Hose connector and automotive component part incorporated with hose connector

A hose connector for connecting a hose, comprising;

• a connector main body including an inner tubular portion and a first engagement portion formed on an outer circumference of a base end part of the inner tubular portion;
• and
• a lock member including an outer tubular portion fitted on the inner tubular portion and having an inner circumferential surface defining an annular gap in cooperation with an outer circumferential surface of the inner tubular portion, and a second engagement portion formed on the outer tubular portion for selective engagement with the first engagement portion;
• wherein the lock member is rotatable relative to the connector main body around an axial line in a prescribed direction so as to displace the lock member from an unlocked position to a locked position in an axial direction, an engagement structure formed jointly by the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engaging the two engagement portions with each other in the locked position so as to prevent the rotation of the lock member back to the unlocked position;
• wherein the inner tubular portion is provided with an annular enlarged diameter portion on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and the outer tubular portion is provided with an annular reduced diameter portion on an inner circumferential surface thereof, the annular enlarged diameter portion and the annular reduced diameter portion being positioned such that the annular enlarged diameter portion and the annular reduced diameter portion are axially spaced from each other when the lock member is in the unlocked position, and axially proximate to each other when the lock member is in the locked position;
• wherein a front end of a hose can be inserted in the annular gap between the inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion when the lock member is in the unlocked position, and the front end of the hose can be clamped between the annular enlarged diameter portion and the annular reduced diameter portion when the lock member is displaced to the locked position;
• and
• wherein the lock member is provided with a frangible part that is preferentially fractured before the engagement structure between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is broken, or the annular enlarged diameter portion or the annular reduced diameter portion is fractured when a twisting force exceeding a prescribed level is applied to the lock member in the locked position, the frangible part being positioned so as to prevent or restrain the annular enlarged diameter portion and the annular reduced diameter portion from separating from each other when fractured.