U.S. patent application number 14/146813 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-11 for method of forming pipe end structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHINKO PIPE KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is SHINKO PIPE KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Kenichi MORI.
Application Number | 20140360002 14/146813 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52004168 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140360002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MORI; Kenichi |
December 11, 2014 |
METHOD OF FORMING PIPE END STRUCTURE
Abstract
A method of forming a pipe end structure includes providing a
pipe assembly including a metal pipe blank, a ridge, and a tubular
fitting, and pressing an inner surface of the pipe blank outwardly.
The ridge protrudes outward from an outer surface of the pipe
blank. The fitting includes a threaded portion having a thread on
an outer surface thereof. The fitting has a first edge and a second
edge and is fitted over the pipe blank with the first edge of the
fitting being in contact with the ridge protruding from the pipe
blank. An inner surface of the pipe blank is pressed outwardly such
that a part of the pipe blank protrudes from an outer surface of
the pipe blank outwardly at a position adjacent to the second edge
of the fitting, thereby forming a locking portion that is in
contact with the second edge of the fitting.
Inventors: |
MORI; Kenichi; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SHINKO PIPE KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Aichi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SHINKO PIPE KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Aichi
JP
|
Family ID: |
52004168 |
Appl. No.: |
14/146813 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/505 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21K 25/00 20130101;
Y10T 29/49908 20150115; B21D 39/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/505 |
International
Class: |
B21D 39/04 20060101
B21D039/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 7, 2013 |
JP |
2013-120822 |
Claims
1. A method of forming a pipe end structure, the method comprising;
providing a pipe assembly, the pipe assembly including: a metal
pipe blank having a through hole extending from one end to another
end along an axial direction thereof; a ridge protruding outward
from an outer surface of the pipe blank; and a tubular fitting
includes a threaded portion having a thread on an outer surface
thereof, the fitting having a first edge and a second edge and
being fitted over the pipe blank with the first edge of the fitting
being in contact with the ridge protruding from the pipe blank; and
pressing an inner surface of the pipe blank outwardly such that a
part of the pipe blank protrudes from an outer surface of the pipe
blank outwardly at a position adjacent to the second edge of the
fitting, thereby forming a locking portion being in contact with
the second edge of the fitting.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of pressing of
the inner surface includes: inserting a diameter expander
configured to expand in a radial direction of the pipe blank into
the through hole of the pipe blank; and expanding the diameter
expander inserted in the pipe blank in the radial direction of the
pipe blank to press the inner surface of the pipe blank outwardly
at the position adjacent to the second edge of the fitting.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the diameter expander
includes a plurality of elastic plates arranged in a tubular shape
with a predetermined distance therebetween, each of the elastic
plates has a fixed end at one end thereof and a free end at another
end thereof, whereby the elastic plates are expandable in a radial
direction of the pipe blank, and the inner surface of the pipe
blank is pressed outwardly by the other ends of the elastic
plates.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of pressing
the inner surface includes: fixing the pipe blank of the pipe
assembly to a fixture at a position adjacent to the second edge of
the fitting; and inserting a press fit bar into the though hole of
the pipe blank from the one end toward the other end of the pipe
blank, the press fit bar having an elongated shape and including a
press fit portion having an outer diameter larger than an inner
diameter of the pipe blank, whereby the inner surface of the pipe
blank is pressed outwardly such that the pipe blank has the locking
portion.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the press fit portion
has a cylindrical shape.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the press fit portion
has a polygonal prism shape.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing
the pipe assembly includes: compressing an end portion of the pipe
blank in the axial direction of the pipe blank to increase a
thickness of the end portion of the pipe blank in a radial
direction, whereby the ridge protruding from the outer surface of
the pipe blank is formed at the end portion of the pipe blank; and
fitting the fitting over the pipe blank so as to be in contact with
the ridge at the first edge of the fitting.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing
the pipe assembly includes: chamfering an one portion of the pipe
blank to have an inclined surface that extends from the inner
surface of the pipe blank outwardly at an angle.
9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of expanding
the diameter expander includes: inserting an diameter adjuster
having a cylindrical shape into a space defined by the elastic
plates of the diameter expander, the diameter adjuster having an
outer diameter larger than that of the diameter expander; and
moving the diameter expander in the axial direction of the tube
blank toward the one end of the tube blank.
10. The method according to claim 3, wherein each of the elastic
plates has a projection at the other end thereof, the projection
protrudes radially outwardly from the outer surface of each elastic
plate and is configured to press the inner surface of the pipe
blank when the diameter expander expands.
11. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of fixing the
pipe assembly to the fixture includes positioning the pipe assembly
to have a space between the second edge of the fitting and the
fixture, whereby the part of the pipe blank protrudes at a position
corresponding to the space to form the locking portion.
12. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of inserting
the press fit bar into the though hole of the pipe blank includes
moving the press fit bar inserted in the through hole of the pipe
blank until a tip end of the press fit portion reaches a position
corresponding to the second edge of the fitting.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2013-120822 filed on Jun. 7, 2013. The entire
contents of the priority application are incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a pipe
end structure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As described in JP-A-2004-122151, a metal pipe is used as a
hydraulic passage in a hydraulic drive system for driving a fork of
a forklift, because the metal pipe has a sufficient rigidity to
withstand high-pressure fluid (oil pressure). To connect the metal
pipe to another pipe, a metal connector (joint) having a tubular
shape is provided at an end of the metal pipe As described in
JP-A-2004-122151, a screw having a helical thread (an external
thread) is provided on an outer surface of the connector. The
connector and the metal pipe are connected at their end portions by
known welding technologies such as an arc welding, a gas welding,
and a brazing.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,303 describes a metal pipe (tube) for an
orifice. A tubular connector (a first fitting) having threads on
its outer surface is fitted over an end portion of the metal pipe.
A front end of the metal pipe, which is on the front side of the
connector, is expanded outwardly so as to be in close contact with
a front opening edge of the connector. As described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,727,303, a conical extension on an anvil is inserted into an
internal bore of the metal pipe to expand the front end portion of
the metal pipe.
[0005] The metal pipe is also expanded at a position adjacent to a
rear end of the connector so as to be in close contact with a rear
opening edge of the connector. The opening edge at the rear end has
a recess extending around the metal pipe. A portion of the metal
pipe is expanded into the recess. The metal pipe over which the
connector is fitted at its end portion is vertically compressed (in
a longitudinal direction of the metal pipe) to expand its end
portion into the recess.
SUMMARY
[0006] A method of forming a pipe end structure includes providing
a pipe assembly including a metal pipe blank, a ridge, and a
tubular fitting, and pressing an inner surface of the pipe blank
outwardly. The pipe blank has a through hole extending from one end
to another end along an axial direction thereof. The ridge
protrudes outward from an outer surface of the pipe blank. The
fitting includes a threaded portion having a thread on an outer
surface thereof. The fitting has a first edge and a second edge and
is fitted over the pipe blank with the first edge of the fitting
being in contact with the ridge protruding from the pipe blank. An
inner surface of the pipe blank is pressed outwardly such that a
part of the pipe blank protrudes from an outer surface of the pipe
blank outwardly at a position adjacent to the second edge of the
fitting, thereby forming a locking portion being in contact with
the second edge of the fitting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tube end structure according to
an embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the tube end structure.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tube end structure
taken along a line A-A in FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fitting.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of a pipe blank in which a front part
thereof is illustrated in a cross section.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a fixture, the pipe blank held
by the fixture, and a pressing machine in a standby state.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a
front end surface of a holder is in contact with a front end
surface of the fixture.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a
front end portion of the pipe blank is pressed and plastically
deformed by the punch.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the
front end portion of the pipe blank is further pressed and
plastically deformed by the punch.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a general configuration of a
locking portion formation apparatus.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a part including the
holder and a diameter expander of the locking portion formation
apparatus.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the diameter expander.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in
which the pipe blank, over which the fitting is fitted, is held by
the holder.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a locking
portion formation step of a method of forming the pipe end
structure according to an embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a side view of a press-fit bar.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a side view of a press-fit bar used in a method
of forming a pipe end structure in an embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 17 is a front view of the press fit bar illustrated in
FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The end portion of the metal pipe and the connector having
threads may be welded to be connected with each other. In such a
case, droplets of a welding material are likely to be attached to
the threads during the welding. The droplets may lower the quality
of a product that includes the metal pipe and the connector. This
may lead a big problem. Specifically, this may deteriorate the
quality of the threads, which may result in oil leakage. In
addition, the welding between the end portion of the pipe and the
connector is difficult for not only for an inexperienced worker,
but also for a skilled worker. The welding lowers work efficiency.
A technology for connecting the end portion of the pipe and the
connector without welding is expected.
[0025] The metal pipe over which the connector having a tubular
shape is fitted may be compressed in a longitudinal direction of
the metal pipe to expand the metal pipe as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,727,303. However, it is difficult to evenly expand the metal
pipe. If the metal pipe is not evenly expanded, the connector,
which may be referred to as a fitting, is easily separated from the
metal pipe. In addition, the metal pipe may be buckled at a
position where the connector is not attached when the metal pipe is
compressed in the longitudinal direction to expand the end portion
thereof. Such problems occur due to the compression of the metal
pipe.
[0026] An object of the technology described herein is to provide a
method of forming a pipe end structure in which a fitting having a
tubular shape is properly fixed to a predetermined position of a
metal pipe blank without welding.
[0027] The technology described herein provides a method of forming
a pipe end structure that includes providing a pipe assembly
including a metal pipe blank, a ridge, and a tubular fitting, and
pressing an inner surface of the pipe blank. The metal pipe blank
has a through hole extending from one end to another end along an
axial direction thereof. The ridge protrudes outward from an outer
surface of the pipe blank. The tubular fitting has a thread on an
outer surface thereof. The fitting has a first edge and a second
edge and is fitted over the pipe blank with the first edge of the
fitting being in contact with the ridge protruding from the pipe
blank. An inner surface of the pipe blank is pressed outwardly such
that a part of the pipe blank protrudes from an outer surface of
the pipe blank outwardly at a position adjacent to the second edge
of the fitting, thereby forming a locking portion that is in
contact with the second edge of the fitting.
[0028] The step of pressing the inner surface may include inserting
a diameter expander configured to expand in a radial direction of
the pipe blank into the through hole of the pipe blank and
expanding the diameter expander inserted in the pipe blank in the
radial direction of the pipe blank to press the inner surface of
the pipe blank outwardly at the position adjacent to the second
edge of the fitting.
[0029] The diameter expander may include a plurality of elastic
plates arranged in a tubular shape with a predetermined distance
therebetween. Each of the elastic plates may be a fixed end at one
end thereof and a free end at another end thereof, whereby the
elastic plates are expandable in a radial direction of the pipe
blank. The inner surface of the pipe blank may be pressed outwardly
by the other ends of the elastic plates.
[0030] The step of pressing the inner surface may include fixing
the pipe blank of the pipe assembly to a fixture at a position
adjacent to the rear edge of the fitting, and inserting a press fit
bar into the though hole of the pipe blank from the one end toward
the other end of the pipe blank. The press fit bar may have an
elongated shape and include a press fit portion having an outer
diameter larger than an inner diameter of the pipe blank, whereby
the inner surface of the pipe blank is pressed outwardly such that
the pipe blank has the locking portion.
[0031] The press fit portion may have a cylindrical shape.
[0032] The press fit portion may have a polygonal prism shape.
[0033] The step of providing the pipe assembly may include
compressing an end portion of the pipe blank in the axial direction
of the pipe blank to increase a thickness of the end portion of the
pipe blank in a radial direction, whereby the ridge protruding from
the outer surface of the pipe blank is formed at the end portion of
the pipe blank and fitting the fitting over the pipe blank so as to
be in contact with the ridge at the first edge of the fitting.
[0034] The step of providing the pipe assembly may include
chamfering an one portion of the pipe blank to have an inclined
surface that extends from the inner surface of the pipe blank
outwardly at an angle.
[0035] The step of expanding the diameter expander may include
inserting an diameter adjuster having a cylindrical shape into a
space defined by the elastic plates of the diameter expander and
moving the diameter expander in the axial direction of the tube
blank toward the one end of the tube blank. The diameter adjuster
may have an outer diameter larger than that of the diameter
expander.
[0036] Each of the elastic plates may have a projection at the
other end thereof. The projection may protrude radially outwardly
from the outer surface of each elastic plate and may be configured
to press the inner surface of the pipe blank when the diameter
expander expands.
[0037] The step of fixing the pipe assembly to the fixture may
include positioning the pipe assembly to have a space between the
second edge of the fitting and the fixture, whereby the part of the
pipe blank protrudes at a position corresponding to the space to
form the locking portion.
[0038] The step of inserting the press fit bar into the though hole
of the pipe blank may include moving the press fit bar inserted in
the through hole of the pipe blank until a tip end of the press fit
portion reaches a position corresponding to the second edge of the
fitting.
[0039] According to the method of forming the pipe end structure
described herein, the fitting having a tubular shape is properly
fixed to a predetermined position of the metal pipe blank without
welding.
[0040] First embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1
to 13. A side view, a front view, and a cross-sectional view of a
pipe end structure 1 according to a first embodiment are
illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, respectively. A right
side and a left side in FIG. 1 correspond to a front side and a
rear side of the pipe end structure 1, respectively.
[0041] Pipe End Structure
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pipe end structure 1 includes
a pipe 2 having an elongated shape and a fitting 3 having a
threaded portion. The fitting 3 fits over a front end portion of
the pipe 2. The pipe end structure 1 is a component of a hydraulic
passage for a fork of a forklift. The pipe end structure 1 is
configured to be connected to another pipe end structure (not
illustrated) via the fitting 3.
[0043] Pipe
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pipe 2 has a tubular shape
elongated in substantially one direction. The pipe 2 includes a
circumferential wall 21 having an elongated tubular shape, a front
ridge 22 located on a front end of the circumferential wall 21, and
a fluid passage 23 extending through the pipe 2 along its
longitudinal direction. The circumferential wall 21 has a tubular
shape extending in a front-to-rear direction (an axial direction)
and is formed of a metal pipe blank, which will be described later.
An inner surface 21b of the circumferential wall 21 defines the
fluid passage 23. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the front ridge 22 of
the pipe 2 on the front side of the circumferential wall 21
protrudes radially outwardly from an outer surface of the
circumferential wall 21 and extends around the circumferential wall
21. The front ridge 22 has an outer diameter larger than that of
the circumferential wall 21 located on a rear side thereof. The
front ridge 22 has a surface that is machined to have a shape like
a single thread, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a front
surface 22a of the front ridge 22 (i.e., a front surface of the
pipe 2) has a circular ring shape. The fluid passage 23 defined by
the inner surface of the circumferential wall 21 is a passage for
an operating oil.
[0045] The fitting 3 is fitted over the front end portion of the
pipe 2 so as to be in contact with a rear edge of the front ridge
22. The pipe 2 includes a locking portion 24 that protrudes
radially outwardly from the outer surface of the circumferential
wall 21 so as to be in contact with the rear edge of the fitting 3.
The pipe 2 is formed by processing the pipe blank by a plastic
working and cutting. This step will be described later. An inner
surface of the circumferential wall of the pipe blank (the
circumferential wall 21 of the pipe 2) is pressed outwardly to
plastically deform a part of the pipe blank. The plastically
deformed part of the pipe blank becomes the locking portion 24 that
has a larger diameter.
[0046] Fitting
[0047] A perspective view of the fitting 3 is illustrated in FIG.
4. The fitting 3 has a tubular shape elongated in substantially one
direction. The fitting 3 having a tubular shape has a shorter
length (a length along an axis L) than the pipe 2 having a tubular
shape. The fitting 3 has an inner diameter that is larger than the
outer diameter of the circumferential wall 21 of the pipe 2. The
fitting 3 includes a threaded portion 31 at its front portion. The
threaded portion 31 includes helical threads 31 a on an outer
surface 3a of the fitting 3. The fitting 3 includes a flange 32 at
its rear portion. The flange 32 protrudes radially outwardly from
the outer surface 3a of the fitting 3. In this embodiment, the
flange 32 protrudes more from the outer surface 3a of the fitting 3
than the threaded portion 31 (the thread 31a). In other words, the
flange 32 has a larger outer diameter than that of the threaded
portion 31. Between the threaded portion 31 and the flange 32 of
the fitting 3, the outer surface 3a of the fitting 3 includes a
cylindrical surface portion 33 that has an outer diameter smaller
than those of the threaded portion 31 and the flange 32.
[0048] The fitting 3 includes a through hole 34 extending through
the fitting 3 in the front-to-rear direction. An inner surface 3b
of the fitting 3 defines the through hole 34. The fitting 3 has a
front edge (first edge) 35 and a rear edge (second edge) 36. The
front edge 35 has a front opening edge 35a extending around a front
edge of the thorough hole 34. The rear edge 36 has a rear opening
edge 36a extending around a rear edge of the thorough hole 34. A
front portion of the circumferential wall 21 is inserted in the
through hole 34 of the fitting 3, and thus the fitting 3 is fixed
to the pipe 2. In this configuration, the fitting 3 fits over the
circumferential wall 21 of the pipe 2 (a pipe blank, which will be
described later). The inner surface 3b of the fitting 3, which is
fixed to the pipe 2, is in close contact with the outer surface 21a
of the circumferential wall 21.
[0049] The front ridge 22, which is located in front of the fitting
3, is in close contact with the front opening edge 35a of the
fitting 3. The locking portion 24, which is located behind the
fitting 3, is in close contact with the rear opening edge 36a of
the fitting 3. In other words, the fitting 3 is sandwiched between
the front ridge 22 and the locking portion 24 in the front-to-rear
direction.
[0050] Method of Forming the Pipe End Structure
[0051] Next, a method of forming the pipe end structure 1 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 13. The above-described pipe
end structure 1 is formed by a method described below.
[0052] Step 1: a Step of Forming the Front Ridge
[0053] In this step, a pipe blank 20 that will become the pipe 2 is
pressed at its front end portion to have the front ridge 22 at the
front portion thereof.
[0054] Specifically, the pipe blank 20, which will become the pipe
2, is provided at first. A partial side cross-section of the pipe
blank 20 is illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a front
portion of the pipe blank 20 in the cross section. In this
embodiment, a metal pipe (Carbon Steel Precision Tubes for
Hydraulic Line Service) that has an outer diameter of 9.5 mm, an
inner diameter of 6.5 mm, and a length of at least 150 mm is
provided as the pipe blank 20. The pipe blank 20 has a tubular
shape extending straight. The pipe blank 20 has a front surface 20a
that is a flat circular ring surface. The pipe blank 20 has an
inclined surface 20b at its inner front end. The inner front end of
the pipe blank 20 is chamfered to have the inclined surface 20b
that extends from the inner surface of the pipe blank 20 outwardly
at an angle. The pipe blank 20 has an outer surface 20c having a
cylindrical surface. The pipe blank 20 includes a through hole 230
extending through the pipe blank 20 in the front-to-rear direction.
The through hole 230 will be the fluid passage 23 of the pipe 2.
The pipe blank 20 has a circumferential wall 221 that will be the
circumferential wall 21 of the pipe 2.
[0055] Next, the pipe blank 20 is held by a fixture 4 for a step of
pressing the front end portion of the pipe blank 20. The pipe blank
20, which is held by the fixture 4, and a pressing machine 5, which
is in a standby state, are schematically illustrated in FIG. 6. The
fixture 4 is a device for holding the pipe blank 20 (i.e., a
clamping device for pipe) and has a cuboidal shape. The fixture 4
includes a first fixing member 41A and a second fixing member 41B.
The first fixing member 41A is positioned above the second fixing
member 41B. The pipe blank 20 is sandwiched and held between the
first fixing member 41A and the second fixing member 41B. The
fixture 4 has a space 43 extending in the front-to-rear direction
between the first fixing member 41A and the second fixing member
41B. The pipe blank 20 is fitted in the space 43. The pipe blank 20
is held by the fixture 4 with a front end portion 20d thereof
sticking out of a front end surface 41a of the fixture 4. The end
surface 41a of the fixture 4 has an opening edge 41b at a position
corresponding to an end of the space 43. The front end portion 20d
of the pipe blank 20 sticks out of the opening edge 41b. The front
end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 sticks out of the end surface
41a of the fixture 43 by a predetermined length (a predetermined
length M1) that is required for the formation of the front ridge
22.
[0056] After the pipe blank 20 is held by the fixture 4, the front
end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 is compressed by the pressing
machine 5. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the pressing machine 5 is
arranged in front of the pipe blank 20 held by the fixture 4. The
pressing machine 5 is reciprocatory movable in the front-to-rear
direction along an axial line L by a known mechanism. The pressing
machine 5 includes a punch 51 and a holder 55. The punch 51 is
configured to enter into the through hole 230 of the pipe blank 20
and press a front end of the pipe blank 20. The holder 55 surrounds
the punch 51 and has a surface to be in contact with the end
surface 41a of the fixture 4. A front side and a rear side of the
pressing machine 5 correspond to the left side and the right side
in FIG. 6, respectively. The punch 51 is provided on a front end of
a slide shaft, which is not illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 6,
the punch 51 includes an insertion portion 52, a pressing portion
53, and a body 54. The insertion portion 52 has a shaft like shape
with a rounded end. The pressing portion 53 extends from a rear
edge (a base side) of the insertion portion 52. The body 54 has a
cylindrical shape and extends from a rear edge of the pressing
portion 53. The insertion portion 52 and the pressing member 53 are
located on an extension line of a center line (an axial line) of
the body 54.
[0057] The insertion portion 52 has a diameter slightly smaller
than the inner diameter of the pipe blank 20. The pressing portion
53, which extends from the rear edge (the base side) of the
insertion portion 52, has a concave shape opening toward the front
side as a whole. The pressing portion 53 has a larger diameter than
the insertion portion 52. The pressing portion 53 is integrally
formed with the insertion portion 52. More specifically described,
the pressing portion 53 includes a central pressing portion 53a, a
front-end pressing portion 53b, and an outer pressing portion 53c.
The central pressing portion 53a is configured to press the inner
surface of the front end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 so as to
expand the front end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 outwardly.
The central pressing portion 53a extends from a rear edge of the
insertion portion 52 toward the rear side and has a shape like a
truncated cone (a conical shape) with a sloped surface. The central
pressing portion 53a has an outer diameter gradually increasing
from the front side toward the rear side. The front-end pressing
portion 53b is configured to press the front end surface 20a of the
pipe blank 20 from the front side toward the rear side of the pipe
blank 20, for example. The front-end pressing portion 53b extends
outwardly from an outer circumferential edge of a rear edge of the
central pressing portion 53a and has a circular ring surface
surrounding the central pressing portion 53a. The outer pressing
portion 53c is configured to press the outer surface of the front
end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 inwardly. The outer pressing
portion 53c is located outward of the front-end pressing portion
53b and has a slope surface that is a circular ring surface having
an inner diameter gradually increasing from the rear side toward
the front side.
[0058] The holder 55 is moved along the axial line L together with
the punch 51 until the holder 55 strikes the front end surface 41a
of the fixture 4. The holder 55 has a tubular shape and surrounds
the punch 51. The holder 55 has a through hole extending
therethrough in the front-to-rear direction (along the axial line
L). The punch 51 is arranged in the through hole of the holder 55.
The punch 51 is configured to be moved forward along an inner
surface 55b of the holder 55, which defines the through hole,
beyond the holder 55 that is in contact with the fixture 4. The
holder 55 has a front end surface 55a that is in contact with the
front end surface 41 of the fixture 4. The inner surface 55b of the
holder 55 and the outer surface of the punch 51 define a
substantially tubular space 56 therebetween (see FIG. 7). The
pressing machine 5 is coaxially arranged with the pipe blank 20. In
other words, the axial line of the punch 51 or the axial line of
the holder 55 extends on the same line as the axial line L of the
pipe blank 20. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the punch 51 is arranged
in the holder 55 with the front end portion of the insertion
portion 52 sticking out of the front end surface 55a of the holder
55. The space 56 of the holder 55 has a size that can house the
front end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20. In this embodiment, the
punch 51 and the holder 55 are metal molded products that has high
abrasion resistance.
[0059] An operation of the pressing machine 5 in a standby state as
illustrated in FIG. 7 is started when the slide shaft (not
illustrated) starts moving. The punch 51 of the pressing machine 5
starts moving toward the pipe blank 20 along with the slide shaft.
The holder 55 moves together with the punch 51 at the same speed
with the moving speed of the punch 51. The punch 51 continues to
move toward the pipe blank 20 and the front end portion of the
insertion portion 52 enters the through hole 230 of the pipe blank
20. When the insertion portion 52 enters the through hole 230 by a
predetermined distance, the front end surface 55a of the holder 55
strikes the front end surface 41a of the fixture 4. The front end
surface 55a of the holder 55 that is in contact with the front end
surface 41a of the fixture 4 is schematically illustrated in FIG.
7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the punch 51 does not press the front
end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 at a moment when the front end
surface 55a of the holder 55 strikes the front end surface 41a of
the fixture 4.
[0060] Then, the holder 55 remains stationary while the front end
surface 55a thereof is in contact with the front end surface 41a of
the fixture 4. Contrary to this, the punch 51 housed in the holder
55 moves further inside the pipe blank 20 as the slide shaft moves.
The body 54 of the punch 51 moves forward along the inner surface
55b of the holder 55. Then, the pressing part 53 of the punch 51
compresses the front end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20. This
plastically deforms the front end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20
to have a larger diameter and a shorter length (dimension along the
axial line L). Namely, the wall of the pipe blank 20 at the front
end portion 20d becomes thicker. The front end portion 20d of the
pipe blank 20 which is plastically deformed by the punch 51 is
schematically illustrated in FIG. 8. The insertion portion 52 and
the pressing portion 53 of the punch 51 enter the pipe blank 20 by
a predetermined distance that is properly determined depending on
an intended shape of the pipe end portion. The moving distance of
the punch 51 inside the pipe blank 20 can be properly controlled by
setting a sliding distance (stroke) of the slide shaft that moves
the punch 51. After the punch 51 compresses the front end portion
20d of the pipe blank 20, the pressing machine 5 moves back along
the axial line L and returns to the standby state as illustrated in
FIG. 6.
[0061] In this embodiment, the step of compressing the front end
portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 by the punch 51, which is
illustrated in FIG. 8, is repeatedly performed multiple times. The
moving (inserting) distance of the punch 51 inside the pipe blank
20 (in the through hole 230) is controlled for each step.
Specifically, the moving (inserting) distance of the pipe 51 inside
the pipe blank 20 is set to be longer (deeper) with each step. The
shapes of the insertion portion 52 and the pressing portion 53 of
the punch 51 may be varied for each step. Specifically, the
insertion portion 52 and the pressing portion 53 (the central
pressing portion 53a) may have a larger diameter with each
step.
[0062] The front end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 which is
plastically deformed by the punch 51 is schematically illustrated
in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the front
end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 is kept pressed until the
front end portion 20d has a length M2 that is half the
predetermined length M1 (the length along the axial line L). The
front end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20 is plastically deformed
in a space defined by an outer surface of the punch 51 (the
insertion portion 52 and the pressing portion 53), the inner
surface 55b of the holder 55, and the front end surface 41a of the
fixture 4.
[0063] As described above, the front end portion 20d of the pipe
blank 20 is pressed to have a larger thickness by the pressing
machine 5, and thus the outer circumferential edge of the pipe
blank 20 at the front end portion 20d protrudes outwardly in a ring
shape. As a result, the front end portion 20d of the pipe blank 20
will become the front ridge 22 of the pipe 2. The front end portion
20d of the pipe blank 20 may be shaped by grinding as
necessary.
[0064] Step 2: a Step of Fitting the Fitting
[0065] In this step, the fitting 3 is fitted over the pipe blank 20
that has the front ridge 22. The fitting 3 is a separate member
from the pipe blank 20. The fitting 3 may be obtained by cutting a
substantially hexagonal tubular member. The tubular member has a
hole extending therethrough which will be the through hole 34 of
the fitting 3. In this embodiment, a metal nut having an outer
diameter (a maximum diameter) of 21.9 mm, an inner diameter of 9.9
mm, and a length of 20.0 mm is used as the tubular member.
[0066] The rear end of the pipe blank 20 is inserted from an inner
edge of a front opening edge 35a of the fitting 3 into the through
hole 34 of the fitting 3 to fit the fitting 3 over the pipe blank
20. A position of the fitting 3 on the pipe blank 20 is adjusted so
as to be in contact with the front ridge 22 located at the front
end of the pipe blank 20 at its front edge 35 (the front opening
edge 35a). In this way, the fitting 3 is fitted over the pipe blank
20. In this state in which the fitting 3 is fitted over the pipe
blank 20, the fitting 3 is movable on the pipe blank 20.
Specifically, the fitting 3 is slidable on the pipe blank 20 in the
front-to-rear direction and in a circumferential direction along
the outer surface of the pipe blank 20. Such an assembly of the
pipe blank 20 and the fitting 3 may be referred to as a pipe
assembly 100.
[0067] Step 3: a Step of Forming a Locking Portion Formation
[0068] In this step, an inner surface of the pipe blank 20 of the
pipe assembly 100 is pressed outwardly to expand the pipe blank 20
and form the locking portion 24. A schematic configuration of a
locking portion formation apparatus 6 is illustrated in FIG. 10.
The locking portion formation apparatus 6 is configured to form the
locking portion 24 by expanding the pipe blank 20 of the pipe
assembly 100. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the locking portion
formation apparatus 6 includes a base 61, supports 62, a table 63,
a holder 64, a diameter expander 65, an adjuster 66, a drive device
67, a swing member 68, and a link connector 69.
[0069] The base 61 is a base of the locking portion formation
apparatus 6, which is placed on a floor, for example. The base 61
is a metal flat plate, for example. The supports 62 are provided on
the base 61 and support the table 63 above the base 61. As
illustrated in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, two supports 62 are
provided on the base 61. One of the supports 62 is provided at one
end of the base 61 which is on the left side in FIG. 10. The other
one of the supports 62 is provided at another end portion of the
base 61 which is on the right side in FIG. 10. The supports 62 each
may be a metal flat plate. The supports 62 are provided on the base
61 so as to extend in an up-to-down direction (a vertical
direction). A lower end and an upper end of each support 62 are
fixed to the base 61 and the table 63, respectively.
[0070] The table 63 is supported by the supports 62 from below. The
table 63 is a metal plate and extends between the supports 62. The
holder 64 is configured to hold a member to be processed by the
locking portion formation apparatus 6 (the pipe blank 20 of the
pipe assembly 100). The holder 64 is fixed on the table 63. The
holder 64 has a shape like a container that opens upward. At a
middle of the holder 64, the diameter expander 65 that is
configured to be inserted into the through hole 230 of the pipe
blank 20 is arranged.
[0071] In FIG. 11, a portion around the holder 64 and the diameter
expander 65 of the locking portion formation apparatus 6 is
illustrated in a cross section. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the
holder 64 includes a mount 64a, a wall 64b, and a securing portion
64c. On the mount 64a, a member to be processed is mounted. The
wall 64b extends upward from an outer end of the mount 64a and
surrounds the member to be processed on the mount 64a. The securing
portion 64c is provided in the middle of the mount 64c and the
diameter expander 65 is secured thereto.
[0072] The mount 64a has a substantially cylindrical shape and is
fitted in a concave attachment portion of the table 63 as
illustrated in FIG. 11. An upper surface of the mount 64a is a flat
surface on which the front end of the pipe blank 20 of the pipe
assembly 100 is arranged. The wall 64b is high enough to surround
the threaded portion 31 of the fitting 3 of the pipe assembly 100.
The securing portion 64c has a surface defining a through hole
extending in the mount 64a in an up-and-down direction (the
vertical direction). A lower end portion of the diameter expander
65 having the elongated shape is fitted in the through hole defined
by the securing portion 64c so that the diameter expander 65 is
secured by the securing portion 64c.
[0073] The diameter expander 65 is configured to press the inner
surface of the pipe blank 20 of the pipe assembly 100 outwardly to
form the locking portion 24 in the pipe blank 20. The diameter
expander 65 has an elongated cylindrical shape and is made of
metal. The diameter expander 65 includes a base 65a secured by the
securing portion 64c and a plurality of plates 65b extending upward
from the base 65a. The base 65a has a cylindrical shape and
constitutes a lower end portion of the diameter expander 65 which
is arranged in the vertical position.
[0074] The diameter expander 65 is illustrated in the top plan view
in FIG. 12. The diameter expander 65 of this embodiment includes
four plates 65b. Each of the plates 65b is an elastic plate (plate
spring). The plates 65b each have an elongated shape and have a
circular arc cross section taken along perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction thereof. The plates 65b are arranged in a
tubular shape (a ring shape) with a predetermined distance (a space
S1) therebetween. The plates 65b adjacent to each other provide a
slit therebetween. The slit corresponds to the space S1. The slit
extends along a long side of the plate 65b from one end thereof
toward the other end thereof. The slit extends to a position near
the base 65a of the diameter expander 65.
[0075] Each plate 65b has a projection 65b1 at a front end thereof.
The projection 65b1 protrudes radially outwardly from the outer
surface of the plate 65b. In this embodiment, four projections 65b1
are arranged in a circular shape with a space therebetween. The
projections 65b1 are configured to press the inner surface of the
circumferential wall 221 of the pipe blank 20 outwardly. Pressing
the inner surface of the circumferential wall 221 by the
projections 65b1 forms the locking portion 24 of the pipe blank
20.
[0076] The diameter expander 65 includes a through hole 65c
extending in the up-and-down direction (the vertical direction, the
axial direction of the diameter expander 65). The diameter expander
65 has the outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the
pipe blank 20. Each of the plates 65b of the diameter expander 65
is arranged in a vertical position as illustrated in FIG. 11, for
example. The table 63 includes a through hole 63b extending through
the table 63 in the up-and-down direction (the vertical direction)
as illustrated in FIG. 11. The through hole 63b of the table 63
communicates with the through hole 65c of the diameter expander
65.
[0077] The adjuster 66 that is configured to adjust the diameter of
the diameter expander 65 is placed on the front end portion of the
diameter expander 65. The adjuster 66 has a cylindrical shape (a
nut like shape) as a whole and an outer diameter larger than that
of the diameter expander. The adjuster 66 includes a lower portion
66a that has a conical shape with a diameter decreasing toward the
lower side. The lower portion 66a of the adjuster 66 is in contact
with the front end portion of the diameter expander 65. Inside the
diameter expander 65, a link connector 69 having a bar-like shape
is arranged to extend through the through hole 65c. The link
connector 69 is formed of an elongated metal bolt in this
embodiment. The adjuster 66 is fixed to an upper end portion 69a of
the link connector 69.
[0078] The link connector 69 is arranged inside the diameter
expander 65 (in the through hole 65c) so as to extend in the
up-and-down direction. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the link
connector 69 includes a lower end portion 69b that is attached to a
swing member 68 configured to swing on a shaft 70 in the
up-and-down direction. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the swing member
68 has a shape elongated in the right-to-left direction (a
horizontal direction). The swing member 68 is supported by the
shaft 70 so as to be able to swing in the up-and-down direction. In
the locking portion formation apparatus 6, the swing member 68 is
arranged between the base 61 and the table 63. The locking portion
formation apparatus 6 further includes a shaft bearing 71 that
extends from a lower surface of the table 63 toward the base 61.
The shaft bearing 71 supports both ends of the shaft 70.
[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 10, a first end portion 68a of the
swing member 68, which is located on the right side in FIG. 10, is
connected to the lower end portion 69b of the link connector 69. As
illustrated in FIG. 10, a second end portion 68b of the swing
member 68, which is located on the left side in FIG. 10, is
connected to a drive device 67 that is configured to move the swing
member 68 in the up-and-down direction. The drive device 67 may be
any known drive device such as a fluid pressure cylinder (for
example, an air cylinder or an oil hydraulic cylinder). The drive
device 67 is an oil hydraulic cylinder in this embodiment. The
drive device 67 is arranged on the base 61.
[0080] In the locking portion formation apparatus 6, when the
second end portion (the other end) 68b of the swing member 68 is
moved up by the drive of the drive device 67, the first end portion
(the one end) 68a of the swing member 68 moves down. This moves the
link connector 69, which is attached to the first end portion 68a
of the swing member 68, down. In other words, the lower end portion
69b of the link connector 69 is gradually pulled down as the first
end portion 68a of the swing member 68 moves down. The link
connector 69 connects between the first end portion 68a of the
swing member 68 and the adjuster 66. The adjuster 66 moves down
into the diameter expander 65 while pushing the plates 65b of the
diameter expander 65 outwardly as the link connector 69 is pulled
down. In this configuration, when the adjuster 66 moves down in the
diameter expander 65, the plates 65b are pushed outwardly and the
diameter expander 65 is forced to have a larger diameter at the
front end portion thereof.
[0081] Then, in the locking portion formation apparatus 6, when the
second end portion (the other end) 68b of the swing member 68 is
pulled down by the driving of the drive device 67, the first end
portion (the one end) 68a of the swing member 68 moves up. This
moves the link connector 69, which is attached to the first end
portion 68a of the swing member 68, up. In other words, the lower
end portion 69b of the link connector 69 is gradually pulled up as
the first end 68a of the swing member 68 moves upward. When the
link connector 69 is pulled up, the adjuster 66 that is in the
diameter expander 65 moves upward to the original position at the
front end portion of the diameter expander 65. The plates 65b of
the diameter expander 65 are each formed of a plate spring. The
plates 65b that are pushed outwardly return to its original
vertical position and the diameter of the diameter expander 65
returns to its original diameter when the adjuster 66 returns to
the original position at the front end portion of the diameter
expander 65. The driving of the drive device 67 is controlled by a
controller, which is not illustrated.
[0082] In the locking portion formation step, the above-described
locking portion formation apparatus 6 forms the locking portion 24
in the pipe blank 20 of the pipe assembly 100. The step of forming
the locking portion 24 in the pipe blank 20 will be described with
reference to FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, the pipe blank 20 of the pipe
assembly 100 is held by the holder 64. Before the pipe blank 20 of
the pipe assembly 100 is held by the holder 64, the diameter
expander 65, to which the adjuster 66 is fitted, is inserted inside
(the through hole 230) the pipe blank 20 from the front end
thereof. Then, the front end portion of the pipe blank 20 is placed
on the mount 64a such that the pipe blank 20 is arranged in a
vertical position on the mount 64a. The pipe blank 20 of the pipe
assembly 100 is held by the holder 64 in this way. At this stage
where the pipe blank 20 of the pipe assembly 100 is held by the
holder 64, the projection 65b1 at the front end of the diameter
expander 65 is positioned at a position corresponding to the rear
edge 36 of the fitting 3, which is fitted over the pipe blank 20,
or a position slightly above the rear edge 36. In this embodiment,
the projection 65b1 is positioned slightly above the rear edge 36
of the fitting 3. The rear opening edge 36a at the rear edge 36 of
the fitting 3 is inclined downward toward the inside of the fitting
3, and thus the rear opening edge 36a and the outer surface of the
pipe blank 20 provide a recess.
[0083] After the pipe blank 20 of the pipe assembly 100 is held by
the holder 64, the drive device 67 of the locking portion formation
apparatus 6 is driven to move down the adjuster 66. The adjuster 66
pushes the inner surfaces of the plates 65b of the diameter
expander 65, and thus the plates 65b are pushed outwardly so that
the diameter expander 65 expands in a radial direction toward the
wall 221 of the pipe blanks 20. When the diameter expander 65
expands in the radial direction, the projections 65b1 at the front
end of the diameter expander 65 press the inner surface of the wall
221 of the pipe blank 20 outwardly. As a result, the wall 221 of
the pipe blank 20 is plastically deformed to have a larger diameter
at the parts pressed by the projections 65b1 of the diameter
expander 65, and thus the locking portion 24 in contact with the
rear edge 36 (the rear opening edge 36a) of the fitting 3 is
formed. The formation of the locking portion 24 in the pipe blank
20 provides the pipe end structure 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG.
3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the locking portion 24 protrudes from
the outer surface of the pipe 20 (the pipe 2) and is in close
contact with the rear edge 36 (particularly, the rear opening edge
36a) of the fitting 3.
[0084] After the formation of the locking portion 24, the adjuster
66 is returned to the original position by the drive device 67 of
the locking portion formation apparatus 6. As a result, the
diameter expander 65 contracts (the diameter of the diameter
expander 65 decreases) to its original size, and thus the diameter
expander 65 is allowed to be pulled out of the through hole 230
(the fluid passage 23). Subsequently, the diameter expander 65 is
pulled out of the through hole 230 and the processed pipe blank
having the locking portion 24 (the pipe end structure 1) is
detached from the holder 64. According to the above described
method, the locking portion 24 is formed at a predetermined
position of the pipe blank 20 over which the fitting 3 is
fitted.
[0085] As described above, the pipe end structure 1 of this
embodiment is produced. After the locking portion formation step,
any step such as shaping may be performed on the pipe end structure
1.
[0086] According to the method of forming the pipe end structure 1
of this embodiment, the inner surface of the pipe blank 20 that
will become the pipe 2 is pressed outwardly, and thus the
circumferential wall 221 of the pipe blank 20 is radially expanded
to form the locking portion 24. The locking portion 24 is a
protrusion evenly extending outwardly in a ring shape on the
circumferential wall 21 of the pipe blank 20. The method of forming
the pipe end structure 1 of this embodiment provides the pipe end
structure 1 in which the fitting 3 is hardly detached from the pipe
blank 20 (the pipe 2). The fitting 3 is sandwiched between the
locking portion 24 and the front ridge 22 on the pipe blank 20 (the
pipe 2). In this configuration, the fitting 3 hardly moves in the
longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the
pipe blank 20. According to the method of forming the pipe end
structure 1 of this embodiment, the pipe blank 20 (the pipe 2) is
hardly buckled.
[0087] According to the method of forming the pipe end structure 1
of this embodiment, the fitting having a cylindrical shape is
properly fixed to a predetermined position of the metal pipe blank
without welding. In the pipe end structure 1, the pipe 2 is a
seamless pipe, and thus the fluid flowing in the pipe 2 does not
leak out of the pipe 2.
Second Embodiment
[0088] A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
14 and FIG. 15. In this embodiment, a method of forming a pipe end
structure 1A having a configuration illustrated in FIG. 14 will be
described. The method according to this embodiment is the same as
the method according to the first embodiment except for the locking
portion formation step. Hereinafter, only the locking portion
formation step will be described for the second embodiment. In the
locking portion formation step of this embodiment, a locking
portion 24A is formed in a pipe 2A (a pipe blank 20A) by a press
fit bar 8 illustrated in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.
[0089] The press fit bar 8 is pushed into a through hole 23A of the
pipe blank 20A of the pipe assembly 100 from a front end of the
pipe blank 20A to form the locking portion 24A. The press fit bar 8
is a component of a press fitting machine which is not illustrated.
The press fitting machine further includes a member configured to
move the press fit bar 8 in the front-to-rear direction. The press
fit bar 8 includes an insertion portion 81, a contact portion 82
extending from a rear edge of the insertion portion 81, and a fixed
shaft 83 extending from a rear edge of the contact portion 82. The
insertion portion 81 has a shaft like shape and is configured to be
inserted into the through hole of the pipe blank 20A. The contact
portion 82 is configured to be in contact with a front end portion
of the pipe blank 20A when the insertion portion 81 is inserted
into the through hole of the pipe blank 20A. The fixed shaft 83 is
fixed to another component of the press fitting machine.
[0090] The insertion portion 81 has a cylindrical shape as a whole.
The insertion portion 81 includes a press-fit portion 81a at a
front end side thereof. The press-fit portion 81a has an outer
diameter larger than remaining portions of the insertion portion
81. The press-fit portion 81a includes a front end portion 81a1
that has a diameter decreasing from the rear side toward the front
thereof. The press-fit portion 81a has an outer diameter that is
larger than an inner diameter of the pipe blank 20A without the
locking portion 24A.
[0091] The press-fit portion 81a is configured to press the inner
surface of the circumferential wall 21A of the pipe blank 20A
outwardly when the insertion portion 81 is inserted into the
through hole of the pipe blank 20A. The front end portion 81a1 of
the press-fit portion 81a is positioned near the rear edge 36 of
the fitting 3 when the insertion portion 81 reaches the farthest
point in the through hole of the pipe blank 20A.
[0092] The contact portion 82 has a larger diameter than the
insertion portion 81. The contact portion 82 has a front end
surface 82a having a circular ring shape. As described above, the
front end portion 81a1 of the press-fit portion 81a is positioned
near the rear edge 36 of the fitting 3 when the insertion portion
81 is inserted into the through hole of the pipe blank 20A and the
front end portion of the pipe blank 20A is in contact with the
front end surface 82a of the contact portion 82.
[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the pipe blank 20A of the pipe
assembly 100 is held by the fixture 4 (the fixture used in the
front ridge formation step) at a position adjacent to the rear edge
36 of the fitting 3. The pipe blank 20A of the pipe assembly 100 is
held by the fixture 4 with a small space between the front end
surface 41a of the fixture 4 and the rear edge (surface) of the
fitting 3, which is fitted over the pipe blank 20A. The small space
has a size required for the formation of the locking portion
24A.
[0094] When the press fit bar 8 is inserted in (into the through
hole 23A of) the pipe blank 20 of the pipe assembly 100, the
press-fit portion 81a of the press fit bar 8 moves toward the rear
side while pressing the inner surface of the circumferential wall
21A of the pipe blank 20 outwardly. As a result, an outer surface
21Aa of the circumferential wall 21A is pressed against an inner
wall 3b of the fitting 3 so as to be in close contact with each
other. The inner surface 21Ab of the circumferential wall 21A is
plastically deformed as the press-fit portion 81a moves in the pipe
blank 20. This forms the locking portion 24A that is in contact
with the rear edge 36 (the rear opening edge 36a) of the fitting 3.
The front end portion 81a1 of the press-fit portion 81a moves in
the through hole 23A while scraping the inner surface 21Ab of the
circumferential wall 21A. As a result, the scraped material of the
circumferential wall 21A of the pipe blank 20A is gathered to a
position behind the fitting 3. The gathered material of the
circumferential wall 21A is in a protruded shape protruding from
the outer surface 21Aa of the pipe blank 20A at a position between
the front end surface 41a of the fixture 4 and the rear edge
(surface) 36 of the fitting 3. The gathered material constitutes
the locking portion 24A.
[0095] The insertion of the press fit bar 8 into the pipe blank 20
is performed until the locking portion 24A is formed. The press fit
bar 8 may be inserted once or twice or more into the pipe blank 20
to form the locking portion 24A.
[0096] As described above, according to the method of forming the
pipe end structure 1A of this embodiment, the inner surface of the
pipe blank 20A, which will become the pipe 2A, is pressed outwardly
such that the circumferential wall 21A of the pipe blank 20A is
radially expanded to form the locking portion 24A. The locking
portion 24A is a protrusion evenly extending outwardly in a ring
shape on the circumferential wall 21A of the pipe blank 20A. The
method of forming the pipe end structure 1A of this embodiment
provides the pipe end structure 1A in which the fitting 3 is hardly
detached from the pipe blank 20A (the pipe 2A). The fitting 3 is
sandwiched between the locking portion 24A and the front ridge 22
on the pipe blank 20A (the pipe 2A). In this configuration, the
fitting 3 hardly moves in the longitudinal direction and the
circumferential direction of the pipe blank 20A. In addition,
according to the method of forming the pipe end structure 1A of
this embodiment, the pipe blank 20A (the pipe 2A) is hardly
buckled.
[0097] According to the method of forming the pipe end structure 1A
of this embodiment, the fitting having a tubular shape is properly
fixed to a predetermined position of the metal pipe blank without
welding.
Other Embodiments
[0098] The technology described herein is not limited to the above
embodiments explained in the above description and the drawings.
The technology described herein may include the following
embodiments.
[0099] (1) In the first and second embodiments, the pipe 2, 2A
included in the pipe end structure 1, 1A extends straight. However,
the technology is not limited to this configuration. In some
embodiments, the pipe 2 may be bent in various curved shapes
depending on the intended use of the pipe end structure (pipe
routing).
[0100] (2) In the first and second embodiments, the front ridge 22
has the single thread shape. However, the technology is not limited
to this configuration. In some embodiments, the surface of the
ridge may be a cylindrical surface. The shape of the front ridge 22
may be changed depending on an end structure of another pipe to
which the pipe is connected.
[0101] (3) In the first and second embodiments, the rear opening
edge 36a at the rear edge 36 of the fitting 3 is inclined downward
toward the inside of the fitting 3, and thus a recess is provided
between the rear opening edge 36a and the outer surface of the pipe
20, 20A. However, the technology is not limited to this
configuration. In some embodiments, the rear opening edge 36a of
the fitting 3 may not have such an inclined part that provides a
recess and may be flat.
[0102] (4) In the first and second embodiments, the pipe end
structure 1, 1A is a component of the hydraulic passage for driving
the fork of the fork lift. However, the technology is not limited
to this configuration. The pipe end structure 1, 1A may be a
component for any other products in some embodiments.
[0103] (5) In the first and second embodiments, the front ridge 22
has a ring-like front shape. However, the technology is not limited
thereto. The front ridge 22 may have a square tube shape, a
triangular tube shape, a pentagonal tube shape, a hexagonal tube
shape, or other tube shape (a ring shape) in some embodiments.
[0104] (6) In the locking portion formation step according to the
second embodiment, instead of the press fit bar 8, another press
fit bar 8A as illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 may be used. The
press fit bar 8A has an insertion portion 81A that has a different
shape from the insertion portion 81 of the press fit bar 8 of the
second embodiment. The press fit bar 8 of the second embodiment
includes the press-fit portion 81a that has a circular shape in a
front view viewed along an axial direction of the press fit bar 8.
The press fit bar 8A illustrated in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 includes a
press-fit bar 81Aa that has a triangular shape (an example of
polygonal shape) in a front view viewed along the axial direction.
Like the second embodiment, the front end portion 81Aa1 of the
press-fit portion 81Aa is positioned near the rear edge 36 of the
fitting 3 when the insertion portion 81 is inserted in the pipe
blank 20A. The press fit bar 8A having such a configuration has a
smaller area that is in contact with the circumferential wall 21A
of the pipe blank 20A than the press fit bar 8 of the second
embodiment. With this configuration, the press fit bar 8A can be
easily inserted into the pipe blank 20A of the press fit bar 8. The
locking portion formation step of forming the locking portion in
the pipe blank 20A may be performed by the insertion bar 8A having
the insertion portion 81Aa that is in a polygonal shape such as a
triangular shape.
* * * * *