JP5684517B2 - Flexible joint - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible joint (flexible pipe joint) that allows relative displacement of connected pipes due to an earthquake or the like.

  Conventionally, a flexible joint connected to piping such as an air conditioner or water supply is known. The flexible joint includes a flexible cylindrical portion having flexibility and connecting flanges provided at both ends in the axial direction of the flexible cylindrical portion. The flexible cylindrical portion is made of a rubber material having a certain degree of flexibility, and a plurality of braided reinforcing cloths are embedded in the flexible cylindrical portion. As a result, the flexible joint is given two characteristics: a certain degree of flexibility that follows the relative displacement of the pair of connected pipes, and a certain degree of rigidity that resists the water pressure in the flexible cylindrical portion. Has been.

  As this type of flexible joint, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a reinforcing ring is embedded in an opening end portion of a flexible cylindrical portion (so-called solid ring system). In this flexible joint, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a metal connection flange 103 is integrally vulcanized and bonded to the outer peripheral edge portion 102 at the axial end portion of the flexible cylindrical portion 101. As a result, the so-called neck drop that the flange 103 is detached from the flexible tube portion 101 is prevented. In this flexible joint, an annular metal reinforcing member 105 (solid ring) is embedded in the seal portion 104 with respect to the mating flange. By providing the reinforcing member 105, the deformation of the seal portion 104 is suppressed and the sealing performance is improved.

JP 2002-323187 A

  As described above, in the so-called solid ring type flexible joint, the flange is fixed to the flexible cylindrical portion by vulcanization. On the other hand, a thick steel material such as SS400 is generally used for this flange, and its weight is relatively large. Thus, when the weight of a flange becomes large, conveyance of a flexible joint will become difficult and it will cause the increase in conveyance cost. Moreover, workability | operativity at the time of connecting a flexible joint to piping deteriorates, and piping construction will become difficult.

  On the other hand, in order to reduce the weight of the flange, it is conceivable that the flange is molded by casting and the inside is thinned. However, if such a flange is to be molded, the shape of the mold or the like becomes complicated, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a flexible joint having a flange structure that is lightweight and easy to manufacture.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the flexible joint according to the present invention, the flange including the inner peripheral plate portion and the receiving plate portion is formed by folding back the sheet metal, thereby facilitating the manufacture of the flange. The weight of the flange was reduced.

That is, the first invention is a flexible cylindrical portion having a cylindrical main body portion and an annular seal portion extending radially outward from an axial end portion of the main body portion; An object is a flexible joint including an annular reinforcing member embedded inside and flanges provided at both axial ends of the flexible cylindrical portion, and the flange is provided at an axial end portion of the main body portion. A cylindrical inner peripheral plate portion fixed to the outer periphery, an annular receiving plate portion extending radially outward from the axially outer end of the inner peripheral plate portion, and fixed to the back surface of the seal portion; a cylindrical plate portion from an outer peripheral end portion of the receiving only the plate portion extending toward axially inward of the main body portion extends from the axially inner end portion of the cylindrical plate portion radially outward, the an annular fastening plate which bolt holes for fastening the opposite phase flange to the flange and the flange is open, become folded sheet metal The cylindrical plate portion is characterized that you have extends along the fastening direction of the bolt to be fastened through the bolt holes of the fastening plate.

  In the first invention, the flange is formed by folding the sheet metal. Thereby, the weight reduction of a flange is achieved compared with the flange which consists of thick general steel materials, for example. In addition, if the flange is formed by folding the sheet metal, the manufacture of the flange is facilitated as compared with the molding in which the flange is cast as a blanket.

  Since a reinforcing member is embedded in the seal portion, the reinforcing member functions as a receiving portion for the seal portion. Further, since the receiving plate portion of the flange is fixed to the back surface of the seal portion, an auxiliary receiving surface for the seal portion is also formed on the receiving plate portion. That is, in a state where the flange is fastened with the mating flange, the deformation of the seal portion is restricted by both the reinforcing member and the receiving plate portion. Thereby, even if a certain amount of tightening force acts on the seal portion, the sealability of the seal portion can be sufficiently ensured.

An annular fastening plate portion having a bolt hole opened is formed on the flange at a radially outer side than the receiving plate portion .

  Thus, by forming a fastening plate part in a flange, the flexible joint of this invention can be easily attached to the other party flange (to-be-connected pipe etc.) via a volt | bolt.

The flange is formed with a cylindrical plate portion extending from the receiving plate portion toward the inside in the axial direction of the main body portion, and the fastening plate portion extends radially outward from the axially inner end portion of the cylindrical plate portion. I'm out .

  If a cylindrical plate portion extending in the axial direction is formed between the receiving plate portion and the fastening plate portion, the strength of the flange in the axial direction outward direction (that is, the bolt tightening direction) is increased. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flange from bending in the tightening direction when the flange tightening force becomes excessive.

  Preferably, the inner peripheral plate portion extends in the axial direction of the main body portion, and the cylindrical plate portion is disposed in parallel with the inner peripheral plate portion (second invention).

It is preferable that a cylindrical outer peripheral plate portion extending from the outer peripheral end portion of the fastening plate portion toward the axial direction outward of the main body portion is formed on the flange ( third invention).

  Thereby, in a flange, the intensity | strength in the axial direction outer side (namely, bolt tightening direction) of a main-body part further increases. Therefore, when the fastening force of the flange becomes excessive, it can be more effectively suppressed that the flange is bent in the fastening direction.

  As described above, according to the flexible joint of the present invention, the flange can be reduced in weight by folding the sheet metal and forming the flange. Thus, if the flange is lightened, the flexible joint can be easily transported and the transport cost can be reduced. Moreover, workability | operativity at the time of connecting a flexible joint to piping improves, and piping construction can be performed easily. Further, when the flange is formed by folding the sheet metal, the manufacturing of the flange becomes relatively easy, so that the manufacturing time and manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the flange, since the outer peripheral plate portion and the receiving plate portion are fixed to the flexible tube portion, the flange and the flexible tube portion can be more firmly fixed. Further, the receiving plate portion of the flange can function as an auxiliary receiving surface of the seal portion. Therefore, the sealing performance of the seal portion can be sufficiently ensured.

Drawing 1 is a side view showing the whole flexible joint concerning an embodiment, and shows a longitudinal section in part. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the flexible joint as viewed from the outside in the axial direction. FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the connecting flange. FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the connecting flange, and shows a state in which the companion flange is fastened. FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the connecting flange in the flexible joint according to Reference Example 1. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the connecting flange in the flexible joint according to Reference Example 2. FIG. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part of a conventional solid ring type flexible joint.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are essentially preferable examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows a flexible joint 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flexible joint 10 uses a pipe for water supply or a pipe for air conditioning as a connected pipe, and is used as a vibration-proof joint for such a connected pipe.

  The flexible joint 10 includes a flexible cylindrical portion 20 having flexibility, annular solid rings 30 and 30 embedded in the seal portion 22 of the flexible cylindrical portion 20, and the flexible cylindrical portion 20. And a pair of connecting flanges 50, 50 provided at both ends in the axial direction of the flexible cylindrical portion 20, respectively.

  The flexible cylinder portion 20 is made of a rubber material having stretchability or flexibility. The flexible cylindrical portion 20 of the present embodiment uses a synthetic rubber excellent in chlorine resistance / ozone resistance in consideration of deterioration over time due to the influence of a fluid (for example, tap water) flowing through the flexible cylindrical portion 20. .

  The flexible cylinder part 20 has a main body part 21 that forms a cylindrical body part. The main body portion 21 is formed with a bulging portion 21 a formed at an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the main body portion 21 and openings 21 b and 21 b formed at both ends of the main body portion 21 in the axial direction. The bulging portion 21a is formed to bulge in a substantially spherical shape toward the radially outer side. The bulging portion 21a inflates a hollow sphere-shaped mold (such as an air bag) inside a non-added cylindrical rubber molding material, and pressurizes and deforms the body of the rubber molding material radially outward. Thereafter, this rubber molding material can be added to obtain the rubber molding material. The opening 21b is formed in a regular circle. In the main body 21, an internal space S through which fluid flows is formed between both the openings 21b.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, seal portions 22 and 22 are formed integrally with the main body portion 21 at both ends in the axial direction of the main body portion 21 of the flexible cylindrical portion 20. The seal portion 22 constitutes an annular flange portion that extends radially outward from the axially outer end portion (the tip of the neck portion 23) of the main body portion 21. A seal surface 22a for the companion flange 60 fastened to the connection flange 50 is formed on the surface of the seal portion 22 (the surface on the axially outer side of the main body portion 21) (see FIG. 4).

  The solid ring 30 constitutes a stainless steel reinforcing member. The solid ring 30 is formed in an annular shape that is flat up and down. The solid ring 30 is embedded in the seal portion 22 such that both end faces in the thickness direction are substantially parallel to the surface of the seal portion 22. When the companion flange 60 is fastened, the solid ring 30 functions as a receiving surface of the seal portion 22. Thereby, in the seal part 22, since the deformation | transformation at the time of fastening of the companion flange 60 is suppressed, a seal pressure is stabilized. As a result, the seal portion 22 can form a so-called face seal, and the sealing performance can be improved.

  The reinforcing layer 40 is configured by laminating a plurality of reinforcing cloths 41 embedded in the flexible cylindrical portion 20 in the thickness direction. The outer diameter of the reinforcing cloth 41 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the both ends of the reinforcing cloth 41 are folded back so as to wrap the solid ring 30. The reinforcing layer 40 in such a state is vulcanized and bonded integrally with the flexible cylindrical portion 20, whereby the reinforcing layer 40 is held inside the flexible cylindrical portion 20. The reinforcing layer 40 is configured by, for example, laminating a plurality of uniaxial tinted weave reinforcing cloths 41.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the connecting flange 50 is provided at the axial end of the flexible cylindrical portion 20. The connecting flange 50 is fastened to the phase flange 60 on the connected pipe side via bolts 61 and nuts 62 (see FIG. 4).

  The connection flange 50 is formed of a so-called press flange that is formed by press-forming a sheet metal made of SPCC (rolled steel for general structure). Thus, by forming the connecting flange 50 by press working, the processing cost of the flange can be reduced, and further, the flange can be made thinner and lighter.

  The connecting flange 50 includes, in order from the radially inner side to the radially outer side, an inner peripheral plate portion 51, a receiving plate portion 52, an intermediate plate portion (tubular plate portion) 53, a fastening plate portion 54, and an outer peripheral plate. The part 55 is formed continuously.

  The inner peripheral plate portion 51 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is externally fitted to the neck portion 23 on the axial end portion side of the main body portion 21 of the flexible tube portion 20. The inner peripheral plate portion 51 is vulcanized and bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion 23 and is integrally fixed to the flexible tube portion 20.

  The receiving plate portion 52 is formed in an annular shape extending radially outward from the axially outer end portion of the inner peripheral plate portion 51. The backing plate portion 52 is vulcanized and bonded to the back surface of the seal portion 22 and is integrally fixed to the flexible tube portion 20. The receiving plate part 52 extends slightly in the outer circumferential direction from the back surface of the seal part 22, and is formed across the entire area of the back surface of the seal part 22. Further, the receiving plate portion 52 is disposed so that a part thereof (a portion closer to the inner periphery in the present embodiment) overlaps with the solid ring 30 in the axial direction. Thereby, the receiving plate part 52 functions as a receiving surface of the seal part 22 or the solid ring 30. Therefore, in the seal portion 22, the seal pressure on the seal surface is further stabilized and the seal performance is improved.

  The intermediate plate portion 53 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending from the outer peripheral end portion of the receiving plate portion 52 inward in the axial direction of the main body portion 21. The axial length of the intermediate plate portion 53 is substantially the same as the axial length of the inner peripheral plate portion 51. The intermediate plate portion 53 and the inner peripheral plate portion 51 are arranged substantially in parallel.

  The fastening plate portion 54 is formed in an annular shape that extends radially outward from the axially inner end portion of the intermediate plate portion 53. The fastening plate portion 54 is wider in the radial direction than the receiving plate portion 52. The fastening plate portion 54 is formed with a plurality of bolt holes 54a so as to be close to the intermediate plate portion 53 (see FIG. 2). The plurality of bolt holes 54a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A bolt 61 for fastening the connecting flange 50 and the companion flange 60 is inserted through the bolt hole 54a (see FIG. 4).

  The outer peripheral plate portion 55 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending from the outer peripheral end portion of the fastening plate portion 54 to the outer side in the axial direction of the main body portion 21. The axial length of the outer peripheral plate portion 55 is substantially the same as the axial length of the inner peripheral plate portion 51 and the intermediate plate portion 53. The outer peripheral plate portion 55 is disposed substantially parallel to the inner peripheral plate portion 51 and the intermediate plate portion 53.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the flanges 40 and 60 are tightened, the bolt 61 is fastened to the nut 62 in a state where the bolt hole 54 a of the connecting flange 50 and the bolt hole 60 a of the companion flange 60 are inserted. At this time, a tightening force acts on the connecting flange 50 toward the companion flange 60 side. However, in the connection flange 50, the inner peripheral plate portion 51 and the outer peripheral plate portion 55 formed in a cylindrical shape ensure sufficient strength in the axial direction against this tightening force. Therefore, even if the tightening force of the bolt 61 is excessive, the connecting flange 50 is prevented from being bent / deflected toward the companion flange 60 side.

  As described above, since the connection flange 50 of the above embodiment is formed by folding back a sheet metal, its weight can be greatly reduced compared to a flange made of a thick steel material such as SS400. Accordingly, the flexible joint 10 can be easily transported and the conveyance cost can be reduced. Further, when the weight of the flexible joint 10 is reduced in this way, workability when the flexible joint 10 is connected to the pipe is improved, and the pipe construction can be easily performed.

<< Other Embodiments >>
In the above embodiment, the following configuration may be adopted.

In the connecting flange 50 of the above embodiment, the intermediate plate portion 53 may be omitted. Specifically, in the example ( reference example 1) shown in FIG. 5, the receiving plate portion 52 and the fastening plate portion 54 constitute an integral annular plate. In other words, in the connecting flange 50, the receiving plate portion 52 and the fastening plate portion 54 are continuously extended from the axially outer end portion of the inner peripheral plate portion 51 to the axially inner end portion of the outer peripheral plate portion 55. Is formed. In Reference Example 1, by omitting the folded portion (that is, the intermediate plate portion 53) of the connection flange 50, the connection flange 50 can be manufactured more easily, and the connection flange 50 can be reduced in weight. .

In the example shown in FIG. 6 ( reference example 2), the intermediate plate portion 53 is omitted as in the reference example 1, while the outer peripheral plate portion 55 is folded back in the axially inward direction of the main body portion 21. It is extended. In this configuration, the water dripped onto the surface of the fastening plate portion 54 of the connecting flange 50 can be quickly discharged downward. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the fastening plate portion 54 from being rusted by water adhering to the connecting flange 50. Further, in this configuration, the bolt 61 and the nut 62 can be fastened so that the head portion (or the nut 62) of the bolt 61 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral plate portion 55. That is, in this configuration, the outer peripheral plate portion 55 can be used as a rotation stopper for the bolt 61 / nut 62.

  As described above, the present invention can provide a flexible joint having a flange structure that is lightweight and easy to manufacture, and therefore has high industrial applicability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Flexible joint 20 Flexible cylinder part 21 Main-body part 22 Seal part 30 Solid ring (reinforcement member)
50 Connecting flange 51 Inner peripheral plate portion 52 Receiving plate portion 53 Intermediate plate portion (tubular plate portion)
54 Fastening plate portion 54a Bolt hole

Claims (3)

A flexible cylindrical portion having a cylindrical main body portion and an annular seal portion extending radially outward from an axial end portion of the main body portion, and an annular reinforcement embedded in the seal portion A flexible joint comprising a member and flanges provided on both axial ends of the flexible tube portion,
The flange is
A cylindrical inner peripheral plate portion fixed to the outer periphery of the axial end portion of the main body portion;
An annular receiving plate portion extending radially outward from the axially outer end portion of the inner peripheral plate portion and fixed to the back surface of the seal portion;
A cylindrical plate portion extending from the outer peripheral end portion of the backing plate portion toward the inside in the axial direction of the main body portion;
An annular fastening plate portion extending radially outward from an axially inner end portion of the cylindrical plate portion and opening a bolt hole for fastening the flange and a phase flange facing the flange;
The sheet metal is folded ,
The flexible joint , wherein the cylindrical plate portion extends along a tightening direction of a bolt fastened through a bolt hole of the fastening plate portion . In claim 1,
The inner peripheral plate portion extends in the axial direction of the main body portion,
The flexible joint, wherein the cylindrical plate portion is arranged in parallel with the inner peripheral plate portion. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The flexible joint according to claim 1, wherein the flange is formed with a cylindrical outer peripheral plate portion extending from an outer peripheral end portion of the fastening plate portion toward an axially outer side of the main body portion.

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