 10.

Refer to Figure 12. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 changes from a disengaged state to an engaged state when the cap body 40 of the drain hose cap 30 rotates in a first rotational direction R1 from a disengaged position relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The first rotational direction R1 is one of the circumferential directions of the connecting pipe 12. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 changes from an engaged state to a disengaged state when the cap body 40 of the drain hose cap 30 rotates in a second rotational direction R2 from a disengaged position relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The second rotational direction R2 is the opposite direction to the first rotational direction R1.

<Drain hose cap>
1 and 5 , in one example, the drain hose cap 30 is a cap for airtightness testing of the air conditioning drain hose 10. The airtightness test of the air conditioning drain hose 10 is a test for inspecting for leaks in the drain piping system formed by the air conditioning drain hose 10 and the air conditioning drain pipe 2. The drain hose cap 30 has a cap main body 40.

<Cap body>
5 to 9 . The cap body 40 closes the end of the air conditioning drain hose 10. In one example, the end of the air conditioning drain hose 10 closed by the cap body 40 is the end of the air conditioning drain hose 10 that connects to the indoor unit 1. The cap body 40 closes the connecting pipe 12. In one example, the air conditioning drain hose 10 is made airtight by the cap body 40 closing the connecting pipe 12. The cap body 40 includes a stopper portion 41 and an engaging portion 42.

<Plug part>
4 and 9 . The stopper portion 41 closes the connecting pipe 12. The stopper portion 41 has a cylindrical portion 43 that covers the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 12. The cylindrical portion 43 is inserted into and removed from the connecting pipe 12 in the axial direction of the connecting pipe 12. In one example, the connecting pipe 12 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 43. When the connecting pipe 12 is inserted all the way into the cylindrical portion 43, the stopper portion 41 closes the connecting pipe 12. In this state, the seal portion 15 closes the gap between the inner periphery of the connecting pipe 12 and the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 43, making the air conditioning drain hose 10 airtight.

The cylindrical portion 43 is configured to be guided by the guide portion 17 when the plug portion 41 closes the connecting pipe 12. The diameter, pipe thickness, length, and other shapes of the cylindrical portion 43 are configured according to the shape of the tip of the drain pipe 5. Therefore, the guide portion 17 guides the tip 12T of the connecting pipe 12 into the cylindrical portion 43 in the same way as when guiding the tip 12T of the connecting pipe 12 into the drain pipe 5, thereby inserting the tip 12T of the connecting pipe 12 into the cylindrical portion 43.

<Engagement part>
4 and 8 . The engaging portion 42 engages with the engaged portion 14 of the air conditioning drain hose 10. In one example, one of the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 14 is configured as a protrusion 44, and the other of the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 14 is configured as a flange 25. In one example, the engaging portion 42 is configured as the protrusion 44, and the engaged portion 14 is configured as the flange 25. The protrusion 44 is provided on the cap main body 40. In one example, the protrusion 44 is provided on the outer periphery of the tubular portion 43. The flange 25 is provided on the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The flange 25 corresponds to the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18 of the drain pipe mounting portion 13.

The flange 25 has a groove 26 through which the protrusion 44 passes. The groove 26 is provided on the first bottom surface 20 of the flange 25 at a position closest to the base 12R of the connecting pipe 12 in the direction along the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12. The protrusion 44 passes through the groove 26 when the drain hose cap 30 is inserted into or removed from the connecting pipe 12. When the connecting pipe 12 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 43, the protrusion 44 moves toward the base 12R of the connecting pipe 12 relative to the flange 25. When the connecting pipe 12 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 is removed from the cylindrical portion 43, the protrusion 44 moves to the opposite side of the flange 25 from the connecting pipe 12 in the direction along the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12.

See Figures 6 and 8. In one example, a mark 45 is provided on the cap body 40. The mark 45 positions the cap body 40 relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13 so that the protrusion 44 overlaps the groove 26. In one example, the mark 45 is an arrow provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 43 at the same position in the circumferential direction as the protrusion 44. By aligning this mark 45 with the groove 26, the cap body 40 is positioned circumferentially relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13 so that the protrusion 44 and groove 26 overlap. The mark 45 may be engraved on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 43, or may be displayed by a sticker or the like attached to the cylindrical portion 43.

Refer to Figures 10 and 11. The engaging portion 42 moves between a disengaged position and an engaged position when it is positioned closer to the base 12R of the connecting pipe 12 than the flange 25. Figure 10 illustrates an example of the engaging portion 42 in the disengaged position. Figure 11 illustrates an example of the engaging portion 42 in the engaged position. The disengaged position is a position of the engaging portion 42 where the engaging portion 42 does not engage with the engaged portion 14. The engaged position is a position of the engaging portion 42 where the engaging portion 42 engages with the engaged portion 14. When the engaging portion 42 is in the disengaged position, the drain pipe mounting portion 13 is in a disengaged state. When the engaging portion 42 is in the engaged position, the drain pipe mounting portion 13 is in an engaged state. In one example, the angle from the disengaged position to the engaged position in the first rotational direction R1 is 90 degrees or less. Preferably, the angle from the disengaged position to the engaged position in the first rotational direction R1 is 45 degrees or less.

The engaging portion 42 moves from the non-engaged position to the engaged position when the cap main body 40 rotates in the first rotational direction R1 relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13. When the engaging portion 42 is in the non-engaged position, the cap main body 40 rotates in the first rotational direction R1 relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13, causing the engaging portion 42 to move to the engaged position. Furthermore, the engaging portion 42 moves from the engaged position to the non-engaged position when the cap main body 40 rotates in the second rotational direction R2 relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13. When the engaging portion 42 is in the engaged position, the cap main body 40 rotates in the second rotational direction R2 relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13, causing the engaging portion 42 to move to the non-engaged position.

In one example, the cap body 40 is provided with an operating portion 46. The operating portion 46 is configured in a feather-like shape that extends radially outward from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 43. The operating portion 46 is operated by an operator when rotating the cap body 40.

<First rotation stopper>
Please refer to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 illustrates a disengaged state in which the engaging portion 42 is in the disengaged position. Figure 13 illustrates an engaged state in which the engaging portion 42 is in the engaged position. When viewed from a direction along the rotation axis AC of the cylindrical portion 43, in the engaged state, the engaging portion 42 overlaps with the first bottom surface 20, which is the flange 25. In addition, in the disengaged state, the engaging portion 42 overlaps with the groove 26 of the flange 25.

In one example, the drain hose cap 30 further includes a first rotation stopper 50. The first rotation stopper 50 stops rotation of the cap body 40 in the first rotation direction R1. The first rotation stopper 50 is configured to stop rotation of the cap body 40 in the first rotation direction R1 by abutting against the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 has a first abutment portion 13A that abuts against the first rotation stopper 50. The first abutment portion 13A is provided on the first bottom surface 20 serving as the flange 25, between the point closest to and the point farthest from the base 12R of the connecting pipe 12 in the direction along the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12.

The first rotation stopper 50 has a first abutment surface 51 that abuts against the first abutment portion 13A of the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The first abutment surface 51 extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion 43 from a first connection point 52 on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 43. The first abutment surface 51 extends so as to intersect with a line L1 that passes through the rotation axis AC of the cylindrical portion 43 and the first connection point 52 (see Figure 12). In one example, the first abutment surface 51 moves further away from the line L1 as it moves radially outward from the cylindrical portion 43.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the first rotation stopper 50 stops rotation of the cap body 40 in the first rotation direction R1 when the engagement portion 42 is in the engagement position. The first rotation stopper 50 abuts against the first abutment portion 13A when the engagement portion 42 is in the engagement position. The first abutment portion 13A is a hole provided in the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18.

<Second rotation stopper>
In one example, the drain hose cap 30 further includes a second rotation stopper 60. The second rotation stopper 60 stops rotation of the cap body 40 in the second rotation direction R2. The second rotation stopper 60 is configured to stop rotation of the cap body 40 in the second rotation direction R2 by abutting against the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 has a second abutment portion 13B that abuts against the second rotation stopper 60. The second abutment portion 13B is provided on the first bottom surface 20 serving as the flange 25, between a position closest to and a position farthest from the base 12R of the connecting pipe 12 in the direction along the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12.

The second rotation stopper 60 has a second abutment surface 61 that abuts against the second abutment portion 13B of the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The second abutment surface 61 extends radially outward from the cylindrical portion 43 from a second connection point 62 on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 43. The second abutment surface 61 extends so as to intersect with a line L2 that passes through the rotation axis AC of the cylindrical portion 43 and the second connection point 62 (see Figure 13). The second abutment surface 61 becomes increasingly farther from the line L2 as it moves radially outward from the cylindrical portion 43.

As shown in FIG. 12, the second rotation stopper 60 stops rotation of the cap body 40 in the second rotation direction R2 when the engagement portion 42 is in the disengagement position. The second rotation stopper 60 abuts against the second abutment portion 13B when the engagement portion 42 is in the disengagement position. In one example, the second abutment portion 13B is a hole provided in the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18.

The second rotation stopper 60 is provided at a different position in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe 12 from the first rotation stopper 50. In one example, the second connection point 62 of the second rotation stopper 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 43 at a position that is 90 degrees or more but 270 degrees or less from the first connection point 52 of the first rotation stopper 50 in the second rotation direction R2. Preferably, the second connection point 62 of the second rotation stopper 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 43 at a position that is 90 degrees or more but less than 180 degrees from the first connection point 52 of the first rotation stopper 50 in the second rotation direction R2.

In one example, the second rotation stopper 60 is provided at the same position as the first rotation stopper 50 in the direction along the rotation axis AC of the cylindrical portion 43. In one example, the first abutment portion 13A and the second abutment portion 13B are provided at the same position on the first bottom surface 20 in the direction along the axis 12A of the connecting pipe 12.

The drain hose cap 30 can be inserted or removed from the connecting pipe 12 in the axial direction of the connecting pipe 12 when the second rotation stopper 60 is in contact with the drain pipe mounting portion 13. As shown in Figure 12, when the second rotation stopper 60 contacts the second contact portion 13B of the drain pipe mounting portion 13, the protrusion 44 and groove 26 are aligned in the axial direction. Therefore, by contacting the second rotation stopper 60 with the second contact portion 13B of the drain pipe mounting portion 13, the drain hose cap 30 can be inserted or removed.

<Airtightness test>
1 and 8, the procedure for airtightness testing of the air conditioning drain hose 10 will be described. The airtightness test of the air conditioning drain hose 10 is an airtightness test that is conducted after installation of a drain piping system that is made up of the air conditioning drain hose 10 and the air conditioning drain pipe 2. The test procedure below is an example of an airtightness test of the air conditioning drain hose 10.

In the first stage of the airtightness test, the drain hose cap 30 is connected to the end of the air conditioning drain hose 10, making the air conditioning drain hose 10 airtight. Drain hoses other than the air conditioning drain hose 10 that are connected to the air conditioning drain pipe 2 are also airtight, making the entire drain piping system airtight.

In the second stage of the airtightness test, the drain piping system is filled with a test gas. An example of a test gas is nitrogen gas. Initially, the pressure in the drain piping system is maintained at a predetermined value by the test gas. An example of the predetermined value is 35 kPa.

The third stage of the airtightness test determines whether the pressure in the drain piping system is maintained at a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time or longer. An example of the predetermined period is 15 minutes. If the pressure in the drain piping system is maintained at a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time or longer, the drain piping system is deemed to be normal. After the airtightness test determines that there is no abnormality, the air conditioning drain hose 10 is attached to the indoor unit 1.

<Effect>
The operation of this embodiment will be described.
Conventional caps that are connected to the end of drain hoses include those that engage with the drain hose using quick fasteners, screws, or claws that engage with grooves on the drain hose. However, these methods can sometimes allow the cap to attach to the drain hose even if the engagement is incomplete. If the engagement is incomplete, test gas can leak between the drain hose and the cap during an airtight test, delaying the testing of the drain piping system, which is the original target of the test.

The cap body 40 of the drain hose cap 30 has an engaging portion 42 that engages with the engaged portion 14 of the air conditioning drain hose 10. The engaging portion 42 moves from a disengaged position to an engaged position when the cap body 40 rotates in the first rotation direction R1. The drain hose cap 30 engages with the air conditioning drain hose 10 simply by rotating the cap body 40. Because there is no need to operate components such as quick fasteners, screws, or claw members, the drain hose cap 30 is less likely to be attached to the air conditioning drain hose 10 in an incomplete state compared to conventional caps.

<Effects>
The effects of this embodiment will be described.
(1) The drain hose cap 30 has a cap main body 40 that closes the end of the air conditioning drain hose 10. The cap main body 40 includes a stopper portion 41 and an engaging portion 42. The stopper portion 41 closes the connecting pipe 12. The engaging portion 42 engages with the engaged portion 14 of the air conditioning drain hose 10. The engaging portion 42 moves from a disengaged position to an engaged position when the cap main body 40 rotates relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13 in a first rotational direction R1 in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe 12.

With this configuration, the engaging portion 42 can engage with the engaged portion 14 by rotating the cap main body 40 in the first rotation direction R1, making it easy to attach the drain hose cap 30 to the air conditioning drain hose 10.

(2) One of the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 14 is configured as a protrusion 44. The other of the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 14 is configured as a flange 25 having a groove 26 through which the protrusion 44 passes.

With this configuration, when attaching the drain hose cap 30 to the air conditioning drain hose 10, the projection 44 passes through the groove 26 of the flange 25, allowing the engagement portion 42 to move to the disengaged position.

(3) The protrusion 44 is provided on the cap body 40. The flange 25 is provided on the drain pipe mounting portion 13.

This configuration makes it easy to align the protrusion 44 with the groove 26 of the flange 25 when attaching the drain hose cap 30 to the air conditioning drain hose 10.

(4) The drain hose cap 30 further includes a first rotation stopper 50. The first rotation stopper 50 stops rotation of the cap body 40 in the first rotation direction R1 when the engagement portion 42 is in the engagement position.

With this configuration, when the engaging portion 42 is positioned in the engaging position, the first rotation stopper 50 stops rotation in the first rotation direction R1, allowing the operator to know that the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 14 have engaged.

(5) The drain hose cap 30 further includes a second rotation stopper 60. The second rotation stopper 60 stops rotation of the cap body 40 in the second rotation direction R2 when the engagement portion 42 is in the disengagement position.

With this configuration, when the engaging portion 42 is in the disengaged position, the second rotation stopper 60 stops rotation in the second rotation direction R2, allowing the operator to know that the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 14 are not engaged.

(6) The first rotation stopper 50 is configured to stop rotation of the cap body 40 in the first rotation direction R1 by abutting against the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The second rotation stopper 60 is configured to stop rotation of the cap body 40 in the second rotation direction R2 by abutting against the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The second rotation stopper 60 is provided at a different position from the first rotation stopper 50 in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe 12.

With this configuration, the first rotation stopper 50 and the second rotation stopper 60 are positioned at a distance in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the portion of the drain pipe mounting portion 13 that abuts the first rotation stopper 50 and the portion that abuts the second rotation stopper 60 can be positioned at a distance in the circumferential direction. This allows the rotation stopper to be appropriately positioned according to the shape of the drain pipe mounting portion 13.

(7) The drain hose cap 30 can be inserted into or removed from the connecting pipe 12 in the axial direction of the connecting pipe 12 when the second rotation stopper 60 is in contact with the drain pipe mounting portion 13.

With this configuration, by abutting the second rotation stopper 60 against the drain pipe mounting portion 13, the drain hose cap 30 can be positioned circumferentially when attaching the drain hose cap 30 to the air conditioning drain hose 10.

(8) The cap body 40 is provided with a mark 45 that positions the cap body 40 relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13 so that the protrusion 44 overlaps the groove 26.

With this configuration, the mark 45 allows the cap body 40 to be positioned relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13 so that the protrusion 44 and groove 26 are aligned in the circumferential direction.

(9) The plug portion 41 has a cylindrical portion 43 that covers the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 12.

With this configuration, the cylindrical portion 43 can protect the connecting pipe 12 of the air conditioning drain hose 10.

(10) The drain pipe attachment portion 13 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 has a guide portion 17. The guide portion 17 guides the tip 12T of the connecting pipe 12 into the drain pipe 5 of the indoor unit 1. The cylindrical portion 43 is configured to be guided by the guide portion 17 when the plug portion 41 closes the connecting pipe 12.

With this configuration, the cylindrical portion 43 is guided by the guide portion 17, which guides the tip 12T of the connecting pipe 12 into the drain pipe 5, making it easy to attach the drain hose cap 30 to the air conditioning drain hose 10.

(11) The drain hose cap 30 is a cap used to test the airtightness of the air conditioning drain hose 10.

With this configuration, an airtightness test can be performed by sealing the drain piping system with the drain hose cap 30.

(12) The air conditioning drain hose 10 includes a connecting pipe 12, a drain pipe mounting portion 13, a hose portion 11 through which drain water discharged from the drain pipe 5 of the indoor unit 1 flows, and a drain hose cap 30.

With this configuration, a drain piping system can be constructed using an air conditioning drain hose 10 that can be easily closed with a drain hose cap 30.

(13) The air conditioning drain hose 10 connects the drain pipe 5 of the indoor unit 1 to the air conditioning drain pipe 2 located in the building B. The air conditioning drain hose 10 comprises a hose portion 11, a connecting pipe 12, and a drain pipe mounting portion 13. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 mounts the connecting pipe 12 to the drain pipe 5 and is provided with an engaged portion 14. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 is configured to allow attachment of a drain hose cap 30. The drain hose cap 30 has a cap main body portion 40 that closes the connecting pipe 12. The cap main body portion 40 has an engaging portion 42. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 changes from a disengaged state to an engaged state when the cap main body portion 40 rotates relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13 in a first rotational direction R1 in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe 12.

With this configuration, the drain hose cap 30 can be easily attached to the air conditioning drain hose 10 because the cap body 40 is engaged by rotating in the first rotation direction R1.

(14) In the air conditioning drain hose 10, the drain pipe mounting portion 13 has an engaged portion 14. The engaged portion 14 is configured as a flange 25. The flange 25 is provided on the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The flange 25 corresponds to the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18 of the drain pipe mounting portion 13. The drain pipe mounting portion 13 is further provided with a first abutment portion 13A against which the first rotation stopper 50 abuts, and a second abutment portion 13B against which the second rotation stopper 60 abuts. The first abutment portion 13A is a hole provided in the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18. The second abutment portion 13B is a hole provided in the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18.

With this configuration, no protrusions are provided on the first bottom surface 20 of the first recess 18, so the guide function of the first recess 18 is not impaired.

<Modification>
In addition to the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning drain hose 10 and the drain hose cap 30 of the present disclosure may be configured in the following modified examples, or in a form that combines at least two mutually consistent modified examples.

- The drain hose cap 30 may be used not only during airtightness testing of the air conditioning drain hose 10, but also when transporting and storing the air conditioning drain hose 10. Using the drain hose cap 30 in such cases provides protective effects, such as preventing deterioration of the seal portion 15 of the connecting pipe 12 and drying out of the lubricant in the connecting pipe 12. The lubricant in the connecting pipe 12 is grease that makes it easier to connect the connecting pipe 12 and the drain pipe 5.

- The engaged portion 14 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 may be configured as a protrusion, and the engaging portion 42 of the drain hose cap 30 may be configured as a flange. If the engaged portion 14 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 is configured as a protrusion, the protrusion may be provided on the second side surface 23 of the second recess 22. If the engaging portion 42 of the drain hose cap 30 is configured as a flange, the flange is provided on the outer periphery of the tubular portion 43.

- As long as the engaging portion 42 can engage with the engaged portion 14, both the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 14 may be configured as protrusions, or both the engaging portion 42 and the engaged portion 14 may be configured as flanges.

- The first rotation stopper 50 may be omitted from the drain hose cap 30. In this modification, an abutment portion that contacts the protrusion 44 of the drain hose cap 30 when the engagement portion 42 is in the engagement position may be provided on the air conditioning drain hose 10.

The second rotation stopper 60 may be omitted from the drain hose cap 30. In this modification, the air conditioning drain hose 10 may be provided with an abutment portion that contacts the protrusion 44 of the drain hose cap 30 when the engagement portion 42 is in the disengaged position.

- The mark 45 does not have to be provided on the cap main body 40. In this modification, a mark for positioning the cap main body 40 relative to the drain pipe mounting portion 13 in the circumferential direction may be provided on the drain pipe mounting portion 13 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 so that the protrusion 44 overlaps the groove 26.

- The cylindrical portion 43 may be configured to be inserted into the inner circumference of the connecting pipe 12. In this modification, a member equivalent to the seal portion 15 of the connecting pipe 12 may be provided on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 43.

- The drain hose cap 30 may be configured to be included in the air conditioning drain hose 10. In this modification, the air conditioning drain hose 10 may be configured with the connecting pipe 12, the drain pipe attachment portion 13, the hose portion 11, and the drain hose cap 30, and other components may be omitted.

- As long as the air conditioning drain hose 10 includes the hose portion 11, the connecting pipe 12, and the drain pipe mounting portion 13, other components may be omitted. As long as the cap body portion 40 of the drain hose cap 30 attached to the air conditioning drain hose 10 of this modified example includes the engagement portion 42, other components may be omitted.

- While the above describes embodiments of the air conditioning drain hose 10 and drain hose cap 30, it will be understood that various modifications in form and detail are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the air conditioning drain hose 10 and drain hose cap 30 as set forth in the claims.

1...Indoor unit, 2...Air conditioning drain pipe, 5...Drain pipe, 10...Air conditioning drain hose, 11...Hose portion, 12...Connecting pipe, 13...Drain pipe mounting portion, 14...Engaged portion, 17...Guide portion, 25...Flange, 26...Groove, 30...Drain hose cap, 40...Cap main body portion, 41...Plug portion, 42...Engaging portion, 43...Cylindrical portion, 44...Protrusion, 45...Mark, 50...First rotation stopper, 60...Second rotation stopper.

Claims (13)

An air conditioning drain hose (10) that connects a drain pipe (5) of an indoor unit (1) to an air conditioning drain pipe (2) arranged in a building (B) is provided with a drain hose cap (30) having a cap body (40) that closes an end of the air conditioning drain hose (10),
The air conditioning drain hose (10) has a connecting pipe (12) connected to the drain pipe (5), a drain pipe mounting portion (13) that mounts the connecting pipe (12) to the drain pipe (5), and an engaged portion (14) provided on the drain pipe mounting portion (13),
The cap body (40) is
a plug portion (41) for closing the connecting pipe (12);
an engaging portion (42) that engages with the engaged portion (14) of the air conditioning drain hose (10),
When the cap body (40) rotates in a first rotation direction (R1) in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe (12) relative to the drain pipe mounting portion (13), the engaging portion (42) moves from a non-engaged position where the engaging portion (42) does not engage with the engaged portion (14) to an engaged position where the engaging portion (42) engages with the engaged portion (14).
Drain hose cap. One of the engaging portion (42) and the engaged portion (14) is configured as a protrusion (44);
The other of the engaging portion (42) and the engaged portion (14) is configured as a flange (25) having a groove (26) through which the protrusion (44) passes.
The drain hose cap according to claim 1. The protrusion (44) is provided on the cap body portion (40),
The flange (25) is provided on the drain pipe mounting portion (13).
The drain hose cap according to claim 2. a first rotation stopper (50) that stops rotation of the cap body (40) in the first rotation direction (R1);
The first rotation stopper (50) stops the rotation of the cap body (40) in the first rotation direction (R1) when the engaging portion (42) is located at the engaging position.
The drain hose cap according to claim 1. a second rotation stopper (60) that stops rotation of the cap body (40) in a second rotation direction (R2) opposite to the first rotation direction (R1);
The second rotation stopper (60) stops the rotation of the cap body (40) in the second rotation direction (R2) when the engaging portion (42) is located at the disengagement position.
The drain hose cap according to claim 4. the first rotation stopper (50) is configured to stop rotation of the cap body (40) in the first rotation direction (R1) by abutting against the drain pipe mounting portion (13);
the second rotation stopper (60) is configured to stop rotation of the cap body portion (40) in the second rotation direction (R2) by abutting against the drain pipe mounting portion (13);
The second rotation stopper (60) is provided at a position different from the first rotation stopper (50) in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe (12).
The drain hose cap according to claim 5. When the second rotation stopper (60) is in contact with the drain pipe mounting portion (13), the second rotation stopper (60) can be inserted into or removed from the connecting pipe (12) in the axial direction of the connecting pipe (12).
The drain hose cap according to claim 6. The cap body (40) is provided with a mark (45) for positioning the cap body (40) relative to the drain pipe mounting portion (13) so that the protrusion (44) overlaps the groove (26).
The drain hose cap according to claim 2. The plug portion (41) has a cylindrical portion (43) that covers the outer periphery of the connecting pipe (30).
The drain hose cap according to claim 1. The drain pipe mounting portion (13) of the air conditioning drain hose (10) has a guide portion (17) that guides the tip (12T) of the connecting pipe (12) to the drain pipe (5) of the indoor unit (1),
The cylindrical portion (43) is configured to be guided by the guide portion (17) when the plug portion (41) closes the connecting pipe (12).
The drain hose cap according to claim 9. The drain hose cap (30) is a cap for airtightness testing of the air conditioning drain hose (10).
The drain hose cap according to claim 1. The connecting pipe (12);
The drain pipe mounting portion (13),
a hose portion (11) through which drain water discharged from the drain pipe (5) of the indoor unit (1) flows;
The drain hose cap (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Air conditioning drain hose. An air conditioning drain hose (10) that connects a drain pipe (5) of an indoor unit (1) to an air conditioning drain pipe (2) arranged in a building (B),
a hose portion (11) through which drain water discharged from the drain pipe (5) flows;
a connecting pipe (12) connected to the drain pipe (5) so as to allow the drain water to flow into the hose portion (11);
a drain pipe mounting portion (13) for mounting the connecting pipe (12) to the drain pipe (5) and provided with an engaged portion (14);
The drain pipe mounting portion (13) is configured to be able to mount a drain hose cap (30) having a cap body portion (40) that closes the connecting pipe (12),
The cap body portion (40) includes an engagement portion (42),
When the cap body (40) rotates relative to the drain pipe mounting portion (13) in a first rotation direction (R1) in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe (12), the drain pipe mounting portion (13) changes from a disengaged state in which the engaging portion (42) does not engage with the engaged portion (14) to an engaged state in which the engaging portion (42) engages with the engaged portion (14).
Air conditioning drain hose.