JP3988186B2

JP3988186B2 - Connector confirmation tool

Info

Publication number: JP3988186B2
Application number: JP2002294211A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 晃高柳; 知己井上
Original assignee: Sumitomo Riko Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Riko Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-07
Filing date: 2002-10-07
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-07
Also published as: JP2004125148A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば自動車のガソリン燃料配管の接続に用いられるコネクタに、パイプ体が正常にスナップ嵌合して接続されていることを確認するためのコネクタ用接続確認具及びコネクタ接続確認構造に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
ガソリン燃料配管などの流体配管の接続に用いられるコネクタとパイプ体との接続は、パイプ体の挿入側外周面に環状係合突部を形成して挿入端部を構成しておき、この環状係合突部がコネクタに設けられたリテーナー手段とスナップ係合するように、パイプ体の挿入端部をコネクタに挿入してパイプ体とコネクタとを抜止め状態とすることにより行われる。このように使用されるコネクタあるいはクイックコネクタは、軸方向一方側にチューブ接続部が形成され、軸方向他方側にリテーナー保持部を有する筒状のコネクタハウジングと、このコネクタハウジングのリテーナー保持部に保持されたリテーナー手段と、から構成され、リテーナー手段は、例えば接続係合部としての係合スリット又は軸方向一方側端部あるいは軸方向一方側端が接続係合部である係合突出爪を有する環状体又はほぼ環状体に形成されていて、パイプ体は、係合スリット又は係合突出爪に環状係合突部がスナップ係合するように、挿入端部が軸方向他方側端開口からコネクタ又はコネクタハウジングに挿入されて、嵌合接続されることとなる。
【０００３】
パイプ体の環状係合突部は、リテーナー手段を変形させながら軸方向一方側に進行して係合スリット又は係合突出爪と係合することとなるので、十分に注意して接続作業を行わないと、コネクタハウジングのリテーナー保持部内にパイプ体の挿入端部が十分挿入されていないといった事態、すなわち環状係合突部がリテーナー手段の係合スリット又は係合突出爪と係合していない、いわゆる半嵌合状態が生じてしまう可能性がある。コネクタとパイプ体とが半嵌合状態のまま配管接続構造が使用されれば、使用中にパイプ体の挿入側端が、コネクタとパイプ体との間を密封しているシール部材位置まで後退、すなわち軸方向他方側に移動してコネクタとパイプ体との間の密封が不十分となり、その結果、流体が漏出してしまうおそれがある。
【０００４】
そこで、コネクタとパイプ体との嵌合状態を確認するための接続確認手段が必要となるが、このような接続確認手段としては、パイプ体が挿入されたコネクタハウジングのリテーナー保持部に装着し又は取り付けることにより、パイプ体が正常に嵌合し又は接続されていることを確認できる構成の接続確認具が知られている。また、配管接続構造の信頼性をさらに高めるために、接続確認具自体にもパイプ体の接続保持機能又は抜止め機能を持たせたいわゆるダブルロック構造の接続確認具も開発されている（例えば特許文献１参照）。この接続確認具は、断面コ字状の検知部を軸方向他方側から軸方向一方側に移動させてリテーナー保持部の外側に被せ、検知部をコネクタハウジングの被係止部に係止させることによりコネクタハウジングに取り付けて使用するものであり、パイプ体が半嵌合状態のときにはリテーナーが拡径しているので検知部を被係止部に係止させることができないように構成されている。また、パイプ体が半嵌合状態でリテーナーが拡径していないときには、パイプ体の環状係合突部（フランジ）が検知片に押されて進行するが、環状係合突部の進行はリテーナーの拡径をともなう。しかしながら、リテーナーは検知部に規制されてパイプ体の環状係合突部を通過させるようには拡径できないので、環状係合突部はリテーナーの接続係合位置の手前で停止する。したがって、パイプ体の環状係合突部と当接している検知片に邪魔されて、やはり検知部を被係止部に係止させることができない。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−３４９４８７号公報（第６頁、図１１及び図１５）
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
この接続確認具を用いれば、パイプ体が半嵌合状態である場合には、検知部を被係止部に係止させることができないので、コネクタとパイプ体が半嵌合状態のままで配管接続構造が使用されてしまうといったことが防止される。そして、検知部を被係止部に係止させることによりパイプ体の正常接続を確認できる。また、この接続確認具は、コネクタに装着されれば、検知部によってリテーナーの拡径を規制するので、パイプ体に対する抜止め機能をも有している。
【０００７】
しかしながら、この接続確認具を用いると、パイプ体が半嵌合状態のときには必ず、接続確認具の装着作業を中断し、パイプ体を押し込んで正常に嵌合接続してから、再び接続確認具の装着作業を行わなければならないので、パイプ体が半嵌合状態のときのパイプ体とコネクタとの接続作業が煩わしいものとなってしまう。それだけでなく、この接続確認具では、リテーナーの突出係合爪（抜け止め突起）の変形によりパイプ体の環状係合突部がリテーナーの突出係合爪から抜けた状態となってしまうおそれがあり、しかも検知片は周方向１箇所にしか設けられていないので、リテーナーの突出係合爪から抜け出たパイプ体がさらに、コネクタから抜け出る方向に移動するのを十分に防止できない。したがって、この接続確認具により確実な抜止め機能は期待できない。
【０００８】
そこで本発明は、パイプ体とコネクタとが半嵌合状態であっても、装着作業を中断することなく、パイプ体を正常にコネクタに嵌合接続させて、そのままコネクタに装着することができる接続補助機能を持ち、しかもパイプ体に対する確実な抜止め機能をも有するコネクタ用接続確認具及びこのようなコネクタ用接続確認具を用いたコネクタ接続確認構造の提供を目的とする。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この目的を達成するための本発明のコネクタ用接続確認具は、軸方向一方側にチューブ接続部（パイプ体と接続される相手側部材の接続部を広く意味する）が形成され、軸方向他方側にリテーナー手段を有する筒状のコネクタと、外周面に環状係合突部が形成された挿入端部を有し、前記環状係合突部が、周方向所定位置に非係合箇所を有して前記リテーナー手段に形成された接続係合部とスナップ係合するように、前記挿入端部が軸方向他方側端開口から前記コネクタ内に挿入されたパイプ体と、の接続を確認するためのコネクタ用接続確認具であって、前記コネクタの軸方向他方側に装着される本体部と、この本体部から軸方向一方側に延びる当接片と、係合部を有して前記本体部に設けられた確認手段と、を備え、前記本体部は、前記当接片が、前記軸方向他方側端開口から前記コネクタ内に差し込まれ（コネクタ内に入り込ませることを意味する）、前記確認手段の前記係合部が、前記コネクタの軸方向所定位置に形成された係止部と軸方向他方側方向に係合するように、前記コネクタの軸方向他方側に装着され、前記当接片は、前記確認手段の前記係合部が前記コネクタの前記係止部と係合したときに、軸方向一方側端が、前記リテーナー手段の前記非係合箇所で前記接続係合部とほぼ等しい軸方向位置まで延びているように形成されていて、前記確認手段は、前記当接片が前記リテーナー手段の前記接続係合部と未係合状態（半嵌合状態）の前記パイプ体の前記環状係合突部と当接したときに、前記係合部が、前記コネクタの前記係止部よりも軸方向他方側に位置するように設けられ、前記当接片はさらに、前記リテーナー手段の前記接続係合部と未係合状態の前記パイプ体の前記環状係合突部と当接すると、この環状係合突部を前記リテーナー手段又は前記コネクタに対して軸方向一方側に移動させ、すなわち前記リテーナー手段又は前記コネクタに対して相対的に軸方向一方側に移動させ、前記接続係合部と係合させるように構成されている、ということを基本的構成として採用する。パイプ体の環状係合突部がリテーナー手段の接続係合部とスナップ係合していないときは、コネクタ用接続確認具をコネクタに装着しようとすると、例えば、パイプ体に沿ってスライドさせ、コネクタ内に装着しようとすると、当接片（当接押込み片）がパイプ体の環状係合突部に当接する。この状態では、確認手段（抜止め確認手段）の係合部はコネクタの係止部に届いていない。さらにコネクタ用接続確認具の装着作業を続行すると、例えば、パイプ体に沿ってさらにスライドさせ、コネクタ内に装着しようとすると、当接片はパイプ体の環状係合突部を軸方向一方側に押して移動させ、リテーナー手段の接続係合部にスナップ係合させる。すなわち、リテーナー手段は、当接片に押圧された環状係合突部が接続係合部に進行、又は相対的に進行するように構成されている。当接片の軸方向一方側端は、リテーナー手段の非係合箇所に位置しているので、当接片はパイプ体の環状係合突部がリテーナー手段の接続係合部と係合することに対する妨げとはならない。そして、パイプ体の環状係合突部がリテーナー手段の接続係合部にスナップ係合すると、確認手段の係合部をコネクタの係止部と係合させることができる。確認手段の係合部とコネクタの係止部との係合により、コネクタ用接続確認具はコネクタに対して軸方向他方側にずれないようにコネクタに装着されることとなる。当接片は、例えばパイプ体（環状係合突部以外のパイプ体部分）の外周面に沿うように、あるいはパイプ体の外周面と接触状態（接触直前状態を含む）となるように形成される。リテーナー手段が、コネクタに形成された係合窓に係合することによりこのコネクタに保持されるように構成される場合には、係止部を係合窓の軸方向他方側端とすることができる。また、嵌付け部分には、開口と対向する位置にスリットを全長にわたって形成し、前記当接プレートの嵌付け凹部には、開口と体躯する位置に、前記スリットに連続する細溝を形成する。
【００１０】
確認手段の係合部をコネクタの係止部と係合させたときに、当接片の軸方向一方側端は、リテーナー手段の接続係合部とほぼ同一の軸方向位置まで延びている。すなわち、パイプ体の環状係合突部と当接する直前に位置している。例えば、リテーナー手段の接続係合部が、パイプ体の環状係合突部を嵌込むように形成された周方向に延びる係合スリットであり、環状係合突部の外周端部が断面半円状又は円弧状に形成され、パイプ体のコネクタ内への挿入時に、環状係合突部がリテーナー手段を押し広げながら係合スリットに向かって進行するように形成されている場合には、確認手段の係合部がコネクタの係止部と係合したときに、当接片の軸方向一方側端が、係合スリットに係合している環状係合突部よりも軸方向他方側に、環状係合突部の厚さの半分以下の間隔をあけて位置しているように構成される。そして、当接片の軸方向一方側端はリテーナー手段の接続係合部の非係合箇所に位置しているので、パイプ体が接続係合部を変形させてリテーナー手段に対して軸方向他方側にずれようとしても、環状係合突部が当接片に当接するので、パイプ体は、リテーナー手段の接続係合部から環状係合突部が抜け出るようにずれることができない。
【００１１】
パイプ体が半嵌合状態のときに、パイプ体の環状係合突部を前記リテーナー手段に対して軸方向一方側にスムーズに移動させることができるようにするためには、当接片がパイプ体の環状係合突部を偏ることなく安定して押圧することが必要である。したがって、リテーナー手段の非係合個所を径方向対称位置に形成しておき、当接片を、非係合個所に対応して本体部の径方向対称位置に設けておくことが好ましい。また、このように構成することにより、環状係合突部がリテーナー手段の接続係合部を抜け出ようとするときに、環状係合突部に安定した抜止め抗力を作用させることができるので、抜止め機能が向上する。
【００１２】
コネクタ用接続確認具は、パイプ体に沿ってスライド移動させてコネクタに装着されるものとして構成できる。この場合には、本体部を、パイプ体にスナップ的に嵌付けることができるように、Ｃ字形又は断面Ｃ字形に形成しておくことができる。このように構成することにより、スライド移動させる際に、誤ってコネクタ用接続確認具をパイプ体から脱落させてしまうといったおそれがなくなる。例えば、本体部は、この本体部がコネクタに装着されるときに、コネクタの軸方向他方側端と当接する、確認手段が形成されている当接プレート及びこの当接プレートから軸方向一方側に延びる筒状の嵌付け部分を備えるように形成できる。そして、当接プレートは、パイプ体の外径とほぼ等しい径とパイプ体の外径よりも狭い幅の開口を有する円弧状の嵌め付け凹部が設けられたＣ字形に形成でき、嵌付け部分は、嵌付け凹部に沿った内面を有する断面Ｃ字形に形成できる。ここでは、嵌付け凹部及び嵌付け部分内側が、パイプ体にスナップ的に嵌め付けられて、嵌付け凹部及び嵌付け部分内側の開口によりパイプ体から外れ止めされる。
【００１３】
そして、コネクタ用接続確認具は、パイプ体のコネクタへの接続作業を開始する前までは、コネクタの軸方向他方側端部に取り付けられている場合が多いが、本体部がパイプ体（環状係合突部以外のパイプ体部分）にスナップ的に嵌付けられるようにＣ形状又は断面Ｃ形状に形成されていれば、パイプ体の環状係合突部を通過させることができず、したがって、誤ってコネクタ用接続確認具が取り付けられた状態でパイプ体がコネクタに挿入されるといったことはなくなる。さらに、コネクタ用接続確認具にパイプ体が差し込まれた状態で、パイプ体が正常に接続されていると誤認しても、パイプ体の軸方向一方側端又は挿入側端は通常、コネクタとパイプ体との間を密封するシール部材に届かないので、液漏れ試験時に接続不良が発見されることとなる。
【００１４】
なお、本発明のコネクタ用接続確認具は、固定されているパイプ体をコネクタに相対的に挿入した場合には、コネクタの軸方向他方側端開口に当接片の軸方向一方側端部が挿入されて差し込まれた時点で、コネクタ用接続確認具をコネクタ側に引き寄せるようにしながら装着作業を行うなどにより、パイプ体とコネクタとが半嵌合状態であっても、パイプ体の相対的な挿入を補助しながらパイプ体を完全挿入又は完全あるいは正常接続させ、かつ、接続確認を行うことができるものである。
【００１５】
また、本発明のコネクタ接続確認構造は、軸方向一方側にチューブ接続部が形成され、軸方向他方側にリテーナー手段を有する筒状のコネクタと、外周面に環状係合突部が形成された挿入端部を有し、前記環状係合突部が、周方向所定位置に非係合個所を有して前記リテーナー手段に形成された接続係合部とスナップ係合するように、前記挿入端部が軸方向他方側端開口から前記コネクタ内に挿入されて接続されたパイプ体と、前記コネクタに装着された、前記コネクタ及び前記パイプ体の接続を確認するためのコネクタ用接続確認具と、を具備するコネクタ接続確認構造であって、前記コネクタ用接続確認具は、前記コネクタの軸方向他方側に装着された本体部と、この本体部から軸方向一方側に延びるように設けられ、前記軸方向他方側端開口から前記コネクタ内に差し込まれた（コネクタ内に入り込ませることを意味する）当接片と、前記コネクタの軸方向所定位置に形成された係止部と軸方向他方側方向に係合している係合部を有して前記本体部に設けられた確認手段と、を備え、前記当接片は、軸方向一方側端が、前記リテーナー手段の前記非係合個所で前記接続係合部とほぼ等しい軸方向位置まで延びていて、前記確認手段は、前記当接片が前記リテーナー手段の前記接続係合部と未係合状態の前記パイプ体の前記環状係合突部と当接したときには、前記係合部が、前記コネクタの前記係止部よりも軸方向他方側に位置するように設けられ、前記当接片はさらに、前記リテーナー手段の前記接続係合部と未係合状態の前記パイプ体の前記環状係合突部と当接すると、この環状係合突部を前記リテーナー手段又は前記コネクタに対して軸方向一方側に移動させ、すなわち前記リテーナー手段又は前記コネクタに対して相対的に軸方向一方側に移動させ、前記接続係合部と係合させるように構成されている、ものである。コネクタの軸方向一方側内面又はリテーナー手段には、例えば、軸方向他方側端からリテーナー手段の非係合個所に至る、当接片を挿入するための挿入路が形成される。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。
【００１７】
図１は本発明に係る第１のコネクタ接続確認構造に用いられる第１のクイックコネクタ及びパイプ体の斜視図、図２は第１のクイックコネクタの断面図、図３は第１のクイックコネクタに用いられるリテーナーの斜視図、図４は第１のクイックコネクタ及びパイプ体を接続した状態の断面図である。
【００１８】
第１のクイックコネクタ１は、自動車のガソリン燃料配管の接続に使用されるものであり、筒状のコネクタハウジング３と、ほぼ環状のリテーナー５（リテーナー手段）と、シール部材７と、を備えて構成されている。コネクタハウジング３はガラス繊維強化ポリアミド（ＰＡ・ＧＦ）を素材として形成され、軸方向一方側の円筒状の樹脂チューブ接続部９と、軸方向他方側のほぼ円筒状のパイプ挿入部１１とから一体的に構成され、軸方向一方側端から軸方向他方側端に貫通する貫通孔１３を有している。樹脂チューブ接続部９は、外周面が軸方向他方側に向かって概ね緩やかに拡径する軸方向一方側部１５と、軸方向一方側部１５の軸方向他方側で概略的には円筒状外面として延びている外周面に、断面四角形状の抜止め環状突出部１７及び軸方向他方側に向かって拡径する断面直角三角形状の２本の抜止め環状突出部１９，１９が、軸方向一方側から軸方向他方側に向かって順次、軸方向に間隔を有して形成された軸方向他方側部２１とから構成され、外周又は外周面に樹脂チューブがきつく嵌め付けられて接続される。軸方向他方側部２１の軸方向一方側端外周面２３（軸方向一方側部１５と抜止め環状突出部１７との間）は小径にあるいは比較的深い環状溝として形成されていて、樹脂チューブを嵌め付けるに際してこの軸方向一方側端外周面２３にシールリング（図示せず）を配置しておく。
【００１９】
コネクタハウジング３のパイプ挿入部１１は、軸方向他方側の大径のリテーナー保持部２５と、リテーナー保持部２５よりも小径の中間のシール保持部２７と、シール保持部２７よりもさらに小径の軸方向一方側の連絡部２９と、から一体的に構成されている。シール保持部２７の内周面の軸方向一方側には、軸方向一方側の第１のＯリング３１（シール部材）と軸方向他方側の第２のＯリング３３（シール部材）とがカラー３５を介して、すなわち軸方向に間隔を有して並んで嵌められ、シール保持部２７の内周面の軸方向他方側には、連絡部２９の内径とほぼ等しい内径を有する、短い筒状の樹脂ブッシュ３７が嵌め付けられているが、樹脂ブッシュ３７は、外周面の軸方向他方側端部及び中間部にそれぞれ、多少径方向外側に突出する環状突出部３９、４１を一体的に備えている。シール保持部２７の内周面の軸方向他方側端部は、樹脂ブッシュ３７の外周面形状に対応する形状を有していて、樹脂ブッシュ３７は、軸方向他方側の環状端面４３が、リテーナー保持部２５の内側の軸方向一方側端に形成されている、狭い幅を有して径方向内側に広がる環状の段差端面４５と同一平面上に位置するように、シール保持部２７の軸方向他方側端部に嵌め付けられている。第１のＯリング３１及び第２のＯリング３３は、シール保持部２７の内側の軸方向一方側端に形成されている環状の段差面４７と樹脂ブッシュ３７とに挟まれて軸方向に位置決めされていて、第１のＯリング３１は、例えば防水・防塵性に優れ、高い耐ガソリン性及び耐オゾン性を有するフッ素ゴム（ＦＫＭ）によって形成され、第２のＯリング３３は、例えば防水・防塵性に優れ、高い耐低温性及び耐オゾン性を有するフロロシリコーンゴム（ＦＶＭＱ）によって形成されている。
【００２０】
パイプ挿入部１１のほぼ円筒状のリテーナー保持部２５には、径方向対称位置に対向して係合窓４９、４９が形成され、係合窓４９、４９の間のそれぞれの外周面には対称位置に平面部分５１、５１が設けられている。リテーナー保持部２５の平面部分５１、５１のそれぞれの軸方向他方側には、幅方向中間に膨出部５３、５３が形成されていて、この膨出部５３は、平面部分５１の軸方向他方側端から、リテーナー保持部２５の軸方向中央を越えた位置まで軸方向に延びている。リテーナー保持部２５の内周面には、それぞれの膨出部５３位置で、この膨出部５３に沿って、軸方向他方側端から膨出部５３の軸方向一方側端部まで延びる断面台形状（径方向外側に向って幅が広くなる台形状）の案内係合凹部５５が形成されている（図５も参照：図５は第１のクイックコネクタ１のリテーナー保持部２５側の側面図）。
【００２１】
リテーナー保持部２５内にはＰＡ製のリテーナー５が収容されて嵌め付けられていて、このリテーナー５は、比較的柔軟であり、弾性変形可能なように構成されている。リテーナー５は、軸方向他方側端部の径方向対称位置に、径方向外側に突出した一対の係合爪部５７、５７が形成されている、周方向両端部５９、５９（当接片の挿入路及び非係合個所）間に比較的大きな変形用隙間が設けられた断面Ｃ形状又はＣ字形の本体部６１を有し、この本体部６１の内面は、周方向両端部５９、５９及び変形用隙間と対向する部分を除いて軸方向一方側に向かって縮径する状態に形成されていて、本体部６１の軸方向一方側端部６３は、周方向両端部５９、５９及び変形用隙間と対向する部分を除いてパイプ体６５とほぼ同じ内径状態に形成され、環状係合突部６７よりも小さい内径状態に形成されている。本体部６１の変形用隙間と対向する部分の内面６９（当接片の挿入路）は、多少凹んだほぼ円筒内面状態に形成され（図５も参照）、本体部６１の変形用隙間と対向する部分の軸方向一方側端部６３（非係合個所）には切欠き状凹部７１が形成されている。
【００２２】
リテーナー５の本体部６１の軸方向他方側端部には、係合爪部５７、５７と対応した位置から軸方向他方側に向かって径方向外側に傾斜して延びる一対の操作アーム７３、７３が一体的に設けられていて、それぞれの操作アーム７３、７３の軸方向他方側端部には径方向外側に突出した操作端部７５、７５が形成されている。本体部６１の変形用隙間と対向する部分の軸方向他方側外面には、案内係合凹部５５よりも細い断面台形状（径方向外側に向って幅が広くなる台形状）の係合突条７７が、軸方向に短く延びるように形成され、本体部６１の軸方向一方側端部６３には、周方向に延びる係合スリット７９、７９（接続係合部）が対向して形成されていて、このような構成のリテーナー５は、係合突条７７が案内係合凹部５５の軸方向一方側にスライド移動して嵌り込み、係合爪部５７、５７がリテーナー保持部２５の係合窓４９、４９内に入り込み、そして操作端部７５、７５が、リテーナー保持部２５の軸方向他方側端部の径方向対称位置に形成された収容凹部８１、８１に収容されるように、リテーナー保持部２５内に押し込まれて嵌め付けられている。なお、図２中符号８３は、リテーナー保持部２５の内周面に一体的に形成され、リテーナー５の本体部６１の切欠き状凹部７１内に位置してリテーナー５の回り止めを行う回止め突出部であり、リテーナー保持部２５の内周面の径方向対称位置にも同様の回止め突出部８３（図５参照）が形成され、この回止め突出部８３は、リテーナー５の周方向両端部５９、５９間に入り込んでいる。
【００２３】
リテーナー５は、係合爪部５７が係合窓４９の軸方向他方側端と係合することにより抜け止めされ、また、係合爪部５７が係合窓４９の周方向端と係合し、一対の回止め突出部８３がそれぞれ、リテーナー５の切欠き状凹部７１内及び周方向両端部５９、５９間に位置することにより、コネクタハウジング３あるいはリテーナー保持部２５に対して回り止めされるが、係合突条７７が案内係合凹部５５内に、周方向及び径方向に係合した状態で嵌り込んでいるために、強固にかつ精緻に回り止めされている。
【００２４】
第１のクイックコネクタ１にリテーナー保持部２５の軸方向他方側端開口８５から挿入されて、より具体的には、操作アーム７３、７３の操作端部７５、７５側からリテーナー５の本体部６１内に挿入されて嵌め付けられたパイプ体６５は例えば金属製であり、直管状の挿入側部８７の軸方向一方側が、外周面に環状係合突部６７を有する挿入端部８９として構成されていて、環状係合突部６７がリテーナー５の本体部６１を押し広げて進行し、係合スリット７９、７９に嵌り込んでスナップ係合し、挿入端部８９が全長にわたってコネクタハウジング３のパイプ挿入部１１内に収容されるまで第１のクイックコネクタ１あるいはコネクタハウジング３に押し込まれている。パイプ体６５の挿入端部８９の軸方向一方側端（挿入側端）は、第２のＯリング３３及び第１のＯリング３１を通過して連絡部２９内に達していて、パイプ体６５あるいはパイプ体６５の挿入端部８９と第１のクイックコネクタ１との間はこの第１及び第２のＯリング３１、３３により密封され、パイプ体６５の挿入端部８９の環状係合突部６７よりも軸方向一方側は、パイプ体６５の挿入端部８９の外径とほぼ同一の内径を有する樹脂ブッシュ３７及び連絡部２９内にガタが生じないように挿入されている。
【００２５】
図６は第１のコネクタ接続確認構造に用いられる第１のコネクタ用接続確認具の斜視図、図７は第１のコネクタ用接続確認具の側面図、図８は第１のクイックコネクタ１及びパイプ体６５の連結体に第１のコネクタ用接続確認具を取り付ける場合を説明する図、図９は第１のコネクタ接続確認構造の断面図、図１０は第１のコネクタ接続確認構造の別の断面図、図１１は第１のクイックコネクタ１及びパイプ体６５が半嵌合状態である場合の第１のコネクタ用接続確認具の取付け状態を説明する図である。
【００２６】
例えば樹脂製の第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１は、Ｃ形状又はＣ字形の当接プレート９３及び当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面から軸方向一方側に短く突出するように、当接プレート９３に一体的に設けられた断面Ｃ形状又はＣ字形の嵌付け部分９５を有する本体部９７と、当接プレート９３の外周から軸方向一方側に多少長く延びるように、当接プレート９３に一体的に設けられた幅の狭い抜止め確認アーム９９（確認手段）と、嵌付け部分９５の外周面の径方向対称位置からそれぞれ、径方向外側に延びるように、嵌付け部分９５に一体的に設けられた一対の長方形状のガイドプレート１０１、１０１と、嵌付け部分９５の軸方向一方側端から軸方向一方側に延びるように、嵌付け部分９５に一体的に設けられた一対の当接片又は当接押込み片１０３、１０３と、から構成されていて、当接プレート９３には、パイプ体６５の外径よりも多少狭い幅を有する開口部１０５と、この開口部１０５の内側に設けられた嵌付け凹部１０７と、が形成され、嵌付け凹部１０７は、パイプ体６５の外径とほぼ等しい径を有する約４分の３円弧状に形成されている。それぞれの当接片１０３は、ガイドプレート１０１と同一の周方向位置に設けられている。嵌付け部分９５は、当接プレート９３の開口部１０５と等しい幅の開口部１０９を有する断面約４分の３円弧状の筒状体に形成されていて、当接プレート９３の嵌付け凹部１０７に沿うように当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面に一体的に設けられている。当接プレート９３の嵌付け凹部１０７と嵌付け部分９５の内面とは、段差のない連続した嵌付け内面を形成しているが、嵌付け部分９５の開口部１０９と対向する位置（一対のガイドプレート１０１、１０１間の中央位置）には、細いスリット１１１が全長にわたって形成され、当接プレート９３の嵌付け凹部１０７には、開口部１０５と対向する位置に、スリット１１１と連続し、かつ、このスリット１１１と同一の幅を有する、スリット１１１よりも径方向外側に延びる細溝１１３が形成されている。
【００２７】
それぞれのガイドプレート１０１は、嵌付け部分９５の全長にわたって軸方向に延びるように、かつ、当接プレート９３の外縁位置まで径方向外側に延びるように形成され、軸方向他方側端が当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面に一体的に接続されていて、軸方向一方側端と係方向外端との接続個所は、外側に膨らむ曲線状あるいは曲面状又は傾斜面状に形成されている。また、それぞれのガイドプレート１０１は、径方向外端間の間隔が、コネクタハウジング３のリテーナー保持部２５の内面に形成されている一対の案内係合凹部５５の底面間の間隔よりも若干広くなるように構成され、さらに、厚さが案内係合凹部５５の最も狭い個所での幅とほぼ同一となるように形成されている。
【００２８】
当接プレート９３の外周には、開口部１０５の径方向対称位置に、細溝１１３を挟んで一対の切欠き状凹部１１５、１１５が形成されていて、この切欠き状凹部１１５、１１５に挟まれた部分の径方向外端部に抜止め確認アーム９９が一体的に設けられている。すなわち、抜止め確認アーム９９は、一対のガイドプレート１０１、１０１間の中央位置に設けられている。抜止め確認アーム９９の軸方向一方側端部の径方向内側には、係合爪１１７（係合部）が設けられていて、抜止め確認アーム９９の軸方向長さ、すなわち、当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面から係合爪１１７の係合面１１９までの軸方向距離は、コネクタハウジング３の軸方向他方側端から係合窓４９の軸方向他方側端までの距離とほぼ等しくなるように設定されている。
【００２９】
また、それぞれの当接片１０３は、当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面からこの当接片１０３の軸方向一方側端までの軸方向距離が、コネクタハウジング３の軸方向他方側端からリテーナー保持部２５の段差端面４５よりも多少軸方向他方側寄り位置までの軸方向距離、すなわち、コネクタハウジング３の軸方向他方側端からリテーナー３の係合スリット７９（パイプ体６５がスナップ係合したときの係合スリット７９）よりも若干軸方向他方側寄り位置までの軸方向距離とほぼ等しくなるように形成されている。
【００３０】
第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１を第１のクイックコネクタ１及びパイプ体６５の連結体に取り付けるには、まず、当接プレート９３及び嵌付け部分９５を、開口部１０５及び１０９から、第１のクイックコネクタ１の軸方向他方側端よりも軸方向外側（軸方向他方側）に延びているパイプ体６５の直管状の挿入側部８７外周に嵌め付け、パイプ体６５の挿入側部８７が、当接プレート９３の嵌付け凹部１０７及び嵌付け部分９５内にスナップ的に、すなわち開口部１０５，１０９により外れ止めされて嵌め込まれた状態とする（図８ａ）。当接プレート９３の開口部１０５及び嵌付け部分９５の開口部１０９の幅は、パイプ体６５の外径よりも若干狭く形成されているが、当接プレート９３に形成された切欠き状凹部１１５及び細溝１１３、そして嵌付け部分９５に形成されたスリット１１１により、パイプ体６５への嵌付け時に、当接プレート９３及び嵌付け部分９５は容易に開くように変形する。第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１をパイプ体６５の挿入側部８７外周に嵌め付けたら、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１をパイプ体６５の挿入側部８７上で軸方向一方側にスライドさせ、当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面がクイックコネクタ１あるいはコネクタハウジング３の軸方向他方側端と当接するまでクイックコネクタ１に向けて移動させる（図８ｂ）。
【００３１】
第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１の移動にともなって、嵌付け部分９５（当接片１０３も）は、コネクタハウジング３のリテーナー保持部２５内に収容され又は差し込まれることとなるが、嵌付け部分９５の収容に際しては、ガイドプレート１０１をリテーナー保持部２５の内面に形成されている案内係合凹部５５と一致させておく。ガイドプレート１０１の径方向外端間の間隔は、案内係合凹部５５の底面間の間隔よりも若干大きく設定されているので、ガイドプレート１０１は、当接プレート９３の嵌付け凹部１０７及び嵌付け部分９５内周面をパイプ体６５の挿入端部８７外周面に密着させるように、あるいは多少押し付けるようにして、したがって、当接片１０３をパイプ体６５の挿入端部８７外周面に密着させるように、あるいは多少押し付けるようにして、案内係合凹部５５内に入り込み、案内係合凹部５５内を軸方向一方側に進行する。ガイドプレート１０１の軸方向一方側端と径方向外端との接続個所にはガイドが形成されているので、ガイドプレート１０１を案内係合凹部５５内にスムーズに導くことができる。当接片１０３は、パイプ体６５と同一の曲率で径方向外側に膨らむように湾曲している断面形状を有している。一対のガイドプレート１０１を案内係合凹部５５内に入り込ませる構成により、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１が９０度回転した状態でコネクタハウジング３に取り付けられてしまうといったことが防止される。
【００３２】
そして、当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面をコネクタハウジング３の軸方向他方側端に当接させ、抜止め確認アーム９９の係合爪１１７（係合爪１１７の係合面１１９）を係合窓４９の軸方向一方側端（係止部）に係合させて、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１の取付けを完了し、第１のコネクタ接続確認構造を構成する。第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１は、抜止め確認アーム９９の係合爪１１７が係合窓４９に係合することにより、第１のクイックコネクタ１に対して軸方向他方側にずれないように、第１のクイックコネクタ１及びパイプ体６５の連結体に取り付けられる。第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１を第１のクイックコネクタ１及びパイプ体６５の連結体に取り付けたときには、嵌付け部分９５は、リテーナー５の本体部６１よりも軸方向他方側でリテーナー保持部２５内に収容されるが、それぞれの当接片１０３は、本体部６１の周方向両端部５９、５９間、及び本体部６１の凹んだ内面６９内に収容されている。
【００３３】
当接片１０３の軸方向一方側端は、本体部６１の周方向両端部５９、５９間、及び本体部６１の切欠き状凹部７１位置（切欠き状凹部７１周方向位置）で、パイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７よりも若干軸方向他方側に位置していて、パイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７がリテーナー５の係合スリット７９から軸方向他方側に抜け出ることを阻止している。
【００３４】
パイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７がリテーナー５の係合スリット７９にスナップ係合していない半嵌合状態が生じている場合には、図１１に示すように、抜止め確認アーム９９の係合爪１１７が係合窓４９の軸方向他方側端と係合する前に、当接片１０３の軸方向一方側端が、係合スリット７９よりも軸方向他方側に位置している環状係合突部６７に当接する。このとき、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１を強くあるいは比較的強く軸方向一方側に押せば、環状係合突部６７は軸方向一方側に移動して係合スリット７９にスナップ係合することとなり、その結果、抜止め確認アーム９９の係合爪１１７を係合窓４９の軸方向他方側端と係合させることができる。ただし、万一、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１を強く軸方向一方側に押しても、抜止め確認アーム９９の係合爪１１７を係合窓４９の軸方向他方側端と係合させることができない場合には、パイプ体６５をコネクタハウジング３に強く押し込んでから、再び第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１を軸方向一方側に押圧する。そして、抜止め確認アーム９９の係合爪１１７を係合窓４９の軸方向他方側端と係合させることができれば、パイプ体６５はコネクタハウジング３に正常に接続されていることとなる。
【００３５】
ところで、パイプ体６５が正常に接続されている場合にも、当接片１０３がパイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７に当接してしまうといったことがないように、当接片１０３は、軸方向一方側端が、係合スリット７９あるいは接続係合部又は係合スリット７９に係合しているパイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７よりも若干軸方向他方側に位置するように形成されている。しかしながら、当接片１０３はまた、パイプ体６５が半嵌合状態のときに、環状係合突部６７を確実に係合スリット７９に押し込めるものでなければならない。環状係合突部６７の外周端部は、通常、断面半円状又は円弧状に形成されていて、リテーナー５の本体部６１をリテーナー保持部２５内で押し広げながら係合スリット７９に向って進行する。そして、環状係合突部６７の厚み方向中央が係合スリット７９の軸方向他方側端を越えると、リテーナー５の係合爪部５７と係合窓４９との間に隙間が形成されているので、リテーナー５の本体部６１は弾性復元力により若干軸方向他方側にずれながら縮径し、その結果、環状係合突部６７は係合スリット７９内に嵌り込むこととなる。したがって、当接片１０３の軸方向一方側端と、係合スリット７９あるいは接続係合部又は係合スリット７９に係合しているパイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７との軸方向の間隔を、環状係合突部６７の厚さの半分以下に設定しておけば、パイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７をスムーズに係合スリット７９内にスナップ係合させることができる。
【００３６】
ここで、パイプ体６５が固定されていて、この固定されているパイプ体６５に第１のクイックコネクタ１を嵌めた場合、すなわち、固定されているパイプ体６５を第１のクイックコネクタ１に相対的に挿入した場合には、例えば、次のようにして第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１を装着し又は取り付けることができる。すなわち、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１をパイプ体６５の挿入側部８７外周に嵌め付け、当接片１０３の軸方向一方側端部がコネクタハウジング３の軸方向他方側端開口８５から多少コネクタハウジング３のリテーナー保持部２５内に入り込むまで、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１をパイプ体６５の挿入側部８７上で軸方向一方側にスライドさせる。そして、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１を第１のクイックコネクタ１側に引き寄せるようにして、あるいは、当接プレート９３と第１のクイックコネクタ１とが接近するようにして、抜止め確認アーム９９の係合爪１１７を係合窓４９の軸方向他方側端と係合させる。パイプ体６５と第１のクイックコネクタ１とが半嵌合状態のときは、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１を第１のクイックコネクタ１側に引き寄せ、あるいは、当接プレート９３と第１のクイックコネクタ１とを接近させる際に、パイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７が相対的にリテーナー５内を軸方向一方側に移動して、係合スリット７９内にスナップ係合することとなる。
【００３７】
第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１は，抜止め確認アーム９９の係合爪１１７と係合窓４９との係合を解除し、コネクタハウジング３のリテーナー保持部２５から抜き出すことにより取り外すことができ、かつ、再び第１のクイックコネクタ１とパイプ体６５との連結体に取り付けることができる。
【００３８】
なお、図８に仮想線で示すように、連結用帯体１２１の一端部をリテーナー保持部２５の外周に嵌め付け、他端部を抜止め確認アーム９９に嵌め付けて、第１のクイックコネクタ１と第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１とが常に組合せ状態に維持されるようにしてもよい。連結用帯体１２１のリテーナー保持部２５の外周への嵌め付け又は取り付けは、例えば、リテーナー保持部２５に別の機能を付加する等の理由で形成されている凹凸部（例えば突状１２３）を利用して行うことができる。
【００３９】
図１２は本発明に係る第２のコネクタ接続確認構造に用いられる第２のクイックコネクタの斜視図、図１３は第２のコネクタ接続確認構造に用いられる第２のコネクタ用接続確認具の斜視図、図１４は第２のコネクタ接続確認構造の断面図、図１５は第２のクイックコネクタ及びパイプ体６５が半嵌合状態である場合の第２のコネクタ用接続確認具の取付け状態を説明する図である。
【００４０】
例えば樹脂製の第２のクイックコネクタ１２５は、第１のクイックコネクタ１のコネクタハウジング３の構造を変更したものであり、同一の構造及び機能を有する部分は概略的には同一の符号を付して説明を省略する。コネクタハウジング１２７のリテーナー保持部２５の外周面には、軸方向一方側端と係合窓４９との間にそれぞれ、係合突起１２９、１２９（係止部）が一体的に設けられていて、この係合突起１２９は、係合窓４９の軸方向一方側端から軸方向一方側に向って径方向外側に傾斜して延びる傾斜外面１３１と、この傾斜外面１３１の軸方向一方側端から軸方向一方側に向って短く延びるスライド外面１３３と、から形成されている係方向外面を有し、スライド外面１３３の軸方向一方側端から径方向内側に延びて、リテーナー保持部２５の軸方向一方側外端面１３５に接続される係合外面１３７を備えている。係合外面１３７は、リテーナー保持部２５の軸方向一方側外端面１３５と同一平面上に形成されている。また、係合突起１２９の径方向外面は、軸直角断面が径方向外側に向って膨らむ円弧状に形成されている。
【００４１】
第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９は、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１の抜止め確認アーム９９の構造を変更したものである。第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９では、抜止め確認アーム１４１（確認手段）は、当接プレート９３の外周から軸方向一方側に長く延び、軸方向中央部に径方向に貫通する係合孔１４３（係合部）を有している。当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面から係合孔１４３の軸方向一方側端までの軸方向距離は、コネクタハウジング１２７の軸方向他方側端から係合突起１２９の係合外面１３７までの軸方向距離とほぼ等しくなるように設定されている。また、抜止め確認アーム１４１の径方向内面は、係合突起１２９の径方向外面及びリテーナー保持部２５の外周面に対応して、軸直角断面が径方向外側に向って凹む円弧状に形成されている。抜止め確認アーム１４１のその他の構造は抜止め確認アーム９９の構造とほぼ同一である。
【００４２】
第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９を第２のクイックコネクタ１２５及びパイプ体６５の連結体に取り付けて第２のコネクタ接続確認構造を構成するには、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１と同様に、当接プレート９３及び嵌付け部分９５をパイプ体６５の直管状の挿入側部８７外周に嵌め付け、第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９をパイプ体６５の挿入側部８７上で軸方向一方側にスライドさせ、当接プレート９３の軸方向一方側面がクイックコネクタ１２５あるいはコネクタハウジング１２７の軸方向他方側端と当接するまで移動させ、抜止め確認アーム１４１の係合孔１４３に係合突起１２９を係合させる。第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９の取付け過程では、第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９の軸方向一方側への移動にともない、抜止め確認アーム１４１の軸方向一方側端が係合突起１２９の傾斜外面１３１に当接する。さらに第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９が軸方向一方側に移動すると、抜止め確認アーム１４１の軸方向一方側端は傾斜外面１３１に案内されて、径方向内面がスライド外面１３３（スライド外面１３３の軸方向他方側端）と接触する状態となる。そして、第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９の取付けが完了するまで、抜止め確認アーム１４１はスライド外面１３３（スライド外面１３３の軸方向他方側端）上をスライド移動する。抜止め確認アーム１４１は、軸方向一方側が係合突起１２９を越えて長く延びているため、軸方向一方側端部を径方向外側に持ち上げるように移動させて、係合孔１４３と係合突起１２９との係合を簡単に解除できるように構成されている。
【００４３】
パイプ体６５の環状係合突部６７がリテーナー５の係合スリット７９にスナップ係合していない半嵌合状態が生じている場合には、抜止め確認アーム１４１の係合孔１４３に係合突起１２９が係合する前に、図１５に示すように、当接片１０３の軸方向一方側端が、係合スリット７９よりも軸方向他方側に位置している環状係合突部６７に当接する。このとき、第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９を強くあるいは比較的強く軸方向一方側に押せば、環状係合突部６７は軸方向一方側に移動して係合スリット７９にスナップ係合することとなり、その結果、抜止め確認アーム１４１の係合孔１４３を係合突起１２９と係合させることができる。ただし、万一、第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９を強く軸方向一方側に押しても、抜止め確認アーム１４１の係合孔１４３を係合突起１２９と係合させることができない場合には、パイプ体６５をコネクタハウジング３に強く押し込んでから、再び第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９を軸方向一方側に押圧する。そして、抜止め確認アーム１４１の係合孔１４３を係合突起１２９と係合させることができれば、パイプ体６５はコネクタハウジング３に正常に接続されていることとなる。
【００４４】
第２のコネクタ用接続確認具１３９は、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１と同様の態様で、固定されているパイプ体６５及び第２のクイックコネクタ１２５の連結体に取り付けることができ、また、第１のコネクタ用接続確認具９１と同様のパイプ体６５に対する抜止め機能を有している。
【００４５】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明のコネクタ用接続確認具又はコネクタ接続確認構造を用いれば、コネクタとパイプ体との接続状態を確認できるとともに、コネクタとパイプ体とが半嵌合状態である場合の正常接続作業が容易となり、しかもパイプ体に対する優れた抜止め機能を構成できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る第１のコネクタ接続確認構造に用いられる第１のクイックコネクタ及びパイプ体の斜視図である。
【図２】第１のクイックコネクタの断面図である。
【図３】第１のクイックコネクタに用いられるリテーナーの斜視図である。
【図４】第１のクイックコネクタ及びパイプ体を接続した状態の断面図である。
【図５】第１のクイックコネクタのリテーナー保持部側の側面図である。
【図６】第１のコネクタ接続確認構造に用いられる第１のコネクタ用接続確認具の斜視図である。
【図７】第１のコネクタ用接続確認具の側面図である。
【図８】第１のクイックコネクタ及びパイプ体の連結体に第１のコネクタ用接続確認具を取り付ける場合を説明する図である。
【図９】第１のコネクタ接続確認構造の断面図である。
【図１０】第１のコネクタ接続確認構造の別の断面図である。
【図１１】第１のクイックコネクタ及びパイプ体が半嵌合状態である場合の第１のコネクタ用接続確認具の取付け状態を説明する図である。
【図１２】本発明に係る第２のコネクタ接続確認構造に用いられる第２のクイックコネクタの斜視図である。
【図１３】第２のコネクタ接続確認構造に用いられる第２のコネクタ用接続確認具の斜視図である。
【図１４】第２のコネクタ接続確認構造の断面図である。
【図１５】第２のクイックコネクタ及びパイプ体が半嵌合状態である場合の第２のコネクタ用接続確認具の取付け状態を説明する図である。
【符号の説明】
１、１２５クイックコネクタ
５リテーナー（リテーナー手段）
９樹脂チューブ接続部
４９係合窓（係止部）
５９周方向両端部（非係合個所）
６５パイプ体
６７環状係合突部
７９係合スリット（接続係合部）
８５軸方向他方側端開口
８９挿入端部
９１、１３９コネクタ用接続確認具
９７本体部
９９、１４１抜止め確認アーム（確認手段）
１０３当接片
１１７係合爪（係合部）
１２９係合突起（係止部）
１４３係合孔（係合部）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector connection confirmation tool and a connector connection confirmation structure for confirming that a pipe body is normally snap-fitted and connected to a connector used for connecting a gasoline fuel pipe of an automobile, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A connector used for connecting a fluid pipe such as a gasoline fuel pipe and a pipe body is formed by forming an annular engagement protrusion on the insertion-side outer peripheral surface of the pipe body to form an insertion end. This is done by inserting the insertion end of the pipe body into the connector so that the mating protrusion snap-engages with the retainer means provided on the connector, thereby bringing the pipe body and the connector into a retaining state. The connector or quick connector used in this way is held in a cylindrical connector housing having a tube connecting portion formed on one side in the axial direction and having a retainer holding portion on the other side in the axial direction, and the retainer holding portion of the connector housing. The retainer means includes, for example, an engagement slit as a connection engagement portion, an engagement one-side end portion in the axial direction, or an engagement protrusion claw in which one end in the axial direction is the connection engagement portion. The pipe body is formed into an annular body or a substantially annular body, and the insertion end of the pipe body is connected to the engagement slit or the engagement protrusion claw from the opening on the other side end in the axial direction so that the annular engagement projection is snap-engaged. Or it will insert in a connector housing and will be fittingly connected.
[0003]
The annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body advances to one side in the axial direction while deforming the retainer means and engages with the engagement slit or the engagement protrusion claw. Without, the situation that the insertion end of the pipe body is not sufficiently inserted into the retainer holding portion of the connector housing, that is, the annular engagement protrusion is not engaged with the engagement slit or the engagement protrusion claw of the retainer means, A so-called half-fitted state may occur. If the pipe connection structure is used while the connector and the pipe body are in a semi-fitted state, the insertion side end of the pipe body is retracted to the seal member position that seals between the connector and the pipe body during use. That is, it moves to the other side in the axial direction and the sealing between the connector and the pipe body becomes insufficient, and as a result, the fluid may leak.
[0004]
Therefore, a connection confirmation means for confirming the fitting state between the connector and the pipe body is required. As such a connection confirmation means, it is attached to the retainer holding portion of the connector housing in which the pipe body is inserted or There is known a connection confirmation tool having a configuration capable of confirming that a pipe body is normally fitted or connected by being attached. In addition, in order to further improve the reliability of the pipe connection structure, a so-called double lock structure connection confirmation tool has also been developed in which the connection confirmation tool itself also has a pipe body connection holding function or a retaining function (for example, patents). Reference 1). This connection confirmation tool moves the detection portion having a U-shaped cross section from the other side in the axial direction to one side in the axial direction, covers the outside of the retainer holding portion, and locks the detection portion to the locked portion of the connector housing. Therefore, when the pipe body is in a half-fitted state, the retainer is enlarged in diameter so that the detecting portion cannot be locked to the locked portion. Further, when the pipe body is in the half-fitted state and the retainer is not enlarged in diameter, the annular engagement protrusion (flange) of the pipe body is pushed by the detection piece to advance, but the progress of the annular engagement protrusion is the retainer. With a larger diameter. However, since the retainer is restricted by the detection portion and cannot be expanded in diameter so as to pass the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body, the annular engagement protrusion stops before the connection engagement position of the retainer. Accordingly, the detection part cannot be locked to the locked part because it is obstructed by the detection piece in contact with the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-349487 A (page 6, FIGS. 11 and 15)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
With this connection confirmation tool, when the pipe body is in the half-fitted state, the detection part cannot be locked to the locked part, so the connector and the pipe body remain in the half-fitted state. The connection structure is prevented from being used. And normal connection of a pipe body can be confirmed by making a detection part latch to a to-be-latched part. Moreover, since this connection confirmation tool will restrict | increase the diameter expansion of a retainer by a detection part, if it mounts | wears with a connector, it also has the function to hold out with respect to a pipe body.
[0007]
However, when this connection confirmation tool is used, when the pipe body is in a semi-fitted state, the installation work of the connection confirmation tool is interrupted, the pipe body is pushed in, the fitting is properly connected, and then the connection confirmation tool is again connected. Since the mounting work must be performed, the connection work between the pipe body and the connector when the pipe body is in a half-fitted state becomes troublesome. In addition, in this connection confirmation tool, there is a possibility that the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body may come off from the protrusion engagement claw of the retainer due to the deformation of the protrusion engagement claw (retention prevention protrusion) of the retainer. Moreover, since the detection piece is provided only at one place in the circumferential direction, it is not possible to sufficiently prevent the pipe body that has come out of the protruding engagement claw of the retainer from further moving in the direction of coming out of the connector. Therefore, a reliable retaining function cannot be expected with this connection confirmation tool.
[0008]
Therefore, the present invention provides a connection in which the pipe body can be normally fitted and connected to the connector and can be directly attached to the connector without interrupting the mounting operation even when the pipe body and the connector are in a half-fitted state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector connection confirmation tool having an auxiliary function and also having a reliable retaining function for a pipe body, and a connector connection confirmation structure using such a connector connection confirmation tool.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve this object, the connector connection confirmation tool of the present invention has a tube connection portion (meaning a connection portion of a mating member connected to the pipe body) on one side in the axial direction, and the other in the axial direction. A cylindrical connector having retainer means on the side, and an insertion end having an annular engaging protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface, and the annular engaging protrusion has a non-engaging portion at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction. In order to confirm the connection between the insertion end portion and the pipe body inserted into the connector from the other end opening in the axial direction so as to snap-engage with the connection engagement portion formed in the retainer means A connector connection confirmation tool comprising: a main body portion mounted on the other axial side of the connector; an abutting piece extending from the main body portion toward the first axial direction; and an engagement portion. And a confirmation means provided on the main body, A contact piece is inserted into the connector from the other axial end opening (meaning that the contact piece enters the connector), and the engaging portion of the confirmation means is formed at a predetermined axial position of the connector. It is mounted on the other side in the axial direction of the connector so as to be engaged with the other locking portion in the axial direction on the other side, and the abutting piece is configured so that the engaging portion of the confirmation means is the locking portion of the connector. The one end in the axial direction is extended so as to extend to an axial position substantially equal to the connection engaging portion at the non-engagement portion of the retainer means, When the contact piece comes into contact with the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body in a non-engaged state (half-fitted state) with the connection engagement portion of the retainer means, the engagement portion is Located on the other side in the axial direction from the locking portion of the connector When the abutment piece further abuts on the annular engagement projection of the pipe body in a non-engaged state with the connection engagement portion of the retainer means, the annular engagement projection is moved to the retainer. It is configured to move to one side in the axial direction with respect to the means or the connector, that is, to move to one side in the axial direction relative to the retainer means or the connector and engage with the connection engaging portion. Yes,That is adopted as a basic configuration. When the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body is not snap-engaged with the connection engagement portion of the retainer means, when trying to attach the connector connection confirmation tool to the connector, for example, the connector is slid along the pipe body, When it is going to be mounted inside, the contact piece (contact pressing piece) comes into contact with the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body. In this state, the engaging portion of the confirmation means (the removal confirmation means) does not reach the locking portion of the connector. If the connector connection confirmation tool is further mounted, for example, when the connector is further slid along the pipe body and is to be mounted in the connector, the contact piece causes the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body to move to the one side in the axial direction. Push and move to snap-engage with the connecting engagement portion of the retainer means. That is, the retainer means is configured such that the annular engagement protrusion pressed against the contact piece advances or relatively advances to the connection engagement portion. Since one end in the axial direction of the contact piece is located at a non-engagement position of the retainer means, the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body engages with the connection engagement part of the retainer means. It will not be a hindrance to And the pipe bodyAnnular engagement protrusionWhen snap-engaged with the connection engagement portion of the retainer means, the engagement portion of the confirmation means can be engaged with the locking portion of the connector. Due to the engagement between the engagement portion of the confirmation means and the locking portion of the connector, the connector connection confirmation tool is attached to the connector so as not to shift to the other side in the axial direction with respect to the connector. The contact piece is formed, for example, along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body (the pipe body portion other than the annular engagement protrusion) or in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body (including the state immediately before contact). TheWhen the retainer means is configured to be held by this connector by engaging with an engagement window formed on the connector, the locking portion may be the other end in the axial direction of the engagement window. it can. Further, a slit is formed over the entire length of the fitting portion at a position facing the opening, and a narrow groove continuous with the slit is formed in the fitting concave portion of the contact plate at a position where the opening plate fits.
[0010]
  When the engagement portion of the confirmation means is engaged with the locking portion of the connector, the one end in the axial direction of the contact piece extends to substantially the same axial position as the connection engagement portion of the retainer means. That is, it is located immediately before contacting the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body.For example, the connection engagement portion of the retainer means is an engagement slit extending in the circumferential direction formed so as to fit the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body, and the outer peripheral end of the annular engagement protrusion is a semicircular cross section. If the annular engagement projection is formed to advance toward the engagement slit while expanding the retainer means when the pipe body is inserted into the connector, the confirmation means When the engaging portion of the contact portion engages with the engaging portion of the connector, the one end in the axial direction of the abutting piece is on the other side in the axial direction from the annular engaging protrusion that is engaged with the engaging slit. It is comprised so that it may be located at intervals of less than half of the thickness of the annular engaging projection.Since one end in the axial direction of the abutting piece is located at a non-engagement position of the connection engagement portion of the retainer means, the pipe body deforms the connection engagement portion and the other axial direction with respect to the retainer means. Even if it is shifted to the side, since the annular engagement protrusion comes into contact with the contact piece, the pipe body cannot be displaced so that the annular engagement protrusion is pulled out from the connection engagement portion of the retainer means.
[0011]
In order to allow the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body to smoothly move to the one axial side with respect to the retainer means when the pipe body is in a half-fitted state, the contact piece is a pipe. It is necessary to stably press the annular engagement protrusion of the body without being biased. Therefore, it is preferable that the non-engaging portion of the retainer means is formed at a radially symmetrical position, and the contact piece is provided at the radially symmetrical position of the main body portion corresponding to the non-engaging portion. Further, by configuring in this way, when the annular engagement protrusion is about to escape from the connection engagement portion of the retainer means, it is possible to cause a stable retaining drag to act on the annular engagement protrusion. The retaining function is improved.
[0012]
  The connector connection confirmation tool can be configured to be attached to the connector by sliding along the pipe body. In this case, the main body can be formed in a C shape or a C-shaped cross section so that it can be snapped onto the pipe body. With this configuration, there is no risk of accidentally dropping the connector connection confirmation tool from the pipe body when sliding.For example, when the main body is attached to the connector, the main body is in contact with the other end in the axial direction of the connector. It can be formed so as to have an extending cylindrical fitting portion. The abutment plate can be formed in a C-shape provided with an arc-shaped fitting recess having an opening having a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pipe body and a width narrower than the outer diameter of the pipe body. , And can be formed in a C-shaped cross section having an inner surface along the fitting recess. Here, the fitting recess and the inside of the fitting portion are snapped onto the pipe body, and are prevented from coming off from the pipe body by the opening inside the fitting recess and the fitting portion.
[0013]
The connector connection confirmation tool is often attached to the other end of the connector in the axial direction before the pipe body is connected to the connector. If it is formed in a C shape or a cross-sectional C shape so that it can be snap-fitted to the pipe body portion other than the mating projection), the annular engagement projection of the pipe body cannot be passed through. Thus, the pipe body is not inserted into the connector with the connector connection confirmation tool attached. Furthermore, even if the pipe body is inserted into the connector connection confirmation tool and the pipe body is mistakenly recognized as being normally connected, the one end in the axial direction or the insertion side end of the pipe body is usually the connector and the pipe. Since it does not reach the sealing member that seals between the body, poor connection will be found during the liquid leakage test.
[0014]
In the connector connection confirmation tool of the present invention, when the fixed pipe body is relatively inserted into the connector, the one end in the axial direction of the abutting piece is in the other end opening in the axial direction of the connector. Even when the pipe body and the connector are in the half-fitted state, for example, by performing the mounting operation while pulling the connector connection confirmation tool toward the connector side, the relative position of the pipe body is reduced. While assisting the insertion, the pipe body can be completely inserted, completely or normally connected, and connection confirmation can be performed.
[0015]
In the connector connection confirmation structure of the present invention, the tube connection portion is formed on one side in the axial direction, the cylindrical connector having the retainer means on the other side in the axial direction, and the annular engagement protrusion is formed on the outer peripheral surface. The insertion end has an insertion end, and the annular engagement protrusion has a non-engagement portion at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction and snap-engages with a connection engagement portion formed on the retainer means. A pipe body inserted into and connected to the connector from the other end opening in the axial direction, and a connector connection confirmation tool attached to the connector for confirming the connection between the connector and the pipe body; A connector connection confirmation structure comprising: a main body portion mounted on the other axial side of the connector; and a main body portion provided to extend from the main body portion to one axial direction; The other side in the axial direction A contact piece inserted into the connector from the opening (meaning to be inserted into the connector), a locking portion formed at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the connector, and engaged in the other axial direction And a check means provided on the main body portion, the contact piece having one end in the axial direction at the non-engagement portion of the retainer means. The check means is in contact with the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body that is not engaged with the connection engagement portion of the retainer means. In some cases, the engagement portion is provided so as to be positioned on the other side in the axial direction with respect to the locking portion of the connector, and the contact piece is further unengaged with the connection engagement portion of the retainer means When it comes into contact with the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body, An annular engagement protrusion is moved to one side in the axial direction with respect to the retainer means or the connector, that is, moved to one side in the axial direction relative to the retainer means or the connector. It is comprised so that it may engage. For example, an insertion path for inserting a contact piece from the other end in the axial direction to the non-engagement portion of the retainer means is formed on the inner surface on the one axial side of the connector or the retainer means.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
1 is a perspective view of a first quick connector and a pipe body used in the first connector connection confirmation structure according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first quick connector, and FIG. 3 is a first quick connector. The perspective view of the retainer used, FIG. 4 is sectional drawing of the state which connected the 1st quick connector and the pipe body.
[0018]
The first quick connector 1 is used for connecting a gasoline fuel pipe of an automobile, and includes a cylindrical connector housing 3, a substantially annular retainer 5 (retainer means), and a seal member 7. It is configured. The connector housing 3 is made of glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA / GF), and is integrally formed of a cylindrical resin tube connecting portion 9 on one side in the axial direction and a substantially cylindrical pipe insertion portion 11 on the other side in the axial direction. And has a through-hole 13 that passes from one end in the axial direction to the other end in the axial direction. The resin tube connecting portion 9 has an outer circumferential surface that is generally cylindrically outer on the other axial side of the axial one side portion 15 and an axial one side portion 15 whose diameter gradually increases toward the other axial side. The outer peripheral surface extending as a retaining annular protrusion 17 having a square cross section and two retaining annular protrusions 19, 19 having a triangular cross section extending in diameter toward the other side in the axial direction have one axial direction. The other side portion 21 in the axial direction is formed with an interval in the axial direction sequentially from the side toward the other side in the axial direction, and a resin tube is tightly fitted and connected to the outer periphery or outer peripheral surface. The outer circumferential surface 23 (between the one axial side portion 15 and the retaining annular protrusion 17) of the one axial end of the other axial side portion 21 is formed as a small diameter or relatively deep annular groove, and is a resin tube. A seal ring (not shown) is placed on the outer peripheral surface 23 on one axial end.
[0019]
The pipe insertion portion 11 of the connector housing 3 includes a large-diameter retainer holding portion 25 on the other side in the axial direction, an intermediate seal holding portion 27 having a smaller diameter than the retainer holding portion 25, and a shaft having a smaller diameter than the seal holding portion 27. It is comprised integrally from the communication part 29 of the direction one side. A first O-ring 31 (seal member) on one axial side and a second O-ring 33 (seal member) on the other axial side are colored on one axial side of the inner peripheral surface of the seal holding portion 27. 35, that is, a short cylindrical shape that is fitted side by side with an interval in the axial direction and has an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the connecting portion 29 on the other axial side of the inner peripheral surface of the seal holding portion 27. The resin bush 37 is integrally provided with annular projecting portions 39 and 41 that project slightly outward in the radial direction, respectively, on the other axial end portion and the middle portion of the outer peripheral surface. ing. The other axial end of the inner peripheral surface of the seal holding portion 27 has a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the resin bush 37. The resin bush 37 has an annular end surface 43 on the other axial side of the retainer. The axial direction of the seal holding part 27 is positioned on the same plane as the annular step end face 45 having a narrow width and extending radially inwardly, which is formed at one axial end inside the holding part 25. The other end is fitted. The first O-ring 31 and the second O-ring 33 are sandwiched between an annular step surface 47 formed at one axial end on the inner side of the seal holding portion 27 and the resin bush 37, and are positioned in the axial direction. The first O-ring 31 is formed of, for example, a fluorine rubber (FKM) having excellent waterproof / dustproof properties and high gasoline resistance and ozone resistance, and the second O-ring 33 is, for example, waterproof / dustproof. It is made of fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ) that has excellent dust resistance and high low temperature resistance and ozone resistance.
[0020]
Engagement windows 49 and 49 are formed in the substantially cylindrical retainer holding part 25 of the pipe insertion part 11 so as to oppose each other in the radial direction, and the outer peripheral surfaces between the engagement windows 49 and 49 are symmetrical. Planar portions 51 and 51 are provided at the positions. On the other side in the axial direction of each of the planar portions 51, 51 of the retainer holding portion 25, bulging portions 53, 53 are formed in the middle in the width direction, and this bulging portion 53 is the other in the axial direction of the planar portion 51. From the side end, it extends in the axial direction to a position beyond the axial center of the retainer holding portion 25. On the inner peripheral surface of the retainer holding portion 25, a cross-sectional base extending from the other axial end to the axial one end of the bulging portion 53 along the bulging portion 53 at each bulging portion 53. A guide engaging recess 55 having a shape (a trapezoidal shape whose width increases toward the outside in the radial direction) is formed (see also FIG. 5: FIG. 5 is a side view of the retainer holding portion 25 side of the first quick connector 1). ).
[0021]
A retainer 5 made of PA is accommodated and fitted in the retainer holding portion 25, and this retainer 5 is configured to be relatively flexible and elastically deformable. The retainer 5 has a pair of engaging claw portions 57 and 57 protruding outward in the radial direction at the radially symmetrical position of the other end portion in the axial direction. A main body portion 61 having a C-shaped or C-shaped cross section provided with a relatively large deformation gap between the insertion path and the non-engagement portion), and the inner surface of the main body portion 61 has circumferential end portions 59, 59 and It is formed in a state of reducing the diameter toward one side in the axial direction except for a portion facing the deformation gap, and one end 63 in the axial direction of the main body 61 is provided with both circumferential ends 59 and 59 and the deformation. Except for the portion facing the gap, the pipe body 65 is formed in the substantially same inner diameter state, and is formed in an inner diameter state smaller than the annular engagement protrusion 67. The inner surface 69 (insertion path of the contact piece) of the portion facing the deformation gap of the main body portion 61 is formed in a substantially concave cylindrical inner surface state (see also FIG. 5), and faces the deformation gap of the main body portion 61. A notch-shaped recess 71 is formed at one end 63 (non-engaging portion) in the axial direction of the portion to be formed.
[0022]
A pair of operation arms 73, 73 that extend from the position corresponding to the engaging claws 57, 57 to the other side in the axial direction incline radially outward toward the other axial end of the main body 61 of the retainer 5. Are integrally provided, and operation end portions 75 and 75 protruding outward in the radial direction are formed at the other axial end portions of the operation arms 73 and 73, respectively. An engagement protrusion having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape (a trapezoid whose width increases toward the outside in the radial direction) narrower than the guide engagement recess 55 is formed on the outer surface on the other side in the axial direction of the portion of the main body 61 that faces the deformation gap. 77 is formed so as to extend short in the axial direction. Engagement slits 79 and 79 (connection engaging portions) extending in the circumferential direction are formed on one end 63 in the axial direction of the main body 61 so as to face each other. In the retainer 5 having such a configuration, the engaging ridge 77 is slid and fitted to one side in the axial direction of the guide engaging recess 55, and the engaging claw portions 57 and 57 are engaged with the retainer holding portion 25. The retainer is inserted into the windows 49, 49, and is accommodated in the accommodating recesses 81, 81 formed at the radially symmetrical position of the other axial end of the retainer holding portion 25. It is pushed and fitted into the holding part 25. Reference numeral 83 in FIG. 2 is formed integrally with the inner peripheral surface of the retainer holding portion 25 and is positioned in the notch-shaped recess 71 of the main body portion 61 of the retainer 5 to prevent the retainer 5 from rotating. A similar anti-rotation protrusion 83 (see FIG. 5) is formed at a radially symmetrical position on the inner peripheral surface of the retainer holding portion 25, and the anti-rotation protrusion 83 has both ends in the circumferential direction of the retainer 5. It has entered between 59 and 59.
[0023]
The retainer 5 is prevented from coming off when the engaging claw portion 57 is engaged with the other axial end of the engaging window 49, and the engaging claw portion 57 is engaged with the circumferential end of the engaging window 49. The pair of rotation-preventing protrusions 83 are respectively positioned in the notch-shaped recess 71 of the retainer 5 and between both ends 59 and 59 in the circumferential direction, thereby being prevented from rotating with respect to the connector housing 3 or the retainer holding portion 25. However, since the engaging ridge 77 is fitted in the guide engaging recess 55 in a state of being engaged in the circumferential direction and the radial direction, it is firmly and precisely prevented from rotating.
[0024]
Inserted into the first quick connector 1 from the opening 85 on the other axial end side of the retainer holding portion 25, more specifically, the main body portion 61 of the retainer 5 from the operation end portions 75, 75 side of the operation arms 73, 73. The pipe body 65 inserted and fitted therein is made of, for example, metal, and one axial direction side of the straight tubular insertion side portion 87 is configured as an insertion end portion 89 having an annular engagement protrusion 67 on the outer peripheral surface. Then, the annular engagement protrusion 67 pushes and spreads the main body 61 of the retainer 5, fits into the engagement slits 79, 79 and snaps into engagement, and the insertion end 89 extends over the entire length of the pipe of the connector housing 3. It is pushed into the first quick connector 1 or the connector housing 3 until it is accommodated in the insertion portion 11. One end (insertion side end) in the axial direction of the insertion end portion 89 of the pipe body 65 passes through the second O-ring 33 and the first O-ring 31 and reaches the connecting portion 29, and the pipe body 65. Alternatively, the insertion end 89 of the pipe body 65 and the first quick connector 1 are sealed by the first and second O-rings 31 and 33, and the annular engagement protrusion of the insertion end 89 of the pipe body 65. One side in the axial direction from 67 is inserted so that there is no play in the resin bush 37 and the connecting portion 29 having the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the insertion end 89 of the pipe body 65.
[0025]
6 is a perspective view of a first connector connection confirmation tool used in the first connector connection confirmation structure, FIG. 7 is a side view of the first connector connection confirmation tool, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector connection confirmation structure, and FIG. 10 is another view of the first connector connection confirmation structure. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first connector connection confirmation tool is attached when the first quick connector 1 and the pipe body 65 are in a half-fitted state.
[0026]
For example, the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 made of resin includes a C-shaped or C-shaped contact plate 93 and the contact plate 93 so as to protrude from one side surface in the axial direction to the other side in the axial direction. The main body 97 having a C-shaped or C-shaped fitting portion 95 provided integrally with the contact plate 93, and the contact plate 93 so as to extend slightly longer from the outer periphery of the contact plate 93 to one side in the axial direction. And a narrow retaining confirmation arm 99 (confirming means) provided integrally with the fitting portion 95 so as to extend radially outward from the radially symmetric position of the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 95. A pair of rectangular guide plates 101, 101 provided, and a pair of abutments provided integrally with the fitting portion 95 so as to extend from one end in the axial direction of the fitting portion 95 to one side in the axial direction One piece or one The pushing piece 103 is composed of an opening 105 having a width slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe body 65 and a fitting provided inside the opening 105. The recessed portion 107 is formed, and the fitting recessed portion 107 is formed in an approximately three-quarter arc shape having a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pipe body 65. Each contact piece 103 is provided at the same circumferential position as the guide plate 101. The fitting portion 95 is formed in a cylindrical body having a circular arc shape having a width of about three-quarters and an opening 109 having a width equal to the opening 105 of the contact plate 93, and the fitting recess 107 of the contact plate 93. Is provided integrally on one side surface of the contact plate 93 in the axial direction. The fitting recess 107 of the abutment plate 93 and the inner surface of the fitting portion 95 form a continuous fitting inner surface without a step, but a position (a pair of guides) facing the opening 109 of the fitting portion 95. A thin slit 111 is formed over the entire length at the center position between the plates 101 and 101, and the fitting recess 107 of the contact plate 93 is continuous with the slit 111 at a position facing the opening 105, and A narrow groove 113 having the same width as the slit 111 and extending radially outward from the slit 111 is formed.
[0027]
Each guide plate 101 is formed to extend in the axial direction over the entire length of the fitting portion 95 and to extend radially outward to the outer edge position of the contact plate 93, and the other end in the axial direction is the contact plate. 93 is integrally connected to one side surface in the axial direction, and the connection portion between the one end in the axial direction and the outer end in the engaging direction is formed in a curved shape, a curved surface shape, or an inclined surface shape that bulges outward. Further, in each guide plate 101, the distance between the radially outer ends is slightly wider than the distance between the bottom surfaces of the pair of guide engagement recesses 55 formed on the inner surface of the retainer holding portion 25 of the connector housing 3. Further, the thickness of the guide engaging recess 55 is substantially the same as the width at the narrowest portion.
[0028]
On the outer periphery of the contact plate 93, a pair of notched recesses 115, 115 are formed at a position symmetrical to the opening 105 in the radial direction with the narrow groove 113 interposed therebetween. A retaining confirmation arm 99 is integrally provided at the radially outer end of the portion. That is, the retaining confirmation arm 99 is provided at a central position between the pair of guide plates 101 and 101. An engagement claw 117 (engagement portion) is provided on the radially inner side of one end portion in the axial direction of the retaining confirmation arm 99, and the axial length of the retaining confirmation arm 99, that is, the contact plate The axial distance from one axial side surface of 93 to the engaging surface 119 of the engaging claw 117 is substantially equal to the distance from the other axial end of the connector housing 3 to the other axial end of the engaging window 49. Is set to
[0029]
Each contact piece 103 has a retainer holding distance from the other end in the axial direction of the connector housing 3 such that the axial distance from one side surface in the axial direction of the contact plate 93 to one end in the axial direction of the contact piece 103. The axial distance from the step end face 45 of the portion 25 to the position slightly closer to the other side in the axial direction, that is, the engagement slit 79 of the retainer 3 from the other end in the axial direction of the connector housing 3 (when the pipe body 65 is snap-engaged) The engagement slit 79) is formed to be substantially equal to the axial distance to the position closer to the other side in the axial direction.
[0030]
In order to attach the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 to the connection body of the first quick connector 1 and the pipe body 65, first, the contact plate 93 and the fitting portion 95 are moved from the openings 105 and 109 to the first. The quick connector 1 is fitted on the outer periphery of the straight tubular insertion side portion 87 of the pipe body 65 extending outward in the axial direction (on the other side in the axial direction) with respect to the other axial end of the quick connector 1. Then, it is snapped into the fitting concave portion 107 and the fitting portion 95 of the contact plate 93, that is, in a state in which it is fitted by being prevented from coming off by the openings 105 and 109 (FIG. 8a). The width of the opening 105 of the contact plate 93 and the opening 109 of the fitting portion 95 is slightly narrower than the outer diameter of the pipe body 65, but the notch-shaped recess 115 formed in the contact plate 93. In addition, due to the slits 111 formed in the narrow groove 113 and the fitting portion 95, the contact plate 93 and the fitting portion 95 are deformed so as to easily open when fitting to the pipe body 65. When the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is fitted to the outer periphery of the insertion side portion 87 of the pipe body 65, the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is slid to the one side in the axial direction on the insertion side portion 87 of the pipe body 65. Then, the contact plate 93 is moved toward the quick connector 1 until one axial side surface of the contact plate 93 contacts the quick connector 1 or the other axial end of the connector housing 3 (FIG. 8b).
[0031]
With the movement of the first connector connection confirmation tool 91, the fitting portion 95 (also the contact piece 103) is housed or inserted into the retainer holding portion 25 of the connector housing 3. When the portion 95 is accommodated, the guide plate 101 is made to coincide with the guide engaging recess 55 formed on the inner surface of the retainer holding portion 25. Since the interval between the radially outer ends of the guide plate 101 is set to be slightly larger than the interval between the bottom surfaces of the guide engagement recesses 55, the guide plate 101 is fitted with the engagement recesses 107 of the contact plate 93. The inner peripheral surface of the portion 95 is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion end portion 87 of the pipe body 65, or is pressed slightly, so that the contact piece 103 is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion end portion 87 of the pipe body 65. In this way, it enters into the guide engagement recess 55 so as to be pressed to some extent, and advances in the guide engagement recess 55 to one side in the axial direction. Since the guide is formed at the connecting portion between the one axial end and the radially outer end of the guide plate 101, the guide plate 101 can be smoothly guided into the guide engaging recess 55. The contact piece 103 has a cross-sectional shape that is curved so as to swell radially outward with the same curvature as the pipe body 65. The configuration in which the pair of guide plates 101 are inserted into the guide engagement recesses 55 prevents the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 from being attached to the connector housing 3 in a state of being rotated 90 degrees.
[0032]
Then, one axial side surface of the contact plate 93 is brought into contact with the other axial end of the connector housing 3, and the engagement claw 117 (engagement surface 119 of the engagement claw 117) of the retaining confirmation arm 99 is engaged. The first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is completely attached by engaging with one end (engagement portion) in the axial direction of the window 49 to constitute a first connector connection confirmation structure. The first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is prevented from shifting to the other side in the axial direction with respect to the first quick connector 1 when the engagement claw 117 of the retaining confirmation arm 99 is engaged with the engagement window 49. In addition, the first quick connector 1 and the connecting body of the pipe body 65 are attached. When the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is attached to the connection body of the first quick connector 1 and the pipe body 65, the fitting portion 95 is a retainer holding portion on the other axial side than the main body portion 61 of the retainer 5. Each contact piece 103 is accommodated between the circumferential end portions 59 and 59 of the main body portion 61 and in the recessed inner surface 69 of the main body portion 61.
[0033]
One end in the axial direction of the contact piece 103 is between the circumferential end portions 59 and 59 of the main body 61 and at the position of the notch-shaped recess 71 (the position of the notch-shaped recess 71 in the circumferential direction) of the main body 61. The annular engagement protrusion 67 of the pipe body 65 is located slightly on the other side in the axial direction from the annular engagement protrusion 67 of the 65, and prevents the annular engagement protrusion 67 of the pipe body 65 from coming out from the engagement slit 79 of the retainer 5 to the other side in the axial direction. ing.
[0034]
When the half-engagement state in which the annular engagement protrusion 67 of the pipe body 65 is not snap-engaged with the engagement slit 79 of the retainer 5 occurs, as shown in FIG. Before the engaging claw 117 engages with the other axial end of the engaging window 49, the one axial end of the contact piece 103 is positioned on the other axial side with respect to the engaging slit 79. It abuts on the engaging protrusion 67. At this time, if the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is pushed strongly or relatively strongly to the one side in the axial direction, the annular engagement protrusion 67 moves to the one side in the axial direction and snaps into the engagement slit 79. As a result, the engagement claw 117 of the retaining confirmation arm 99 can be engaged with the other axial end of the engagement window 49. However, even if the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is strongly pushed to one side in the axial direction, the engagement claw 117 of the retaining confirmation arm 99 can be engaged with the other end in the axial direction of the engagement window 49. If it is not possible, the pipe body 65 is strongly pushed into the connector housing 3, and then the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is again pushed to one side in the axial direction. If the engagement claw 117 of the retaining confirmation arm 99 can be engaged with the other axial end of the engagement window 49, the pipe body 65 is normally connected to the connector housing 3.
[0035]
By the way, even when the pipe body 65 is normally connected, the abutting piece 103 is provided with a shaft so that the abutting piece 103 does not abut on the annular engagement protrusion 67 of the pipe body 65. One end in the direction is formed to be positioned slightly on the other side in the axial direction from the annular engagement protrusion 67 of the pipe body 65 engaged with the engagement slit 79 or the connection engagement portion or the engagement slit 79. ing. However, the contact piece 103 must also ensure that the annular engagement protrusion 67 is pushed into the engagement slit 79 when the pipe body 65 is in the half-fitted state. The outer peripheral end portion of the annular engagement protrusion 67 is usually formed in a semicircular or circular cross section, and is directed toward the engagement slit 79 while pushing the body portion 61 of the retainer 5 within the retainer holding portion 25. proceed. When the center in the thickness direction of the annular engagement protrusion 67 exceeds the other end in the axial direction of the engagement slit 79, a gap is formed between the engagement claw portion 57 of the retainer 5 and the engagement window 49. Therefore, the main body 61 of the retainer 5 is reduced in diameter while being slightly shifted to the other side in the axial direction due to the elastic restoring force, and as a result, the annular engagement protrusion 67 is fitted into the engagement slit 79. Accordingly, the axial distance between the one axial end of the contact piece 103 and the annular engagement protrusion 67 of the pipe body 65 engaged with the engagement slit 79 or the connection engagement portion or the engagement slit 79. Is set to be equal to or less than half of the thickness of the annular engagement protrusion 67, the annular engagement protrusion 67 of the pipe body 65 can be smoothly snap-engaged into the engagement slit 79.
[0036]
Here, when the pipe body 65 is fixed and the first quick connector 1 is fitted to the fixed pipe body 65, that is, the fixed pipe body 65 is relative to the first quick connector 1. For example, the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 can be mounted or attached as follows. That is, the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is fitted to the outer periphery of the insertion side portion 87 of the pipe body 65, and the one axial end portion of the contact piece 103 is slightly opened from the other axial end opening 85 of the connector housing 3. The first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is slid on the insertion side portion 87 of the pipe body 65 to one side in the axial direction until it enters the retainer holding portion 25 of the connector housing 3. The first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is pulled toward the first quick connector 1 side, or the contact plate 93 and the first quick connector 1 are brought close to each other, and the retaining confirmation arm 99 engaging claws 117 are engaged with the other axial end of the engaging window 49. When the pipe body 65 and the first quick connector 1 are in the half-fitted state, the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 is pulled toward the first quick connector 1 or the contact plate 93 and the first quick connector 1 are pulled. When approaching the quick connector 1, the annular engagement protrusion 67 of the pipe body 65 relatively moves in the retainer 5 to one side in the axial direction and snaps into the engagement slit 79. .
[0037]
The first connector connection confirmation tool 91 can be removed by releasing the engagement between the engagement claw 117 of the retention confirmation arm 99 and the engagement window 49 and withdrawing it from the retainer holding portion 25 of the connector housing 3. And it can attach to the connection body of the 1st quick connector 1 and the pipe body 65 again.
[0038]
As shown in phantom lines in FIG. 8, one end of the connecting band 121 is fitted to the outer periphery of the retainer holding portion 25, and the other end is fitted to the retaining confirmation arm 99, so that the first quick connector 1 and the first connector connection confirmation tool 91 may always be maintained in a combined state. The coupling band 121 is fitted or attached to the outer periphery of the retainer holding portion 25 by, for example, forming an uneven portion (for example, a protruding shape 123) formed for the purpose of adding another function to the retainer holding portion 25 or the like. It can be done using it.
[0039]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second quick connector used in the second connector connection confirmation structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second connector connection confirmation tool used in the second connector connection confirmation structure. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the second connector connection confirmation structure, and FIG. 15 illustrates a mounting state of the second connector connection confirmation tool when the second quick connector and the pipe body 65 are in a half-fitted state. FIG.
[0040]
For example, the second quick connector 125 made of resin is obtained by changing the structure of the connector housing 3 of the first quick connector 1, and parts having the same structure and function are generally denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted. On the outer peripheral surface of the retainer holding portion 25 of the connector housing 127, engagement protrusions 129 and 129 (locking portions) are integrally provided between the one end in the axial direction and the engagement window 49, respectively. The engagement protrusion 129 includes an inclined outer surface 131 that extends from the one end in the axial direction of the engagement window 49 so as to incline radially outward from the one end in the axial direction, and a shaft from the one end in the axial direction of the inclined outer surface 131. And a sliding outer surface 133 that extends short toward the one side in the direction, and an engagement outer surface formed from the sliding outer surface 133, extending radially inward from one axial end of the sliding outer surface 133, and one axial direction of the retainer holding portion 25. An engagement outer surface 137 connected to the side outer end surface 135 is provided. The engagement outer surface 137 is formed on the same plane as the one axial outer end surface 135 of the retainer holding portion 25. In addition, the radially outer surface of the engagement protrusion 129 is formed in an arc shape in which a cross section perpendicular to the axis swells outward in the radial direction.
[0041]
The second connector connection confirmation tool 139 is obtained by changing the structure of the retaining confirmation arm 99 of the first connector connection confirmation tool 91. In the second connector connection confirming tool 139, the retaining confirmation arm 141 (confirming means) extends from the outer periphery of the contact plate 93 to one side in the axial direction, and penetrates radially in the axial center. 143 (engagement portion). The axial distance from the one axial side surface of the contact plate 93 to the one axial end of the engagement hole 143 is the axial direction from the other axial end of the connector housing 127 to the engagement outer surface 137 of the engagement protrusion 129. It is set to be approximately equal to the distance. Further, the radially inner surface of the retaining confirmation arm 141 is formed in an arc shape in which the cross section perpendicular to the axis is recessed radially outward corresponding to the radially outer surface of the engagement protrusion 129 and the outer peripheral surface of the retainer holding portion 25. ing. The other structure of the retaining confirmation arm 141 is almost the same as the structure of the retaining confirmation arm 99.
[0042]
In order to construct the second connector connection confirmation structure by attaching the second connector connection confirmation tool 139 to the connection body of the second quick connector 125 and the pipe body 65, the same as the first connector connection confirmation tool 91. The contact plate 93 and the fitting portion 95 are fitted on the outer periphery of the straight tubular insertion side portion 87 of the pipe body 65, and the second connector connection confirmation tool 139 is axially moved on the insertion side portion 87 of the pipe body 65. Slide to one side and move until one axial side surface of the contact plate 93 contacts the other end of the quick connector 125 or the connector housing 127 in the axial direction. 129 is engaged. In the process of attaching the second connector connection confirmation tool 139, the axially one side end of the retaining confirmation arm 141 is engaged with the engagement protrusion 129 as the second connector connection confirmation tool 139 moves to the one side in the axial direction. Abutting on the inclined outer surface 131. Further, when the second connector connection confirmation tool 139 moves to the one side in the axial direction, the one end in the axial direction of the retaining confirmation arm 141 is guided by the inclined outer surface 131, and the inner surface in the radial direction is the slide outer surface 133 (the slide outer surface 133. The other end in the axial direction). Then, until the attachment of the second connector connection confirmation tool 139 is completed, the retaining confirmation arm 141 slides on the slide outer surface 133 (the other end in the axial direction of the slide outer surface 133). Since one end in the axial direction extends long beyond the engagement protrusion 129, the retaining confirmation arm 141 is moved so as to lift the one end in the axial direction outward in the radial direction, and the engagement hole 143 and the engagement protrusion The engagement with 129 can be easily released.
[0043]
When there is a half-fitted state in which the annular engagement projection 67 of the pipe body 65 is not snap-engaged with the engagement slit 79 of the retainer 5, the pipe 65 is engaged with the engagement hole 143 of the retaining confirmation arm 141. Before the protrusion 129 is engaged, as shown in FIG. 15, the one end in the axial direction of the contact piece 103 is formed on the annular engagement protrusion 67 positioned on the other side in the axial direction from the engagement slit 79. Abut. At this time, if the second connector connection confirmation tool 139 is pushed strongly or relatively strongly to the one side in the axial direction, the annular engagement protrusion 67 moves to the one side in the axial direction and snap-engages with the engagement slit 79. As a result, the engagement hole 143 of the retaining confirmation arm 141 can be engaged with the engagement protrusion 129. However, if the engagement hole 143 of the retaining confirmation arm 141 cannot be engaged with the engagement protrusion 129 even if the second connector connection confirmation tool 139 is strongly pushed to one side in the axial direction, After the pipe body 65 is strongly pushed into the connector housing 3, the second connector connection confirmation tool 139 is again pushed to one side in the axial direction. If the engagement hole 143 of the retaining confirmation arm 141 can be engaged with the engagement protrusion 129, the pipe body 65 is normally connected to the connector housing 3.
[0044]
The second connector connection confirmation tool 139 can be attached to the fixed pipe body 65 and the second quick connector 125 coupling body in the same manner as the first connector connection confirmation tool 91, and The first connector connection confirmation tool 91 has the same retaining function as the pipe body 65.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, when the connector connection confirmation tool or the connector connection confirmation structure of the present invention is used, the connection state between the connector and the pipe body can be confirmed, and the connector and the pipe body are in a half-fitted state. Normal connection work is facilitated, and an excellent retaining function for the pipe body can be configured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first quick connector and a pipe body used in a first connector connection confirmation structure according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first quick connector.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a retainer used for the first quick connector.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a first quick connector and a pipe body are connected.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the retainer holding part side of the first quick connector.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first connector connection confirmation tool used in the first connector connection confirmation structure;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the first connector connection confirmation tool.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a case where the first connector connection confirmation tool is attached to the first quick connector and the coupling body of the pipe body.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a first connector connection confirmation structure.
FIG. 10 is another cross-sectional view of the first connector connection confirmation structure.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an attachment state of the first connector connection confirmation tool when the first quick connector and the pipe body are in a half-fitted state.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second quick connector used in the second connector connection confirmation structure according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second connector connection confirmation tool used in the second connector connection confirmation structure.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a second connector connection confirmation structure.
FIG. 15 is a view for explaining an attachment state of the second connector connection confirmation tool when the second quick connector and the pipe body are in a half-fitted state.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 125 Quick connector
5 Retainer (Retainer means)
9 Resin tube connection
49 Engagement window (locking part)
59 Circumferential ends (non-engagement points)
65 Pipe body
67 Annular engagement protrusion
79 Engagement slit (connection engagement part)
85 Axial other side end opening
89 Insertion end
91,139 Connector confirmation tool
97 Body
99, 141 Detachment confirmation arm (confirmation means)
103 Contact piece
117 engagement claw (engagement part)
129 Engagement protrusion (locking part)
143 engagement hole (engagement part)

Claims

A tubular connector having a tube connecting portion formed on one side in the axial direction and a retainer means on the other side in the axial direction; and an insertion end portion formed with an annular engaging protrusion on the outer peripheral surface. The insertion end portion extends from the opening on the other side end in the axial direction so that the protrusion has a non-engaging portion at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction and is snap-engaged with a connection engagement portion formed on the retainer means. A connector connection confirmation tool for confirming the connection between the pipe body inserted in the pipe body,
A main body mounted on the other axial side of the connector; an abutting piece extending from the main body to the first axial direction; and a confirmation means provided on the main body having an engaging portion. ,
In the main body, the abutment piece is inserted into the connector from the opening on the other side end in the axial direction, and the engagement portion of the confirmation means is formed at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the connector. Is mounted on the other axial side of the connector so as to engage with the other axial direction,
When the engagement portion of the confirmation means is engaged with the locking portion of the connector, the one end in the axial direction is the connection engagement at the non-engagement portion of the retainer means. Formed to extend to an axial position substantially equal to the portion,
When the contact piece comes into contact with the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body in an unengaged state with the connection engagement part of the retainer means, the confirmation part is Is provided so as to be positioned on the other side in the axial direction than the locking portion of
When the abutment piece further abuts on the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body that is not engaged with the connection engagement portion of the retainer means, the annular engagement protrusion is brought into contact with the retainer means. It is configured to move to one side in the axial direction and engage with the connection engagement portion ,
When the main body is attached to the connector, the main body comes into contact with the other end in the axial direction of the connector, the contact plate on which the confirmation means is formed, and one axial direction from the contact plate. A cylindrical fitting portion extending to the side, and the contact plate has an arcuate fitting concave portion having an opening having a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pipe body and a width narrower than the outer diameter of the pipe body. The fitting portion is formed in a C-shape having an inner surface along the fitting concave portion, and the fitting concave portion and the inner side of the fitting portion are snapped to the pipe body. And is configured to be prevented from being detached from the pipe body by the fitting recess and the opening inside the fitting portion.
The connector connection confirmation tool, wherein the contact piece extends from the fitting portion to one side in the axial direction .

In the fitting portion, a slit is formed over the entire length at a position facing the opening, and in the fitting concave portion of the contact plate, a narrow groove continuous with the slit is formed at a position where the opening plate is in contact with the opening. , connector connection check tool according to claim 1, wherein a.

The connection engagement portion of the retainer means is an engagement slit extending in the circumferential direction formed so that the annular engagement protrusion of the pipe body is fitted, and the annular engagement protrusion is an outer peripheral end. The section is formed in a semicircular or arcuate cross section, and is formed so as to advance toward the engagement slit while expanding the retainer means when the pipe body is inserted into the connector,
The abutment piece has the annular engagement in which one end in the axial direction is engaged with the engagement slit when the engagement portion of the confirmation means is engaged with the engagement portion of the connector. The connector connection confirmation tool according to claim 1, wherein the connector connection confirmation tool is positioned on the other side in the axial direction from the protrusion with an interval equal to or less than half the thickness of the annular engagement protrusion.

The retainer means is held by the connector by engaging an engagement window formed in the connector,
4. The connector connection confirmation tool according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is the other end in the axial direction of the engagement window. 5.