JP2015007437A - Fluid coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid coupling capable of achieving secure connection, and capable of easily releasing connection.SOLUTION: A fluid coupling 1 includes a first seal member 30a for sealing a connection part of a pair of fluid passages 2 and 3 in a state that the pair of the fluid passage 2 and 3 are connected with each other, and a second seal member 30b for sealing a sealed space 30 formed on the outer side of the first seal member 30a on the outer side of the sealed space in a gap between a first connecting member 10 and a second connecting member 20. At least one of the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 has an opening part 12 communicated with the sealed space 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid coupling.

  Conventionally, fluid couplings are used in various fields. For example, as a joint for supplying digestion water used in the event of a fire, a fluid coupling in which a reduced diameter discharge port of a supply pipe and a receiving port of a receiving pipe communicate with each other, and the contact surface of the supply pipe and the receiving pipe There has been proposed a fluid coupling in which a suction portion communicating with a discharge port and a receiving port is provided between contact surfaces of a tubular body (see Patent Document 1). According to the fluid joint of Patent Document 1, the fluid pressure in the vicinity of the reduced diameter discharge port and receiving port is significantly reduced and becomes negative pressure by the water flow passing through both pipes. As a result, since the negative pressure is also generated in the suction portion, the contact surface of the supply tube body and the contact surface of the receiving tube body attract each other strongly. The technique of Patent Document 1 uses these forces to connect both pipes.

Japanese Patent No. 3516180

  However, when the pressure of the fluid such as high-pressure gas is high, the force for separating the connection portion of the fluid joint is larger than that when the pressure is low, so that the connection cannot be maintained only with the technique of Patent Document 1. For this reason, a mechanical fixing means such as a screw has been used in order to reliably connect a high-pressure fluid pipe such as high-pressure gas.

  However, in the case of fixing by such a mechanical fixing means, there is a problem that the connection cannot be easily released, for example, it becomes difficult to release the connection by remote operation.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluid coupling that can be reliably connected and can be easily disconnected.

  The fluid coupling of the present invention constitutes a first connecting member having a first through-hole constituting one end of one fluid path of a pair of fluid paths, and one end of the other fluid path of the pair of fluid paths. A second connection member having a second through-hole, and the connection surfaces of the first connection member and the second connection member are connected to face each other, thereby connecting the pair of fluid paths. A fluid coupling configured to extend in an annular shape so as to surround a connection portion of the pair of fluid paths over the entire circumference in a state where the pair of fluid paths are connected. In the gap between the first seal member that seals the portion and the first connection member and the second connection member, the sealed space is sealed further outside the sealed space formed outside the first seal member. The second shi to stop And a seal member, wherein the first connecting member and at least one of the second connecting member, characterized in that it comprises an opening communicating with the sealed space.

  According to the fluid coupling of the present invention, the first connection member and the second connection member are pressed so that the pair of fluid paths are aligned with the connection surfaces of the first connection member and the second connection member facing each other. . As a result, each of the first seal member and the second seal member comes into contact with both connection surfaces, and the gap between the first connection member and the second connection member is sealed by the second seal member outside the first seal member. A sealed space to be stopped is formed. By reducing the pressure of the sealed space through the opening provided in any of the connecting members, a state in which the internal pressure is lower than the external pressure is realized.

  The first and second connection members are attracted by the pressure difference between the inside of the sealed space and the outside thereof, and the first seal member is strongly pressed against the first and second connection members, whereby the first seal member The connecting portion of the pair of fluid paths is securely sealed. For this reason, the state which the fluid distribute | circulates through a pair of fluid path | route, without leaking outside the 1st seal member is implement | achieved. Even if a force that separates the first and second connection members from each other due to fluid pressure acts, a low pressure state of the sealed space is realized so that the force with which the first and second connection members are attracted is superior to this. Thereby, the connection of the first and second connection members is maintained. As described above, even when a high-pressure fluid flows through the pair of fluid paths, the pair of fluid paths is reliably connected by a simple method of reducing the pressure inside the sealed space via the opening.

  On the other hand, when air is introduced into the sealed space through the opening provided in any one of the connection members, the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the sealed space is reduced. As a result, since the force which presses a 1st connection member and a 2nd connection member mutually becomes weak, connection cancellation | release of a 1st and 2nd connection member can be performed. In this way, the connection between the pair of fluid paths can be released by a simple method of introducing air through the opening.

  Thus, according to the fluid coupling of the present invention, it is possible to reliably connect the pair of fluid paths and to release the simple connection. For this reason, for example, since a pair of fluid paths can be released by a simple method of introducing air by remote operation, labor for releasing the connection of the pair of fluid paths can be reduced, and a pair of fluids at an arbitrary timing The route can be disconnected.

In the fluid coupling according to the present invention, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the pair of fluid paths is P, the external pressure of the sealed space is OP, and the internal pressure of the sealed space at the time of vacuum suction through the opening. In a fluid coupling that forms part of a system that is configured to be IP,
An area S1 of a projection formed by projecting the sealed space with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pair of fluid paths and a cross-sectional area S2 of the pair of fluid paths are numerical values greater than 1. The fluid coupling is preferably configured to satisfy the following equation using the safety factor s.

  According to the fluid coupling of this configuration, by configuring the fluid coupling so as to satisfy the above equation, the force for separating the two connection members affected by the cross-sectional area S1 of the fluid path and the pressure P of the fluid is obtained. Also, the force for attracting the two connecting members affected by the area S1 of the sealed space, the internal pressure IP of the sealed space, and the external pressure OP thereof is adjusted. Therefore, by configuring the fluid coupling within the range where the above equation is satisfied, the degree of freedom in designing the size of the connecting member can be increased while securing the connection with the first and second connecting members.

  In the fluid coupling of the present invention, the second seal member is constituted by a seal member that extends in an annular shape over the entire circumference of the outer edge portion of the region where the connection surfaces of the first and second connection members overlap each other. Is preferred.

  According to the fluid coupling having the above configuration, the outer region of the first seal member and the region where the first and second connection members overlap each other, which is formed as a sealed space, is more widely used. As a result, efficient use of the force pressing the first and second connecting members against each other is achieved. For this reason, compared with the case where the second seal member extends to the inside of the outer peripheral portion at least at a part of the outer edge portion of the overlapping region, the volume of the sealed space, and hence the connection force of the fluid coupling can be as much as possible. Improvement is achieved. As a result, the degree of freedom in design of at least one of the first and second connection members can be improved by the amount that it is not necessary to secure an excessively overlapping region between the first and second connection members.

  In the fluid coupling according to the present invention, the fluid coupling may be configured so that the sealed space has N-fold rotational symmetry with respect to a natural number N of 2 or more, with the axis of the pair of fluid paths as a rotation center. preferable.

  According to the fluid coupling having this configuration, the sealed space has N-fold rotational symmetry, so that the sealed space is evenly present in each direction of the gap of the fluid joint. As a result, the force pressing the first connecting member and the second connecting member is evenly distributed in a plurality of directions with reference to the axis of the pair of fluid paths. For this reason, damage to the fluid coupling including the first seal member and the second seal member and a decrease in the sealing performance of the first and second connection members due to the bias of the force in one direction of the fluid coupling are prevented.

Sectional drawing of the fluid coupling 1 of the connection state in this embodiment. The figure which shows the system by which the fluid coupling 1 is used. It is a figure which shows the connection surface of each connection member in this embodiment, (a) is a figure (decomposition figure in line AA of FIG. 1) which shows the connection surface 10a of the 1st connection member 10, (b) is 2nd. The figure which shows the connection surface 20a of the connection member 20 (exploded view in line BB of FIG. 1). Explanatory drawing of the force concerning each connection member in this embodiment. The figure which shows the relationship between the radius R of a connection member, the pressure P of the fluid L, and the radius r of a fluid path | route. It is a figure explaining other embodiment, (a) And (b) is a figure which changed arrangement of slot 22a and slot 22b. The figure explaining other embodiment and the figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the deformation | transformation of the arrangement | positioning aspect of sealed space. (A) is a figure which shows an example which sealed space has 2 times rotational symmetry, (b) is a figure which shows an example in which sealed space has 3 times rotational symmetry.

(System in which the fluid coupling 1 of the present embodiment is used)
1 is used in a fluid supply system 50 as shown in FIG. 2, for example. Examples of the fluid supply system 50 include a high-pressure gas filling system for a rocket fuel tank or a high-pressure gas supply system for a high-pressure gas reactor in a nuclear reactor.

  The fluid supply system 50 shown in FIG. 2 is a system that supplies the fluid L (for example, high-pressure gas) from the fluid supply device 53 to the fluid supply destination 54 using the electric power supplied from the battery 52 under the control of the controller 51a. It is. In this system, a fluid supply device 53 and a fluid supply destination 54 are connected by a pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 via a fluid coupling 1. The fluid supply system 50 may be a system in which the operation of each element is controlled by a command signal corresponding to an operation in the remote controller 51b.

  The fluid L is sent from the fluid supply device 53 at a pressure P, passes through the first fluid path 2 and the second fluid path 3, and flows into the fluid supply destination 54.

  In such a system, the connection of the fluid coupling 1 is necessary while the fluid L is being delivered. On the other hand, when the delivery of the fluid L is stopped, the connection by the fluid coupling 1 is required to be quickly released. Sometimes. For example, when the release of the fluid L is completed (for example, when the high-pressure gas filling of the rocket fuel tank is completed), or the power supply is stopped due to an abnormality or the like. In some cases, the supply of the fluid L has to be stopped because the fluid L has been excessively supplied at the supply destination.

  As will be described later, the fluid coupling 1 is configured such that the fluid coupling 1 is connected and released by controlling the operation mode of the vacuum suction device 4 (vacuum pump). In addition to or instead of this, a valve may be provided on a path for vacuum suction, and the vacuum suction operation may be switched on and off by opening and closing the valve.

(Configuration of fluid coupling 1)
Specifically, the fluid coupling 1 has a radius to connect a pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). A first connection member 10 (flange) formed in a substantially disk shape of R and a second connection member 20 (flange) formed in a substantially disk shape of radius R are provided. The first connection member 10 and the second connection member 20 are configured such that the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 are connected by connecting the connection surfaces 10a and 20a so as to face each other. . Each connection member 10 and 20 is formed of various materials such as metal (carbon steel, low alloy steel, copper alloy steel, aluminum alloy steel, stainless steel, cast iron, etc.) or resin (acrylic etc.), for example. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the first connecting member 10 includes a substantially circular first through-hole 11 having a radius r penetrating in the axial direction at the center thereof. The first through-hole 11 constitutes one end of the first fluid path 2 and is configured such that the diameter thereof becomes narrower toward the tip. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, the second connecting member 20 includes a substantially circular second through-hole 21 having a radius r penetrating in the axial direction at the center thereof. The 2nd penetration port 21 constitutes one end of the 2nd fluid course 3, and is constituted so that the diameter may become narrow, so that it may become the tip. The first connecting member 10 is fixed to the first fluid path 2 and the second connecting member 20 is fixed to the second fluid path 3 by, for example, adhesion or welding.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the state where the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 are connected, the axis of the first through hole 11 and the axis of the second through hole 21 are the same straight line O. (Refer to FIG. 1 / dotted line).

  In a state where the first connection member 10 and the second connection member 20 are connected, that is, in a state where the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 are connected, a connection portion (first penetration) of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 The first seal member 30a for sealing the connection portion extends in an annular shape by surrounding the connection portion of the mouth 11 and the second through-hole 21) over the entire circumference.

  The first seal member 30a prevents the fluid L passing through the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 from flowing out to the outside, and allows air outside the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 to flow into the pair of fluid paths 2 and 2. 3 is prevented.

  In a state where the first connection member 10 and the second connection member 20 are connected, a sealed space 30 formed outside the first seal member 30 a in the gap between the first connection member 10 and the second connection member 20. The second seal member 30b seals the sealed space 30 on the further outside.

  The second seal member 30b prevents the air inside the sealed space 30 from flowing out to the outside and the air outside the sealed space 30 from flowing into the inside.

  As the first seal member 30a and the second seal member 30b, an O-ring, a ferrule, or the like can be adopted.

  In order to arrange the first seal member 30a and the second seal member 30b, substantially annular grooves 22a and 22b are provided on the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion of the connection surface 20a of the second connection member 20, respectively.

  The grooves 22a and 22b are not limited to one connecting member, and as shown in FIG. 6A, the groove 22a is provided in the first connecting member 10 and the groove 22b is provided in the second connecting member 20. Good. Moreover, as FIG.6 (b) shows, the 1st connection member 10 and the 2nd connection member 20 may be provided with the groove | channels 22a and 22b, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the second connecting member 20 is provided with a substantially annular groove 22c having an inner diameter R1 and an outer diameter R2 between the groove 22a and the groove 22b. Further, the groove 22 c may be provided in the first connection member 10. A sealed space 30 is formed by the groove 22c. The first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 do not have to include the groove 22c.

  In the gap between the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20, a substantially perforated disk-like or substantially annular seal is formed between the first seal member 30a and the second seal member 30b depending on the shape of the groove 22c. A space 30 is formed.

The area S1 (= π (R2 ² −R1 ² )) of the sealed space 30 is the cross-sectional area S2 (= πr ² ) of the pair of fluid paths, the pressure P of the fluid L, and the inside of the sealed space 30 during vacuum suction. The air pressure IP, the external air pressure OP, and the safety factor s (s> 1) that is a numerical value greater than 1 are used to satisfy the following expression 101. Here, the area S1 of the sealed space 30 refers to an area of a projection formed by projecting the sealed space 30 onto a plane perpendicular to the axis O of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3. The cross-sectional area S2 of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 is a cross-sectional area at a connection portion between the second connecting member 20 and the second fluid path 3. Alternatively, as a cross-sectional area S2 of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3, a cross-sectional area at an appropriate position such as a connection portion between the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 may be adopted. In any case, it is preferable that an appropriate value of the safety factor s is experimentally determined.

  The first connection member 10 includes an opening 12 that communicates with the sealed space 30 and is connected to the vacuum suction device 4. When the vacuum suction device 4 performs vacuum suction from the sealed space 30 through the opening 12, the sealed space 30 is decompressed until the internal pressure becomes IP.

(Function of fluid coupling 1)
A method of connecting and releasing the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 is as follows.

  First, the first connection member 10 and the second connection member 20 are aligned so that the connection surfaces 10a and 20a of the first connection member 10 and the second connection member 20 face each other and the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 are aligned. Is pressed. Thereby, each of the 1st seal member 30a and the 2nd seal member 30b contact | abuts both connection surface 10a, 20a, and the 1st connection member 10 and the 2nd connection member 20 are outside the 1st seal member 30a. A sealed space 30 that is sealed by the second seal member 30b is formed in the gap. By reducing the pressure of the sealed space 30 through the opening 12 provided in the first connection member 10, a state in which the internal pressure IP is lower than the external pressure OP is realized.

  Since the inside of the sealed space 30 is kept at a lower pressure than the outside thereof, the first connecting member 10 and the first connecting member 10 are separated from each other by the pressure difference between the internal pressure IP of the sealed space and the external pressure OP as shown in FIG. A force F1 pressing the second connecting member 20 against each other works. The magnitude of the force F1 is approximately represented by the following expression 102 using the area S1 of the sealed space 30.

  The first and second connection members 10 and 20 are attracted by the pressure difference OP-IP between the inside and the outside of the sealed space 30, and the first seal member 30 a is strong against the first and second connection members 10 and 20. By being pressed, the connection portion of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 is surely sealed by the first seal member 30a. For this reason, the state where the fluid L flows through the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 without leaking to the outside of the first seal member 30a is realized.

  When the fluid L is a fluid that generates a pressure higher than the external atmospheric pressure OP, such as high-pressure gas, when the fluid L passes through the first fluid path 2 and the second fluid path 3, the first connection member 10 and the second connection member 20 are used. A force F2 is generated to try to separate them. Such a force F2 is approximately expressed by the following expression 103 using the cross-sectional area S2 of the fluid path and the pressure P of the fluid L.

  From the equations 101 to 103 and s> 1, the following equation 104 is obtained.

  In the fluid coupling 1 of the present embodiment, since the magnitude of the force F1 is equal to or greater than the magnitude of the force F2, the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 are fixed while being connected.

  That is, even if a force F2 that separates the first and second connection members 10 and 20 from each other due to the pressure P of the fluid L acts, the force F1 that attracts the first and second connection members 10 and 20 to this is applied to this. The connection between the first and second connection members 10 and 20 is maintained by realizing the low pressure state of the sealed space 30 so as to be superior. Thus, even if the high-pressure fluid L flows through the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 by a simple method of reducing the pressure inside the sealed space 30 via the opening 12, the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 Are securely connected.

  On the other hand, the air pressure OP-IP between the inside and the outside of the sealed space 30 is reduced by introducing air into the sealed space 30 through the opening 12 provided in the first connecting member 10. As a result, since the force which presses the 1st connection member 10 and the 2nd connection member 20 mutually becomes weak, the connection cancellation | release of the 1st and 2nd connection members 10 and 20 can be performed. In this way, the connection between the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 can be released by a simple method of introducing air through the opening 12.

  In FIG. 5, the width R2-R1 of the groove 22c is approximated by the difference R-r between the radius R of the connecting members 10, 20 and the radius r of the fluid paths 2, 3, and the external atmospheric pressure OP is atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa). Assuming that the internal air pressure IP is negligible compared with the external air pressure OP, the relationship between the radius R of the connecting member satisfying the above equation 101, the pressure P of the fluid L, and the radius r of the fluid path is expressed as follows. FIG. In FIG. 5, the vertical axis represents the radius R (unit: mm), and the horizontal axis represents the pressure P (unit: MPa) of the fluid L. When the solid line is the radius of the fluid path (unit: mm) r = 2.5, the dotted line is the radius r of the fluid path r = 5.0, and the alternate long and short dash line is the radius r of the fluid path r = 7.5, two points A chain line indicates a case where the radius r of the fluid path is 10.0. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the larger the radius r of the fluid path or the larger the pressure P of the fluid L, the larger the radius R of the connecting member (large area S1 of the sealed space 30) is required.

(Operation and effect of this embodiment)
According to the fluid coupling 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably connect the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 and to release the simple connection. For this reason, for example, since the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 can be released by a simple method of introducing air by remote operation, labor for releasing the connection of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 can be reduced, and arbitrary The connection between the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 at the timing can be released. In addition, a fluid coupling 1 is provided that can release the connection between the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 at an arbitrary timing while suppressing the manufacturing cost.

  Further, when power is not supplied to the vacuum suction device 4, when air is introduced from the opening 12 to the sealed space 30 and the connection of the fluid coupling 1 is released, Even when the power is cut off due to an abnormality, the connection of the fluid coupling 1 is immediately released, so that an excessive supply of fluid to the fluid supply destination 54 is prevented. In such a case, it is preferable that valves are provided in the fluid paths 2 and 3 in order to prevent the diffusion of the fluid L after the fluid coupling 1 is disconnected.

  Such a fluid coupling 1 has, for example, a case where a worker is not allowed to approach due to high risk (a case immediately before the launch of the rocket or a case where the concentration of radioactive material is increased) or a work space This is particularly effective in the case where it is necessary to release the connection by remote control or the like at an arbitrary timing as in the case where there is not.

  According to the fluid coupling 1 of this embodiment, when the fluid coupling 1 is configured to satisfy the above equation 101, two connections that are affected by the cross-sectional area S1 of the fluid paths 2 and 3 and the pressure P of the fluid L The force F1 that attracts the two connecting members 10, 20 affected by the area S1 of the sealed space 30, the internal pressure IP of the sealed space 30, and the external pressure OP is larger than the force F2 that tries to separate the members 10, 20. (See equation 104). Therefore, the fluid coupling 1 is configured in a range where the above-described expression 101 is satisfied, so that the connection with the first and second connection members 10 and 20 is secured, and the size of the connection members 10 and 20 is designed. The degree of freedom can be increased.

  Further, according to the fluid coupling 1 of the present embodiment, since the fluid coupling 1 is configured to satisfy the expression 101, when the pressure of the fluid L exceeds P × s due to an abnormality or the like, the two connecting members 10 , 20 is greater than the force F1 that pulls the two connection members 10, 20 apart from each other, so that the connection between the two connection members 10, 20 can be automatically released. As a result, damage to the fluid supply destination 54 due to the supply of the fluid L having a pressure equal to or higher than the design pressure P × s can be prevented accurately.

  Moreover, according to the fluid coupling 1 of this embodiment, the area | region which the outer side of the 1st seal member 30a formed as the sealed space 30 and the 1st and 2nd connection members 10 and 20 mutually overlap is more. Widely used. As a result, efficient use of the force F1 pressing the first and second connecting members 10, 20 together is achieved. For this reason, compared with the case where the 2nd seal member 30b is extended inside the said outer peripheral part in at least one part of the outer edge part of the said overlapping area | region, the connection force of the fluid coupling 1 as a result F1 can be improved as much as possible. As a result, the degree of freedom in design of at least one of the first and second connection members 10 and 20 can be improved by an amount that does not require excessively securing the overlapping region of the first and second connection members 10 and 20. .

(Other embodiment of fluid coupling 1)
In the present embodiment, the two openings 12 and 12 are both connected to the vacuum suction device 4, but instead, one opening 12 is connected to the vacuum suction device 4 and the other opening 12 is air. It may be used as a filling port.

  Further, the fluid coupling 1 may be configured so that the sealed space has N-fold rotational symmetry with respect to a natural number N of 2 or more, with the axis O of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 as the rotation center.

  In the case of N = 2, as shown in FIG. 7A, the second connection member 20 of the fluid coupling 1 may be formed. More specifically, a pair of substantially circular recesses 31a and recesses 31b having a diameter less than R-r are symmetrically arranged on the connection surface 20a of the second connection member 20 with the axis O as the center. ing. A pair of annular second seal members 30b are arranged in the respective recesses 31a and 31b along the respective peripheral wall portions of the recesses 31a and 31b. By connecting the second connecting member 20 and the first connecting member 10 configured in this manner, the gap between the outer side of the first seal member 30a and the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 (second A substantially circular sealed space sealed by the second seal member 30b is formed in the concave portion 31a and the concave portion 31b of the connecting member 20 so as to have two-fold rotational symmetry about the axis O as the rotational axis. Is done.

  In the case of N = 3, as shown in FIG. 7B, the second connection member 20 of the fluid coupling 1 may be formed. More specifically, a pair of substantially circular recesses 32a, recesses 32b, and recesses 32c having a diameter less than Rr are formed on the connection surface 20a of the second connection member 20. Each of the recesses 32a, 32b, and 32c has an equal distance between the center and the axis O. Further, when viewed from the axis O, when the position of the recess 32a is set to the 0 o'clock direction, the recess 32b is disposed at the 4 o'clock direction and the recess 32c is disposed at the 8 o'clock direction. A pair of annular second seal members 30b are arranged in the respective recesses 32a, 32b, and 32c along the peripheral wall portions of the recesses 32a, 32b, and 32c. By connecting the second connecting member 20 and the first connecting member 10 configured in this manner, the gap between the outer side of the first seal member 30a and the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 (second The substantially circular sealed space sealed by the second seal member 30b in the recesses 32a, 32b, and 32c of the connection member 20 has a three-fold rotational symmetry with the axis O as the rotation axis. Formed as follows.

  N is not limited to N = 2 or N = 3, and may be a natural number larger than 3.

  According to the fluid coupling 1 having such a configuration, the sealed space 30 has N-fold rotational symmetry, thereby ensuring that the sealed space 30 exists evenly in each direction of the gap of the fluid coupling 1. As a result, the force F1 for pressing the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 20 is evenly distributed in a plurality of directions with reference to the axis O of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3. For this reason, the damage of the fluid coupling 1 including the first seal member 30a and the second seal member 30b and the sealing performance of the first and second connection members 10 and 20 due to the bias of the force in one direction of the fluid coupling 1 Is prevented.

  Moreover, the 1st connection member 10 and the 2nd connection member 20 are not restricted to a flat plate, One side may be convex and the other may be concave.

  Further, one connecting member 20 may be configured to be inserted into the other connecting member 10.

  According to the fluid coupling 1 configured as described above, the direction in which the connection members 10 and 20 can be operated can be limited to the direction in which the fluid L flows, so that the connection of the fluid coupling 1 can be further strengthened. Disconnection can be easily performed.

  Similarly to Patent Document 1, the first seal member 30a may be disposed outside the outer periphery of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3 in order to use the negative pressure generated by the fluid. However, from the viewpoint of making maximum use of the internal pressure IP and the external pressure OP of the sealed space 30, the first seal member 30a is configured to directly cover the outer periphery of the pair of fluid paths 2 and 3. Is preferred.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fluid coupling 2 1st fluid path 3 2nd fluid path 10 1st connection member 20 2nd connection member 30 Sealing space 30a 1st sealing member 30b 2nd sealing member

Claims (4)

A first connecting member having a first through hole that constitutes one end of one of the fluid paths, and a second through hole that constitutes one end of the other fluid path of the pair of fluid paths. 2 connection members, and the connection surfaces of the first connection member and the second connection member are connected so as to face each other, whereby the pair of fluid paths are connected. A fluid coupling,
In a state where the pair of fluid paths are connected, a first seal member that seals the connection part by extending annularly so as to surround the connection part of the pair of fluid paths over the entire circumference;
A second seal member that seals the sealed space further outside the sealed space formed outside the first seal member in the gap between the first connection member and the second connection member;
At least one of the first connecting member and the second connecting member includes an opening communicating with the sealed space. The fluid coupling according to claim 1,
The pressure of the fluid flowing through the pair of fluid paths is P, the external pressure of the sealed space is OP, and the internal pressure of the sealed space at the time of vacuum suction through the opening is IP In a fluid coupling forming part of the system
An area S1 of a projection formed by projecting the sealed space with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pair of fluid paths and a cross-sectional area S2 of the pair of fluid paths are numerical values greater than 1. A fluid coupling, wherein the fluid coupling is configured to satisfy the following equation using a safety factor s.
The fluid coupling according to claim 1 or 2,
The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein the second seal member is constituted by a seal member that extends in an annular shape over the entire circumference of an outer edge portion of a region where the connection surfaces of the first and second connection members overlap each other. The fluid coupling according to claim 1 or 2,
The fluid coupling is configured such that the sealed space has N-fold rotational symmetry with respect to a natural number N of 2 or more with the axis of the pair of fluid paths as a rotation center.