Pipe connecting apparatus

A pipe connecting apparatus includes: a connector including a large diameter part having a hollow, into which a pipe is inserted, therein and in which at least any one of opposite ends of the hollow has a larger inner diameter such that an accommodation space is formed inside the one end of the hollow, and a pressing part continuously formed along a lengthwise direction of the large diameter part in a direction in which the pipe is inserted, having a smaller diameter than the large diameter part, and formed to surround an outer peripheral surface of the pipe; a ring-shaped sealing member provided in the accommodation space and surrounding the pipe on the outside of the pipe; and a grip member provided in the accommodation space to be adjacent to the sealing member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pipe connecting apparatus, and more particularly to a pipe connecting apparatus that improves sealing efficiency by using a grip member having a pair of bosses.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, pipe connecting devices for connecting various types of pipes that are installed in construction fields are used.

A pipe connecting apparatus used conventionally includes a connector that surrounds a connecting portion of a pipe, a grip member that is accommodated in the interior of the connector to grip the pipe, and a sealing member that maintains a sealing state of the pipe and the connector.

Further, the grip member and the sealing member are fixed to the interior of the connector while surrounding an outer peripheral surface of the pipe.

Then, in a generally used method, a large diameter part having a relatively large diameter is provided in a connector, and the large diameter part is pressed in a state in which the pipe is inserted into the large diameter part after the sealing member and the grip member are accommodated in the interior of the large diameter part.

In this way, if the large diameter part is pressed, the sealing member and the grip member are adhered to an outer peripheral surface of the pipe while being pressed, and a portion of the grip member penetrates into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe.

Further, the pressed large diameter part is pressed to surround the grip member and the sealing member together with the outer surface of the pipe so that the the grip member and the sealing member are fixed so as not to deviate.

However, in this method, because an additional force is not provided to opposite sides of the large diameter part when the large diameter part is pressed, the large diameter may come over or may be deformed unintentionally.

Further, when the external force is removed in a state in which the large diameter part comes over or is deformed unintentionally, the connector is not plastically deformed completely by a spring back phenomenon.

That is, the connector cannot stably accommodate and fix the grip member and the sealing member because only the large diameter part is pressed.

Accordingly, a method for solving the problems is required.

PRIOR TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2010-0073424

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a pipe connecting apparatus that prevents a damage to a pipe due to a grip member and achieves a more effective index.

The present invention also provides a pipe connecting apparatus that may stably fix a pipe even when a grip member is deformed by providing a separate pressing part to a connector.

The effects of the present invention are not limited thereto, and other unmentioned effects of the present invention may be clearly appreciated by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

Technical Solution

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pipe connecting apparatus comprising: a connector including a large diameter part having a hollow, into which a pipe is inserted, therein and in which at least any one of opposite ends of the hollow has a larger inner diameter such that an accommodation space is formed inside the one end of the hollow, and a pressing part continuously formed along a lengthwise direction of the large diameter part in a direction in which the pipe is inserted, having a smaller diameter than the large diameter part, and formed to surround an outer peripheral surface of the pipe; a ring-shaped sealing member provided in the accommodation space and surrounding the pipe on the outside of the pipe; and a grip member provided in the accommodation space to be adjacent to the sealing member, wherein at least a portion of the grip member presses an outer peripheral surface of the pipe in a condition in which an outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part is pressed.

The connector may be formed such that the diameter of the connector decreases in a direction from the large diameter part to the pressing part.

The pressing part may be formed as one end of the connector is pressed when the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part is pressed.

The pressing part and a part of the connector, which faces the pressing part with respect to the large diameter part, may be pressed at the same time when the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part is pressed.

The grip member may include: a body formed to contact the large diameter part along an inner peripheral surface of the large diameter part; and a plurality of bosses protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the body and formed to be deformed as an outer peripheral surface of the pipe inserted into the hollow is pressed by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part.

A pair of bosses may be spaced apart from each other on the body to be cut away to be adjacent to each other, and the cut parts may be pressed to protrude on an inner peripheral surface of the body.

The bosses may be formed such that protruding ends thereof are curved.

The body and the boss may be formed of the same material, and the density of the body may be lower than the density of the bosses.

The body may be formed of a material, the bending strength of which is lower than that of the bosses.

The thickness of a peripheral part of a section of the sealing member may be larger than the thickness of a central part thereof.

A plurality of sealing member each having a ring shape may be provided in the interior of the accommodation space.

At least any one of the plurality of sealing members may have a protrusion protruding while having an inclination in a direction in which the protrusion contacts an outer peripheral surface of the pipe.

The pipe connecting apparatus may further comprise a partitioning member provided between the sealing member and the grip member and configured to space the sealing member and the grip member apart from each other.

The partitioning member may have a rectangular section.

The height of the partitioning member may be lower than the height of the accommodation space.

Advantageous Effects

The pipe connecting apparatus of the present invention for solving the above problems has the following effects.

First, a large diameter may be prevented from coming over when the large diameter is pressed and a pipe may be stably fixe through a pressing part, by forming the pressing part by opposite sides of the large diameter part as well as the large diameter part in a state in which a pipe is inserted into the interior of the connector.

Second, an end of a boss formed in a grip member may be prevented from penetrating into a pipe so that the pipe may be prevented from being damaged, by curving the end of the boss such that the boss is recessed or deformed in a wide area when an outer peripheral surface of the pipe is pressed.

The aspect of the present invention is not limited thereto, and other unmentioned aspects of the present invention may be clearly appreciated by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention for realizing the objects in detail will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In a description of the embodiments of the present invention, the same titles and reference numerals are used for the same configurations and an additional description thereof will be omitted.

First, a pipe connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described briefly with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of a pipe connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a pipe is inserted into the pipe connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a sectional view illustrating the structure of the pipe connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4is a sectional view illustrating an appearance of an accommodation space in the pipe connecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention in more detail.FIG. 5is a view illustrating a configuration of a grip member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, the pipe (P) connecting apparatus of the present invention includes a connector100, a sealing member200, and a grip member300.

The connector100includes a large diameter part100having a hollow, into which a pipe P is inserted, therein and in which at least any one of opposite ends of the hollow has a larger inner diameter such that an accommodation space112is formed inside the one end of the hollow.

In the embodiment, large diameter parts110are formed at opposite ends of the connector100such that a sealing member200and a grip member300are provided in the accommodation space112formed inside the large diameter part110. However, it is apparent that the large diameter part110may be formed only at any one end of the connector100unlike the embodiment.

Further, in the embodiment, includes a pressing part140formed at a lengthwise end of the connector100together with the above-mentioned large diameter part110to prevent deviation of the sealing member200and the grip member300in the interior of the accommodation space112and surround an outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.

The pressing part140is bent at an end of the large diameter part110such that a diameter of the pressing part140decreases with a section that is inclined downwards.

In detail, the pressing part140is continuously formed along a lengthwise direction of the large diameter part110in a direction in which the pipe P is inserted, and is formed to contact the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P while having a smaller diameter than the large diameter110.

In this way, as the pressing part140is formed while being continuously bent from the large diameter part110, the sealing member200and the grip member300in the accommodation space112is prevented from deviating to the outside and is formed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.

Further, a stopper part120protruding inwards is formed at a middle part of the connector100. The stopper part120restricts a maximum insertion location of the pipe P by bringing an end of the pipe P into contact with the stopper part120when the pipe P is inserted into the connector100.

On the other hand, the connector100has a tapered part130that is continuously formed such that a diameter of the tapered part130gradually decreases in a direction from the large diameter110to the pressing part140.

In detail, the tapered part130is formed such that the diameter of the tapered part130decreases toward the pressing part140while being continuous between the large diameter part110and the pressing part140.

That is, the tapered part130has a margin on a lower side of a part that is adjacent to the large diameter part110.

Accordingly, the tapered part130functions as an absorber such that the connector100is smoothly contracted without being distorted to an arbitrary shape when the large diameter part110is pressed while the sealing member200and the grip member300is inserted into the accommodation part112.

Meanwhile, the sealing member200is a component provided in the accommodation space112and has a ring shape.

In detail, the sealing member200is provided in the interior of the accommodation space112and if formed of a flexible material, and is formed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P to interrupts flows of a fluid along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P in the interior of the connector100.

Then, the sealing member200is formed of a soft material, but may be hardened over time, and in this case, a side surface of the sealing member200may have a mark that is pressed to corresponding to a shape of the side surface of the grip member300while the sealing member200is hardened.

In the embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the thickness of a peripheral part of a section of the sealing member200is larger than the thickness of a central part thereof, and accordingly, the sealing member200is configured to interrupt flows of the fluid stably even if the sealing member200is deformed by an external force.

Then, the sealing member200is formed to have one ring shape, but may a plurality of sealing members200each having a ring shape and various forms of sections may be provided.

In this way, by providing the sealing member200, the large diameter part110and the pipe P are adhered to each other to maintain a sealing state when the large diameter part110is pressed.

Meanwhile, the grip member300is a component that is provided in the accommodation space112to be adjacent to the sealing member200.

In detail, the grip member300includes a body310and a pair of bosses320. In detail, the body310is formed to contact the large diameter part110along an inner peripheral surface of the large part110.

Further, a plurality of bosses320are provided to protrude from an inner peripheral surface of the body310, and is formed to be deformed by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P inserted into the hollow as the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part110is pressed.

Then, as illustrated in the embodiment, a pair of bosses320are formed on the body310to cut away to be spaced apart from each other and the cut part is pressed and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the body310.

Here, a protruding end of the boss320is formed to have a curved shape, and when the grip member300presses the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P, a portion of the protruding end of the boss320is deformed together with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P to fix the pipe P.

In the embodiment, the pipe P may be formed of a copper material, and the grip member300is formed of a material, the strength of which is higher than that of the pipe P.

Then, if the end of the boss320is formed sharply, a portion of the boss320penetrates into the interior of the pipe P, causing damage to the pipe P, when the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P is pressed.

However, as in the present invention, by curving an end of the boss320, the boss23120may be prevented from being damaged as the penetration of the boss320into the pipe P is minimized.

Accordingly, the grip member300may prevent the pipe P from deviating from the connector110.

Meanwhile, in order to do this, the grip member300is formed such that the bending strength of the body310is lower than that of the boss320in a condition in which an outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part110is pressed.

That is, when the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part110is pressed, the body310is deformed first, and accordingly, the boss320penetrates into the pipe P while pressing the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P or is deformed so that it may be fixed to the pipe P stably.

Meanwhile, the bending strength of the body310may be made to be lower than that of the boss320in the grip member300through various methods.

For example, the bending strength of the body310may be made to be lower, by forming the body310and the boss320of the same material and making the density of the body310lower than the density of the boss320.

Further, even when the body310is formed of a material, the bending strength of which is lower than the bending strength of the boss320, the same effect may be obtained.

In this way, by forming the grip member300, the boss3290is prevented from penetrating into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P but is deformed together with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P so that the grip member300may be fixed to the pipe P stably when the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P is pressed.

Additionally, the body320according to the present invention is formed such that a peripheral part thereof is bent toward an outside of a circumference thereof separately from the boss320.

That is, a central part of the body310protrudes concentrically.

Accordingly, when the grip member300is pressed together with the large diameter part110to press the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P, a force is concentrated at a central part of the grip member300so that the boss320may press the pipe P stably.

Meanwhile, the pipe (P) connecting apparatus according to the present invention may further include a separate partitioning member500, in addition to the connector100, the sealing member200, and the grip member300, which have been mentioned above.

In detail, the partitioning member500is provided between the sealing member200and the grip member300to space the sealing member200and the grip member300apart from each other.

In detail, the partitioning member500spaces the sealing member200and the grip member300apart from each other to prevent the sealing member200from being worn and damaged by the grip member300, and accordingly, the durability of the apparatus may be improved.

In particular, in the embodiment, the partitioning member500may have a rectangular section, and in this case, the partitioning member500may be conveniently manufactured and costs may be lowered due to the simple shape.

With this, the height of the partitioning member500may be smaller than the height of the accommodation space112of the connector100. It is because generation of friction between an upper end and a lower end of the partitioning member500and the inner surfaces of the connector100and the pipe P may be prevented when the partitioning member500is pushed axially as the grip member300is deformed.

The pipe (P) connecting apparatus according to the present invention is configured in this way, and the connector100and the pipe (P) may be stably fixed and a sealing state may be maintained by inserting the pipe (P) into the interior of the connector100and pressing the large diameter part110and the pressing part140with an external force while the sealing member200surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P in the interior of the accommodation space112.

Subsequently, a process of fixing the pipe P to the connector100while the pipe P is inserted in the pipe (P) connecting apparatus will be described below with reference toFIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 6is a view illustrating a state in which a pipe P is inserted into the pipe (P) connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 7is a view illustrating a state in which the pressing part140is formed while the connector100is pressed in the pipe (P) connecting apparatus ofFIG. 6.FIG. 8is a view illustrating a state in which the grip member300presses the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P while the connector300is pressed in the pipe (P) connecting apparatus ofFIG. 7.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an initial state is a state in which the tapered part130and the pressing part140are not formed in the connector100.

In this case, the pipe P is inserted into the interior of the connector100, and the sealing member200, the partitioning member500, and the grip member300are inserted into the accommodation space112in the sequence and surround the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.

Then, the sealing member200and the grip member300just surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P but does not press the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.

Here, when the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part110is pressed, the connector100forms the pressing part140and the tapered part130by pressing an end of the pipe P, which is inserted, together.

Together this, an opposite side of the pipe P, which faces the pressing part140with respect to the large diameter part110, is also pressed.

That is, when the grip member300presses the pipe P by pressing the connector100, a three-point pressing scheme of pressing opposite sides of the large diameter part110as well as the large diameter part110is used for the pressing.

In this way, the grip member300is also pressed through the pressing of the large diameter part110and is deformed and fixed while pressing the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P. Further, opposite parts of the large diameter part110are prevented from being widened when the large diameter part110is pressed by pressing the opposite sides of the large diameter part110so that the connector110may be plastically deformed stably.

In addition, by pressing the large diameter part110and forming the tapered part130and the pressing part140, a space may be formed such that the grip member300is deformed and the pressing part140may press the pipe P while secondarily surrounding the pipe P.

Accordingly, the tapered part130and the pressing part140are formed by pressing the opposite sides of the large diameter part110together so that the pipe P may be stably fixed by preventing the grip member300and the sealing member200in the interior of the accommodation space112from deviating and from coming over or being widened when the connector100is plastically deformed at the same time.

In this way, the three points are pressed with respect to the large diameter part110when the connector100is pressed, the connector100is plastically deformed stably, and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P is deformed together as the grip member300is pressed.

Further, in this way, as the connector100is plastically deformed, a spring back phenomenon is not generated and the fastening state may be maintained even when the external force applied to the connector100is removed.

Meanwhile, referring toFIG. 8, the grip member300presses the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P through the pressing of the large diameter part110, and in this case, a portion of the outer peripheral surface P is recessed by the boss320so that the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P is deformed.

Then, because an end of the boss320is curved, the boss320does not penetrate into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P sharply but is recessed or deformed in a curved state.

Although it is illustrated in the embodiment that the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P is recessed by the boss320, both the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P and the boss320may be deformed in an irregular form during the pressing of the boss320, and accordingly, the grip member300and the pipe P are fixed.

Subsequently, a deformed form of the sealing member200in the pipe (P) connecting apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 9.

FIG. 9is a view illustrating an embodiment in which the sealing member200is deformed in the pipe (P) connecting apparatus ofFIG. 1.

Although the basic configuration is similar to the above-mentioned embodiment with reference to the illustrated drawings, a plurality of sealing members200each having a ring shape are continuously disposed in the accommodation space112.

Then, at least any one of the plurality of sealing members200protrudes while having an inclination in a direction in which the sealing member200contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.

In the embodiment, a pair of sealing members200are provided, and a protrusion210is formed in one sealing member200, which is located inside the accommodation space112.

In a description of the function of the protrusion210, the sealing member200is formed of a soft material, but may be hardened over time. Further, when there is not protrusion210in the sealing member200in a situation in which the sealing member200is hardened, the sealing state of the pipe P may become inferior while the sealing member200is hardened.

However, by forming the protrusion210in the sealing member200, the protrusion210may increase an area of the sealing member200, which contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P, maintaining the sealing state more stably.

Subsequently, a deformed form of the grip member according to the present invention will be described below with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10is a view illustrating an embodiment in which the grip member300is deformed in the pipe (P) connecting apparatus ofFIG. 1.FIG. 11is a view illustrating a form in which the grip member300ofFIG. 10is deformed while pressing the pipe P.

With reference to the illustrated drawings, the basic configuration of the grip member300includes a body310and a boss320as mentioned above.

However, a peripheral part of the body310is bent in a concentric direction, and the diameter of the central part of the body310becomes relatively large.

In detail, referring toFIG. 11, the grip member300is disposed to be adjacent to the above-mentioned partitioning member500in the accommodation space112and is pressed together with the large diameter part110to press the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P.

Further, as an external force is applied to the grip member300, the body310is bent first, and the boss320is deformed while pressing the pipe P at the same time.

Then, when a periphery of the grip member300is not bent in a concentric direction, a periphery of the body310penetrates into a space between the partitioning member500and the large diameter part110, causing a damage.

However, as in the embodiment, when the periphery of the grip member300is bent to be inclined downward in a concentric direction, the periphery of the grip member300is supported while contacting the partitioning member500even if the body310is deformed by a pressure, preventing a damage to the large diameter part110.

Until now, the embodiments of the present invention have been discussed, and it is noted by an ordinary person in the art to which the present invention pertains that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the purpose or categories of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiments are not restrictive but exemplary, and accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above description but may be modified within the categories of the claims and the equivalent ranges thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

110: Large diameter part

120: Stopper part

130: Tapered part

140: Pressing part

200: Sealing member

300: Grip member

500: Partitioning member