JP2002323275A - Connection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a foreign object from being mixed along with a fluid, that flows bidirectionally in a connection apparatus. SOLUTION: The connection apparatus comprises passages 33A and 33B and passages 34A and 34B that are formed in the apparatus body and are formed by connecting one connection means with the other connection means, one check valve 35 that is provided at one passage for allowing the flow of fluid in one flow direction and for rejecting the flow of fluid in the other flow direction, one filter 36 that is provided side by side in one flow direction to one check valve in one passage and has a filter element for capturing a foreign object that is mixed into the fluid, the other check valve 37 that is provided at the other passage for allowing the flow of fluid in the other flow direction and for rejecting the flow of fluid in one flow direction, and the other filter 38 that is provided side by side in the other flow direction to the other check valve in the middle of the other passage and has a filter element for capturing foreign objects that are mixed in the fluid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection device for connecting hoses connected to, for example, respective devices.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connection device.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in manufacturing an outdoor unit equipped with a compressor in an air conditioner, a test for checking the performance of the compressor is performed as a product test. In order to test this outdoor unit, use a test device with the function of adding an instrument to the indoor unit of the air conditioner, and connect the high pressure side connection ports of this test unit and the outdoor unit with hoses. The performance test of the outdoor unit is performed by connecting the respective low pressure side connection ports with hoses and flowing a cooling medium between the test machine and the outdoor unit through each hose.

[0004]

As a result of observing the performance test of the outdoor unit of this air conditioner, it has been found that fine foreign matters are mixed in the flow of the cooling medium and move. In addition, fine foreign matter mixed in the cooling medium mainly adheres to structural parts provided inside the outdoor unit,
For example, it turned out to be fine chips adhering to parts manufactured by cutting such as gears.

In some cases, foreign matter adhering to the structural components of the outdoor unit peels off, moves through the hose together with the cooling medium, and adheres to the structural components of the tester, adversely affecting the test performance. In addition, the foreign matter may move from the tester through the hose, enter the outdoor unit again, and adhere to structural parts such as gears. In this case, if the outdoor unit is shipped as a product after the performance test ends, the function may be reduced.

[0006] Therefore, it is demanded to prevent such foreign substances from flowing along with the fluid and adversely affecting the equipment.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting device for preventing foreign matter from flowing together with a fluid having a two-way flow.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connecting device comprising: an apparatus main body; one connecting means provided at one end of the apparatus main body; and another connecting means provided at the other end. Connecting means, one passage formed in the apparatus main body and connecting the one connecting means and the other connecting means, and one of the paths being separated from the other connecting means and the one And the other passage formed by connecting the connecting means, and the flow of the fluid in one flow direction provided in the one passage from the one end to the other end of the one passage. One check valve for allowing the one passage to block the flow of fluid in the other flow direction from the other end to the one end, and the one check valve in the one passage. Provided in the one flow direction and mixed with the fluid. One filter having a filter body for capturing foreign matter, and allowing the flow of fluid in the other flow direction provided in the other passage from the other end to the one end of the other passage. A second check valve for blocking the flow of the fluid in one flow direction from the one end to the other end, and the other check in the middle of the other passage. And a filter having a filter which is provided in the other flow direction with respect to the valve and captures foreign matter mixed in the fluid.

According to the structure of the present invention, fine foreign matters which are separated from the structural parts provided in the apparatus and move by mixing into the fluid are captured by the filter when flowing through the apparatus body. In addition, by providing two passages and providing a check valve and a filter in opposite directions in each of these passages, the fluids are mixed with the fluid flowing in one flow direction and the other flow direction opposite to each other and move. The foreign matter can be captured, and each check valve regulates the flow direction of the fluid, and can prevent the foreign matter captured by the filter from flowing by the reverse flow of the fluid.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the connection device according to the first aspect, the filter bodies of the one filter and the other filter are each formed of a cylindrical wire mesh.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the connection device according to the first or second aspect, the one filter and the other filter are provided with a fluid with respect to the one check valve and the other check valve. Characterized by being located on the downstream side in the flow direction.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment,
It is intended for a connection device that is installed in the middle of a hose that connects an outdoor unit incorporating a compressor of an air conditioner and a tester. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the connection between an outdoor unit and a test machine, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a connecting device, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the same.

The connection between the outdoor unit and the test machine will be described with reference to FIG. In order to test the outdoor unit, a test machine 1 having a function of adding an instrument to the indoor unit of the air conditioner is prepared. The tester 101 has a high-pressure connection port 102 and a low-pressure connection port 103. Outdoor unit of air conditioner 1
04 has a high-pressure side connection port 105 and a low-pressure side connection port 106. A hose 1 is connected between the high pressure side connection port 102 of the tester 101 and the low pressure side connection port 106 of the outdoor unit 104.
07A and 107B are connected, and hoses 108A and 108B are connected between the low-pressure connection port 103 of the tester 101 and the high-pressure connection port 105 of the outdoor unit 104. The hose 108A and the hose 108B are connected via a connection device 110 which is an object of the present invention.

When the compressor is installed in the outdoor unit 104 and the compressor is driven, the cooling medium flows through the hose 108B from the high pressure side connection port 105 and is conveyed.
Flows through the hose 108A, and is sent from the low pressure side connection port 103 to the inside of the testing machine 101. The cooling medium is supplied from the high-pressure side connection port 102 to the hose 1 from the inside of the tester 1.
07A and the hose 107B and the low pressure side connection port 10
6 to the outdoor unit 104.

The connection device 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus body made of metal.
The apparatus main body 1 is formed by connecting two structural bodies 1A and 1B with a combination bolt 2 because a fluid passage is formed inside and a check valve is provided inside.

A socket valve 11 and a plug valve 21, which are examples of one connecting means, are provided on one side of one end (left end in the drawing) of the main body 1, and the other end of the main body 1 is provided. The other end of the other end at the end of the socket valve 12 which is an example of the other connecting means
A plug valve 22 is provided in parallel with the socket valve 11 and the plug valve 21.

One of the socket valves 11 is connected to the device body 1.
A socket body 1 having a cylindrical shape with both ends open and attached to 1.
3. Base end of the socket body 13 (end on the side of the apparatus main body)
A valve element 1 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction and comes into contact with and separates from a valve seat 13a formed at an intermediate portion inside the socket body 13.
4. The springs 16 and 16 for pushing the valve body holder 15 and the valve body 14 toward the distal end of the main body and coming into contact with the valve seat 13a are provided with sockets in a plurality of holes 13b formed circumferentially at the distal end of the socket main body 13. A ball 17 which is provided so as to be displaceable in and out of the body, a sleeve 18 which is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the tip of the socket body 13 so as to be movable in the axial direction and presses the ball 17 from outside, and pushes this sleeve 18 toward the tip of the socket body. The spring 19 has a stop ring 20 for restricting the movement of the sleeve 18 pressed by the spring 19. The base end of the socket body 13 is screwed and attached to an installation hole 1 a formed in the apparatus body 11. In addition,
The socket valve 11 is normally a valve body 1 pressed by a spring 16.
Reference numeral 4 contacts the valve seat 13a to close the socket body 13.

A plug valve 21 is combined with the socket valve 11. The plug valve 21 includes a plug main body 23 having a distal end inserted into a distal end of the socket main body 13 of the socket valve 11, and a valve seat formed inside the plug main body so as to be axially movable inside the plug main body 23. The valve body 24 includes a valve body 24 that comes into contact with and separates from the valve body 23a, and a spring 25 that presses the valve body 24 toward the valve seat 23a. An annular groove 23b is formed in the outer periphery of the plug body 23. That is, in the plug valve 21, the valve body 24 pressed by the spring 25 always contacts the valve seat 23a to close the plug body 23.

When connecting the plug valve 21 to the socket valve 11, the user can
The first sleeve 18 is moved toward the base end of the plug body against the force of the spring 19 to make the ball 17 free, and the plug body 23 of the plug valve 21 is inserted into the tip of the socket body 13 and To the valve seat 13a of the socket body 13.
Abut. The valve element 24 of the plug valve 21 abuts against the valve element 14 of the socket valve 12, and the valve elements 24, 14 move backward while pressing against each other against the springs 25, 16 and separate from the valve seats 23a, 13a. As a result, the socket valve 11 and the plug valve 21 are opened to allow fluid to flow. Then, the user operates the socket valve 1
When the hand is released from the sleeve 18 of the
9 to move toward the tip end side of the plug body and move each ball 1
7 is moved from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side. Thereby, each ball 17 is engaged with the annular groove 23b formed on the outer peripheral portion of the plug main body 23 inserted into the socket main body 13, whereby the plug valve 21 is integrally connected to the socket valve 11.

The other socket valve 12 is formed of the same components as the socket valve 11 and performs the same function. The base end of the socket body 13 is provided at an installation hole formed at the other end of the apparatus body 11. 1b. The other plug valve 22 is formed of the same components as the plug valve 21 and performs the same operation, and is combined with the other socket valve 12.

The plug valves 21 and 22 are connected to a hose through which a cooling medium flows when a performance test of the outdoor unit is performed, as will be described later. In the plug valve 22, a connection screw portion is formed outside the distal end portion of the plug body 23.

On the other hand, a valve / filter installation hole 31 is formed on one side of the other end of the apparatus main body 1 on the same axis as the socket valve 11 and at an interval. On the other side of the portion, a valve / filter installation hole 32 is formed on the same axis as the socket valve 11 and at an interval. The valve / filter installation hole 31 is open at the other end of the apparatus main body 1, and the valve / filter installation hole 32 is open at one end of the apparatus main body 1. Inside the main body 1, one of the passages 3 is located at the center axis between the end face of the installation hole 1 a for mounting one socket valve 11 and the end face of the installation hole 31 of the valve / filter.
3A is formed, and one passage 33B is formed between the peripheral surface of the valve / filter installation hole 31 and the end surface of the installation hole 1b for mounting the other socket valve 11. Inside the main body 1, another passage 34 </ b> B is formed between the end face of the installation hole 1 a and the end face of the valve / filter installation hole 32. The other passage 34A is formed between the end face of the hole 1b and the center axis.

The one valve / filter installation hole 31 is provided with one check valve 35 from the side close to the one socket valve 11.
And one of the filters 36 are arranged side by side on the same axis. One of the passages 33A and 33B allows fluid to flow from one socket valve 11 to the other socket valve 12, and the check valve 35 and the filter 36 are provided in order from the upstream side in the fluid flow direction. .

One check valve 35 is a valve holder 41 which has a cylindrical shape with both ends open and is fitted into the valve / filter installation hole 31. The valve holder 41 is axially movable inside the valve holder 41. And a valve seat 43 disposed at an upstream end of the valve holder 41 in the fluid flow direction and contacting and separating from the valve body 42. That is, the check valve 35
When the fluid flows through the one passage 33A from the socket valve 11 and the plug valve 21 as one connecting means, the valve body 42 is pushed by the fluid and moves downstream in the flow direction and separates from the valve seat 43. When the valve is opened, the fluid flows through the valve holder 41. Conversely, when the fluid flows from the other connecting means, the socket valve 12 and the plug valve 22, through the one passage 33B, the valve body 42 is pushed by this fluid and moves upstream in the flow direction to move to the valve seat 43. Due to the pressure contact, the valve is closed and the flow of fluid is shut off.

The filter 36 has a cylindrical wire mesh 51, an end plate 5
2 and an end plate 53, and the cylindrical wire mesh 51 is a cylindrical body with both ends open having a length shorter than the length of the valve / filter installation hole 31 excluding the check valve 35. is there. One end plate 52 is formed in an annular shape, is fitted to one open end of the cylindrical wire mesh 51, and the other end plate 53
Is fitted to the other open end of the cylindrical wire mesh 51,
Both ends of 1 are fixed to each end plate 52, 53 by a fixing ring 54.

The filter 36 has one end plate 52.
Is set so that it is located on the upstream side in the one-way flow direction of the fluid, and inserted into the valve / filter installation hole 31 adjacent to the check valve 35 on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction. ,
The one end plate 52 is disposed on the valve holder 41 of the check valve 35.
, And the other end plate 53 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the valve / filter installation hole 31. Valve / filter installation hole 3
A fixed plug 55 is screwed into an open end of the first end plate (downstream of the filter 36 in the direction of flow of the cooling medium), and the other end plate 5
3, whereby the filter 36 is fixed to the valve / filter-installation hole 31.

The valve / filter installation hole 31 is provided with a filter 36.
Is larger in diameter than the other parts, and one of the passages 33B communicates with this large diameter part.
That is, in the filter 36, the fluid flows from the hole of the one end plate 52 into the inside of the cylindrical wire mesh 51, and then passes through the cylindrical wire mesh 51 to the outside thereof, and the large-diameter portion of the valve / filter installation hole 31. And then from the large diameter portion to one passage 33B.

When the check valve 35 and the filter 36 are combined in this manner, the fluid flowing from one of the passages 33A is allowed to pass through the filter 36 by the check valve 35. When passing through the cylindrical wire gauze 51, the foreign matter mixed and flowing into the fluid is collected and flows to the other passage 33B.

The other check valve 37 is inserted into the other valve / filter installation hole 32 from the side closer to the other socket valve 11.
And the other filter 38 are arranged side by side on the same axis. The other passages 34A and 34B allow the fluid to flow from the other socket valve 12 to the one socket valve 11, and the check valve 37 and the filter 36 are provided side by side from the upstream in the fluid flow direction. ing. The check valve 37 is made of the same components as the above-described check valve 35 and performs the same operation, and is arranged in a direction opposite to the check valve 35. That is, when the fluid flows from the other connecting means, the plug valve 22 and the socket valve 12, through the other passage 34A, the check valve 37 is turned on.
2 is pushed by this fluid and moves downstream in the flow direction and separates from the valve seat 43, so that the valve is opened and the fluid flows through the valve holder 41. Conversely, when the fluid flows from the plug valve 21 and the socket valve 11, which are one connection means, to the one passage 34B, the valve body 42 is pushed by the fluid and moves downstream in the flow direction to come into pressure contact with the valve seat 43. As a result, the valve is closed and the flow of fluid is shut off.

The filter 38 is made up of the same components as the above-mentioned filter 36 and performs the same function. That is,
The filter 38 is oriented so that one end plate 52 is located on the upstream side in the flow direction in the other direction of the fluid, and the fluid is supplied to the check valve 37 inside the valve / filter installation hole 32. It is arranged adjacent to the downstream side in the flow direction. The valve / filter installation hole 32 has a larger diameter at the portion where the filter 38 is disposed than at the other portion.
4B is in communication. That is, in the filter 38, the fluid flows from the hole of the one end plate 52 into the inside of the cylindrical wire mesh 51,
Then, it passes through the cylindrical wire mesh 51 and goes out of the
It flows to the large diameter portion of the filter installation hole 32, and then flows from the large diameter portion to the other passage 34B.

When the check valve 37 and the filter 38 are combined in this manner, the fluid flowing from the other passage 34A is allowed to pass through the filter 38 by the check valve 37, When passing through the cylindrical wire mesh 51, the foreign matter mixed into the fluid and flowing is collected and flows to the other passage 34B.

The operation of the connection device 110 thus configured will be described. When the hose 108A on the upstream side of the coolant flow direction and the hose 108B on the downstream side are connected by the connecting device 110, for example, one plug valve 21 is connected to the end of the hose 108B, and the other plug valve 22 is connected. To the end of the hose 108A. The cooling medium sent from the outdoor unit 104 is connected to the hose 1
08B, and then flows through the check valve 35 from one passage 33A of the apparatus main body 1 through the plug valve 21 and the socket valve 11, and then passes through the filter 36 from the one passage 33B to the socket valve 12 and the plug valve. 22, through the hose 108A and the tester 101
To reach. Here, the cooling medium is the cylindrical wire mesh 5 of the filter 26.
1, foreign matter such as chips contained in the cooling medium is captured by the cylindrical metal mesh 51, and the cooling medium from which the foreign matter has been removed flows from the outdoor unit 104 to the tester 101.

The flow of the fluid from the passage 33B through the filter 36 to the passage 33A is blocked by the check valve 35, and the foreign matter adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wire mesh 51 of the filter 36 flows in the opposite direction. There is no backflow due to separation by the cooling medium.

When the cooling medium flows from the hose 108A to the hose 108B, the cooling medium flows through the plug valve 22 and the socket valve 12, and flows from the other passage 34A of the apparatus main body 1 to the check valve 37, Then, it passes through the filter 38, flows from the other passage 34B through the plug valve 21 and the socket valve 11, and flows through the hose 1
08B, and reaches the outdoor unit 104. Here, when the cooling medium passes through the cylindrical wire mesh 51 of the filter 38, foreign matter such as chips contained in the cooling medium is captured by the cylindrical wire mesh 51, and the foreign matter is removed from the test machine 104 to the outdoor unit 104. Cooling medium flows.

The flow of the fluid from the passage 34A through the filter 38 to the passage 34B is blocked by the check valve 37, and the foreign matter adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wire mesh 51 of the filter 38 flows in the opposite direction. There is no backflow due to separation by the cooling medium.

Therefore, by using the connecting device 110, foreign matters such as chips attached to the structural parts of the outdoor unit 104 are peeled off, move through the hose together with the cooling medium, and adhere to the structural parts of the testing machine 101. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation that adversely affects the test performance.

Further, since minute foreign matters adhering to the structural components provided in the outdoor unit 104 and being mixed with the cooling medium and moving are captured, this structural component is subjected to fluid cleaning to remove foreign matters. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the outdoor unit 104 in which foreign matter does not adhere to the structural components.

Further, in this connection device 104, two passages 33A, 33B through which fluid flows and passages 34A, 34B
Are provided independently, and a check valve 3 is provided in each of these passages in the opposite direction.
By providing the filters 5 and 37 and the filters 36 and 38, it is possible to capture foreign substances that move by being mixed with the respective cooling media (fluids) flowing in one flow direction and the other flow direction opposite to each other, and Each of the check valves 35 and 37 regulates the flow direction of the fluid and can prevent the foreign matters captured by the filters 36 and 38 from flowing by the reverse flow of the fluid. Thereby, the apparatus main body 1 can be connected to the fluid passage pipe (hose) in a wide range without being restricted by the flow direction of the cooling medium.

Since each of the filters 36 and 38 provided in each passage of the apparatus main body 1 uses the cylindrical wire mesh 51,
In the valve / filter installation holes 31, 32 through which the cooling medium flows, the check valves 35, 37 can be provided alongside the fluid flow direction without difficulty.

The one filter 36 and the other filter 38 are located downstream of the one check valve 35 and the other check valve 37 in the fluid flow direction. The structure in which the filters 38, 38 can be easily taken out of the passage of the apparatus main body 1 from the side opposite to the check valves 35, 37, that is, from the downstream side in the fluid flow direction without being hindered by the presence of the check valves. It can be. That is, since the fixing plug 55 is removed and the ends of the installation holes 31 and 32 are opened and the filters 36 and 38 can be easily taken out, maintenance and replacement of the filters 36 and 38 are easy.

By removing the bolts 2 and disassembling the structures 1A, 1B constituting the apparatus main body 1, the check valves 35,
37 can also be easily removed for maintenance and replacement.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications. For example, the connection device of the present invention can be widely used not only for performance testing of an air conditioner but also for connection to a hose for flowing a fluid.

[0043]

According to the connecting device of the first aspect of the present invention, when the foreign matter that is separated from the structural parts provided in the equipment and moves into the fluid by mixing with the fluid flows through the apparatus body, it can be captured by the filter. It is possible to prevent various adverse effects caused by the inclusion of foreign matter in the fluid. In addition, two passages through which fluid flows are provided independently in the apparatus main body, and a check valve and a filter are provided in each of these passages in opposite directions, whereby one flow direction and the other flow direction are opposite to each other. The check valve can restrict the flow direction of the fluid and prevent the foreign matter trapped by the filter from being flown by the reverse flow of the fluid. it can. Thus, the apparatus main body can be connected to a fluid passage pipe such as a hose in a wide range without being restricted by the flow direction of the fluid.

In particular, when the connecting device is used for connecting a device to flow fluid, the fluid flowing from the device passes through a filter of the connecting device and adheres to structural parts provided in the device. By capturing the foreign matter that has been mixed into the fluid and moved by the filter with a filter, it has the same form as cleaning the structural parts with fluid, and it is possible to obtain high-quality equipment with no minute deposits on the structural parts. it can.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the one filter and the other filter use the filter formed by the cylindrical wire mesh, and thus are arranged in the fluid flow direction together with the check valve in the passage through which the fluid flows. It can be provided without difficulty.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a structure in which the filter can be easily attached and detached from the passage of the apparatus main body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a use state of a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the connection device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary front view showing the connection device according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Device main body 11 ... Socket valve 12 ... Socket valve 21 ... Plug valve 22 ... Plug valve 31 ... Valve / filter installation hole 32 ... Valve / filter installation hole 33A ... Passage 33B ... Passage 34A ... Passage 34B ... Passage 35 ... check valve 36 ... filter 37 ... check valve 38 ... filter 51 ... cylindrical wire mesh 110 ... connecting device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus main body, one connecting means provided at one end of the apparatus main body and another connecting means provided at the other end, and the one connection formed on the apparatus main body. One passage formed by connecting the means and the other connection means, and the other passage formed by connecting the other connection means and the one connection means separately from the one passage. The one passage is provided from the one end to the other end to allow the flow of fluid in one flow direction, and the one passage is provided from the other end to the one end. A check valve for preventing the flow of fluid in the other flow direction toward the end of the fluid, and a check valve provided in the one passage so as to be arranged in the one flow direction with respect to the one check valve. One filter with a filter that captures contaminated foreign matter The other passage is provided from the other end of the other passage from the one end to allow the flow of fluid in the other flow direction from the other end to the one end. A second check valve for preventing the flow of fluid in one flow direction toward the other end, and provided along the other flow direction with respect to the other check valve in the middle of the other passage. And a second filter having a filter for capturing foreign matter mixed in the fluid. 2. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the filter bodies of the one filter and the other filter are each formed of a cylindrical wire mesh. 3. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the one filter and the other filter are positioned downstream of the one check valve and the other check valve in a fluid flow direction. 3. The connection device according to 1 or 2.