US 7,007,981 B2 · Connecting structure of pipe and pipe joint and method of connecting the pipe to the pipe joint

Abstract

In a connecting structure of a pipe of an air conditioning unit and a pipe joint for supporting the pipe, an insertion hole through which the pipe is inserted is formed within the pipe joint. The insertion hole has substantially a L-shaped cross-section and includes a first portion for receiving an end portion of the pipe and a second portion for receiving a flat portion of the pipe. The second portion is elliptical-shaped. In connecting the pipe to the pipe joint, the pipe is pressed into the insertion hole by a pressing punch. As a result, the pipe is bent and shaped along the elliptical shape of the second portion in the pipe joint, thereby forming the flat portion in the bend of the pipe. At the same time that the flat portion is formed, the pipe is clamped in the pipe joint.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A connecting structure comprising:

a pipe connecting to a device;
and
a pipe joint having a housing portion therein and fixed to a fixing base portion for supporting the pipe,
wherein the pipe includes a flat portion, a dimension of which is smaller than an outside diameter of the pipe other than the flat portion, the dimension being in a direction substantially parallel to a height direction of the pipe joint,
wherein the flat portion is housed in the housing portion;
and
wherein the pipe is bent toward the fixing base portion to have a bend which is housed in the housing portion and the flat portion is formed in the bend of the pipe.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Connecting structure of pipe and pipe joint and method of connecting the pipe to the pipe joint

Life of this patent

Connecting structure of pipe and pipe joint and method of connecting the pipe to the pipe joint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12