JP2002243085A - Coupling device with washing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify structure of a moving driving means to connect both couplers by improving a valve mechanism of the both couplers on a coupling device with a washing function free to wash head end parts of the both couplers. SOLUTION: The coupling device 1 with the washing function is furnished with the male coupler 4 connected to a downstream pipe 3, the female coupler 5 connected to an upstream pipe 2 and the moving driving mechanism to connect and separate the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5 to and from each other, the sheet type valve mechanism 7 including a valve seat 39a and a valve body 13 is provided on the male coupler 4, the sheet type valve mechanism 8 including a valve seat 60a and a valve body 52 is provided on the female coupler 5, and a first air cylinder to change the both couplers over to a separate state and semi-connecting state and a second air cylinder to. change the both couplers over to the semi-connecting state and a complete connecting state are serially provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coupling device with a cleaning function capable of cleaning the tip portions of a male coupler and a female coupler, and in particular, two couplers are separated, semi-connected, completely The present invention relates to a device that can be connected and disconnected in three stages of a connection state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, flange joints, screw joints, coupling devices, and the like have been widely used for connecting pipes. Among them, the coupling device is easy to connect and disconnect between the male coupler and the female coupler, so the connection of the pipe by the coupling device is used for a connection portion of a device that needs to be frequently attached and detached. .

In a coupling device, when the male coupler and the female coupler are separated from each other, the distal ends of both couplers come into contact with the outside air. Dust adheres to the soil and germs propagate. Therefore, when handling materials such as foods that require attention to hygiene in the devices and tubes connected by the coupling device, before and after flowing the fluid through the ring device, the cleaning of the distal ends of both couplers was cut off from the outside. Must be done in state.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-9767 discloses a coupling device capable of cleaning the tip portions of both couplers while being cut off from the outside. The male coupler and the female coupler of this coupling device are provided with a valve mechanism, respectively, and this coupling device engages the distal end of the male coupler with the distal end of the female coupler to connect and disconnect both couplers. An air cylinder and another air cylinder that brings the male coupler valve body into contact with the female coupler valve body, and the male coupler valve mechanism with the male coupler valve body and the female coupler valve body in contact with each other. An air actuator for simultaneously opening the valve mechanisms of the female couplers.

[0005] The valve mechanism of the male coupler is a spool-type valve mechanism, in which a valve body is disposed inside a cylindrical connection portion, an annular seal member is mounted on the valve body, and the valve body is connected to an inner surface of the connection portion. To open and close the valve. The valve mechanism of the female coupler is a seat-type valve mechanism in which the valve body is pressed against the valve seat side to close the valve. With the distal end of the male coupler and the distal end of the female coupler engaged with each other, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the outside to the inside of the coupling device (the space surrounded by the distal ends of both couplers) through the injection hole provided in the male coupler. Is injected, and the ends of both couplers are washed while being shielded from the outside, and the washing liquid is discharged from a discharge hole provided in the male coupler.

[0006]

In the coupling device disclosed in the above publication, the valve mechanism of the male coupler is a spool-type valve mechanism, and the valve body is formed into a cylindrical shape via a seal member when the valve mechanism opens and closes. If this coupling device is used for a long time because it slides on the inner surface of the connecting portion, a leak may occur in the sliding portion, and the cleaning liquid may flow into the pipe during cleaning of both couplers. Even when the coupling device is not connected, outside air can flow into the tube connected to the male coupler. Further, since three separate movement driving means are required to connect and disconnect the male coupler and the female coupler, the size of the entire coupling device is increased. An object of the present invention is to improve the valve mechanism of both couplers of a coupling device with a cleaning function, to simplify the structure of a moving drive means for connecting both couplers, and the like.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling device having a cleaning function, comprising a male coupler and a female coupler which can be connected and disconnected, wherein both couplers are in a semi-connected state and the tips of both couplers can be cleaned. In the coupling device with a washing function, the male coupler is provided with a seat-type valve mechanism including a valve seat and a valve body, and the female coupler is provided with a seat-type valve mechanism including a valve seat and a valve body. A first movement driving means for switching the two couplers between a separated state and a half-connected state; and a second movement driving means for switching the two couplers between a half-connected state and a completely connected state. It is characterized by the following.

[0008] The separated state of both couplers is a state in which both couplers are completely separated, and the semi-connected state is a state in which both couplers are engaged at their tips and the tips of both couplers are washable. In the completely connected state, the valve body of the male coupler and the valve body of the female coupler abut, and the seat type valve mechanism (poppet type valve mechanism) of the male coupler and the seat type valve mechanism of the female coupler are both opened. It is in the state that it is.

When both couplers are separated, both the male coupler seat valve mechanism and the female coupler seat valve mechanism are closed. Next, the male coupler and the female coupler are engaged by the first movement driving means to switch to a semi-connected state. The valve member of the male coupler seat and the valve seat of the male coupler seat mechanism and the valve of the seat coupler valve mechanism of the female coupler are driven integrally by bringing the valve body of the male coupler into contact with the valve body of the female coupler by the second movement driving means. The body and the valve seat are separated from each other, and both couplers are switched to the fully connected state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the male coupler includes a case main body and an axially distal end located outside the case main body. An extended outer cylindrical body, a valve seat forming body which is slidably mounted inside the case main body and the outer cylindrical body in a liquid-tight manner and has a valve seat at a distal end, and a valve shaft disposed inside the valve seat forming body And a valve body facing the valve seat, wherein the valve body is fixed to the case body.

In the semi-connected state of the two couplers, the valve body is in contact with the valve seat of the valve seat forming body at the valve portion. When the two couplers are switched to the completely connected state, the valve body becomes the valve body of the female coupler. After that, the valve seat forming body slides in a liquid-tight manner with respect to the case body and the outer cylinder, and the valve body and the valve seat are separated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the coupling device with a cleaning function according to the second aspect of the present invention, the female coupler has a valve surface portion which can be inserted into a distal end portion of the outer cylinder and faces the valve seat. A main body, a movable outer cylinder externally fitted to the case main body so as to be slidable in a liquid-tight manner and engageable with a distal end portion of the outer cylindrical body; and a case main body mounted movably in an axial direction inside the case main body. And a valve body biased toward the valve seat.

In a semi-connected state of the male coupler and the female coupler, the female coupler is inserted into the distal end portion of the outer cylinder of the male coupler with the valve body in contact with the valve seat of the case body, and the case body is At the valve face portion, the movable outer cylinder comes into contact with the valve seat of the valve seat forming body and engages with the distal end of the outer cylinder body. Next, when the male coupler and the female coupler are switched to the completely connected state, the movable outer cylinder slides liquid-tight with respect to the case body, and the valve body contacts the valve body of the male coupler. The valve body is separated from the valve seat in a state of contact with the valve body of the male coupler.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling device having a cleaning function, wherein the urging member for urging the valve seat forming body toward the axial end is provided in the third aspect of the invention. is there. Therefore, in the separated state and the semi-connected state of both couplers, the state where the valve seat of the valve seat forming body is in close contact with the valve portion of the valve body is maintained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling device having a cleaning function according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein an annular flange portion is formed at a distal end portion of the case main body, and the annular flange portion is provided on a surface on a proximal end side in the axial center direction. A valve seat is formed. Therefore, in the separated state and the semi-connected state of both couplers, the valve body is in close contact with the valve seat of the annular flange of the case body.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the valve body of the female coupler has a cylindrical valve shaft and a valve portion, and the cylindrical valve shaft is slidable. And a biasing member for biasing the valve body is provided. Accordingly, in the separated state and the semi-connected state of the two couplers, the state in which the valve body is in close contact with the valve seat is maintained, and when switching to the completely connected state, the valve body is moved with respect to the valve body supporting member at its cylindrical valve shaft. Sliding,
The valve body is separated from the valve seat.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the coupling device with a washing function according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an urging member is provided for urging the movable outer cylinder of the female coupler toward the front end in the axial direction. Things. Therefore, in the semi-connected state of both couplers, the movable outer cylinder engages with the distal end of the outer cylinder, and when switching to the completely connected state, the movable outer cylinder is connected to the distal end of the outer cylinder to the case body. Slide against it.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the coupling device with a cleaning function according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, an injection hole for injecting a cleaning liquid into the outer cylinder of the male coupler and discharging the cleaning liquid. And a discharge hole for forming the same. Therefore, in the semi-connected state of the two couplers, the cleaning liquid is injected from the injection hole from the outside, and after cleaning the tips of the male coupler and the female coupler, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the discharge hole.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the coupling device with a cleaning function according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the first movement driving means has a first fluid pressure cylinder, and the second movement driving means has It has a 2nd hydraulic cylinder arranged in series with the 1st hydraulic cylinder. Therefore, the first hydraulic cylinder switches both couplers from the separated state to the semi-connected state, and then switches the two couplers from the semi-connected state to the fully connected state by the second hydraulic cylinder.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a food or a fluid serving as a raw material of the food flows from an upper upstream pipe 2 to a lower downstream pipe 3 via a coupling device 1 having a washing function. As shown in FIG. 1, a coupling device 1 with a cleaning function includes a male coupler 4 connected to a downstream pipe 3 and an upstream pipe 2
, And a moving drive mechanism 6 for connecting and disconnecting the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5. The male coupler 4 is provided with a seat type valve mechanism 7 including a valve seat 39a and a valve body 13, and the female coupler 5 is also provided with a valve seat 60a.
And a seat-type valve mechanism 8 including a valve body 52.

The coupling device 1 with a washing function is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5 are separated from each other, as shown in FIG. From the half-connected state, the two couplers are further pressed against each other, and the valve body 13 of the male coupler 4 and the valve body 52 of the female coupler 5 abut, and the valve body 13 of the male coupler 4 and the valve seat 39a and the valve body of the female coupler 5 52 and the valve seat 60a can be switched to a completely connected state in which they are separated from each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the movement driving mechanism 6 is provided with a first air cylinder 70 and a second air cylinder 71. The first air cylinder 70 drives the male coupler 4 toward the front end in the axial direction. The two air cylinders 71 similarly drive the male coupler 4 toward the distal end in the axial direction, and switch both couplers between the semi-connected state and the completely connected state. Switch.

When the coupling device 1 with the cleaning function is in the separated state, the tips of the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5 are in contact with the outside air, so that dust may adhere to the tips or bacteria may propagate at the tips. The first air cylinder 70 switches both couplers from the separated state to the semi-connected state, and the cleaning liquid is injected into the inside of the coupling device 1 (a space surrounded by the distal ends of both couplers) to clean the distal ends of both couplers. . After cleaning the end portions of both couplers, both couplers are switched to the completely connected state by the second air cylinder 71, and the fluid flows from the upstream pipe 2 to the downstream pipe 3 via the coupling device 1.

Next, the structure of the male coupler 4 will be described.
The male coupler 4 includes a case body 10, an outer cylindrical body 11 located outside the case body 10 and extending toward the distal end in the axial direction, a valve seat forming body 12 having a valve seat 39 a, and a valve seat 39 a. And a spring 14 for urging the valve seat forming body 12 toward the distal end side (upward) in the axial direction, a base plate 15 for pushing up the case body 10 and the outer cylindrical body 11, and the like.

The case body 10 includes a connecting member 20 connected to the downstream pipe 3, a cylindrical member 21 in which the outer surface of the valve seat forming body 12 can slide in a liquid-tight manner, and a valve shaft 13a of the valve body 13 having a lower end. It is constituted by a valve body support member 22 and the like which are supported by a portion.

The connecting member 20 is formed by integrally forming a lower annular portion 23, a tapered portion 24 having a small diameter below, and an upper cylindrical portion 25. The connecting member 20 is inserted into the downstream pipe 3 at the cylindrical section 25, and a flange 25 a for preventing the falling off from the downstream pipe 3 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower end of the cylindrical section 25. The connection member 20 is bolted to the base plate 15 at the annular portion 23. The cylindrical member 21 is fitted and supported inside the through hole 42 of the base plate 15, and the valve seat forming body 12 is mounted on the inner surface of the cylindrical member 21 so as to be slidable in a liquid-tight manner.

The valve body support member 22 is a valve shaft 13a of the valve body 13.
, A plurality of holding plates 27 that support the supporting portion 26, and an annular member 28 are integrally formed. The lower end of the valve shaft 13b of the valve body 13 is fixed to the support portion 26, and the support portion 26 is supported by a plurality of holding plates 27 extending radially from the support portion 26 and an annular member 28 to which the holding plates 27 are connected. ing. The annular member 28 is connected to the connecting member 20.
And is fitted and supported inside the tubular member 21.

The outer cylindrical body 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the base body 15 and is located outside the case body 10 and extends to the tip side from the case body 10. An annular engaging portion 30 with which the movable outer cylinder 51 is engaged is provided at an upper end portion of the outer cylinder body 11, and an upper end of the engaging portion 30 is provided to guide the movable outer cylinder 51 into engagement. A tapered portion 30a having a large diameter is formed. The engaging portion 30 has a contact surface 33 with which the lower end surface of the movable outer cylinder 51 contacts, and the contact surface 33 has a seal member 33.
a is attached.

At the center of the outer cylinder 11, a valve seat forming body 12 is provided.
Are formed with a sliding hole 31 for sliding in a liquid-tight manner. An injection hole 34 for injecting the cleaning liquid from the outside and a discharge hole 35 for discharging the cleaning liquid to the outside are formed near the center of the outer cylinder 11. The cleaning liquid injection pipe 34a is connected to the injection hole 34, and the cleaning liquid discharge pipe 35a is connected to the discharge hole 35. When the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5 are in a semi-connected state, the cleaning liquid is injected into the coupling device 1 having the cleaning function from the injection hole 34 and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the discharge hole 35 while the distal ends of both couplers are cleaned. Is done. The lower end surface of the outer cylinder 11 is fitted in the annular groove 45 of the base plate 15, and the outer cylinder 11 is fixed to the base 15 by welding, bolting, or the like.

The valve seat forming body 12 is formed by integrally forming a lower cylindrical portion 36 and an upper flange portion 37. The cylindrical portion 36 is mounted inside the cylindrical member 21 of the case body 10 so as to be slidable in a liquid-tight manner on its outer peripheral surface, and a seal member 36a is mounted on the outer peripheral surface at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 36. Flange 3
Numeral 7 has valve seats 39a and 40a at its tip, and the flange 37 is mounted in the sliding hole 31 of the outer cylinder 11 so as to be slidable in a liquid-tight manner.

A seal member 41 is mounted on the outer periphery of the flange portion 37, and an annular protrusion 38 is formed on the upper surface of the flange portion 37. The seal member forming the valve seats 39a and 40a is formed on the protrusion 38. 39 and 40 are mounted.

The valve body 13 is formed by integrally forming a valve shaft 13a disposed inside the valve seat forming body 12 and a valve portion 13b facing the valve seat 39a. The valve shaft 13a is fixed to the support portion 26 of the valve body support member 22 at the base end. The annular valve portion 13b is connected to the tip of the valve shaft 13a, and the valve portion 13b
Is formed in a conical shape. The valve portion 13b can contact the valve seat 39a from above at the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface thereof, and forms the seat-type valve mechanism 7. Spring 14
Is externally fitted to the tubular member 21, the upper end of the spring 14 abuts on the lower surface of the flange 37 of the valve seat forming body 12, and the spring 14 urges the valve seat forming body 12 upward.

A through-hole 42 is formed in the center of the base plate 15, the cylindrical member 21 of the case body 10 is fitted into the through-hole 42, and the case body 10 is fixed to the base plate 15 by bolts. A plurality of rod through holes 44 through which the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 penetrates the base plate 15 outside the through hole 42. Base plate 15
An annular groove 45 is formed between the through hole 42 and the rod through hole 44 on the upper surface of the outer cylindrical body 11, and the lower end surface of the outer cylindrical body 11 is fitted and fixed in the groove 45.

Next, the structure of the female coupler 5 will be described.
The female coupler 5 includes a case main body 50 having a valve surface portion 61 facing the valve seat 40 a of the male coupler 4, a movable outer cylinder 5 fitted externally to the case main body 50 and engageable with the engaging portion 30 of the outer cylindrical body 11.
1 and a valve body 52 facing the valve seat 60a of the case body 50.
It is composed of

The case body 50 includes a connecting member 53 connected to the upstream pipe 2, a valve seat forming member 54 having a valve seat 61 a facing the valve seat 60 a and the valve seat 40 a of the male coupler 4, and a valve body 5.
2 is constituted by a valve body support member 55 for supporting the second member.

The connecting member 53 is formed by integrally forming a lower annular portion 56, a tapered portion 57 having a smaller diameter toward the upper side, and an upper cylindrical portion 58. The connecting member 53 is inserted into the upstream pipe 2 at the cylindrical portion 58, and a flange 58 a for preventing falling off from the upstream pipe 2 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper end of the cylindrical portion 58.

An annular flange 59 is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical valve seat forming member 54, a seal member 60 is mounted on the valve seat 60 a on the upper surface of the annular flange 59, and a lower surface of the annular flange 59 is provided on the lower surface of the annular flange 59. A valve face portion 61 facing the valve seat 40a of the valve seat forming body 12 is formed. The upper end of the valve seat forming member 54 is connected to the connecting member 5.
3 is bolted to the annular portion 56. An annular protrusion 64 with which the movable outer cylinder 51 is engaged is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the valve seat forming member 54. The valve seat forming member 54
Has a larger diameter than the valve portion 13b of the valve body 13.

The valve seat support member 55 is formed by integrally forming a support portion 65 for holding the valve element 52 slidably up and down, a plurality of holding plates 66 for supporting the support portion 65, and an annular member 67. The support portion 65 is formed by integrally forming a lower tubular portion 65a and an upper thick portion 65b, and the tubular valve shaft 52a of the valve body 52 is slidably inserted into the tubular portion 65a. ing. The support portion 65 includes a plurality of holding plates 66 extending radially from the outer peripheral surface thereof, and an annular member 67 connected to the holding plate 66.
Supported by The annular member 67 is fitted and supported inside the connection member 53 and the valve seat forming member 54.

The movable outer cylinder 51 is fitted to the valve seat forming member 54 so as to be slidable in a liquid-tight manner, and a seal member 51a is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the movable outer cylinder 51. The distal end of the movable outer cylinder 51 can be engaged with the engaging portion 30 of the outer cylinder 11, and in this engaged state, the distal end surface of the movable outer cylinder 51 comes into contact with the contact surface 33 of the engaging portion 30. It is in close contact with the seal member 33a. An engagement portion 51 b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the movable outer cylinder 51 to prevent the movable outer cylinder 51 from falling off from the valve seat forming member 54, and the engaging portion 51 b engages with the projecting portion 64 of the valve seat forming member 54. An annular spring receiving portion 51c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the movable outer cylinder 51, and a spring 68 is provided between the annular spring receiving portion 51c and the connection member 53,
The spring 68 urges the movable outer cylinder 51 downward.

The valve body 52 is formed by integrally forming a cylindrical valve shaft 52a and a valve portion 52b, and the outer peripheral portion of the valve body 52 can be brought into contact with the valve seat 60a of the valve seat forming member 54 from above, and is formed in a sheet form. The valve mechanism 8 is constituted. The cylindrical valve shaft 52a is vertically slidably held by the cylindrical portion 65a of the valve body support member 55. The lower surface of the disc-shaped valve portion 52b is the valve portion 13 of the male coupler 4.
b is formed in a concave shape at the center so that the conical surface on the upper surface thereof abuts. The valve portion 52b faces the valve seat 60a at the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface. The cylindrical valve shaft 52a and the cylindrical portion 6
A spring 69 is disposed inside 5a, and the valve body 52 is biased by the spring 69 toward the valve seat 60a.

Next, the movement driving mechanism 6 will be described. The moving drive mechanism 6 has two first air cylinders 70 for switching both couplers between a separated state and a semi-connected state, and switching both couplers between a semi-connected state and a fully connected state.
And two second air cylinders 71 are vertically arranged in series. The first air cylinder 70 is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 72, and the second air cylinder 71 is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 76.

Each of the first air cylinders 70 includes a cylinder body 73 and a piston (not shown) inside the cylinder body 73.
And an annular member 75 fixed to the output rod 74. The cylinder body 73 is fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 72, and the output rod 74 is connected to the rod through hole 44 of the base plate 15 of the male coupler 4.
Penetrates. The cylinder body 73 is provided with an air supply pipe 73a.
Is connected to an external air supply source (not shown).

When switching both couplers from the separated state to the semi-connected state, the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 is used.
To drive the male coupler 4 upward through the annular member 75. On the other hand, when switching both couplers from the semi-connected state to the separated state, the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 is retracted to lower the male coupler 4.

Each second air cylinder 71 has a cylinder body 77 and a piston (not shown) inside the cylinder body 77.
And an annular member 79 fixed to the upper end of the output rod 78. The cylinder body 77 is fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 76, and the cylinder body 77 is connected to an external air supply source (not shown) via an air supply pipe 77a.

When the two couplers are switched from the semi-connected state to the fully connected state, the output rod 78 of the second air cylinder 71 is advanced while the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 is advanced, and the annular member 79 is moved. Through male coupler 4
And the first air cylinder are integrally driven upward. On the other hand, when both couplers are switched from the completely connected state to the semi-connected state, the output rod 78 of the second air cylinder 71 is retracted with the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 advanced, and the male coupler is 4 and the first air cylinder 70 are integrally lowered.

Next, the operation of the coupling device 1 with a cleaning function will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5 are separated from each other, since the valve seat forming body 12 is urged upward by the spring 14 in the male coupler 4, the valve portion 13b is in close contact with the valve seat 39a. However, the seat type valve mechanism 7 is in a valve closed state. Also in the female coupler 5, the valve element 52
Is urged by the spring 69 toward the valve seat 60a, and the valve portion 5
2b is in close contact with the valve seat 60a, and the seat type valve mechanism 8 is in a closed state.

To switch to the semi-connected state as shown in FIG.
The first air cylinder 70 advances the output rod 74 and drives the male coupler 4 upward. At this time, the movable outer cylinder 51 is engaged with the engagement portion 30 of the outer cylinder body 11 and the distal end surface of the movable outer cylinder 51 is in contact with the contact surface 33, and the two couplers are in a semi-connected state. In the semi-connected state, the seat-type valve mechanism 7 of the male coupler 4 and the seat-type valve mechanism 8 of the female coupler 5 are both held in a closed state, so that the inside of the coupling device 1 (at the ends of both couplers). The enclosed space) is cut off from the outside.

In the semi-connected state shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning liquid is injected into the inside of the coupling device 1 from the cleaning liquid injection pipe 34 a connected to the injection hole 34, and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge pipe 35 a connected to the discharge hole 35. And clean the tip of both couplers. Since the valve mechanism 7 of the male coupler 4 and the valve mechanism 8 of the female coupler 5 are both sheet-type valve mechanisms, no leakage occurs, and the cleaning liquid does not flow into the upstream pipe 2 or the downstream pipe 3 during cleaning.

When flowing the fluid from the upstream pipe 2 to the downstream pipe 3 via the coupling device 1 with a washing function, the fluid is switched to the completely connected state as shown in FIG. 3 as follows. First, with the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 advanced, the output rod 78 of the second air cylinder 71 is
And the male coupler 4 and the first air cylinder are integrally driven upward via the annular member 79.

When the male coupler 4 is pushed up, the distal end surface of the movable outer cylinder 51 is in contact with the contact surface 33 of the outer cylinder body 11, so that the movable outer cylinder 51 is disengaged against the urging force of the spring 68. It is pushed up by the cylinder 11. Next, the valve element 13 is
2 and at the same time, the valve face portion 61 of the valve seat forming member 54 of the female coupler 5 comes into close contact with the valve seat 40 a of the valve seat forming body 12.

From the state where the valve body 13 and the valve body 52 are in contact with each other,
The valve body 13 and the valve body 52 are integrally pushed up against the biasing force of the springs 68 and 69. At this time, the valve seat forming body 1
2 retreats relatively to the outer cylinder 11, the valve portion 13b is separated from the valve seat 39a and the seat-type valve mechanism 7 of the male coupler 4
At the same time, the valve portion 52b is separated from the valve seat 60a, the seat type valve mechanism 8 of the female coupler 5 is also opened, and the fluid flows from the upstream pipe 2 to the downstream pipe 3 via the coupling device 1. Flows to

In order to switch the fully connected state of the two couplers to the semi-connected state as shown in FIG. 3, the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 is advanced and the second air cylinder 7
The first output rod 78 is retracted, and the male coupler 4 and the first air cylinder 70 are lowered. To switch the semi-connected state of the two couplers to the separated state as shown in FIG. 2, the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 is retracted and the male coupler 4 is lowered.

According to the coupling device 1 having the cleaning function described above, the male coupler 4 is provided with the sheet-type valve mechanism 7 and the female coupler 5 is provided with the sheet-type valve mechanism 8.
a, 60a are hardly worn and have excellent durability, and the valve mechanisms 7, 8
In the closed state, no leakage occurs, and the cleaning liquid does not flow into the upstream pipe 2 or the downstream pipe 3 when cleaning the distal ends of both couplers. Even in a state where both couplers are separated, the seat-type valve mechanisms 7 and 8 are both in the closed state, and the outside air does not flow into the upstream pipe 2 or the downstream pipe 3 and the fluid flows from the upstream pipe 2 or the downstream pipe 3. Does not leak.

As the movement drive mechanism 6, a first air cylinder 70 for switching both couplers between a separated state and a semi-connected state.
And a second air cylinder 71 for switching both couplers between a semi-connected state and a completely connected state in series, so that the first air cylinder 70 switches both couplers from the separated state to the half-connected state to switch both couplers. The tip portion of the coupler is cleaned, and the fluid can be flowed by switching from the semi-connected state to the fully connected state by the second air cylinder 71. Furthermore, since the connection / disconnection state of both couplers can be switched only by the two-stage air cylinders 70 and 71, the configuration of the moving drive means can be simplified, and the coupling device 1 with a cleaning function can be downsized.

The movable outer cylinder 51 of the female coupler 5 has a spring 6
8, when the movable outer cylinder 51 is engaged with the engaging portion 30 of the outer cylinder 11 in a semi-connected state, the distal end of the movable outer cylinder 51 is 11 contact surfaces 33
, It is possible to improve the hermeticity of the inside of the coupling device 1 while cleaning the distal ends of both couplers.

The valve seat forming body 12 is urged toward the distal end by the spring 14, and the pressure of the fluid is reduced by the valve 52.
b acts downward, so that in the separated state and the semi-connected state, the seat-type valve mechanism 7 of the male coupler 4 can maintain the valve-closed state, and no outside air or cleaning liquid flows into the downstream pipe 3, Further, the fluid does not flow out from the downstream pipe 3.

The valve body 52 of the female coupler 5 has a cylindrical valve shaft 52.
a, the valve body 52 is slidably inserted into the cylindrical portion 65a of the valve seat support member 55, and the valve body 52 is urged to the distal end side by the spring 69. The seat-type valve mechanism 8 can maintain the valve closed state, and no outside air or cleaning liquid flows into the upstream pipe 2. At the time of switching to the completely connected state, the valve body 52 can slide while being guided by the valve body support member 55.

A description will be given of modified embodiments obtained by adding various changes to the above-described embodiment. 1) The distal end of the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70 of the movement drive mechanism 6 may not penetrate the base plate 15 when both couplers are separated, but may penetrate the base plate 15 when the coupler advances. . Further, the tip of the output rod 74 may be fixed to the base plate 15 of the male coupler 4.

2) The moving drive mechanism 6 may be provided with a two-stage air cylinder that operates in two strokes and generates a driving force in each stroke. In this case, both couplers are switched between a separated state and a semi-connected state by a first-stage cylinder section as first movement driving means, and both couplers are half-connected by a second-stage cylinder section as second movement driving means. Switch between state and fully connected state.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the same components as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. A fluid passage switching device 80 shown in FIG. 4 selectively connects one upstream pipe 2 to a plurality of downstream pipes 3 in order to switch a fluid passage. The coupling device with a cleaning function of the present invention is applied to the device 80. The fluid passage switching device 80 includes a plurality of male couplers 4, one female coupler 5 connectable to these male couplers 4, a moving drive mechanism 6A for connecting / disconnecting the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5, and a female Coupler 5
Is provided with a rotation mechanism 81 for rotating.

The plurality of male couplers 4 are respectively the same as the male coupler 4 of the above embodiment, but the plurality of male couplers 4 are arranged on the same circumference centered on the axis C, and The coupler 4 is fixed to the gantry 82 on the base plate 15. An insertion tube 83 is inserted into the connecting member 53 of the female coupler 5, and an annular flange 83 a is formed at an upper end of the insertion tube 83. A flange 85 is fixed to the upper surface of the flange 83a.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the moving drive mechanism 6
A includes two first air cylinders 70A that switch both couplers between a separated state and a half-connected state, and two second air cylinders that switch both couplers between a half-connected state and a completely connected state.
An air cylinder 71A is provided in series. First
The air cylinder 70A is disposed below the second air cylinder 71A. The first air cylinder 70A is a base plate 7
2 and the second air cylinder is fixed to the base plate 76.
Is fixed to the lower surface.

Output rod 74 of first air cylinder 70A
And the output rod 78 of the second air cylinder 71A are integrally connected via an annular member 84, the base plate 72 is fixed on the lower surface to the connecting member 53 of the case body 50 of the female coupler 5, and the base plate 76 is fixed on the upper surface. Rotating disk 91 of rotating mechanism 80
Is fixed to the lower surface of the flange 83a of the insertion tube 83.

When both couplers are separated, the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder 70A is retracted and the female coupler 5 is raised. To bring both couplers into a semi-connected state, the output rod 74 is advanced to drive the female coupler 5 downward.
To completely connect both couplers, the output rod 78 of the second air cylinder 71A is advanced to make the female coupler 5 and the first
The air cylinder 70A is driven downward.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Is a fixed disk 90 for disposing the upstream pipe fitting 2A.
A rotating disk 91 for rotating the female coupler 5, a plurality of suspension plates 92 provided on the rotation disk 91 to support the weight of the female coupler 5 and the moving drive mechanism 6A, and a plurality of suspension plates 92 connected to the suspension plate 92. It comprises a roller 93 movable on the fixed disk 90, a connecting pipe 94 for connecting the upstream pipe connection fitting 2A and the female coupler 5, and the like.

The upstream pipe connection fitting 2A is disposed at the center of the upper surface of the fixed disk 90. A cylindrical projection 100 is provided at the lower end of the upstream pipe connection fitting 2A. A connecting pipe 94 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 100 in a liquid-tight and rotatable manner. The fixed disk 90 is fixed to a factory building via a fixing member 101, a through hole 90a is formed in the center of the fixed disk 90, and the upper end of the communication pipe 94 is inserted into the through hole 90a. I have.

The base plate 76 is provided on the lower surface of the right half of the rotating disk 91.
Is fixed, and a housing hole 91a is formed in the right half of the rotating disk 91, and the flange 83a of the insertion tube 83 is attached to the housing hole 9a.
1a, and the lower surface of the flange 83a is
It is fixed to the upper surface of. When the passage is switched, the rotating disk 91 is driven to rotate about an axis C by an air cylinder (not shown). On the upper surface of the rotating disk 91, a plurality of suspension plates 92 supporting the own weight of the female coupler 5 and the moving drive mechanism 6A are erected on the same circumference, and the upper end of each suspension plate 92 has an L-shape. The connecting member 102 is fixed, and a roller 93 is connected to the connecting member 102 via a roller connecting member 103. The roller 93 is movably disposed on the upper surface of the fixed disk 90. The hanging plate 92 rotates with the rotation of the rotating disk 91,
The roller 93 moves on the upper surface of the fixed disk 90 with the rotation of the suspension plate 92.

The connecting pipe 94 is an offset pipe whose upstream and downstream ends are offset to connect the upstream pipe connecting fitting 2A and the female coupler 5, and the upper end of the connecting pipe 94 is connected to the upstream pipe connecting fitting 2A. The lower end is connected in a liquid-tight and rotatable manner via a swivel joint 104, a seal member 94 a is attached to the outer periphery of the lower end of the connecting pipe 94, and the lower end of the connecting pipe 94 is connected to a flange 85 via a swivel joint 105. Liquid-tight and rotatably connected.

Next, the operation of the fluid passage switching device 80 will be described. In order to connect the upstream pipe connection fitting 2A to one of the plurality of downstream pipes 3, when the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5 are separated as shown in FIG. By rotating the disk 91, the rotation
Female coupler 5, moving drive mechanism 6A, suspension plate 92, and connecting pipe 9
4 is integrally rotated about the axis C. At this time,
The roller 93 moves on the upper surface of the fixed disk 90 with the rotation of the suspension plate 92.

After rotating the rotary disk 91 to dispose the female coupler 5 above the predetermined male coupler 4 and then switch both couplers to the semi-connected state as shown in FIG. The output rod 74 of 70A is advanced to drive the female coupler 5 downward, and the movable outer cylinder 51 of the female coupler 5 is engaged with the outer cylinder 11 of the male coupler 4 to switch both couplers to a half-connected state.

In the semi-connected state shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning liquid is injected from the cleaning liquid injection pipe 34 a connected to the injection hole 34, and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge pipe 35 a connected to the discharge hole 35. Wash parts.

When the fluid flows from the upstream pipe connection fitting 2A to the predetermined downstream pipe 3, as shown in FIG. 6, the output rod 74 of the second air cylinder 71A is advanced with the output rod 74 of the first air cylinder advanced. To drive the female coupler 5 downward to bring the valve body 52 of the female coupler 5 into contact with the valve body 13 of the male coupler 4, and at the same time, the case body 50 of the female coupler 5 to the valve seat 40 a of the male coupler 4. The valve face 61 is brought into close contact. Further, the valve body 13 and the valve seat 39a and the valve body 52 and the valve seat 60a
Are separated from each other, and both couplers are switched to a completely connected state.
At this time, the seat type valve mechanism 7 of the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5
Are both opened, and the fluid flows from the upstream pipe connection fitting 2A to the predetermined downstream pipe 3.

According to the fluid passage switching device 80 described above,
A male coupler 4 is connected to each of the plurality of downstream pipes 3, one female coupler 5 is connected to the upstream pipe connection fitting 2 </ b> A, and a moving drive mechanism 6 </ b> A for connecting / disconnecting the female coupler 5 to / from the male coupler 4.
And a rotation mechanism 80 for rotating the female coupler 5, the female coupler 5 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 80 so as to be positioned above any one of the plurality of male couplers 4, and the male and female members are moved by the movement driving mechanism 6 </ b> A. Since the coupler 4 and the female coupler can be connected, the passage of the fluid can be easily switched.

The moving drive mechanism 6A is composed of two serially provided
Since the connection and disconnection of the male coupler 4 and the female coupler 5 are performed by the two air cylinders 70A and 71A, the configuration of the moving drive means can be simplified, and the fluid passage switching device 80 can be reduced in size. It is advantageous.

[0075]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cup with a cleaning function comprising a male coupler and a female coupler which can be connected and separated, and wherein both couplers are in a semi-connected state so that the tips of both couplers can be cleaned. In the ring device, the male coupler and the female coupler are provided with a seat-type valve mechanism including a valve seat and a valve body, respectively.
Since the seal member is hard to be worn and has high durability, no leak occurs in the valve mechanism, and the cleaning liquid does not flow into the pipe while cleaning the distal ends of both couplers. Even in the separated state, the outside air does not flow into the pipe, and the fluid does not flow out of the pipe.

Further, there are provided first moving drive means for switching both couplers between a separated state and a semi-connected state, and second movement driving means for switching both couplers between a semi-connected state and a completely connected state. Therefore, the connection / separation state can be switched only by the two moving driving means, so that the moving driving means can be simplified and the coupling device with the cleaning function can be downsized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the male coupler comprises: a case main body; an outer cylindrical body located outside the case main body and extending toward the distal end side in the axial direction with respect to the case main body; Since it has a valve seat forming body that is slidably mounted inside the body and has a valve seat at the end and a valve body fixed to the case body, the male coupler is relatively moved to the female coupler in the axial center end. Side to make the male coupler and female coupler half-connected,
Further, after the valve body is brought into contact with the valve body of the female coupler, the case body, the outer cylinder body and the valve body are integrally moved relative to the female coupler toward the distal end in the axial direction to form the valve body as a valve seat. The male and female couplers can be switched to a fully connected state, separated from the body valve seat.

Further, since the valve body has the valve shaft disposed inside the valve seat forming body and the valve portion facing the valve seat, the seat is formed by the valve portion of the valve body and the valve seat of the valve seat forming body. Since the valve mechanism can be configured, the cleaning liquid does not flow into the tube while cleaning the distal ends of both couplers. Even in the separated state, the outside air does not flow into the pipe, and the fluid does not flow out of the pipe. Other effects are the same as those of the first aspect.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the female coupler includes a case main body having a valve face portion that can be inserted into the distal end portion of the outer cylindrical body of the male coupler and faces the valve seat of the valve seat forming body; A movable outer cylinder that is slidably fitted to the main body in a liquid-tight manner and that can be engaged with the distal end of the outer cylinder; With the biased valve element, the female coupler can be moved toward the distal end in the axial direction relatively to the male coupler, and the male coupler and the female coupler can be switched to a semi-connected state. Further, the case body and the valve body are moved relative to the male coupler to bring the valve body into contact with the valve body of the male coupler, and the valve body is valved while the valve body and the valve body of the male coupler are in contact. By separating from the seat, the male coupler and the female coupler can be switched to a completely connected state.

Further, since the valve body is urged toward the valve seat of the case body, the valve body and the valve seat can constitute a seat-type valve mechanism, and the cleaning liquid is washed while the tip portions of both couplers are being washed. Does not flow into the pipe. Even in the separated state, the outside air does not flow into the pipe, and the fluid does not flow out of the pipe. Other claim 2
Has the same effect as.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the biasing member for biasing the valve seat forming body toward the distal end in the axial direction is provided, the valve portion of the valve body is in the separated state and the semi-connected state of both couplers. And the valve seat at the tip of the valve seat forming body can be brought into close contact. Other effects are the same as those of the third aspect.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the annular flange is formed at the distal end of the case body of the female coupler, and the valve seat is formed on the surface of the annular flange on the base end side in the axial direction. The seat can form a seat-type valve mechanism together with the valve element. Other effects are the same as those of the third aspect.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the valve body of the female coupler has a cylindrical valve shaft and a valve portion, and the valve body supporting member for slidably holding the cylindrical valve shaft on the female coupler; Since the urging member for urging the valve element is provided, the valve element can be brought into close contact with the valve seat of the annular flange of the case body while guiding the valve element with the valve element supporting member. Other effects are the same as those of the fifth aspect.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the urging member for urging the movable outer cylinder of the female coupler toward the distal end in the axial direction is provided, the movable outer cylinder of the male coupler is connected to the male coupler in a half-connected state of both couplers. Engagement with the distal end of the outer cylinder, and the distal end of the movable outer cylinder is pressed against the contact surface of the outer cylinder, so that the sealing of the inside of the coupling device during cleaning of the distal ends of both couplers is improved. be able to. Other effects are the same as those of the fifth aspect.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the injection hole for injecting the cleaning liquid and the discharge hole for discharging the cleaning liquid are formed in the outer cylinder of the male coupler, the two couplers can be connected in a semi-connected state. By injecting the cleaning liquid into the coupling device through the injection hole and discharging the cleaning liquid through the discharge hole, the distal ends of both couplers can be cleaned. Others have the same effect as any one of the first to seventh aspects.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the first moving driving means has the first hydraulic cylinder, and the second moving driving means is the second hydraulic cylinder arranged in series with the first hydraulic cylinder. Therefore, the moving driving means can be simplified, and the coupling device with a cleaning function can be downsized. Others have the same effects as any of the first to eighth aspects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coupling device with a cleaning function (separated state) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Coupling device with cleaning function (semi-connected state)
FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coupling device with a cleaning function (in a completely connected state).

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid passage switching device (separated state) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fluid passage switching device (semi-connected state).

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid passage switching device (completely connected state).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coupling apparatus with a washing function 4 Male coupler 5 Female coupler 6, 6A Movement drive mechanism 7 Seat type valve mechanism 8 Seat type valve mechanism 10 Case main body 11 Outer cylinder 12 Valve seat forming body 13 Valve body 34 Injection hole 35 Discharge hole 39a Valve seat 50 Case main body 51 Movable outer cylinder 52 Valve body 60a Valve seat 70, 70A First air cylinder 71, 71A Second air cylinder 80 Fluid passage switching device 81 Rotating mechanism 90 Fixed disk 91 Rotating disk 92 Suspension Board

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3B116 AA47 AB53 BB21 3J106 AA01 AA02 AB01 BA01 BB01 BC12 BD01 BE31 BE32 CA01 GA01 GA12 GB01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A coupling device having a cleaning function comprising a connectable / separable male coupler and a female coupler, wherein both couplers are in a semi-connected state so that the tips of both couplers can be cleaned. A seat-type valve mechanism including a valve seat and a valve body is provided. The female coupler is provided with a seat-type valve mechanism including a valve seat and a valve body. The two couplers are separated and semi-connected. A coupling device with a cleaning function, comprising: a first moving drive means for switching, and a second moving drive means for switching the two couplers between a half-connected state and a fully-connected state. 2. The male coupler comprises: a case main body; an outer cylindrical body located outside the case main body and extending axially forward from the case main body; and a liquid inside the case main body and the outer cylindrical body. A valve body having a valve seat formed body slidably mounted and having a valve seat at a distal end, a valve shaft disposed inside the valve seat formed body, and a valve portion facing the valve seat. The coupling device with a washing function according to claim 1, further comprising a valve body fixed to the case body. 3. The case body having a valve face portion that can be inserted into a distal end portion of the outer cylinder and that faces the valve seat, and the female coupler is fitted to the case body so as to be slidable in a liquid-tight manner. It has a movable outer cylinder that can be engaged with the distal end of the outer cylinder, and a valve body that is movably mounted in the axial direction inside the case body and is urged toward the valve seat of the case body. The coupling device with a washing function according to claim 2. 4. The coupling device with a cleaning function according to claim 3, further comprising an urging member for urging the valve seat forming body toward the distal end in the axial direction. 5. The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein an annular flange portion is formed at a distal end portion of the case main body, and a valve seat is formed on a surface of the annular flange portion on the base end side in the axial direction. Coupling device with function. 6. The valve body of the female coupler has a cylindrical valve shaft and a valve portion, and a valve body supporting member for slidably holding the cylindrical valve shaft, and a biasing member for biasing the valve body. The coupling device with a cleaning function according to claim 5, further comprising a member. 7. The coupling device with a cleaning function according to claim 5, further comprising an urging member for urging the movable outer cylinder of the female coupler toward the front end in the axial direction. 8. The male coupler according to claim 1, wherein an injection hole for injecting the cleaning liquid and a discharge hole for discharging the cleaning liquid are formed in the outer cylinder of the male coupler. Coupling device with washing function. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first moving driving means has a first hydraulic cylinder, and the second moving driving means has a second hydraulic cylinder arranged in series with the first hydraulic cylinder. The coupling device with a cleaning function according to any one of claims 1 to 8.