Tube connecting structure

• US 6,837,525 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2003
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries Limited
• Inventors: Miyajima, Atsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUNWOODY, AARON M
• Application Number:
  US10/418,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20030197374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 285/319, 285/233, 285/305, 285/307, 285/308, 285/313, 285/334.5, 285/331, 285/903, 285/921
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/098 by means of flexible hooks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/903 Corrugated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

A tube connecting structure is formed with first and second cylindrical sections. The first cylindrical section includes: a joining cylinder with engagement holes disposed at a first end; a ring-shaped flange projecting radially inward from a second end; an inner cylinder extending co-axially toward the first end; and an inner cylindrical member separated axially from the inner cylinder. An O-ring is disposed co-axially between the inner cylinder and inner cylindrical member. Large and small diameter sections of the joining member align with a large-diameter section and small-diameter cylindrical section of the first tube, respectively, and are fitted into the space between the joining cylinder and the inner cylinder and inner cylindrical member. A second tube supported within the second cylindrical section is prevented from slipping out. The O-ring provides a fluid-tight seal between the first and second tubes.

Claims

1. A tube connecting structure having an integrally formed cylindrical connecting member comprising:

a first cylindrical section disposed at a first axial end;

wherein said first cylindrical section comprises;

a joining cylinder having a first end and a second end;

said joining cylinder formed with engagement holes at a first end at a plurality of perimeter positions;

a ring-shaped flange projected radially inward from said second end of said joining cylinder;

an inner cylinder extending within said joining cylinder co-axially from said ring-shaped flange toward said first end of said joining cylinder and separated by a predetermined distance from said first end of said joining cylinder;

an inner cylindrical member having a diameter identical to that of said inner cylinder and extending co-axially within said joining cylinder at a predetermined distance from a first end of said inner cylinder, one end being projected outward from said first end of said joining cylinder; and

an elastic ring-shaped sealing member disposed co-axially between said inner cylinder and said inner cylindrical member;

a second cylindrical section co-axially disposed at a second axial end;

a first tube being connected to said first cylindrical section;

wherein said first tube comprises;

a large-diameter end spanning axially from one end to a predetermined distance;

said large-diameter end having an inner diameter roughly identical to an outer diameter of said inner cylinder and said inner cylindrical member; and

a small-diameter cylindrical section adjacent to said large-diameter end;

said small-diameter cylindrical section having a diameter smaller than that of said large-diameter end;

a second tube being connected to said second cylindrical section;

said second tube comprising an insertion end extending in a straight manner and being formed with a ring-shaped projection projecting radially outward at a predetermined distance from an end;

said second tube being inserted into said second cylindrical section so that said ring-shaped projection engages with an engaging means formed integrally or separately from said second cylindrical section; and

an end of said insertion end extending to said inner cylindrical member in said first cylindrical section;

a joining member formed as a cylindrical shape from a pair of half-cylindrical members;

each said half-cylindrical member having a second axial end formed as a large-diameter section and a first axial end formed as a small-diameter section;

engagement pieces being formed on said large-diameter section at positions aligned with said engagement holes on said joining cylinder;

said engagement pieces being projected radially outward and being elastically deformable in a radial direction;

said joining member supporting said first tube by placing said large-diameter end at said large-diameter section and placing said small-diameter section at said small-diameter cylindrical section;

said joining member being inserted and integrally fitted with said first tube into a space formed between said joining cylindrical structure, said inner cylinder and said inner cylindrical member; and

said engagement pieces of said large-diameter section engaging with said engagement holes so that said first tube is connected with said first cylindrical section; and

said elastic ring-shaped sealing member forming a fluid-tight seal between an inner perimeter surface of said large-diameter end of said first tube and an outer perimeter surface of an insertion end of said second tube.

6. A tube connecting structure according to claim 1 wherein said first tube is formed from resin or metal.

7. A tube connecting structure according to claim 1 wherein said second tube is formed from resin or metal.

2. A tube connecting structure having an integrally formed cylindrical connecting member comprising:

a first cylindrical section disposed at a first axial end;

a second cylindrical section disposed at a second axial end;

a first tube being connected to said first cylindrical section;

said first tube having a large-diameter end and a small-diameter cylindrical section;

a second tube being connected to said second cylindrical section;

said second tube having an insertion end;

a joining member formed as a cylindrical shape from a pair of half-cylindrical members; and

an elastic ring-shaped sealing member forming a fluid-tight seal between an inner perimeter surface of said large-diameter end of said first tube and an outer perimeter surface of an insertion end of said second tube;

wherein said first cylindrical section further comprises;

a joining cylinder having a first end and a second end;

said joining cylinder formed with engagement holes at a first end at a plurality of perimeter positions;

a ring-shaped flange projected radially inward from said second end of said joining cylinder;

an inner cylinder extending within said joining cylinder co-axially from said ring-shaped flange toward said first end of said joining cylinder and separated by a predetermined axial distance from said first end of said joining cylinder;

an inner cylindrical member having a diameter identical to that of said inner cylinder and extending co-axially within said joining cylinder at a predetermined distance from a first end of said inner cylinder, one end of said inner cylindrical member being projected outward from said first end of said joining cylinder; and

an elastic ring-shaped sealing member disposed co-axially between said inner cylinder and said inner cylindrical member.

3. A tube connecting structure having an integrally formed cylindrical connecting member comprising:

a first cylindrical section disposed at a first axial end;

a second cylindrical section disposed at a second axial end;

a first tube being connected to said first cylindrical section;

said first tube having a large-diameter end and a small-diameter cylindrical section;

a second tube being connected to said second cylindrical section;

said second tube having an insertion end;

a joining member formed as a cylindrical shape from a pair of half-cylindrical members; and

an elastic ring-shaped sealing member forming a fluid-tight seal between an inner perimeter surface of said large-diameter end of said first tube and an outer perimeter surface of an insertion end of said second tube;

wherein said first tube further comprises;

a large-diameter end;

said large-diameter end having an inner diameter roughly identical to an outer diameter of each of said inner cylinder and said inner cylindrical member;

a small-diameter cylindrical section adjacent to said large-diameter end; and

said small-diameter cylindrical section having a diameter smaller than that of said large-diameter end.

4. A tube connecting structure having an integrally formed cylindrical connecting member comprising:

a first cylindrical section disposed at a first axial end;

a second cylindrical section disposed at a second axial end;

a first tube being connected to said first cylindrical section;

said first tube having a large-diameter end and a small-diameter cylindrical section;

a second tube being connected to said second cylindrical section;

said second tube having an insertion end;

a joining member formed as a cylindrical shape from a pair of half-cylindrical members; and

an elastic ring-shaped sealing member forming a fluid-tight seal between an inner perimeter surface of said large-diameter end of said first tube and an outer perimeter surface of an insertion end of said second tube;

wherein said second tube further comprises;

an insertion end extending in a straight manner and being formed with a ring-shaped projection projecting radially outward at a predetermined distance from an end;

said second tube being inserted into said second cylindrical section so that said ring-shaped projection engages with an engaging means formed integrally or separately from said second cylindrical section; and

an end of said insertion end extending to said inner cylindrical member in said first cylindrical section.

5. A tube connecting structure having an integrally formed cylindrical connecting member comprising:

a first cylindrical section disposed at a first axial end;

a second cylindrical section disposed at a second axial end;

a first tube being connected to said first cylindrical section;

said first tube having a large-diameter end and a small-diameter cylindrical section;

a second tube being connected to said second cylindrical section;

said second tube having an insertion end;

a joining member formed as a cylindrical shape from a pair of half-cylindrical members; and

an elastic ring-shaped sealing member forming a fluid-tight seal between an inner perimeter surface of said large-diameter end of said first tube and an outer perimeter surface of an insertion end of said second tube;

wherein said joining member further comprises;

each half-cylindrical member having a second axial side formed as a large-diameter section and a first axial side formed as a small-diameter section;

engagement pieces being formed on said large-diameter section at positions aligned with said engagement holes on said joining cylinder;

said engagement pieces being projected radially outward and being elastically deformable in a radial direction;

said joining member supporting said first tube by placing said large-diameter end at said large-diameter section and placing said small-diameter section at said small-diameter cylindrical section;

said joining member being inserted and integrally fitted with said first tube into a space formed between said joining cylindrical structure, said inner cylinder and said inner cylindrical member; and

said engagement pieces of said large-diameter section engaging with said engagement holes so that said first tube is connected with said first cylindrical section.

8. A method of connecting a first tube to a second tube comprising the steps of:

fitting a large-diameter section of a joining member to a large-diameter end of a first tube;

fitting a small-diameter section of said joining member to a small-diameter cylindrical section of said first tube;

inserting said joining member and said first tube into a first cylindrical section disposed at a first axial end of a connecting member;

pressing said large-diameter end of said first tube against an elastic ring-shaped sealing member of said connecting member;

inserting an insertion end of a second tube into a second cylindrical section disposed at a second axial end of said connecting member;

pressing an inner perimeter surface of said large-diameter end of said first tube against a pair of O-rings co-axially disposed in said connecting member;

pressing an outer perimeter surface of said insertion end of said second tube against said pair of O-rings in said connecting member; and

creating a fluid-tight seal between said first tube and said second tube.