JP2003113981A - Coupler - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily confirm installation conditions of a first and a second coupling members from an outside when the second coupling member is installed on the first coupling member. SOLUTION: This coupler is provided with the first coupling member 12, a holder 16 installed on an outer circumference of the first coupling member 12 as a unit, the second coupling member 14 attachably and detachably installed inside the holder 16, a sleeve 20 installed to cover the outer circumference surface of the holder 16 and displacing under an action of a first spring member 18, and a valve 28 installed inside the first coupling member 12 and switching communication states of the inside of the first coupling member 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coupler that opens and closes a flow path by connecting or disconnecting a socket and a plug, and more particularly to a coupler having a function of displaying a mounting state of the socket and the plug.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a socket and a plug are connected,
Alternatively, a coupler is used that automatically opens and closes the flow path when separating. Since the valve body is automatically opened and closed by the coupler, the flow path is closed when the socket and the plug are separated, and the fluid is prevented from leaking.

[0003]

By the way, in the coupler according to the prior art, the operator visually confirms whether or not the plug is securely attached to the socket. However, it is extremely difficult to find a state where the socket and the plug are incompletely attached (unlocked state) only by visual confirmation, and as a result, the socket and the plug are incompletely attached. There is a problem that the flow of the fluid from the side pipe to the plug side pipe is blocked.

Further, instead of performing the visual confirmation work, an operator may directly touch the socket and plug of each coupler to confirm the mounting state. However, when a plurality of couplers are provided, there is a problem that the work of checking the mounting state is complicated and the complexity of the maintenance work is increased.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned various problems and the like, and provides a coupler capable of easily visually confirming the holding state and / or the holding release state of the second joint member with respect to the holder from the outside. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a first joint member, a holder integrally connected to the first joint member, and a holder connected to the inside of the holder. A detachable second joint member and a holding state provided in the holder, in which the second joint member is coupled inside the holder, and / or a holding release state in which the second joint member is detached. And a display means for displaying.

Further, the display means includes a sleeve mounted so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the holder, and the holding state in which the second joint member is coupled to the inside of the holder and / or the second joint. It is preferable that the sleeve is displaced in the axial direction so that a part of the outer peripheral surface of the holder can be visually recognized when the member is detached from the holding release state.

Further, there is provided a locking member mounted in the engagement hole of the holder, and a first spring member interposed between the sleeve and the holder, and the second spring is provided inside the holder. When the joint member is joined, the engagement state of the sleeve by the engagement member is released, and the sleeve is axially displaced under the action of the first spring member to externalize a part of the outer peripheral surface of the holder. It is good to expose it to.

Furthermore, the sleeve is mounted so that one end of the outer peripheral surface of the holder is exposed when the second joint member is disengaged, and the second joint member is connected to the inside of the holder. In doing so, while covering the one end of the outer peripheral surface of the holder under the displacement action of the sleeve,
The other end of the holder on the opposite side may be exposed to the outside.

Further, the locking member is held by a collar member mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the holder when the second joint member is disengaged, and the second joint member is provided inside the holder. When coupled, the holding state is released under the displacement action of the collar member, and the locking member is engaged with the engagement groove of the second joint member, thereby forming the first joint member and the second joint member. May be integrally connected.

Furthermore, when the second joint member is inserted into the holder so as to be displaceable along the axial direction and the second joint member is disengaged, the inside of the first joint member is operated under the action of the second spring member. A valve body that abuts the valve seat portion, and when the second joint member is coupled to the inside of the holder, the valve body is separated from the valve seat portion under the pressing action of the second joint member,
The inside of the first joint member and the inside of the second joint member may be communicated with each other.

Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the holder exposed to the outside may be colored.

According to the present invention, when the second joint member is connected to the inside of the holder, the sleeve is displaced in the axial direction to expose only a part of the outer peripheral surface of the holder to the outside. As a result, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the holder can be visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, the operator can easily confirm the held state and / or the released state of the second joint member from the outside, and thus the workability of confirming the held state can be improved.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the coupler according to the present invention will be given and described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

1 to 3, reference numeral 10 indicates a coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, here, a state in which the first joint member 12 and the second joint member 14 are integrally mounted will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The coupler 10 is made of a metallic material, and has a first joint member 12 arranged on one side in the axial direction and a first joint member 12 arranged on the other side so as to face the first joint member 12. The two joint members 14, the holder 16 that is integrally inserted to the second joint member 14 side with respect to the central portion of the first joint member 12, and the holder 16 is mounted so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the holder 16. A sleeve 20 provided axially displaceably under the action of a first spring member 18 interposed between
Including and

Further, the coupler 10 has a locking member 22 which is inserted into engaging holes 50a and 50b of the holder 16 which will be described later.
a, 22b, a holding member 24 that is integrally mounted inside the first joint member 12, and a second spring member 26 that is interposed inside the holder 16, one end of the first joint member 12 And a valve 28 biased in the direction of the section.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first joint member 12 is formed on one end side and has a first connecting portion 30 to which a pipe or the like (not shown) is connected, and the first connecting portion 30. Hexagonal column-shaped first tightening portion 32 provided in the adjacent portion
And a first guide portion 34 formed on the other end side and having a diameter smaller than that of the first tightening portion 32 and extending for a predetermined length along the axial direction.

A first port 36 is formed in the first joint member 12 inside the first connecting portion 30 on the one end side, and a first port 36 is formed inside the first tightening portion 32 from the first port 36. The diameter-enlarged first stepped portion 38 is formed. The first stepped portion 38
A holding member 24 having an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the stepped shape of the first stepped portion 38 is integrally mounted on the. The holding member 2
A first seal member 40 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of 4 through an annular groove to maintain airtightness between the first joint member 12 and the holding member 24. Further, a tapered valve seat portion 42 that gradually expands in diameter is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the holding member 24 on the first port 36 side, and a groove portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second joint member 14 side. The second spring member 26 is interposed between the valve 28 and a sliding portion 66, which will be described later. The inner peripheral surface of the first guide portion 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the sliding portion 66 are formed to have substantially the same diameter.

A part of the holder 16 made of a resin material is inserted into the outer peripheral surface of the first guide portion 34 so that one end of the holder 16 contacts the end surface of the first tightening portion 32. It is provided in.

On the outer peripheral surface of the holder 16, the first joint member 1
The diameter is reduced from the second side, and the second stepped portion 44 in which the first spring member 18 is mounted between the sleeve 20 and the second joint member 14 is further reduced in diameter from the second stepped portion 44. Third stepped section 4
And 6 are formed. The other end of the holder 16 is formed with a tapered inclined portion 47 whose outer peripheral surface projects radially outward, and an opening 48 is formed inside. Between the third stepped portion 46 and the opening portion 48, engaging holes 50a and 50b having a substantially arcuate cross section are formed at two locations (see FIG. 1). The engagement holes 50a, 50b are formed at positions that are substantially symmetrical with respect to the axis of the holder 16, and extend in a substantially arcuate shape for a predetermined length corresponding to the shapes of the engagement holes 50a, 50b, and Locking members 22a, 22b having a substantially octagonal cross section
Are installed respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the holder 16
A fourth stepped portion 54 having a diameter smaller than that of the inner peripheral surface inserted into the first guide portion 34 on the inner peripheral surface of the second joint member 14;
A fifth stepped portion 56 having a reduced diameter is formed on the side.

An annular convex portion 60 of a collar member 58 having a substantially T-shaped cross section is engaged with the fourth stepped portion 54. That is, the collar member 58 has an annular protrusion 60.
It is freely displaced along the fourth stepped portion 54 via. It should be noted that the holder 16 may be colored with a color such as red or orange so that it can be visually recognized from the outside.

The holder 1 is attached to the outer periphery of the holder 16 under the displacement action of the first spring member 18 of the sleeve 20.
A display mechanism (display means) 61 for switching the covering state of the outer peripheral surface of 6 is provided on the outer periphery of the first guide portion 34.

The outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 20 is formed to have substantially the same diameter, and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 20 is formed with a protruding portion 62 that protrudes radially inward. The protrusion 62
Is engaged with the third stepped portion 46, and the first spring member 18 is interposed between the projecting portion 62 and the second stepped portion 44. The first spring member 18 biases the sleeve 20 in a direction in which it is separated from the holder 16. The inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion 62 and the outer peripheral surface of the third stepped portion 46 are
The protrusions 62 are formed to have substantially the same diameter,
6 slides along the outer peripheral surface.

The valve 28 is disposed inside the first joint member 12, and has a valve body portion 64 formed in a substantially circular shape on one end side.
A sliding portion 66 having a U-shaped cross section which is slidably inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the first guide portion 34 on the other end side, and the valve body portion 64.
And a plurality of flange portions 68 connecting the sliding portion 66 and separated by a predetermined angle (see FIG. 1).

A second seal member 70 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body portion 64 in the radially outward direction via an annular groove, and the second spring member 26 mounted on the sliding portion 66 acts on the second seal member 70. In addition, the second seal member 70 is pressed against the tapered valve seat portion 42 of the holding member 24 to maintain airtightness.

A plurality of communication holes 72 are formed in one end surface of the flange portion 68 of the sliding portion 66, and the first port 36 and the second joint are connected through the communication holes 72 when the valve 28 is opened. The second port 86 of the member 14, which will be described later, is in communication.

A third seal member 74 is sandwiched between one end surface of the sliding portion 66 and one end surface of the collar member 58, and the third seal member 74 is displaced by the displacement of the valve 28.
And the collar member 58 are integrally displaced.

The second joint member 14 is disposed at a coaxial position facing the first joint member 12, is formed on one end side, and has a second connecting portion 76 to which a pipe or the like (not shown) is connected.
A second tightening portion 78 having a hexagonal prism shape provided in an adjacent portion of the second connecting portion 76, a second guide portion 80 having a diameter reduced from the second tightening portion 78 and extending for a predetermined length, The engaging groove 82 with which the locking members 22a and 22b are engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the 2 guide portion 80, and the diameter reduced from the second guide portion 80,
The third guide portion 84 extending for a predetermined length, the engaging groove 82, and the third
It is composed of a protrusion 85 formed between the guide portion 84 and the guide portion 84.

Further, the shape of the engaging groove 82 is formed so as to correspond to the shape of the engaging members 22a and 22b to be engaged.

The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the second guide portion 80 is formed to be substantially equal to the diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion 48, and
The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the third guide portion 84 is formed to be substantially the same as the diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the collar member 58.

The collar member 58 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the third guide portion 84, and the tip end portion formed into a taper shape is engaged with the taper shape of the inner peripheral surface of the sliding portion 66. Is formed. In addition, the second joint member 14 has a second port 86 inside the second connection portion 76 on the one end side.
Is formed, and a through hole communicating with the second port 86 is formed on the other end side.

A coupler 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention
Is basically configured as described above. Next, its operation and action and effect will be described. The initial state will be described when the second joint member 14 shown in FIG. 2 is detached.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the initial state of the coupler 10, the sleeve 20 is biased in the direction of separating from the holder 16 under the action of the spring force of the first spring member 18, and the protruding portion of the sleeve 20 is pushed. The inclined surface of 62 is the engaging hole 50
The slanted surfaces of the locking members 22a and 22b mounted on the a and 50b are in contact with and locked to the inclined surfaces. Since the length of the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 20 along the axial direction is substantially the same as the length of the holder 16 along the axial direction, in the initial state where the second joint member 14 is detached, the holder The sleeve 16 is covered by the sleeve 20 and is in a state where it cannot be visually recognized from the outside.

Further, the valve 28 is urged in the direction away from the holding member 24 under the action of the spring force of the second spring member 26, and the second seal member 70 mounted on the valve body portion 64 causes the valve seat portion 42 to move. By contacting the first port 36 and the holder 1
The airtightness with the inside of 6 is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fluid supplied from the pipe or the like (not shown) connected through the first connecting portion 30 from leaking out even when the second joint member 14 is not connected.

When the second seal member 70 mounted on the valve body 64 contacts the valve seat 42, one end of the sliding portion 66 integrally connects the third seal member 74 and the collar member 58. The annular protrusion 60 is pressed in the direction of the opening 48, and the fourth stepped portion 5
4 is in contact with the end face of No. 4 and is locked.

The engaging members 22a and 22b are provided with engaging holes 50.
Since the outer peripheral surfaces of the collar members 58 are mounted on the a and 50b and are held by the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 20, and the inner peripheral surface is held by the outer peripheral surface of the collar member 58,
The locking members 22a and 22b do not fall off from 0b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second joint member 14 to which a pipe such as a tube (not shown) is connected, is inserted inside along the opening 48 of the holder 16, the third guide portion 84 The tapered tip portion engages with the tapered inner peripheral surface of the sliding portion 66 to press the valve 28, and the projection 85 of the second joint member 14 abuts on the end surface of the collar member 58 to cause the third portion. One end surface of the sliding portion 66 is pressed via the seal member 74. As a result, the valve 28 causes the second spring member 2 to
6 is pressed integrally in the direction of the first joint member 12 against the spring force of 6. The displacement amount of the collar member 58 is determined by the annular convex portion 60 engaged with the fourth stepped portion 54 at the first guide portion 34.
It is regulated by contacting the end face of the.

As a result, the second seal member 7 of the valve body 64 is formed.
0 is separated from the valve seat portion 42, and the first port 36 and the second port 86 are in communication with each other through the communication hole 72 of the valve 28.

The locking members 22a, 22b held by the outer peripheral surface of the collar member 58 are released from the holding state under the displacement action of the collar member 58 by the second joint member 14, and are displaced to the inner peripheral side to move to the first position. 2 It is inserted into the engaging groove 82 of the guide portion 80.

As a result, in the initial state, the locking member 2
The projecting portion 62 of the sleeve 20 is released from the locked state of the projecting portion 62 of the sleeve 20 that was locked by the 2a and 22b, and the projecting portion 62 of the sleeve 20 is locked by the spring force of the first spring member 18.
It displaces in the direction of the second joint member 14 by overcoming a and 22b. Then, the protrusion 62 abuts on and is locked by the inclined portion 47 formed on the outer periphery of the opening 48.

That is, the sleeve 20 covered on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 16 is displaced in the direction of the second joint member 14, so that a part of the inner end of the holder 16 (FIG. 3).
(See the portion A in the middle) is exposed to the outside, so that the worker can easily visually recognize it from the outside.

The locking members 22a and 22b are engaged with the engaging groove 8
The second joint member 14 is prevented from being removed in the axial direction because the second joint member 14 is attached to the second joint member 14.

Furthermore, by coloring the outer peripheral surface of the holder 16, the visibility from the outside can be further improved.

Next, a coupler 10 according to another embodiment.
0 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The same components as those of the coupler 10 according to the present embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A coupler 100 according to another embodiment
Then, when the second joint member 14 is detached, one end portion (see B portion in FIG. 4) of the holder 102 is exposed to the outside, and when the second joint member 14 is mounted, the other end portion of the holder 102 is exposed. This is different from the coupler 10 according to the present embodiment in that (see C portion in FIG. 5) is exposed to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second joint member 14
When is removed from the inside of the holder 102,
The other end of the holder 102 where the opening 48 is formed (see FIG.
(See the portion B in the middle) is provided so as to be exposed to the outside by a predetermined length, so that the detached state of the second joint member 14 can be easily visually recognized from the outside. At that time, the holder 10
Since the outer peripheral surface on the other end side of 2 is covered with the sleeve 20, it cannot be confirmed from the outside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the second joint member 14 is mounted, the end surface of the sleeve 20 on the second joint member 14 side and the end surface of the opening 48 are substantially flush with each other. By setting, the other end side of the holder 102 is exposed to the outside from the sleeve 20 by a predetermined length as in the present embodiment, so that it can be easily visually recognized from the outside.

That is, the portion where the outer peripheral surface of the holder 102 is exposed depending on the mounting or dismounting state of the second joint member 14 is from the one end side (see B portion in FIG. 4) of the holder 102 to the other end side. (Refer to C portion in FIG. 5), so that it is possible to easily visually recognize the mounted or detached state of the second joint member 14.

As described above, in another embodiment, when the second joint member 14 is attached or detached, it is possible to easily visually confirm the detached state from the outside, so that a complicated work for confirming the attached or detached state can be performed. In addition to being unnecessary, maintenance work can be performed more easily.

[0052]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, when the second joint member is connected or detached, it is possible to easily visually confirm the held state and / or the released state of the second joint member from the outside by the display means. It is not necessary to perform the complicated work of confirming the connection or disconnection state by performing the maintenance work, and the maintenance work can be performed more easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where the second joint member is separated from the coupler according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second joint member is mounted on the coupler according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where the second joint member is separated from the coupler according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a second coupler according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a state in which a joint member is mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 100 ... Coupler 12 ... First joint member 14 ... Second joint member 16, 102 ... Holder 18 ... First spring member 20 ... Sleeves 22a, 22b ... Locking member 24 ... Holding member 26 ... Second spring member 28 ... Valve 34 ... 1st guide part 40 ... 1st sealing member 42 ... Valve seat part 47 ... Inclined part 48 ... Opening part 50a, 50b ...
Engagement hole 58 ... Collar member 60 ... Annular convex portion 62 ... Projection portion 64 ... Valve body portion 66 ... Sliding portion 80 ... Second guide portion 82 ... Engaging groove 84 ... Third guide portion 85 ... Projection portion 86 ... 2 ports

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A first joint member, a holder integrally connected to the first joint member, a second joint member removably mounted in the holder, and provided in the holder. A display unit for displaying a holding state in which the second joint member is coupled and / or a holding release state in which the second joint member is detached inside the holder, and a coupler. 2. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein the display means includes a sleeve that is mounted so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the holder, and the holder in which the second joint member is coupled inside the holder. In a state and / or a holding release state in which the second joint member is detached, the sleeve is axially displaced and a part of an outer peripheral surface of the holder is provided so as to be visible. 3. The coupler according to claim 2, further comprising: a locking member that is mounted in an engaging hole of the holder, and a first spring member that is interposed between the sleeve and the holder, When the second joint member is connected to the inside of the holder, the engagement state of the sleeve by the engagement member is released,
The coupler, wherein the sleeve is displaced in the axial direction under the action of the first spring member to expose a part of the outer peripheral surface of the holder to the outside. 4. The coupler according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve is provided when the second joint member is disengaged.
The holder is mounted so that one end of the outer peripheral surface is exposed, and when the second joint member is coupled to the inside of the holder, one end of the outer peripheral surface of the holder is covered by the displacement action of the sleeve. At the same time, the other end of the holder on the opposite side is provided so as to be exposed to the outside. 5. The coupler according to claim 2, wherein the locking member is provided when the second joint member is disengaged.
It is held by a collar member mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the holder, and when the second joint member is joined inside the holder, the holding state is released under the displacement action of the collar member, A coupler characterized in that the first joint member and the second joint member are integrally connected by engaging the locking member with the engaging groove. 6. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the second joint member is detached from the holder, the holder is displaceably inserted in the holder along the axial direction. A valve body that abuts a valve seat portion inside the first joint member under the action of the two spring members, and when the second joint member is coupled inside the holder, a pressing action of the second joint member is performed. The coupler is characterized in that the valve body is separated from the valve seat portion so that the inside of the first joint member and the inside of the second joint member communicate with each other. 7. The coupler according to claim 3, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the holder exposed to the outside is colored.