JP2005098469A - Gas filled coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas filled coupling having compact construction permitting quick separating operation after supplying gas without giving the pressure influences of high pressure gas to a valve portion and requiring labor hours for pressure eliminating operation. <P>SOLUTION: The gas filled coupling comprises a coupling body 52, a joint part 56 provided at one end of the coupling body 52 and adapted to be connected to a receptacle, a main valve 62 slidably provided in the coupling body, a piston 78 for sliding the main valve 62 in the axial direction to open/close a gas supply passage, a remaining pressure opening valve 66 provided at the other end of the main valve 62, and a valve seat 98 communicated with a pressure eliminating passage provided in the remaining pressure opening valve 66 in its moving direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas-filled coupling, and more particularly to a gas-filled coupling suitable for injecting a gas pressurized to a high pressure into a tank to be filled.

  In recent years, fuel cell vehicles have been developed, and their practical application is being promoted. This fuel cell vehicle is configured to generate electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, and to drive by driving the motor with this electric power.

  With the spread of such fuel cell vehicles, it is also important to develop a fuel supply system that supplies hydrogen compressed to a high pressure of about 70 MPa, for example, in the same manner as vehicles equipped with engines that use gasoline or light oil as fuel. is there.

  As a conventional gas filling coupling, for example, there is one for filling a fuel tank with CNG (compressed natural gas) compressed to a pressure of about 20 MPa. In this type of gas-filled coupling, a coupling portion coupled to a fuel tank inlet provided at the tip of a coupling body formed in a cylindrical shape, and a gas supply path provided at the other end of the coupling body Are connected to each other, and an on-off valve provided at an intermediate portion of the coupling body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The on-off valve opens or closes depending on the rotation position of the operation lever that protrudes rotatably on the side surface of the coupling body. Further, the coupling portion is provided with a locking member that fits in a locking groove of a fuel tank inlet (receptacle) on the inner periphery, and slides in the axial direction on the outer periphery to bring the locking member into a locking release position. An unlocking operation ring is provided for movement.

  When filling the fuel tank with the high-pressure gas compressed using the gas-filled coupling configured as described above, the locking member locks the inlet by pressing the connecting portion against the inlet of the fuel tank. The pressure resistance strength at the time of filling is ensured by being fitted and locked in the groove. Next, when the operation lever is turned to the valve open position, the compressed gas is filled in the fuel tank.

  When the fuel tank pressure reaches the target filling pressure, the operation lever is turned to the valve closing position to stop the gas filling. Thereafter, the pressure-reducing valve for discharging the gas remaining inside the coupling body to the outside is opened to reduce the pressure inside the coupling body.

Next, by sliding the unlocking operation ring in the axial direction of the coupling body, the locking member is detached from the locking groove of the injection port and unlocked. This makes it possible to separate the gas-filled coupling from the inlet.
JP-A-8-295399

  In the conventional gas-filled coupling as described above, after the gas filling is completed, the depressurization operation for lowering the pressure of the coupling body is performed, and then the unlocking operation ring is slid in the axial direction to lock the locking member. It is necessary to move to the unlocking position.

  However, in a gas-filled coupling having a depressurization valve as described above, it is difficult to perform depressurization by manual operation when the pressure of the coupling body reaches a high pressure of about 70 MPa. Since the main valve is provided separately from the main valve, there is a problem that not only the configuration is complicated, but also the gas filling operation is troublesome because it is difficult to operate.

  Then, this invention aims at providing the gas filling coupling which solved the said subject.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a coupling body to which pressurized gas is supplied, a coupling portion provided at one end of the coupling body and coupled to a receptacle of a tank to be filled, and a coupling A main valve that is movably provided inside the main body and opens the gas supply path by moving to one side; valve drive means for moving the main valve to open and close the supply path; and one side of the main valve And a residual pressure release valve that closes a depressurization path for discharging gas between the main valve and the tank to be filled when moved to one side.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the main valve and the residual pressure release valve are integrally provided, and the main valve and the residual pressure release valve can be interlocked to achieve a compact configuration. The main valve and the residual pressure release valve can be driven at the same time by one valve driving means, so that the depressurization operation does not take time and the separation operation after the gas supply can be performed quickly.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the main valve can be opened and the residual pressure release valve can be closed by supplying compressed air to the cylinder, and the main valve can be discharged by discharging the compressed air from the cylinder. And the residual pressure release valve can be opened. Therefore, it becomes possible to drive the main valve and the residual pressure release valve at the same time, so that the depressurization operation does not take time and the separation operation after the gas supply can be performed quickly.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the urging means can be changed by changing the air pressure by configuring the urging means by supplying compressed air to one side of the piston.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the main valve slidably penetrates the two annular seals provided in the coupling body, and is coupled to the piston so as not to be relatively displaceable in the moving direction of the main valve. A supply path for supplying pressurized gas is connected between the two annular seals, and the supply path of the supply path is connected between the other annular seal and the other end of the spool. By opening and closing, it is possible to achieve a configuration that is not easily affected by the gas pressure.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the main valve is provided so as to be detachable from an annular valve seat provided in the supply path, and is urged to the other side with respect to the piston. The coupling body is provided with an annular seal that is slidably penetrated by the poppet valve on one side of the valve seat. A supply path for supplying pressurized gas is connected between the seats, and the supply path is opened and closed by opening and closing the poppet valve, so that the valve can be closed more reliably.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the inner diameter of the annular seal provided in the main valve and the annular seal that supports the residual pressure release valve is the same, so that the main valve and the residual pressure release valve are related. The pressure can be balanced to minimize the effect of internal pressure on the movement of each valve.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the residual pressure release valve is engaged with the main valve so as to be relatively displaceable within a predetermined range while being biased to one side with respect to the main valve. The pressure release valve can be closed more reliably.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the main valve is provided with a passage communicating between one side and the other side of the main valve, and is connected to the decompression path, so that the main valve is affected by the internal pressure. In addition, it is not necessary to separately provide a depressurization path, and the size can be reduced.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a throttle is provided in the passage provided in the main valve, and immediately after the main valve opens, a pressure difference is generated between the other side and the other side of the main valve so that the main valve is opened. The valve can be promoted.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the discharge path for forming the low pressure chamber defined by the supply path and the decompression path of the main valve or the residual pressure release valve and the seal and discharging the gas in the low pressure chamber to the outside. By providing, gas leaked from between the seals can be discharged together from a safe position.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the discharge path is formed by the passage connecting the low pressure chamber and the depressurization path on the downstream side of the residual pressure release valve, the gas leaked from between the seals is separately routed. Can be safely discharged through the decompression path.

  According to the invention described in claim 12, since the pipe paths can be attached together by arranging the connection parts of the respective pipe paths connected to the coupling main body in the vicinity, It becomes easy.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a gas filling system to which a first embodiment of a gas filling coupling according to the present invention is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the gas filling system 10, for example, high-pressure gas (for example, 70 MPa hydrogen) is supplied to a fuel tank (filled tank) 18 of a vehicle 12 on which a fuel cell (not shown) is mounted. The gas filling coupling 50 to be filled and the dispenser 16 for supplying high-pressure gas to the gas filling coupling 50 are configured.

  The vehicle 12 is equipped with a fuel tank 18, and the fuel tank 18 is filled with hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell. The fuel tank 18 is provided with a receptacle 20 to which a gas filling coupling 50 is coupled.

  As will be described later, the gas-filled coupling 50 is provided with a main valve 62, a shut-off valve 64, and a residual pressure release valve 66. The main valve 62 and the closing valve 64 are provided in a gas supply path 58 that supplies high-pressure gas (fuel), and the tip of the gas supply path 58 is communicated with the fuel tank 18 via the receptacle 20. From the point where the gas supply path 58 of the gas-filled coupling 50 is connected to the connection to the receptacle 20 forms the supply path of the present invention. The base end of the gas supply path 58 is in communication with a compressor for generating high-pressure gas and a gas storage tank (both not shown). The gas supply path 58 is provided with a flow meter (not shown) for measuring the filling amount.

  Further, an air path 60 for supplying compressed air is connected to the gas filling coupling 50. A main valve cylinder 70, a stop operation valve 22, an air nozzle 24, and the like of the gas filling coupling 50 are connected downstream of the air path 60. As will be described later, the main valve cylinder 70 is a valve mechanism for opening a valve by supplying compressed air and filling high-pressure gas, and closes as the air pressure in the air path 60 decreases.

  The stop operation valve 22 is an emergency stop switch for urgently stopping gas filling when an abnormality occurs during gas filling.

Here, the dispenser 16 will be described.
The dispenser 16 includes an air on-off valve 28 that opens or closes the air path 60, a pressure switch 30 that detects air pressure in the air path 60, and a gas on-off valve 32 that opens or closes the gas supply path 58. Have. The on-off valve 28 is an electromagnetic two-position three-port valve that opens when the solenoid is excited. When the solenoid is de-energized, the valve is closed and the compressed air on the downstream side is brought into the atmosphere. Exhaust.

  Further, the pressure switch 30 outputs a detection signal when the pressure in the air path 60 becomes a predetermined value or more. The gas on-off valve 32 is an electromagnetic two-position two-port valve that opens when the solenoid is excited to supply the gas supplied from the gas supply path 58 to the gas-filled coupling 50 and to the solenoid. Is turned off, the gas supply path 58 is shut off and the gas supply is stopped.

  The control device 34 of the dispenser 16 includes a filling preparation switch 36, a filling preparation completion lamp 38, a filling start switch 40, a filling lamp 42, a filling, in addition to the air opening / closing valve 28, the pressure switch 30 and the gas opening / closing valve 32. A stop switch 44 and a filling stop lamp 46 are connected. Then, after the gas filling coupling 50 is coupled to the receptacle 20 of the fuel tank 18, the control device 34 opens the air on-off valve 28 and opens the gas filling cup when the filling preparation switch 36 is turned on. While supplying compressed air to the ring 50, the filling preparation completion lamp 38 is turned on.

  Further, when the filling start switch 40 is turned on, the control device 34 opens the gas on-off valve 32 to start supplying high-pressure gas to the gas filling coupling 50 and turns on the filling lamp 42. .

  Further, when the filling stop switch 44 is turned on, the control device 34 closes the gas on-off valve 32 to stop the gas supply to the gas filling coupling 50 and to turn on the filling stop lamp 46. . Thereafter, the control device 34 closes the air on-off valve 28 and stops the supply of compressed air to the main valve cylinder 70.

Here, the configuration of the gas-filled coupling 50 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of the gas-filled coupling according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gas-filled coupling 50 includes a coupling body 52, a grip 54 that projects obliquely downward from one end of the coupling body 52, and a coupling portion 56 provided at one end of the coupling body 52. It consists of and.

  On the outer periphery of the coupling portion 56, an operation ring 68 for unlocking is slidably provided. A resin protective cap 53 that protects the coupling portion 56 is fitted to the end of the operation ring 68, and one end of a drop-off preventing string 53 b is connected to the protrusion 53 a of the protective cap 53. Yes. Further, the other end of the drop prevention string 53 b is connected to a locking portion 53 c locked to the outer periphery of the coupling body 52. An O-ring 53d (see FIG. 3) for preventing the drop-off is mounted inside the protective cap 53.

  Accordingly, before the coupling portion 56 of the gas-filled coupling 50 is coupled to the receptacle 20 of the fuel tank 18, the protective cap 53 is separated from the end portion of the operation ring 68 to expose the coupling portion 56.

  The operator holds the grip 54 of the gas-filled coupling 50 and presses the coupling portion 56 against the receptacle 20 of the vehicle, whereby the operation ring 68 is rotated to the lock position. In addition, the operator holds the grip 54 of the gas filling coupling 50 with one hand and rotates the operation ring 68 of the gas filling coupling 50 to the unlocking position with the other hand, thereby filling the gas. The coupling 50 can be separated from the receptacle 20.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the coupling body 52.
As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling body 52 has a gas supply path 58 for supplying a high-pressure gas (for example, 70 MPa hydrogen), an air path 60 for supplying compressed air, and a remaining gas after completion of gas filling. A residual pressure recovery path 61 for discharging the pressure to the outside is connected. Further, the coupling main body 52 is provided with a main valve 62 therein, and a holding member 72 for holding the coupling portion 56 and the closing valve 64 is provided at the front end. A lid member 74 that holds the residual pressure release valve 66 and closes the rear opening of the coupling body 52 is provided at the rear end of the coupling body 52.

  The main valve 62 includes a spool valve 76 that is slidably inserted in a through hole 52a formed in the coupling body 52, a piston (valve driving means) 78 that drives the spool valve 76, and a piston. And a coil spring 80 as urging means for pressing 78 in the valve closing direction. The main valve 62 and the residual pressure release valve 66 are integrally provided, and the main valve 62 and the residual pressure release valve 66 can be interlocked, so that the configuration can be made compact and one piston 78 can be achieved. As a result, the main valve 62 and the residual pressure release valve 66 can be driven simultaneously, so that the depressurization operation does not take time and the separation operation after the gas supply can be performed quickly. Further, since the spool valve 76 has a cylindrical shape with a constant outer diameter and inner diameter, the spool valve 76 is configured not to be affected by the gas pressure.

  A pair of seal members 82 and 84 are provided on the inner wall of the through hole 52a to seal the outer periphery of the spool valve 76 as two annular seals of the present invention. The tip of the valve portion 76a is tapered so as not to damage the seal member 82. The seal members 82 and 84 are held by annular seal retainers 86 and 88 that are screwed into both ends of the through hole 52a.

  A communication hole 90 communicating with the gas supply path 58 is provided at an intermediate position of the through hole 52a so as to open. Therefore, when the valve portion 76a of the spool valve 76 is sealed by the seal members 82 and 84, the gas supply from the communication hole 90 is shut off, and the tip of the valve portion 76a of the spool valve 76 opens in the valve opening direction (Xb (Direction: one side direction) and the gas from the communication hole 90 passes through the through hole 52a and is discharged to the holding member 72 side of the shut-off valve 64.

  Further, the piston 78 is formed in a disc shape, and one surface abuts on a flange portion 76 b that protrudes in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the spool valve 76, and the other surface abuts on a nut 92 that is screwed to the spool valve 76. . The piston 78 is provided with an O-ring 79 that seals between the piston 78 and the inner wall of the main valve cylinder 70.

  Accordingly, the main valve 62 can be opened and the residual pressure release valve 66 can be closed by supplying compressed air to the main valve cylinder 70, and the main valve can be discharged by discharging the compressed air from the main valve cylinder 70. The residual pressure release valve 66 can be opened while the valve 62 is closed.

  The air path 60 is in communication with a piston drive passage 102 provided in the coupling body 52 and an air passage 106 that supplies compressed air to a lock mechanism 104 described later. When the compressed air supplied from the air path 60 is supplied to the main valve cylinder 70 through the piston drive passage 102, the piston 78 is opened in the valve opening direction (Xb direction: Xb direction: Move to the other side).

  A spring receiver 94 with which the end of the coil spring 80 abuts is fitted on the outer periphery of the nut 92. The coil spring 80 is a spring for biasing the spool valve 76 in the valve closing direction, and the spring force is transmitted to the piston 78 via the spring receiver 94.

  The spool valve 76 passes through a central hole of a piston 78 that slides within the main valve cylinder 70, and the other end is integrally coupled to the residual pressure release valve 66. Therefore, as will be described later, the residual pressure release valve 66 is moved in the valve opening direction (Xb direction) by the compressed air supplied from the air path 60 and closed, and the piston 78 is spring force of the coil spring 80. As a result, the valve moves in the valve closing direction (Xa direction) and opens.

  The residual pressure release valve 66 is slidably inserted through an insertion hole 95a extending in the axial direction (Xa, Xb direction) through a guide portion 95 provided in the center of the lid member 74. In addition, a valve seat 98 is provided in the inner part of the insertion hole 95 a, and the valve seat 98 is communicated with the residual pressure recovery path 61 through the depressure passage 100.

  The lid member 74 is provided with a small hole 74 a for supplying and discharging air in the main valve cylinder 70 according to the sliding direction of the piston 78. The guide portion 95 has a spring support portion 95b that guides the movement of the other end of the spool valve 76 and protrudes to the outer periphery of the end portion. The spring support portion 95 b is formed so as to contact the inner periphery of the coil spring 80, and guides the coil spring 80 so as to be displaced in the sliding direction of the piston 78.

  Further, the pressure release passage 76 c passes through the spool valve 76, and the right end of the pressure release passage 76 c communicates with the insertion hole 95 a of the guide portion 95. A communication chamber 101 is formed between the main valve 62 and the stop valve 64. Further, the left end of the decompression passage 76 c is opened so as to communicate with the communication chamber 101.

  In the holding member 72 that holds the shutoff valve 64, the lock mechanism 104 that engages with the receptacle 20, the insertion pipe 108 that is formed in a cylindrical shape, the spring receiver 110 that engages with the outer periphery of the insertion pipe 108, and the spring receiver 110 And a coil spring 112 for pressing in the valve closing direction (Xa direction). The coupling portion 56 includes a lock mechanism 104 and an insertion pipe 108.

  The holding member 72 has a space 72a into which the insertion pipe 108 and the spring receiver 110 are inserted. The spring receiver 110 is slidably attached in the space 72a. The spring receiver 110 is pressed in the Xa direction by the spring force of the coil spring 112 and is prevented from coming off by a locking ring 114 locked to the outer periphery of the insertion pipe 108.

  As will be described later, the spring receiver 110 abuts on the receptacle 20 and slides in the Xb direction. Before the insertion pipe 108 is inserted into the receptacle 20, the spring receiver 110 slides in the Xa direction to lock the lock mechanism 104. Hold in the released state.

  Furthermore, an insertion hole 72b through which the insertion pipe 108 is inserted is provided inside the holding member 72, and a seal member 116 that seals the outer periphery of the other end 108b of the insertion pipe 108 is provided on the inner wall of the insertion hole 72b. ing. A seal presser 118 that prevents the seal member 116 from coming off is screwed into the end of the insertion hole 72b.

  The insertion pipe 108 is formed in a hollow shape having a passage 120 extending in the axial direction. Further, the insertion pipe 108 has a distal end 108a protruding forward from the operation ring 68, and is protected from being damaged by being fitted into the protrusion 53a of the protective cap 53 when gas filling is not performed.

  One end of the passage 120 is opened at a distal end 108a that serves as an insertion side end of the insertion pipe 108, and the other end communicates with a passage 122 that penetrates in the radial direction. The other end 108 b of the insertion pipe 108 is provided with a seal member 124 that seals the inner wall of the insertion hole 72 b and a stopper 126 that prevents the insertion pipe 108 from jumping out due to the pressure of the communication chamber 101. The stopper 126 has a projection 126a that is formed to have a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 72b and that abuts against the seal retainer 86 when sliding in the Xb direction, as will be described later.

  In the shut-off valve 64, gas is not charged in a state where it is not inserted into the receptacle 20, so that the insertion pipe 108 is pressed in the Xa direction by the spring force of the coil spring 112, and the passage 122 and the seal member 124 are inserted into the insertion hole. 72b is held in the inserted state. That is, the closing valve 64 is closed.

  Therefore, when the main valve 62 is opened without the gas-filled coupling 50 being coupled to the receptacle 20, the gas may be accidentally released into the atmosphere because the shut-off valve 64 is closed. Is prevented. Further, in the gas-filled coupling 50, when a high gas pressure is applied to the communication chamber 101, the insertion pipe 108 cannot be slid in the valve opening direction (Xb direction). Injecting from 120 can be prevented.

  The lock mechanism 104 is formed by a plurality of locking balls 130 that engage with the receptacle 20, a pressure ring 132 provided on the outer peripheral side of the locking ball 130, and the pressure of compressed air supplied through the air passage 106. It comprises a holding mechanism (not shown) that holds the pressing ring 132 in the locked position. The plurality of locking balls 130 are arranged in the circumferential direction, move to the inner peripheral side, and engage with a recess (described later) of the receptacle 20 to lock the receptacle 20 and move to the outer peripheral side. Then, the lock with the receptacle 20 is released.

  In the lock mechanism 104, since the pressure from the air path 106 changes when the pressing ring 132 contacts or separates from the air nozzle 24, the operation ring 68 is moved to the locked position or unlocked position by the pressure switch 30. Is detected.

Here, the configuration of the receptacle 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the receptacle 20 is provided, for example, as an inlet of a fuel tank 18 of a vehicle, and the receptacle body 140 formed in a cylindrical shape and the receptacle body 140 are fixed to a mounting plate 142 of the vehicle body. A nut 144, a check valve 146 inserted into a mounting hole 140a penetrating the center of the receptacle body 140, a valve seat member 148 against which the check valve 146 contacts, and an end of the mounting hole 140a. It is comprised from the insertion member 150 and the sealing member 152 (equivalent to the 1st sealing member of Claim 1) interposed between the valve seat member 148 and the insertion member 150.

  The receptacle body 140 has the mounting hole 140a opened at one end, a joint 140b connected to a fuel tank connection pipe (not shown) opened at the other end, and a communication hole 140c communicating the mounting hole 140a and the joint 140b. And have. In addition, the receptacle body 140 has a flange portion 140 d that abuts against the mounting plate 142 of the vehicle body on the outer periphery, and clamps the mounting plate 142 by tightening the nut 144.

  The check valve 146 has a conical tapered surface 146a at the tip, and a sealing member 146b for sealing between the valve seat member 148 and the tapered surface 146a is mounted. A pair of passages 146c are formed at an inclination angle of 45 degrees so as to open to the tapered surface 146a outside the seal member 146b.

  Furthermore, the other end of the check valve 146 is provided with an opening 146d through which the passage 146c communicates. A coil spring 154 contacts the opening 146d. Therefore, the check valve 146 is pressed in the Xb direction by the pressure in the fuel tank 18 and the spring force of the coil spring 154 when the gas is not filled, and the seal member 146b is closed by this pressing force. The valve seat member 148 is crimped.

  Accordingly, the check valve 146 moves in the Xa direction when the supply pressure becomes larger than the resultant force of the pressure in the fuel tank 18 and the spring force of the coil spring 154 due to the start of gas filling from the gas filling coupling 50. Open the valve.

  The valve seat member 148 has a male screw 148a formed on the inner wall of the mounting hole 140a on the outer periphery and thus screwed into the screw 140e. Further, a conical valve seat surface 148b with which the tapered surface 146a of the check valve 146 contacts is provided at one end of the valve seat member 148. Further, the valve seat member 148 has a through hole 148c penetrating in the axial direction (Xa, Xb direction) at one end, and an insertion hole 148d into which the insertion pipe 108 of the gas filling coupling 50 is inserted at the other end. doing.

  A seal member 156 that seals between the valve seat member 148 and the mounting hole 140a is mounted on the outer periphery of the valve seat member 148.

  The seal member 152 seals between the outer periphery of the insertion pipe 108 while being sandwiched between the valve seat member 148 and the insertion member 150, and the seal member 116 of the gas-filled coupling 50 It is formed to have the same diameter as the inner diameter. As a result, since the inner diameters of the seal members 116 and 152 that seal both ends of the insertion pipe 108 are the same, the gas pressure acting on both ends of the insertion pipe 108 during gas filling is balanced as will be described later. The force pushing out in the axial direction is offset. Therefore, it can be configured so that the pressure for moving the insertion pipe 108 does not act during gas filling, and the valve closed state can be maintained without being affected by the pressure.

  The insertion member 150 has a through-hole 150a penetrating the inside, and a trapezoidal recess 150b that engages with a locking ball 130 of the lock mechanism 104 is provided on the entire periphery of the distal end portion. Further, on the outer periphery of the other end of the insertion member 150, a male screw 150c screwed with the female screw 140f of the receptacle body 140 is provided. Further, a cylindrical bearing 158 that supports the insertion pipe 108 is press-fitted into the through hole 150 a of the insertion member 150. The inner circumference of the bearing 158 eliminates the need to increase the rigidity of the insertion pipe and the internal machine parts.

  A protective cap 160 made of resin is fitted to the tip of the insertion member 150. The protective cap 160 is provided with an O-ring 162 for preventing falling off on the inner periphery, and a string 164 for preventing falling off is connected to the outer periphery. Further, the other end of the drop prevention string 164 is hooked on a groove 140e formed on the outer periphery of the receptacle body 140. The protective cap 160 is removed from the insertion member 150 before the insertion pipe 108 of the gas filling coupling 50 is inserted. The O-ring 162 is attached at a position where it is prevented from being pulled out by engaging with a recess 150b provided on the outer periphery of the insertion member 150.

  Here, an operation when the gas-filled coupling 50 configured as described above is connected to the receptacle 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 together.

  First, the protective cap 160 is removed from the receptacle 20 to expose the insertion member 150, and the protective cap 53 is removed from the gas-filled coupling 50 to expose the distal end 108 a of the insertion pipe 108.

  Next, the operator holds the grip 54 of the gas-filled coupling 50 so that the coupling portion 56 faces the end portion of the receptacle 20. From this state, the coupling portion 56 of the gas-filled coupling 50 is pressed and inserted into the receptacle 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the gas-filled coupling 50, the distal end 108 a of the insertion pipe 108 is inserted into the bearing 158 of the insertion member 150. At the same time, the insertion member 150 relatively enters between the outer periphery of the insertion pipe 108 and the inner periphery of the operation ring 68.

  Further, when the gas-filled coupling 50 is pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the distal end 108 a of the insertion pipe 108 is inserted through the bearing 158 of the insertion member 150 and is fitted to the inner periphery of the seal member 152. Thereby, the outer periphery of the distal end 108 a of the insertion pipe 108 is sealed by the seal member 152. Further, the outer periphery of the other end 108 b of the insertion pipe 108 is sealed by a seal member 116.

  Since the seal members 116 and 152 have the same inner diameter, the gas pressure at the time of gas supply is canceled and the force that presses the insertion pipe 108 in the axial direction does not act.

  Further, when the gas-filled coupling 50 is pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the end of the insertion member 150 comes into contact with the end surface of the spring receiver 110 and the end of the receptacle body 140 is placed on the inner periphery of the operation ring 68. The parts are inserted relatively. In this operating state, since the end of the insertion pipe 108 is not pressed, the closing valve 64 of the gas filling coupling 50 is in a closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the gas-filled coupling 50 is further pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the distal end 108a of the insertion pipe 108 is inserted into the insertion hole 148d of the valve seat member 148, and the difference is made. The end of the insertion member 150 relatively presses the spring receiver 110 in the Xb direction. Thereby, the insertion member 150 and the spring receiver 110 slide in the Xb direction against the spring force of the coil spring 112.

  Further, when the gas-filled coupling 50 is pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the distal end 108a of the insertion pipe 108 contacts the inner wall 148e of the valve seat member 148 and slides relatively in the Xb direction. As a result, the other end 108 b of the insertion pipe 108 projects into the communication chamber 101 of the gas-filled coupling 50, and the passage 122 provided in the other end 108 b of the insertion pipe 108 communicates with the communication chamber 101. The end of the insertion pipe 108 abuts against the inner wall 148e of the valve seat member 148, so that the passage 120 of the insertion pipe 108 communicates directly with the through hole 148c of the valve seat member 148.

  Then, the protrusion 126 a of the stopper 126 provided at the other end 108 b of the insertion pipe 108 contacts the side wall 101 a of the communication chamber 101. As a result, the distal end 108a of the insertion pipe 108 contacts the inner wall 148e of the valve seat member 148, and the stopper 126 fixed to the other end 108b of the insertion pipe 108 contacts the side wall 101a of the communication chamber 101. Are held in a state in which both ends are restricted from moving in the axial direction (Xa, Xb direction). Therefore, even if the supply of the high-pressure gas is started, the insertion pipe 108 does not slide in the axial direction and is kept open.

  Further, when the insertion member 150 and the spring receiver 110 slide relative to each other in the Xb direction and the recess 150b reaches a position facing the locking ball 130 of the locking mechanism 104, the locking ball 130 moves to the inner peripheral side. And fitted into the recess 150b. At the same time, the pressing ring 132 and the operation ring 68 are rotated to a lock position (not shown).

  As a result, the movement of the locking ball 130 to the outer peripheral side is restricted, and the insertion member 150 and the holding member 72 are locked in a coupled state, whereby the engagement between the gas-filled coupling 50 and the receptacle 20 is achieved. Is kept locked. The gas-filled coupling 50 is now coupled to the receptacle 20 and locked in a gas supplyable state.

Here, the configuration of the main valve 62 and the residual pressure release valve 66 will be described with reference to FIGS.
7 and 8, when the compressed air is not supplied to the main valve cylinder 70, the main valve 62 is held in the closed state by the piston 78 being pressed in the Xa direction by the spring force of the coil spring 80. Yes.

  In the spool valve 76, the end of the valve portion 76a is formed in a taper shape, and the taper portion is removed from the seal member 82 in the Xa direction, thereby penetrating through the gas supply path 58 through the communication hole 90. A gap between both ends of the hole 52a is sealed by a pair of seal members 82 and 84.

  That is, in the state before starting the gas supply, the outer periphery of the spool valve 76 provided integrally with the piston 78 is in the closed position sealed by the pair of seal members 82 and 84, and the gas supply from the communication hole 90 is performed. Is shut off. This prevents the gas from the gas supply path 58 from being supplied to the communication chamber 101 through the through hole 52a.

  The residual pressure release valve 66 includes a rod 170 integrally coupled to the other end 76d of the spool valve 76, a spring receiver 172 slidably connected to the head 170a of the rod 170, and a spring receiver 172. From the screwed valve support member 178, the valve body 180 protruding in the Xb direction from the tip of the valve support member 178, the coil spring 182 urging the spring receiver 172 in the Xb direction (one side), and the valve seat 98 It is configured.

  Since the valve body 180 of the residual pressure release valve 66 is formed in a conical shape that opens and closes a hole penetrating the valve seat 98, the closing pressure on the valve seat 98 is increased when the residual pressure release valve 66 is closed. It is possible to prevent leakage to the decompression path side during gas supply. Further, since the main valve 62 and the residual pressure release valve 66 are biased away from each other by the spring force of the coil spring 182, the head 170a of the rod 170 pushes the spring receiver 172 in the axial direction (Xa, Xb direction). It is configured to slide.

  Therefore, it becomes possible to bring about a difference between the open / close position of the main valve 62 and the open / close position of the residual pressure release valve 66, and the residual pressure release valve 66 is closed before the main valve 62 is opened. After the valve is closed, the residual pressure release valve 66 can be opened.

  This prevents the gas from flowing out from the residual pressure release valve 66 via the pressure release passage 76c of the spool valve 76 when the main valve 62 is opened and gas supply is started. Further, by opening the residual pressure release valve 66 after the main valve 62 is closed, only the gas remaining in the gas filling coupling 50 can be discharged through the residual pressure release valve 66. .

  The other end 76d of the spool valve 76 has a screw hole 76h into which the male screw 170b of the rod 170 is screwed, a second end 76d having a small diameter, a stepped portion 76e with which the end of the coil spring 182 contacts, and a tapered portion. 76f and a discharge hole 76g formed so as to extend from the decompression passage 76c to the taper portion 76f are provided.

  Further, in the insertion hole 95a of the guide portion 95 through which the other end 76d of the spool valve 76 is inserted, a seal member 184 that seals the outer periphery of the other end 76d of the spool valve 76, and a seal presser 186 that holds the seal member 184, Is provided.

  The seal member 184 that seals the outer periphery of the other end 76d of the spool valve 76 that supports the residual pressure release valve 66 has the same inner diameter as the seal members 82 and 84 that seal the outer periphery of the main valve 62 described above. For this reason, the main valve 62 and the residual pressure release valve 66 are not easily affected by the gas pressure by balancing the pressure acting on the main valve 62 side with the pressure acting on the residual pressure release valve 66 side during the depressurization operation. It has become.

  The spring receiver 172 inserted into the insertion hole 95a is formed with a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 95a, and a gap 188 with the insertion hole 95a is provided as a passage for discharging gas.

  Furthermore, the rod 170 is inserted into the bearing 172a of the spring receiver 172, and a head 170a having a larger diameter than the bearing 172a engages with the spring receiver 172 as a stopper. Therefore, the valve support member 178 is held in a state where the bearing 172a is in contact with the head 170a by the spring force of the coil spring 182, and the valve support member 178 has a predetermined range in which the spring receiver 172 contacts the other end 76d. Can be moved within.

  In the valve support member 178, a sliding hole 178a for sliding the head 170a of the rod 170 is formed in the axial direction. Further, a hole 178 b communicating with the sliding hole 178 a is opened on the outer periphery of the valve support member 178. The hole 178b is for supplying and discharging gas inside the sliding hole 178b in accordance with the sliding operation of the rod 170.

  Further, a sliding portion 178 c that fits into the small diameter portion 95 d of the insertion hole 95 a of the guide portion 95 protrudes from the outer periphery of the valve support member 178. Four or more sliding portions 178c are provided in the circumferential direction, and a discharge groove 178d for discharging gas extends between the sliding portions 178c in the axial direction (Xa, Xb direction). .

  The valve body 180 is provided integrally with the tip 178e of the valve support member 178, and the tip is formed in a conical shape. Further, the valve seat 98 with which the valve body 180 abuts has a tapered valve seat 98a so that the valve body 180 is fitted.

  In the valve closing state in which the spool valve 76 is held at the valve closing position as described above, the spool valve 76 and the piston 78 are moved in the Xa direction (valve closing direction). The member 178 and the valve body 180 are also moved in the Xa direction (the valve opening direction). Therefore, when the main valve 62 is closed, the residual pressure release valve 66 is opened, and the communication chamber 101 has a pressure release passage 76c of the spool valve 76, an insertion hole 95a of the guide portion 95, a gap 188, It communicates with the residual pressure recovery path 61 through the discharge groove 178 d, the valve seat 98, and the pressure release path 100.

  Therefore, after the gas filling is completed, the supply of compressed air to the main valve cylinder 70 is stopped and the main valve 62 is closed, and the valve body 180 is separated from the valve seat 98 and the residual pressure release valve 66 is opened. Let me speak. Thereby, the gas remaining in the communication chamber 101 can be discharged to the residual pressure recovery path 61 to reduce the pressure in the communication chamber 101.

  Here, the filling operation of the high-pressure gas using the gas-filled coupling 50 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 together.

  The operator holds the grip 54 (shown in FIG. 2) of the gas-filled coupling 50 with the right hand and presses the coupling portion 56 to the receptacle (injection port) 20 of the vehicle for coupling.

  In this coupled state, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the gas filling coupling 50 is pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the distal end 108 a of the insertion pipe 108 is connected to the communication chamber 101 of the gas filling coupling 50. The passage 122 provided at the other end 108 b of the insertion pipe 108 communicates with the communication chamber 101.

  The insertion pipe 108 is held in a state in which both ends are restricted from moving in the axial direction (Xa, Xb direction). Further, when the insertion member 150 and the spring receiver 110 slide relative to each other in the Xb direction and the recess 150b reaches a position facing the locking ball 130 of the locking mechanism 104, the locking ball 130 moves to the inner peripheral side. Then, it fits into the recess 150b and locks between the gas-filled coupling 50 and the receptacle 20. The gas-filled coupling 50 is now coupled to the receptacle 20 and locked in a gas supplyable state.

  Next, when the filling preparation switch 36 (see FIG. 1) is turned on, the control device 34 opens the air on-off valve 28 in the air path 60 and supplies compressed air to the gas filling coupling 50. When the compressed air is introduced into the main valve cylinder 70 via the air path 60 and the air pressure becomes larger than the spring force of the coil spring 80, the piston portion of the main valve cylinder 70 is shown in FIGS. 78 is pressed in the Xb direction, and the spool valve 76 and the piston 78 move in the Xb direction (the valve closing direction).

  Therefore, the valve portion 76a of the spool valve 76 moves in the Xb direction (valve opening direction), passes through the seal member 82 and the communication hole 90, and reaches the valve opening position. As a result, the communication hole 90 communicates with the communication chamber 101 via the sliding hole 52 a of the coupling body 52.

  Therefore, when the filling start switch 40 is turned on and the gas on-off valve 32 is opened, the supply of high-pressure gas is started. The high-pressure gas supplied to the gas-filled coupling 50 via the gas supply path 58 passes through the sliding hole 52 a of the coupling body 52, the communication chamber 101, the passages 122 and 120 of the insertion pipe 108, and the receptacle 20. The fuel tank 18 is filled.

  At this time, at the same time as the spool valve 76 moves in the Xb direction (valve opening direction), the rod 170, the spring receiver 172, the valve support member 178, and the valve body 180 move in the Xb direction (valve closing direction). In order to bring 180 into contact with the valve seat 98, the residual pressure release valve 66 is closed. Therefore, during gas filling, the residual pressure release valve 66 is closed to operate so as to prevent depressurization.

  Thus, when the pressure of the fuel tank 18 of the vehicle 12 reaches the target pressure, the gas filling is finished. Then, after the gas filling is finished, the filling stop switch 44 (see FIG. 1) is turned on to stop the supply of compressed air from the air path 60, and the gas on-off valve 32 is closed. Is also stopped.

  Thus, when the pressure of the main valve cylinder 70 is reduced by the spring force of the coil spring 80, the spool valve 76 and the piston 78 are moved in the Xb direction (valve closing direction) by the spring force of the coil spring 80. Then, the spool valve 76 moves to the valve closing position and blocks the communication hole 90 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

  At the same time, the rod 170, the spring receiver 172, the valve support member 178, and the valve body 180 provided integrally with the spool valve 76 move in the Xa direction (the valve opening direction) to separate the valve body 180 from the valve seat 98. Therefore, the residual pressure release valve 66 is opened. Therefore, the residual pressure release valve 66 is opened by the gas supply stop operation after the completion of gas filling, and the gas in the communication chamber 101 is discharged to the residual pressure recovery path 61 to reduce the pressure in the communication chamber 101.

  Thus, since the residual pressure release valve 66 is closed and opened in conjunction with the opening and closing operations of the spool valve 76, the residual pressure release valve 66 is reliably configured in the gas-filled coupling 50 while having a compact configuration. The gas remaining in the gas can be discharged to the outside and recovered.

  As the pressure inside the coupling body 52 decreases, the pressure of the receptacle 20 becomes relatively higher than the pressure inside the coupling body 52. In that case, the check valve 146 provided in the receptacle 20 is operated to the closed position, so that the high-pressure gas in the receptacle 20 is prevented from flowing back into the coupling body 52.

  Further, since the pressure inside the coupling body 52 is rapidly reduced, the unlocking operation by the turning operation of the operation ring 68 can be easily performed. Thereafter, when the operator rotates the operation ring 68 of the gas-filled coupling 50 to the unlock position, the ball presser 132 moves and the locking ball 130 is movable outward as shown in FIG. become. Since the operation force at this time is merely to rotate the operation ring 68, the unlocking operation can be performed with a smaller force than the method of sliding in the axial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion pipe 108 of the shut-off valve 64 is pressed in the Xa direction by the spring force of the coil spring 112, so that the valve 122 and the seal member 124 are inserted into the insertion hole 72b. Move to position. Thereby, the closing valve 64 is closed.

  This completes the filling operation of the high pressure gas into the fuel tank 18 using the gas filling coupling 50.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram illustrating a gas filling system to which a second embodiment of the gas filling coupling is applied. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the gas filling system 200, for example, high-pressure gas (for example, 70 MPa hydrogen) is supplied to the fuel tank (filled tank) 18 of the vehicle 12 on which a fuel cell (not shown) is mounted. A gas-filled coupling 202 to be filled and a dispenser 204 for supplying high-pressure gas to the gas-filled coupling 202 are configured. Further, an air path 60 for supplying compressed air is connected to the dispenser 204.

  The gas filling coupling 202 is coupled to the receptacle 20 provided in the fuel tank 18 of the vehicle 12 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and fills the fuel supply system 18 with high-pressure gas.

  As will be described later, the gas filling coupling 202 is provided with a main valve 206, a shut-off valve 208, and a residual pressure release valve 210. The main valve 206 and the shut-off valve 208 are communicated with a gas supply path 58 that supplies high-pressure gas (fuel), and the tip of the gas supply path 58 is communicated with the fuel tank 18 via the receptacle 20. The base end of the gas supply path 58 is in communication with a compressor for generating high-pressure gas and a gas storage tank (both not shown).

Here, the dispenser 204 will be described.
Downstream of the air path 60, a pressure switch 30, a four-way switching valve (switching means) 212 including an electromagnetic valve, and a main valve cylinder 214 of the gas filling coupling 202 are connected. The main valve cylinder 214 is a valve driving means for opening the valve by supplying compressed air via the four-way switching valve 212 and filling high-pressure gas. With the switching of the compressed air supplied from the four-way switching valve 212, the main valve cylinder 214 is operated. Opens or closes the valve.

  The four-way switching valve 212 is a two-position four-port valve, and includes a solenoid 212a that is turned on / off by the control device 220, an air supply port 212b that communicates with the air path 60, and an air release port that is open to the atmosphere. 212c, a valve opening side port 212d, and a valve closing side port 212e.

  One end of the first pipe line 216 is communicated with the left chamber 214a of the main valve cylinder 214, and one end of the second pipe line 218 is communicated with the right chamber 214b. The other end of the first conduit 216 is communicated with the valve opening side port 212d, and the other end of the second conduit 218 is communicated with the valve closing side port 212e.

  When the four-way switching valve 212 is opened, the energization of the solenoid 212a is turned on, so that the spool (not shown) moves downward. Therefore, the compressed air from the air path 60 is supplied to the left chamber 214a of the main valve cylinder 214 via the valve opening side port 212d and the pipe line 216, and the right chamber 214b of the main valve cylinder 214 is connected to the pipe line 218. The ventilating port 212c communicates with the valve closing side port 212e.

  Further, since the energization to the solenoid 212a is turned off when the four-way switching valve 212 is closed, the spool (not shown) is moved up by the spring force of the coil spring 212f as shown in FIG. Thereby, the compressed air from the air path 60 is supplied to the right chamber 214b of the main valve cylinder 214 via the pipe line 218 and the valve closing side port 212e, and the left chamber 214a of the main valve cylinder 214 is connected to the pipe line 216, communicates with the air release port 212c through the valve opening side port 212d.

  The control device 220 is supplied with a current of a predetermined voltage from the power supply device 222, and is connected to the pressure switch 30, the gas on-off valve 32, and the four-way switching valve 212. Further, the control device 220 is connected to a power lamp 224, a compressed air supply lamp 226, a coupling connection lamp 228, a filling lamp 230, a filling stop switch 232, a filling start switch 234, and a coupling attachment / detachment limit switch 236.

  When the filling start switch 234 is turned on, the controller 220 energizes the solenoid 32 a of the gas on-off valve 32 to supply the high-pressure gas to the gas filling coupling 202. Further, the detection signal from the pressure switch 30 is confirmed to turn on the compressed air supply lamp 226, and the solenoid 212a of the four-way switching valve 212 is energized to switch the four-way switching valve 212 to the open state. Then, the in-filling lamp 230 is turned on to notify that the high-pressure gas is filled in the fuel tank 18.

  In addition, when the charging stop switch 232 is turned on, the control device 220 stops energization of the solenoid 212a of the four-way switching valve 212 to switch the four-way switching valve 212 to the closed state, and the gas on-off valve 32. The energization to the solenoid 32a is also stopped. Then, the control device 220 turns off the filling lamp 230 and turns off the compressed air supply lamp 226 when the detection signal is not output from the pressure switch 30.

  Further, when the coupling attachment / detachment limit switch 236 detects the connection state of the gas filling coupling 202, the control device 220 turns on the coupling connection lamp 228, and the gas filling coupling 202 is separated into the receptacle 20 of the vehicle 12. Then, the coupling connection lamp 228 is turned off.

Here, the configuration of the gas-filled coupling 202 will be described.
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing Embodiment 2 of the gas-filled coupling according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a specific internal structure of the main valve 206 and the residual pressure release valve 210. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a specific internal structure of the coupling portion of the coupling main body 252. In FIGS. 12 to 14, a black oval shape is a seal member.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the gas-filled coupling 202 includes a coupling body 252, a grip projecting downward from one end of the coupling body 252 (not shown in FIG. 12), and the coupling body 252. It is comprised from the coupling | bond part 256 provided in the edge.

  An operation ring 268 for unlocking is slidably provided on the outer periphery of the coupling portion 256. A resin protective cap 253 that protects the coupling portion 256 is fitted to the end of the operation ring 268, and one end of the drop-off prevention string 253 b is connected to the protrusion 253 a of the protective cap 253. Yes. Further, the other end of the drop-off prevention string 253 b is locked to the outer periphery of the coupling body 252. In addition, an O-ring 253d for preventing falling off is mounted inside the protective cap 253.

  Therefore, before the coupling portion 256 of the gas-filled coupling 202 is coupled to the receptacle 20 of the fuel tank 18, the protective cap 253 is separated from the end of the operation ring 268 to expose the coupling portion 256.

  The operator holds the grip (not shown) of the gas-filled coupling 202 and presses the coupling portion 256 against the receptacle 20 of the vehicle, whereby the operation ring 268 is rotated to the locked position. In addition, the operator holds the grip of the gas filling coupling 202 with one hand and rotates the operation ring 268 of the gas filling coupling 202 to the unlocking position with the other hand, so that the gas filling cup is operated. The ring 202 is separated from the receptacle 20.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the coupling body 252 has a connection portion 270 to which a gas supply path 58 for supplying high-pressure gas (for example, 70 MPa of hydrogen) is connected, and a pipe line 216 for supplying and discharging compressed air. , 218 are connected to each other, and connection portions 276 are connected to a residual pressure recovery path 261 for discharging the residual pressure after gas filling is completed. Further, the coupling main body 252 is provided with a main valve 206 therein, and a holding member 278 for holding the coupling portion 256 and the closing valve 208 is provided at the front end. A lid member 280 that holds the residual pressure release valve 210 and closes the rear opening of the coupling body 252 is screwed to the rear end of the coupling body 252.

  The main valve 206 includes a main valve rod 284 having a first poppet valve portion 284a that is attached to and detached from a valve seat 282a of a main valve valve seat member 282 formed inside the coupling body 252, and an axial line. A piston (valve drive means) 286 having a first through-hole 286a penetrating in the axial direction so as to extend along which the main valve rod 284 is inserted into one end side (Xa direction) of the first through-hole 286a; It has a coil spring 288 as urging means for pressing the piston 286 in the valve closing direction, and a main valve cylinder 214 in which the piston 286 is slidably housed in the axial direction.

  The main valve rod 284 is provided with a conical first poppet valve portion 284a at one end, and a hook member 284b for screwing prevention is screwed into the other end. Further, the main valve rod 284 and the flange member 284b have small diameter depressurizing passages (small diameter passages) 284c and 284d penetrating in the axial direction.

  The main valve rod 284 is guided to slide by the first guide member 290 screwed into one end side (Xa direction side) of the first through hole 286a and the other end side (Xb direction side). Is guided by an insertion hole 252b provided in the partition wall 252a of the coupling body 252, and is urged by the coil spring 292 in the Xa direction (the other side with respect to the piston 28b).

  Further, on the left side of the partition wall 252a, there is provided a seal member 202a1 as an annular seal of the present invention, which is composed of a resin-made seal on the inner peripheral side and excellent in slidability and an O-ring on the outer peripheral side. The member 202a1 is fixed by a main valve seat member 282 through a spacer 252a2.

  One end of the coil spring 292 abuts on a spring receiver 294 locked to the main valve rod 284, and the other end abuts on the guide member 290. Therefore, when the piston 286 slides in the Xa direction, the guide valve 290 compresses the coil spring 292 and the main valve rod 284 is pressed in the Xa direction by the spring force of the coil spring 292.

  Accordingly, the first poppet valve portion 284a of the main valve rod 284 is separated from the valve seat 282a of the main valve valve seat member 282 when compressed air is supplied to the left chamber 214a and the piston 286 moves in the Xb direction. When the valve is opened and the compressed air in the left chamber 214a is exhausted, the spring force of the coil spring 292 presses the valve seat 282a of the main valve valve seat member 282 to close the main valve 206.

  The main valve cylinder 214 is defined by a piston 286 into a left chamber 214a and a right chamber 214b. A pipe 216 is connected to the left chamber 214a via a connection portion 272, and a connection is made to the right chamber 214b. A pipe line 218 communicates with the part 274. Therefore, when the compressed air is supplied to the left chamber 214a by the switching operation of the four-way switching valve 212 (see FIG. 11), the piston 286 and the main valve rod 284 are driven in the valve opening direction, and the compressed air is supplied to the right chamber 214b. When supplied, the piston 286 and the main valve rod 284 are driven in the valve closing direction.

  The piston 286 protrudes to the second through hole (communication hole) 286b passing through the eccentric position shifted in the radial direction with respect to the first through hole 286a in the axial direction and to one end (Xa direction side). A first small diameter portion 286c slidably fitted in a first low pressure chamber 214c having a smaller diameter than the valve cylinder 214, and a second small diameter projecting to the other end (Xb direction side) and smaller than the main valve cylinder 214. And a second small diameter portion 286d slidably fitted in the low pressure chamber 214d.

  The second through-hole 286b is a passage that connects the first low-pressure chamber 214c and the second low-pressure chamber 214d, and the first low-pressure chamber 214c and the second low-pressure chamber 214c are moved along with the sliding movement of the piston 286. A gas flow is performed in accordance with the volume change of the chamber 214d to suppress the pressure change in the first low pressure chamber 214c and the second low pressure chamber 214d.

  The residual pressure release valve 210 is arranged coaxially with a main valve rod 284 and a pressure relief valve seat member 296 screwed into a through hole 280a that penetrates a lid member 280 attached to the rear portion of the coupling body 252. The pressure-reducing rod 298 having a second poppet valve portion 298 a that is attached to and detached from the valve seat 296 a of the pressure-reducing valve seat member 296, and a second guide member 300 that guides the sliding of the pressure-reducing rod 298.

  The decompression valve seat member 296 is formed in the radial direction so as to intersect the decompression passage 296b and the decompression passage 296b communicating with the connection portion 276 to which the valve seat 296a and the residual pressure recovery passage 261 are connected. Branch passage 296c. The lid member 280 has a leakage gas discharge passage (discharge passage) 280b extending in the axial direction so as to communicate between the second low-pressure chamber 214d and the branch passage 296c.

  The leaked gas discharge passage 280b is a passage for discharging the leaked gas to the residual pressure recovery path 261 when the high pressure gas leaks into the first low pressure chamber 214c or the second low pressure chamber 214d. Further, the load during the piston operation can be reduced by discharging the gas in the first low-pressure chamber 214c and the second low-pressure chamber 214d to the outside through the leakage gas discharge passage 280b.

  The decompression rod 298 includes an inclined passage 298b that opens outside the valve seat 296a in the tapered portion of the second poppet valve portion 298a formed in a conical shape, and a slip prevention rod that protrudes radially from the other end. The flange portion 298c has one end communicating with the inclined passage 298b and the other end having a pressure release passage 298d opened on the end surface of the flange portion 398b.

  The decompression rod 298 is guided to slide by a second guide member 300 having one end screwed into the other end side (Xb direction side) of the first through-hole 286a, and the other end is a lid member 280. Is guided by a third guide member 302 held inside and is biased in the Xb direction by a coil spring 304.

  One end of the coil spring 304 is in contact with the spring receiver 306 that is locked to the decompression rod 298, and the other end is in contact with the guide member 300. Therefore, when the piston 286 slides in the Xb direction, the guide member 300 compresses the coil spring 304 and is pressed in the Xb direction by the spring force of the coil spring 304.

  Accordingly, in the second poppet valve portion 298a of the decompression rod 298, the spring force of the coil spring 304 is increased by the movement of the piston 286 in the Xb direction, and is thereby pressed against the valve seat 210a of the residual pressure release valve 210. The residual pressure release valve 210 is closed.

  Thus, since the main valve rod 284 and the decompression rod 298 are slidably inserted into both ends of the first through hole 286a of the piston 286, the main valve rod 284 is inserted into the main valve valve seat member. When the valve 282 is in contact with the valve seat 282a and is closed, the pressure-reducing rod 298 is separated from the valve seat 296a of the pressure-reducing valve seat member 296 to be in a pressure-removed state. The screw hole 252c into which the connection part 270 to which the gas supply path 58 is connected is screwed and the valve seat 282a communicate with each other through a small-diameter communication hole 252d.

  At the start of gas filling, when the piston 286 moves in the Xb direction and the main valve rod 284 is separated from the valve seat 282a of the main valve valve seat member 282, the gas supply path 58 is connected to the main valve via the communication hole 252d. The valve seat member 282 is communicated with a flow path 282b penetrating in the axial direction.

  Further, after the gas filling is completed, compressed air is supplied to the right chamber 214b, the piston 286 and the main valve rod 284 are driven in the valve closing direction (Xa direction), and the main valve rod 284 is moved to the main valve valve seat. The valve seat 282a of the member 282 is closed. Thereby, the gas supply path 58 is interrupted.

  In this way, the gas-filled coupling 202 can drive the main valve 206 and the residual pressure release valve 208 by a single piston (valve driving means) 286, so that the configuration can be made compact and the pressure can be reduced. The operation is not troublesome, and the separation operation after the gas supply can be performed quickly, and the residual pressure release valve 208 is opened after the main valve 206 is closed, and the main valve 206 is opened after the release valve is closed. It can be operated.

  The coupling portion 256 includes a closing valve 208, a holding member 278 that holds the closing valve 208, a lock mechanism 307 that engages with the receptacle 20, an insertion pipe 308 that is formed in a hollow shape, and an outer periphery of the insertion pipe 308. A spring receiver 310 is provided, and a coil spring 312 that presses the spring receiver 310 in the valve closing direction (Xa direction).

  The holding member 278 has a space 278a into which the insertion pipe 308 and the spring receiver 310 are inserted, and the spring receiver 310 is slidably mounted in the space 278a. The spring receiver 310 is pressed in the Xa direction by the spring force of the coil spring 312 and is prevented from coming off by the locking portion 314 protruding from the outer periphery of the insertion pipe 308.

  As will be described later, the spring receiver 310 abuts on the receptacle 20 and slides in the Xb direction. Before the insertion pipe 308 is inserted into the receptacle 20, the spring receiver 310 slides in the Xa direction to lock the lock mechanism 307. Hold in the released state.

  Further, an insertion hole 278b through which the insertion pipe 308 is inserted is provided inside the holding member 278, and a fourth guide member 318 that guides the sliding of the insertion pipe 308 in the axial direction is provided in the insertion hole 278b. It is screwed. The guide member 318 functions as a seal presser that holds a seal member 319 that seals the outer periphery of the insertion pipe 308.

  The insertion pipe 308 includes a passage 308a extending in the axial direction so as to open at the tip, and a communication hole 308b extending in the radial direction so as to be blocked by the insertion hole 278b and communicating with the other end of the passage 308a. Have Further, since the insertion pipe 308 does not protrude forward from the operation ring 268, the insertion pipe 308 is hardly damaged.

  Further, a stopper 326 for preventing the removal is provided at the other end of the insertion pipe 308. The stopper 326 prevents the insertion pipe 308 from being pushed out in the Xa direction when high pressure gas is supplied from the flow path 282b of the main valve valve seat member 282. The stopper 326 is formed with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 278b, and contacts the main valve valve seat member 282 so as not to close the flow path 282b when sliding in the Xb direction as will be described later. A protrusion 326a is provided.

  Since the gas is not filled in the shutoff valve 208 when not inserted into the receptacle 20, the insertion pipe 308 is pressed in the Xa direction by the spring force of the coil spring 312 and the communication hole 308b is inserted into the insertion hole 278b. It is kept in the state that was done. That is, the closing valve 208 is closed.

  In the gas-filled coupling 202, when the high-pressure gas pressure is applied to the communication chamber 311 from the flow path 282b of the main valve valve seat member 282 by the valve opening operation of the main valve 206, the insertion pipe 308 is opened in the valve opening direction. Since it cannot slide in (Xb direction), it can prevent that gas is injected from the channel | path 308b of the insertion pipe 308. FIG. Therefore, when the main valve 206 is opened without coupling the gas-filled coupling 202 to the receptacle 20, the shut-off valve 208 is closed, so that the gas may be accidentally released into the atmosphere. Is prevented.

  The lock mechanism 307 includes a plurality of locking balls 330 that engage with the receptacle 20 when the spring receiver 310 slides in the Xb direction, a pressing ring 332 provided on the outer peripheral side of the locking ball 330, an air passage And a locking mechanism 336 that locks the pressing ring 332 in the locked position by the pressure of the compressed air supplied through the H.334. The plurality of locking balls 330 are arranged in the circumferential direction, move to the inner peripheral side, and engage with a recess (described later) of the receptacle 20 to lock between the receptacle 20 and move to the outer peripheral side. Then, the lock with the receptacle 20 is released.

  The holding member 278 is provided with a limit switch 236 that detects that the rotation position of the pressing ring 332 has been rotated to a position locked to the receptacle 20. The limit switch 236 is closed when the pressing ring 332 is rotated to the locked position, and outputs a detection signal to the control device 220.

  Further, the locking mechanism 336 engages the locking pin 338 with the locking pin 338 inserted into the locking hole 332a and locking the pressing ring 332 when the pressing ring 332 is rotated to the locked position. It has a coil spring 340 that biases in the release direction, a cylinder hole 342 into which a locking pin 338 is slidably inserted, and an air supply hole 344 that supplies compressed air from the main valve cylinder 214 to the cylinder hole 342.

  The air supply hole 344 communicates with the left chamber 214a of the main valve cylinder 214 via an air passage 346 provided in the coupling body 252. Therefore, when compressed air is supplied to the left chamber 214a and the piston 286 slides in the valve opening direction (Xb direction), the compressed air is supplied to the cylinder hole 342 via the air passage 346 and the air supply hole 344. The stop pin 338 is driven in the locking direction (Xa direction).

  Thus, during gas filling, the pressure ring 332 is locked in a locked state (a state in which the locking ball 330 is engaged with the receptacle 20) by the locking pin 338, so that the gas-filled coupling 202 is dropped from the receptacle 20. Is prevented.

  The operation ring 268 is prevented from falling off by a nut 360 screwed into the tip of the holding member 278, and is held between the nut 360 and the end of the coupling body 252 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. An annular press ring 332 is integrally fitted to the inner periphery of the operation ring 268, and the press ring 332 has a locking groove 332 b into which the locking ball 330 is inserted in the circumferential direction. Is provided.

  A ball retainer 362 having a spherical recess corresponding to the outer diameter of the locking ball 330 is inserted into the locking groove 332b. The pressing ring 332 and the ball presser 362 are integrally fastened to the inside of the operation ring 268 via a mounting bolt 363. Therefore, when the operation ring 268 is rotated in the unlocking direction, the pressing ring 332 and the ball presser 362 are also rotated in the same direction, thereby enabling the unlocking operation.

  15A and 15B are diagrams showing the mounting structure of the locking mechanism 336 and the limit switch 236. FIG. 15A is a plan view showing the mounting state of the locking mechanism 336, and FIG. 15B is a longitudinal section along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 6C is a bottom view showing a state where the limit switch 236 is attached.

  As shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, a locking base 348 that houses the locking mechanism 336 is fastened to the upper part 278 b of the holding member 278 by a mounting bolt 350, and the lower part of the holding member 278 A switch base 352 that holds the limit switch 236 is fastened to the 278c by a mounting bolt 354.

  The locking base 348 has a guide hole 348a penetrating the inside in the axial direction. A locking pin 338 is slidably inserted into the guide hole 348a. When compressed air is supplied to the cylinder hole 342, the tip of the locking pin 338 protrudes from the end surface 348b of the locking base 348. The pressing ring 332 is locked.

  Further, the switch base 352 has a side surface 352a in which a section 236a of the limit switch 236 protrudes, and the switch base 352 is pressed when the coupling portion 256 is coupled to the receptacle 20 and is locked (the locking ball 330 is engaged with the receptacle 20). A member to be detected 356 fixed to the ring 332 is attached so as to abut on the section 236a. Between the switch base 352 and the lower part 278c of the holding member 278, a stopper member 353 that abuts on the detected member 356 and restricts the rotational position of the pressing ring 332 in the C direction (lock direction) is sandwiched. .

  The detected member 356 includes an attachment portion 356a that is fixed to the end surface of the pressing ring 332, and a contact portion 356b that stands up from the attachment portion 356a so as to face the limit switch 236. Then, when the pressing ring 332 is rotated to the unlocked position, the detected member 356 causes the contact portion 356b to contact the segment 236a of the limit switch 236 and cause the limit switch 236 to output a detection signal.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16, a pair of coil springs 364 and 366 are mounted in the circumferential direction between the pressing ring 332 and the end 278 d of the holding member 278. The coil springs 364 and 366 are return biasing members for returning the operation ring 268 and the press ring 332 to the lock position, and one end of the rotary spring latch pin 368 is screwed into the end surface 332 a of the press ring 332. , 369, and the other end is hooked to fixed-side hook pins 370, 371 screwed into the end portion 278d of the holding member 278.

  As described above, the pressing ring 332 and the operation ring 268 are urged in the C direction (locking direction) by the spring force of the coil springs 364 and 366, and the pressing ring by the locking pin 338 of the locking mechanism 366 after gas filling is completed. When the engagement with respect to 332 is released, it is manually rotated in the D direction (unlock direction) to release the lock on the receptacle 20. Further, the lock position of the operation ring 268 is determined by the stopper member 353 fixed to the holding member 278. Then, the operation ring 268 is rotated in the C direction (lock direction) by the spring force of the coil springs 364 and 366, and the contact portion 356 b of the detected member 356 contacts the section 236 of the limit switch 236. As a result, the limit switch 236 outputs a lock state detection signal to the control device 220.

Here, with reference to FIG. 17, the operation and operation when the coupling portion 256 of the gas-filled coupling 202 is coupled to the receptacle 20 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 17, first, the protective cap 253 is removed from the gas filling coupling 202 to expose the passage 308 a of the insertion pipe 308.

  Next, the operator holds the grip (not shown) of the gas-filled coupling 202 so that the tip of the coupling portion 256 faces the end of the receptacle 20. From this state, the coupling portion 256 of the gas-filled coupling 202 is pressed into the receptacle 20 and inserted.

  The receptacle 20 is provided as, for example, an inlet of the fuel tank 18 of the vehicle. The receptacle main body 140 formed in a cylindrical shape, a nut 144 that fixes the receptacle main body 140 to the mounting plate 142 of the vehicle body, and the receptacle main body 140. Check valve (not shown) inserted into the mounting hole 140a penetrating the center of the valve, a valve seat member (not shown) with which the check valve abuts, and a difference screwed into the end of the mounting hole 140a It is comprised from the insertion member 150 and the sealing member 152 interposed between a valve seat member and the insertion member 150. FIG.

  The receptacle body 140 has a flange portion 140 d that is brought into contact with the mounting plate 142 of the vehicle body on the outer periphery, and clamps the mounting plate 142 by tightening a nut 144.

  The insertion member 150 has a through-hole 150a penetrating the inside, and a trapezoidal recess 150b that engages with a locking ball 130 of the lock mechanism 104 is provided on the entire periphery of the distal end portion. Further, on the outer periphery of the other end of the insertion member 150, a male screw 150c screwed with the female screw 140f of the receptacle body 140 is provided. Further, a cylindrical bearing 158 that supports the insertion pipe 308 of the gas filling coupling 202 is press-fitted into the through hole 150 a of the insertion member 150.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the operator inserts the distal end of the insertion pipe 308 of the gas filling coupling 202 into the bearing 158 of the insertion member 150. At the same time, the insertion member 150 relatively enters between the outer periphery of the insertion pipe 108 and the inner periphery of the operation ring 268. Further, when the gas-filled coupling 202 is pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the distal end of the insertion pipe 308 passes through the bearing 158 of the insertion member 150 and is fitted to the inner periphery of the seal member 152.

  Further, when the gas-filled coupling 202 is pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the end portion of the insertion member 150 comes into contact with the end surface of the spring receiver 310 and the receptacle main body 140 is disposed on the inner periphery of the operation ring 268. The ends are inserted relatively. In this operating state, since the end of the insertion pipe 308 is not pressed, the closing valve 208 of the gas filling coupling 202 is in a closed state.

  Further, when the gas-filled coupling 202 is pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the distal end of the insertion pipe 308 is inserted into the insertion hole 148d of the valve seat member 148, and the end of the insertion member 150 is spring-loaded. 310 is relatively pressed in the Xb direction. As a result, the spring receiver 310 slides in the Xb direction against the spring force of the coil spring 312.

  Further, when the gas filling coupling 202 is pressed in the insertion direction (Xa direction), the protrusion 326a of the stopper 326 fixed to the other end of the insertion pipe 308 contacts the valve seat member 282. As a result, the other end of the insertion pipe 308 protrudes into the communication chamber 311 of the gas-filled coupling 202, and the passage 308 b provided at the other end of the insertion pipe 308 communicates with the communication chamber 311. The protrusion 326a of the stopper 326 contacts the end surface of the valve seat member 282, so that the passage 308b of the insertion pipe 308 communicates with the through hole 282b of the valve seat member 282.

  Since the distal end of the insertion pipe 308 contacts the inner wall of the receptacle body 140 and the other end contacts the valve seat member 282, both ends of the insertion pipe 308 are restricted from moving in the axial direction (Xa, Xb direction). Is kept in the state. Therefore, even if the supply of the high-pressure gas is started, the insertion pipe 308 does not slide in the axial direction and is held in the valve open state.

  Further, when the insertion member 150 and the spring receiver 310 are relatively slid in the Xb direction and the recess 150b reaches a position facing the locking ball 330 of the lock mechanism 307, the locking ball 330 moves to the inner peripheral side. And fitted into the recess 150b of the insertion member 150. At the same time, the pressing ring 332 and the operation ring 268 are rotated in the C direction (locking direction) by the spring force of the coil springs 364 and 366 (see FIG. 16) and are rotated to the lock position (not shown).

  As a result, the locking ball 330 is restricted from moving to the outer peripheral side and couples between the recess 150b of the insertion member 150 and the pressing ring 332, so that the gap between the gas filling coupling 202 and the receptacle 20 is reduced. Keep locked. The gas filled coupling 202 is now coupled to the receptacle 20 and locked in a gas supply enabled state.

  Thus, after the gas filling coupling 202 is coupled to the receptacle 20, the filling of the high pressure gas is started.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a gas filling stop state.
As shown in FIG. 19, by switching the four-way switching valve 212 (see FIG. 11), compressed air is supplied to the right chamber 214b and air in the left chamber 214a is exhausted. As a result, the piston 286 and the main valve rod 284 are driven in the valve closing direction (Xa direction).

  Since the main valve rod 284 operates in the valve closing direction and the first poppet valve portion 284a is seated on the valve seat 282a of the main valve valve seat member 282, the main valve 206 is closed. Therefore, the filling of the high pressure gas is stopped.

  In this gas filling stop state, since the piston 286 moves in the valve closing direction (Xa direction), the decompression rod 298 slidably provided on the right end side of the piston 286 has the second poppet valve portion 298a. Is released from the valve seat 296a of the pressure-reducing valve seat member 296, and the residual pressure release valve 210 is opened. As a result, the high-pressure gas remaining inside the gas-filled coupling 202 passes through the pressure-reducing passages 284c and 284d of the main valve rod 284 and the through-hole 286a and flows into the pressure-removing passage 298d of the pressure-reducing rod 298. The residual gas that has passed through the main valve rod 284 and the decompression rod 298 is discharged to the residual pressure recovery path 261 via the residual pressure release valve 210. Therefore, the pressure inside the gas filling coupling 202 is released to the outside.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the first stage of the filling start.
As shown in FIG. 20, the four-way switching valve 212 (see FIG. 11) is switched to supply compressed air to the left chamber 214a and exhaust air from the right chamber 214b. As a result, the piston 286 and the main valve rod 284 are driven in the valve opening direction (Xb direction).

  Since the first poppet valve portion 284a is pushed out in the Xa direction by the spring force of the coil spring 292 even when the piston 286 starts to move in the valve closing direction, the main valve rod 284 has a valve seat of the main valve valve seat member 282. The main valve 206 is kept in the closed state.

  In the first stage of the filling start, the piston 286 is moved in the valve opening direction (Xb direction) more than when the filling is stopped (see FIG. 19), so that the piston 286 is slidably provided on the right end side of the piston 286. In the rod 298, the second poppet valve portion 298a is seated on the valve seat 296a of the pressure-reducing valve seat member 296, and the residual pressure release valve 210 is closed. Therefore, the residual gas is prevented from flowing out by the residual pressure release valve 210.

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the second stage of filling start.
As shown in FIG. 21, the four-way switching valve 212 (see FIG. 11) is switched to supply compressed air to the left chamber 214a and exhaust air from the right chamber 214b. As a result, the piston 286 and the main valve rod 284 are driven further in the valve opening direction (Xb direction) than the position of FIG.

  The main valve rod 284 moves in the valve opening direction, and the first poppet valve portion 284a is separated from the valve seat 282a of the main valve valve seat member 282 to open the main valve 206. Therefore, the high-pressure gas supplied from the gas supply path 58 to the connection portion 270 is supplied to the valve seat 282a through the communication hole 252d, and is supplied to the communication chamber 311 through the flow path 282b. Further, the high-pressure gas passes through the passages 308 a and 308 b of the insertion pipe 308 communicated with the communication chamber 311, flows into the through hole 148 c of the receptacle 20, and is filled in the fuel tank 18.

  At this time, in the gas-filled coupling 202, a part of the high-pressure gas passes through the decompression passages 284 c and 284 d of the main valve rod 284 and the through hole 286 a and flows into the decompression passage 298 d of the decompression rod 298. Thus, when the first poppet valve portion 284a is separated from the valve seat 282a of the main valve valve seat member 282, the small-diameter depressurization passages 284c and 284d act as throttles. There is a time delay before the high-pressure gas is filled into the through-hole 286a that forms the intermediate pressure balance chamber through the pressure-reducing passages 284c and 284d of the rod 284.

  For this reason, the main valve rod 284 is biased in the valve closing direction (Xa direction) by the spring force of the coil spring 292 with the first poppet valve portion 284a having a smaller diameter than the flange portion 284b. Since the pressure to press the poppet valve portion 284a in the valve opening direction (Xb direction) is strong, the first poppet valve portion 284a can be opened with a relatively small force.

  Further, the second poppet valve portion 298a of the decompression rod 298 is seated on the valve seat 296a of the decompression valve seat member 296, and the residual pressure release valve 210 is closed. Therefore, the high-pressure gas is not discharged to the residual pressure recovery path 261 during gas filling.

  Note that the pressure of the high-pressure gas acts on both ends of the decompression rod 298, but the flange portion 298c has a larger diameter than the second poppet valve portion 298a, and the spring force of the coil spring 304 is greater. Since it acts in the valve closing direction (Xb direction), it is held in the valve closing position by the pressure difference.

  The main valve cylinder 214 is provided with a first low-pressure chamber 214c in which the first small-diameter portion 286c slides, and a second low-pressure chamber 214d in which the second small-diameter portion 286d slides. The residual pressure recovery path 261 communicates with the second through hole 286b, the branch path 296c, and the leakage gas discharge path 280b. Therefore, the first low pressure chamber 214c and the second low pressure chamber 214d are decompressed to about atmospheric pressure, and the load when driving the piston 286 is reduced. Therefore, the valve opening operation or the valve closing operation by the piston 286 can be performed smoothly.

  Here, the gas filling operation procedure and the processing procedure of the control device 220 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the power supply device 222 is set to ON in S11, the control device 220 causes the power lamp 224 to be turned on in S12. Subsequently, in S13, compressed air from an air source (not shown) is supplied to the gas-filled coupling 202 via the air path 60.

  In next S14, it is checked whether or not the pressure switch 30 is ON. In S14, when the pressure switch 30 is OFF, since the pressure of the compressed air is insufficient, the process returns to S11. If the pressure of the compressed air is equal to or higher than the specified value in S14, the pressure switch 30 is turned on and the process proceeds to S15, and the compressed air supply lamp 226 is turned on.

  In S16, the operator couples the coupling portion 256 of the gas-filled coupling 202 to the receptacle 20 of the vehicle 12 (see FIG. 19). In next S17, it is checked whether or not the limit switch 236 is ON. In S17, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the coupling portion 256 is coupled to the receptacle 20 to be in a locked state (a state where the locking ball 330 is engaged with the receptacle 20), it is fixed to the pressing ring 332. Since the member 356 to be detected comes into contact with the section 236a, the limit switch 236 is turned on.

  When the limit switch 236 is turned on in S17, the process proceeds to S18, and the coupling connection lamp 228 is turned on. Then, it progresses to S19 shown in FIG. 23, and it is checked whether the filling start switch 234 was operated to ON. The operator confirms that the coupling connection lamp 228 is turned on and turns on the filling start switch 234. In S19, when the charging start switch 234 is turned on, the process proceeds to S20, and the solenoid 212a of the four-way switching valve 212 is energized to switch the four-way switching valve 212 (see FIG. 11).

  Thus, the compressed air from the air path 60 is supplied to the left chamber 214a of the main valve cylinder 214 via the valve opening side port 212d and the pipe line 216 of the four-way switching valve 212, and the right chamber of the main valve cylinder 214. 214b communicates with the air discharge port 212c via the conduit 218 and the valve closing side port 212e.

  Therefore, the piston 286 of the gas filling coupling 202 moves in the valve opening direction (Xb direction) to open the main valve rod 284 and to close the depressurizing rod 298 (see FIGS. 20 and 21). .

  In S21, the residual pressure release valve 210 is closed by the valve closing operation of the decompression rod 298, and in S22, the main valve 206 is opened by the valve opening operation of the main valve rod 284. Then, the locking pin 338 of the locking mechanism 336 locks the pressing ring 332. Thus, the pressing ring 332 is locked so as to maintain the locked state in which the locking ball 330 is fitted in the recess 150 b of the insertion member 150.

  In the next S 24, the solenoid 32 a of the gas on-off valve 32 is energized to open the gas on-off valve 32, and the high-pressure gas supplied via the gas supply path 58 is supplied to the gas-filled coupling 202. Thus, filling of the high pressure gas into the fuel tank 18 of the vehicle 12 is started.

  In S25, the filling lamp 230 is turned on. In next step S26, it is checked whether or not the filling stop switch 232 is turned on. When the filling stop switch 232 is turned on in S26, the process proceeds to S27, and it is checked whether both the limit switch 236 and the solenoid 212a of the four-way switching valve 212 are on.

  In S27, if both the limit switch 236 and the solenoid 212a of the four-way switching valve 212 are on, it is checked in S28 whether the filling is completed. When the filling stop switch 232 is turned on in S26, it is determined in S28 that the high-pressure gas filling is completed, and the process proceeds to S29 shown in FIG.

  If the filling stop switch 232 is not turned on, the process returns from S28 to S26, and the processes of S26 to S28 are repeated. In S27, when both the limit switch 236 and the solenoid 212a of the four-way switching valve 212 are not on, the lock mechanism 307 has unlocked or the process proceeds to S28.

  In S29, energization to the solenoid 32a of the gas on-off valve 32 is stopped, and the gas on-off valve 32 is closed. As a result, the supply of the high-pressure gas to the gas-filled coupling 202 is stopped. In S30, the filling lamp 230 is turned off.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to S31, and energization of the solenoid 212a of the four-way switching valve 212 is stopped. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the spool (not shown) of the four-way switching valve 212 is moved upward by the spring force of the coil spring 212 f, so that the compressed air from the air path 60 is supplied to the pipe 218, the valve closed While being supplied to the right chamber 214b of the main valve cylinder 214 via the side port 212e, the left chamber 214a of the main valve cylinder 214 is communicated with the air discharge port 212c via the conduit 216 and the valve opening side port 212d. .

  Therefore, the piston 286 of the gas filling coupling 202 moves in the valve closing direction (Xa direction) to close the main valve rod 284 and open the decompression rod 298 (see FIG. 19). In S32, the main valve 206 is closed by the valve closing operation of the main valve rod 284. In S <b> 33, the residual pressure release valve 210 is opened by the valve opening operation of the decompression rod 298, and the residual pressure is released into the residual pressure recovery path 261 inside the gas filling coupling 202.

  In S <b> 34, the supply of compressed air that has pressed the locking pin 338 of the locking mechanism 336 is stopped, so that the locking pin 338 is separated from the pressing ring 332 to release the locking. Next, the operator rotates the operation ring 268 in the D direction (see FIGS. 15B and 16) against the spring force of the coil springs 364 and 366. Thus, the pressing ring 332 also rotates in the D direction (unlock direction). Therefore, the locking ball 330 is separated from the recess 150b of the insertion member 150 and switched to the unlocked state.

  In S36, it is checked whether or not the limit switch 236 is off. In S36, when the lock mechanism 307 for locking the receptacle 20 and the coupling portion 256 is in the unlocked state, the detected member 356 fixed to the pressing ring 332 is separated from the limit switch 236, and the limit switch 236 is switched off. In S37, the coupling connection lamp 228 is turned off. Thus, the operator can complete the gas filling, and can separate the coupling portion 256 of the gas filling coupling 202 from the receptacle 20 of the vehicle 12.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a coil spring 292 is provided to urge the main valve rod 284 in the Xa direction, and a coil spring 304 is provided to urge the decompression rod 298 in the Xb direction. However, as another structure, a single compression coil spring is provided between the flange member 284b of the main valve rod 284 and the flange portion 298c of the decompression rod 298, thereby urging the main valve rod 284 in the Xa direction. Thus, the depressurizing rod 298 can be urged in the Xb direction.

  Next, FIG. 25 shows a modification of the second embodiment and will be described. Note that FIG. 25 has substantially the same configuration as FIG. 13 of the second embodiment, and only the changes will be described, and the description of the same parts as those in FIG. 13 will be omitted.

  In this modification, the connection position of the residual pressure recovery path (piping path) 261 is connected to the connecting portion 270 to which the gas supply path 58 is connected, and the pipe lines (piping paths) 216 and 218 for supplying and discharging compressed air. It is provided in the vicinity of the connecting portions 272 and 274, and the connection position of each piping path is set to a substantially similar position.

  The decompression valve seat member 296 has a valve seat 296a, a decompression passage 296b, and a branch passage 296c formed in the radial direction so as to intersect the decompression passage 296b. The connecting portion 276 shown in FIG. 13 is closed in this modification.

  Between the connection portion 270 of the coupling body 252 to which the gas supply path 58 for supplying high-pressure gas is connected and the connection portion 272 to which the pipe line 216 for supplying and discharging compressed air is connected, after the completion of gas filling A connection part 400 to which a residual pressure recovery path 261 for discharging the residual pressure to the outside is connected is provided. The connecting portion 400 communicates with the first low-pressure chamber 214c through the passage 401.

  With this configuration, the high-pressure gas remaining in the gas-filled coupling 202 after the completion of gas filling passes through the decompression passages 284c and 284d of the main valve rod 284 and the through-hole 286a, and the decompression rod. 298 flows into the pressure relief passage 298d. The residual gas that has passed through the main valve rod 284 and the decompression rod 298 is connected to the residual pressure release valve 210, the leakage gas discharge passage 280b, the second through hole 286b, the first low pressure chamber 214c, the passage 401, and the connection. It is discharged to the residual pressure recovery path 261 via the part 400.

  At this time, the internal pressure of the second low-pressure chamber 214d instantaneously becomes higher than that of the first low-pressure chamber 214c due to the flow resistance of the second through hole 286b, and the piston 286 is biased in the Xa direction by this differential pressure. Is done. Thus, at the moment when the residual pressure release valve 210 is opened, the main valve 206 is instantaneously closed even if the main valve 206 has not completed closing.

  According to the above modification, each piping can be arrange | positioned in the side part center of the substantially similar coupling main body 252, and piping can be collectively connected with the dispenser side. Moreover, the effect that the valve closing operation of the main valve is reliably performed can also be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the gas filling coupling for filling the hydrogen gas compressed to a high pressure has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other high pressure gases (for example, including CNG) may be filled. Of course, it can be applied.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the fuel tank of the vehicle is filled with the high-pressure gas is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be applied to the filling of the tank to be filled other than the vehicle. It is.

It is a block diagram which shows the gas filling system with which Example 1 of the gas filling coupling which becomes this invention was applied. It is a front view which shows Example 1 of the gas filling coupling which becomes this invention. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas filling coupling 50. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of a receptacle 20. FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a coupling portion 56 of a gas-filled coupling 50 is inserted into the receptacle 20. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a coupling portion 56 of a gas-filled coupling 50 is coupled to the receptacle 20. FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing configurations of a main valve 62 and a residual pressure release valve 66. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a valve open state of a residual pressure release valve 66. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the valve opening operation of the main valve 62 and the valve closing operation of the residual pressure release valve 66. FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a closed state of a residual pressure release valve 66. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the gas filling system with which Example 2 of the gas filling coupling was applied. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows Example 2 of the gas filling coupling which becomes this invention. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a specific internal structure of a main valve 206 and a residual pressure release valve 210. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the specific internal structure of the coupling part of the coupling main body 252. It is a figure which shows the attachment structure of the latching mechanism 336 and the limit switch 236, (A) is a top view which shows the attachment state of the latching mechanism 336, (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the AA line in FIG. (C) is a bottom view showing a state in which the limit switch 236 is attached. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the BB line in FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining operations and operations when coupling the coupling portion 256 of the gas-filled coupling 202 to the receptacle 20. FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a coupling portion 256 of the gas-filled coupling 202 is coupled to the receptacle 20. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a gas filling stop state. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of a filling start. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the operation | movement immediately after a filling start. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a gas filling operation procedure and a processing procedure of a control device 220. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling operation procedure performed following FIG. 22, and the process sequence of the control apparatus 220. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the gas filling operation procedure performed following FIG. 23, and the process sequence of the control apparatus 220. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification of Example 2 of the gas filling coupling which becomes this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,200 Gas filling system 16,204 Dispenser 18 Fuel tank 20 Receptacle 28 Air on-off valve 32 Gas on-off valve 34,220 Control device 36 Fill preparation switch 40 Fill start switch 44 Fill stop switch 50, 202 Gas filling coupling 52 , 252 Coupling body 53 Protective cap 54 Grip 56, 256 Joint 58 Gas supply path 60 Air path 62, 206 Main valve 64, 208 Shut-off valve 66, 210 Residual pressure release valve 68, 268 Operation ring 70, 214 Main valve cylinder 72, 278 Holding member 74 Lid member 76 Spool valve 76a Valve portion 76c Pressure release passage 78, 286 Piston 80 Coil spring 82, 84 Seal member 90 Communication hole 104 Lock mechanism 95 Guide portion 95a Insertion hole 98 Valve seat 100 Pressure release passage 101 Communication Chamber 108 Insertion pipe 108a Tip 108b Other end 110 Spring receiver 114 Lock ring 116 Seal member 118 Seal presser 120, 122 Passage 124 Seal member 126 Stopper 130, 330 Lock ball 132, 332 Press ring 140 Receptacle body 146 Check valve 148 Valve seat Member 150 Insert member 152 Seal member 154,288 Coil spring 170 Rod 172 Spring receiver 178 Valve support member 180 Valve body 182 Coil spring 184 Seal member 186 Seal retainer 212 Four-way switching valve 214c First low pressure chamber 214d Second low pressure chamber 216 First 1 pipe line 218 2nd pipe line 234 filling start switch 236 coupling attachment / detachment limit switch 261 residual pressure recovery path 270, 272, 274, 400 connection part 280 cover member 282 valve seat member 284 for main valve rod for main valve 284a First poppet valve portion 286a First through hole 286b Second through hole 286c First small diameter portion 286d Second small diameter portion 296 Decompression valve seat member 296b Decompression passage 280b Leakage gas discharge passage 298 Decompression Rod 298a Second poppet valve section 300 Second guide member 302 Third guide member 307 Lock mechanism 308 Insertion pipe 318 Fourth guide member 326 Stopper stopper 334 Air passage 336 Lock mechanism 338 Lock pin 342 Cylinder Hole 344 air supply hole 352 switch base 356 detected member 401 passage

Claims (12)

A coupling body to which pressurized gas is supplied;
A coupling portion provided at one end of the coupling body and coupled to a receptacle of a tank to be filled;
A main valve that is movably provided inside the coupling body and opens a gas supply path by moving to one side;
Valve drive means for moving the main valve in the axial direction to open and close the supply path;
A residual pressure release valve that is provided on one side of the main valve and closes a pressure release path that discharges gas between the main valve and the tank to be filled when moved to the one side;
A gas-filled coupling comprising: The valve driving means includes
A piston engaged with the main valve;
A cylinder in which the piston is slidably inserted in the moving direction of the main valve, and compressed air is supplied to the other side of the piston when gas is supplied;
Biasing means for biasing the piston to the other side;
With
The main valve is opened by supplying compressed air to the cylinder, the residual pressure release valve is closed, and the main valve is closed by the biasing member by discharging compressed air from the cylinder. 2. The gas-filled coupling according to claim 1, wherein the gas-filled coupling is moved to a position and the residual pressure release valve is opened to discharge gas remaining inside the coupling body to the outside.   The gas-filled coupling according to claim 2, wherein the biasing means is configured by supplying compressed air to one side of the piston.   The main valve includes a spool valve that slidably penetrates two annular seals provided in the coupling body, and is coupled to the piston so as not to be relatively displaceable with respect to the moving direction of the main valve. A supply path for supplying pressurized gas is connected between the two annular seals, and the supply path is opened and closed by the seal on the other side of the two annular seals and the other end of the spool. The gas-filled coupling according to claim 2 or 3.   The main valve is detachably mounted on an annular valve seat provided in the supply path, and is engaged with a relative displacement within a predetermined range while being urged to the other side with respect to the piston. The coupling body is provided with an annular seal on one side of the valve seat through which the poppet valve is slidable, and between the annular seal of the poppet valve and the valve seat. The gas-filled coupling according to claim 2, wherein a supply path to which pressurized gas is supplied is connected, and the supply path is opened and closed by the seating of the poppet valve.   The gas-filled coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an inner diameter of the annular seal provided in the main valve is the same as an inner diameter of the annular seal that supports the residual pressure release valve.   The residual pressure release valve is engaged with the main valve so as to be relatively displaceable within a predetermined range while being biased to one side with respect to the main valve. Gas-filled coupling as described.   The gas-filled coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the main valve is provided with a passage communicating between one side and the other side of the main valve, and is connected to the decompression path.   A throttle is provided in the passage provided in the main valve, and immediately after the main valve is opened, a pressure difference is generated on one side with the other side of the main valve to promote the opening of the main valve. The gas-filled coupling according to claim 8.   A low-pressure chamber defined by a seal with the supply path and the decompression path of the main valve or the residual pressure release valve is formed, and a discharge path for discharging the gas in the low-pressure chamber to the outside is provided. The gas-filled coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The gas-filled coupling according to claim 10, wherein the discharge passage is formed by a passage connecting the low pressure chamber and the decompression passage on the downstream side of the residual pressure release valve. The gas-filled coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a connection portion of each piping path connected to the coupling body is disposed in the vicinity.

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