Tubular resin connection structure

Details Tubular resin connection structure Tubular resin connection structure

2002-07-15

2004-04-20

Bochna, David (Department: 3679)

Pipe joints or couplings

Materials

Nonmetallic

C285S293100, C285S285100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06722708

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a resin connector used for coupling a resin tube to another tube-shaped body in a fluid-tight manner in, for example, the fuel system piping of an automobile. More specifically, the present invention relates to a connection structure for a resin connector and a resin tube.
2. Background Information
Feed tubes, return tubes, evaporation hoses, filler hoses and other automobile fuel system piping have conventionally been made of metal, rubber, resin, or a combination of two or three of these. Recently in particular, piping items for which metal has been the mainstream are being switched over to resin because resin does not rust, enables weight reduction, and is advantageous in terms of cost. This kind of resin tube is usually connected to a resin connector before being connected to pipes and the like in order to facilitate ease of connection with the pipes.
One example of such a resin connector has a resin tube inserted on to a step-tapered tube mounting section of a resin connector with an O-ring disposed therebetween. Another tube-shaped body is connected the resin tube by the resin connector. An O-ring is disposed between the tube-shaped body and the resin connector for ensuring the fluid-tightness of the connection between the tube-shaped body and the resin connector.
The manufacturing process for the connection between the resin tube and the resin connector is troublesome in terms of positioning the components and setting the insertion stress. There is also the problem of permeation of small amounts of fuel and other fluids from the connection. It is expected that fuel permeation regulations will become increasingly strict and there will be a demand for materials and structures having lower permeation levels.
In order to reduce the aforementioned permeation of fluids, it is common to use one or two O-rings made mainly of fluoro rubber at the resin connector, as described above, so as to achieve fluid-tightness with respect to the resin tube being connected thereto. However, the use of O-rings makes it impossible to avoid an increase in the number of parts and is accompanied by increased cost.
In view of the above, there exists a need for an improved connection structure for a resin connector and resin tube. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was conceived in view of the aforementioned problems associated with conventional resin connectors. One aspect of the present invention is to provide a connection structure for a resin connector and resin tube that can decrease manufacturing cost and reduce leakage of fuel and other fluids.
This aspect of the present invention is basically attained by providing a tubular resin connection structure includes a resin connector and a resin tube. The resin connector has a first end and a second end with a passage extending between the first and second ends. The resin tube is fixedly coupled to one of the first and second ends of the resin connector in a fluid-tight manner by a weld disposed between the resin connector and the resin tube.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.


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