JP4841312B2 - Coupler - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coupler that is configured by a socket and a plug and is detachably connected, and can be reliably connected by a simple operation when transferring liquid or the like from a container to a container on the main body side or when replacing the whole container. In addition, it is possible to prevent damage even if an excessive force is applied due to dropping or the like in the connected state, and is particularly suitable to be provided between the cartridge container of the methanol fuel cell and the fuel cell main body.

  In many cases, it is often necessary to replenish liquids such as raw materials that decrease with the operation and use of equipment, and supply by supplying liquids such as raw materials by connecting cartridge containers to containers provided on the equipment body side. Or by replacing the container on the device body side with another container.

  Various types of detachable couplers are used to simplify the connection between the containers and the replacement of the containers.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a coupling device as shown in FIG. 7, and includes a plug P having a main flow path and a sub flow path, and a main flow path and a sub flow path, and can be fitted to the plug. And a socket S capable of communicating the main flow path and the sub flow path of the plug in a fitted state.

  In this connection device, the socket S includes a main channel 2a formed on the outer periphery of the valve pusher 2 fixed to the holding body 1, a sub-channel 2b formed outside the main channel 2a, and Valves 3a and 3b for closing the flow paths 2a and 2b are provided. The valves 3a and 3b are pressed toward the valve seat by the urging force of the springs 4a and 4b, and the main flow path 2a and the sub flow path 2b can be closed. It has a configuration.

  On the other hand, the plug P has a main flow path 6a formed on the outer periphery of the valve main body 6 slidably held by the valve holder 5, a sub flow path 6b formed outside the main flow path 6a, and their flow. The valves 7a and 7b for closing the passages 6a and 6b are provided, and the valves 7a and 7b are pressed toward the valve seat by the urging force of the springs 8a and 8b so that the main flow path 6a and the sub flow path 6b can be closed. It has become.

  When such a connection between the socket S and the plug P is made, first, the auxiliary valve 3b of the socket S and the auxiliary valve 7b of the plug P are brought into contact with each other, and both are separated from each other against the urging force of the springs 4b and 8b. It moves to a direction and the subchannels 2b and 6b communicate.

  Further, when the socket S and the plug P are connected, the main valve 3a of the socket S is pushed by the end surface of the inner cylindrical body of the plug P, retreats against the spring 4a, and the valve body of the valve pusher 2 The main flow path 2a with the valve pusher 2 is opened away from the valve seat, and the top surface of the valve pusher on the socket S side and the plane of the valve member provided on the valve body 6 on the plug P side come into contact with the plug P The valve body 6 on the side is pressed against the urging force of the spring 8a, the valve body is retracted, the main valve 7a on the plug P side is opened, and the main flow path 6a is communicated.

As a result, when the sub-flow path communicates, gas is supplied from the gas supply source into the container, and the inner bag is contracted by the gas pressure, and the liquid in the inner bag passes from the plug-side main flow path to the socket-side main flow path. Thus, the liquid can be delivered out of the container.
JP 2003-172487 A

  When using such a coupling device as, for example, a coupler for replenishing fuel in a methanol fuel cell or a coupler for replenishment by replacing each container, a device that can be reliably coupled by simple operation is required, and the coupling state It is necessary that the coupler should not be damaged even if an excessive force exceeding the normal range is applied, such as when it is accidentally dropped.

  In addition, when the concentration (purity) of methanol required by the specifications of the methanol fuel cell is not constant, and various types of concentrations are required, it can be reliably connected by simple operations, and each methanol It is desired to develop a coupler that can supply only a fuel having a concentration that meets the specifications of the fuel cell and that does not accidentally supply a fuel of other concentration.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and can be reliably connected by a simple operation, preventing damage as much as possible even when excessive force exceeding the normal use range due to dropping or the like is applied. In addition to this, it is intended to provide a coupler that can identify and detach only one set.

In order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, a coupler according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a socket including a valve body and an urging means for urging the valve body in a closing direction, a valve body and the urging means in the closing direction. And a plug that is detachably fitted and connected to the socket and that can be communicated by opening both valve bodies in the fitted and connected state. while providing the block member for reinforcement projecting to the proximal end sides of the projecting connecting portion protruding from the body, the projecting connecting portion and front Symbol block member on both sides thereof provided with the plug coupling hole portion can be inserted into the socket It is characterized by this.

According to this coupler, the connection holding means for holding the connection state is provided between the socket and the plug so that the connection state can be reliably held, while the base end of the protruding connection portion protruding from the plug body of the plug parts projecting on both sides, while providing the block member for reinforcement, projecting connecting portions and block member to a socket that is provided with the plug coupling hole portion can be inserted, the projecting connecting portion of the plug body block member protruding on both sides It is reinforced to prevent damage even when excessive force exceeding the normal operating range is applied due to dropping, etc. , making the installation space as small as possible and making it easy to install on thin equipment etc. .

  As a result, when the methanol in the container is supplied to the methanol fuel cell or when the container is replaced, it is securely connected, and at the same time, the durability against excessive force can be increased and the breakage can be prevented.

  Further, in the coupler according to claim 2 of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to claim 1, an engagement convex portion for fitting connection is provided in either one of the block member and the plug connection hole portion, One of the other is provided with an engaging recess for engaging the engaging projection.

  According to this coupler, the engagement convex part for fitting connection is provided in one of the block member and the plug connection hole, and the engagement concave part with which the engagement convex part is engaged is provided in the other. By providing the engagement convex portion and the engagement concave portion, the connected state can be reliably maintained by a simple operation.

  Furthermore, in the coupler according to claim 3 of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, the engaging protrusion is provided on a side end surface of the block member, and the engaging recess is connected to the plug connection. It is provided inside the hole, and this engaging recess is constituted by a leaf spring member.

  According to this coupler, the engaging convex portion is provided on the side end surface of the block member, while the engaging concave portion is provided on the inner side of the plug connecting hole portion, and the engaging concave portion is configured by a leaf spring member. By pushing the spring member over the spring member and then pressing it with the leaf spring member, the fitting connection and release can be easily performed, and the connection state can be reliably maintained.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure according to any one of the first to third aspects, the block member and the plug connecting hole portion are provided with only one set of the plug and the socket. An identification means for fitting and coupling is provided.

  According to this coupler, the block member and the plug connection hole portion are provided with identification means for fitting and connecting only one set of plug and socket, and the identification means can easily identify the set of plug and socket. It becomes like this.

  Furthermore, in the coupler according to claim 5 of the present invention, in addition to the structure according to claim 4, the identification means is constituted by a key and a key groove fitted to each other, while the key and the key groove are inverted 180 degrees. Thus, they are arranged so as to be fitted and connectable.

  According to this coupler, the identification means is composed of a key and a key groove that are fitted to each other, and these keys and the key groove are reversed 180 degrees and arranged so as to be fitted and connectable. In addition to being able to be identified, it is possible to identify and connect even if it is inverted 180 degrees, so that the operability when connecting is improved.

  Moreover, in addition to the structure in any one of Claims 1-5, the coupler of Claim 6 of this invention provided the identification part of the same color in the said socket and the said plug, respectively, and comprised it so that identification was possible. It is a feature.

  According to this coupler, it is possible to visually identify the socket and the plug by providing an identification portion of the same color on each of the socket and the plug so that they can be identified.

According to the coupler of the first aspect of the present invention, the socket including the valve body and the biasing means for biasing the valve body in the closing direction, and the biasing means for biasing the valve body in the closing direction are provided. And a coupler configured to be detachably fitted and connected to the socket and to be able to communicate by opening both valve bodies in the fitted and connected state, and a protruding connecting portion protruding from the plug body of the plug. while projecting the proximal end sides provided blocking member for reinforcing, since the projecting connecting portion and front Symbol block member on both sides thereof in the socket provided with the plug coupling hole portion can be inserted, between the socket and the plug one of the connection state by providing the coupling holding means for holding a connected state can be reliably held, projecting to the proximal end sides of the projecting connecting portion protruding from the plug of the plug body, Bro reinforcing The click member is provided, projecting connecting portions and block member to a socket that is provided with the plug coupling hole portion can be inserted, the normal use range from dropping to reinforce the projecting connecting portion of the plug body block member protruding on both sides Even when an excessive force exceeding the above is applied, damage can be prevented , and the installation space can be made as small as possible so that it can be easily installed in a thin apparatus .

  As a result, when the methanol in the container is supplied to the methanol fuel cell or when the entire container is replaced, it can be reliably connected, and at the same time, the durability against excessive force can be increased and damage can be prevented.

  According to the coupler of claim 2 of the present invention, the engagement projection for fitting connection is provided in one of the block member and the plug connection hole, and the engagement projection is provided in the other. Since the engagement concave portion with which the portion engages is provided, by engaging the engagement convex portion with the engagement concave portion, the connected state can be reliably maintained with a simple operation.

  Furthermore, according to the coupler according to claim 3 of the present invention, the engaging convex portion is provided on the side end surface of the block member, while the engaging concave portion is provided inside the plug connecting hole portion, and the engaging concave portion is formed on the plate. Since it is composed of a spring member, it is possible to easily engage and disengage by pressing the leaf spring member after it is pushed over the leaf spring member, and to maintain the connected state reliably.

  According to the coupler of claim 4 of the present invention, the identification means for fitting and connecting only one set of the plug and the socket is provided in the block member and the plug connection hole portion. A set of plugs and sockets can be identified.

  Furthermore, according to the coupler of claim 5 of the present invention, the identification means is constituted by a key and a key groove that are fitted to each other, and the key and the key groove are reversed 180 degrees and arranged so as to be fitted and connectable. Therefore, it can be identified by the key and the key groove, and can be identified and connected even when reversed by 180 degrees, and the operability in the case of connection can be improved.

  Further, according to the coupler of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the socket and the plug are provided with the same color identifying portions so that they can be identified, so that they can be identified visually.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 relate to an embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler of the present invention and its biasing means are omitted, and FIG. 1 is a plan view of a plug, a sectional view, a bottom view and a sectional view of a socket, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the plug, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the fitting connection step.

  The coupler 10 includes a socket S10 and a plug P10 fitted and connected to the socket S10. For example, the socket S10 is provided on the main body side of the methanol fuel cell, and the plug P10 is provided on the cartridge side as a methanol container. The main part is made of a non-metallic material, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyphenylene sulfide.

  In the following description, the upper and lower sides in the drawing will be described as a reference, but the actual mounting direction to the container body is not limited at all, and any direction may be used.

  A socket S10 of the coupler 10 has a substantially cylindrical socket main body 12 attached to the center of a socket member 11 attached to a concave mounting hole formed in the main body of the fuel cell, and a lower socket below the socket main body 12. A member 13 is arranged and fixed to the socket member 11.

  The socket body 12 is formed with two protrusions 12a on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion and positioned in the groove portion of the socket member 11, while a partition portion 12b is integrally formed on the inner peripheral intermediate portion. A flow path 12c is formed in the center through 12b.

  The flow path 12c on the base end side (upper end side in the figure) of the partition portion 12b is provided with a valve body (not shown) and an elastic body that biases the valve body in the closing direction. A plug connection hole 12d for connection with the plug P is formed in the flow path 12c on the distal end side (the lower end side in the figure).

  The plug connection hole 12d has a cylindrical shape with a small diameter at the upper end and a large diameter from the middle to the bottom, and is composed of a conical portion and a cylindrical portion.

  And in this socket S10, a valve body is automatically opened and closed by operating the operation part integral with the valve body which is not shown in figure with the connection with the plug P10.

  Further, the lower socket member 13 disposed below the socket body 12 and fixed to the socket member 11 has a lower plug connection hole 13a for fitting and connecting the plug P10 to the shape of the plug as will be described later. It is formed in the shape to do.

  Next, the plug P10 of the coupler 10 fitted and connected to the socket S10 is made of a non-metallic material, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyphenylene sulfide, as in the socket S10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the plug P10 includes a substantially cylindrical plug body 16 attached to the outer periphery of the tip of a nozzle of a container in which methanol, which is a fuel of a fuel cell (not shown), is placed. A container nozzle (not shown) is inserted into a cylindrical large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a at the base end portion (lower end portion in the drawing), and the container nozzle is locked to the locking ring portion 16b at the inner periphery of the lower end. It is attached.

  The plug body 16 is formed with a substantially cylindrical projecting connection portion 16c that protrudes from the tip portion and is fitted into the plug connection hole 12d of the socket S10. The central portion of the plug body 16 including the projecting connection portion 16c is formed. A flow path 16d is formed through.

  In the plug body 16, similarly to the socket S <b> 10, a valve body (not shown) and an elastic body that urges the valve body in the closing direction are provided.

  The projecting connecting portion 16c of the plug P10 mounted in the plug connecting hole 12d of the socket S10 has a two-stage cylindrical shape with a small diameter on the upper side and a large diameter on the lower side corresponding to the inner shape of the plug connecting hole 12d, and a step portion in the middle portion. An O-ring 17 for sealing is attached to.

  As a result, when the O-ring 17 is inserted into the large-diameter portion below the plug connecting hole 12d, sealing by the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 17 is started, and the O-ring 17 hits the conical portion of the plug connecting hole 12d. Thus, the tip surface is also sealed.

  And in this plug P10, the valve body is automatically opened and closed by operating the operation part integrated with the valve body with the connection with the socket S10, and the connection state is established. The flow path 12c of the socket S10 is communicated in a sealed state.

  Further, in this plug P10, a rectangular parallelepiped block member 18 is projected so as to protrude to both sides of the base end portion of the projecting coupling portion 16c in order to prevent damage when it is accidentally dropped due to a fitting coupling state with the socket S10 or the like. Are integrally formed in a solid state.

  By forming such a block member 18 integrally with the base end portion of the projecting coupling portion 16c of the plug P10, a force for forcibly rotating the plug may be applied in the fitted coupling state to the socket S10, or an error may occur. Even when an inadvertent force is applied to the plug, such as when the plug is dropped in a connected state, the block member 18 receives these forces, so that the plug itself or the projecting connecting portion 16c is damaged or broken. Is prevented.

  Corresponding to the provision of the block member 18 of the plug P10, the socket S10 has a lower plug connecting hole 13a of the lower socket member 13 formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the block member 18.

  As a result, even when the plug P10 is inserted into the socket S10 and connected and fitted, the plug block member 18 enters the lower plug connection hole 13a of the socket, so that it is smoothly inserted without any interference, and fuel is exchanged. Therefore, the projecting connecting portion 16c to be connected is fitted and connected to the plug connecting hole 12d.

  In such a coupler 10, a connection holding means 20 is provided to hold the connection state between the socket S10 and the plug P10. For example, one side of the connection holding means 20 is used as an engagement recess 21 and the other side is an engagement projection. 22 is inserted and removed so as to cross over each other in a linear direction, and can be engaged and held by one push-in action, and can be released by one action to pull out.

And in socket S10 of this coupler 10, the engagement recessed part of the one side of the connection holding means 20 facing the inner side of the lower end part of the lower plug connection hole part 13a of the lower socket member 13 attached to the mounting hole of the main body of the fuel cell. The leaf spring member 23 constituting the member 21 is fixed so that its upper end is sandwiched between the socket member 11 and the lower socket member, and the leaf spring portion 23a protrudes downward.
And the inclined surface 23b and the horizontal engaging surface 23c of the upper end are formed so that it may be bent inward from the lower end of the leaf | plate spring part 23a of the leaf | plate spring member 23, and the engaging surface 23c with respect to the inclined surface 23b is formed. As the recesses become depressed, they function as the engaging recesses 21.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower plug connecting hole 13a in which the leaf spring member 23 is provided has a space at the back of the leaf spring portion 23a in which the leaf spring portion 23a can be bent outward.

  On the other hand, in the plug P10 of the coupler 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the socket S10 is connected to the upper end portions on both sides of the reinforcing block member 18 at the base end portion of the protruding connecting portion 16c of the plug body 16. A projecting portion 24 that protrudes outward is formed as an engaging convex portion 22 on the other side of the coupling holding means 20 that holds the state, the cross-sectional shape of the tip portion is formed in a substantially semicircular shape, and the lower end surface is the engaging surface 24a.

  As a result, when the plug P10 having the protruding portion 24 that is the engaging convex portion 22 is inserted into the leaf spring member 23 that is the engaging concave portion 21 on the socket S10 side that is the mating side, the protruding portion 24 is inclined to the leaf spring member 23. By being pushed in contact with the surface 23b, the leaf spring portion 23a is bent outward and pushed over the inclined surface 23b. After the insertion is completed, the engaging surface at the lower end of the protruding portion 24 which is the engaging convex portion 22 24a and the engagement surface 23c of the upper end of the leaf | plate spring member 23 of the engagement recessed part 21 are engaged, and a connection state is hold | maintained.

  When the connection is released, the plug P10 having the protrusion 24 as the engagement protrusion 22 is pulled out from the leaf spring member 23 which is the engagement recess 21 on the socket S10 side, which is the mating side. The leaf spring member 23 is bent outward by the protruding portion 24 as the mating convex portion 22 so that the engaging surface 24a of the protruding portion 24 gets over the engaging surface 23c at the upper end of the leaf spring member 23 as the engaging concave portion 21. Then, it is pulled out while being in contact with the inclined surface 23b, resulting in a separated state in which the connected state is released.

  Therefore, in this connection holding mechanism 20, the engagement force between the engagement surfaces 23 c and 24 a is ensured by the spring force of the leaf spring member 23 as the engagement recess 21 and the protrusion amount of the protrusion 24 as the engagement protrusion 22. Therefore, by changing the spring force and the protruding amount, the holding force for maintaining the connected state can be changed, and at the same time, the opening force for releasing the connection can be adjusted.

  In such a connection holding means 20, by providing the engagement concave portion 21 and the engagement convex portion 22 in the block member 18 at the base end portion of the lower plug connection hole portion 13a of the socket S10 and the protruding connection portion 16c of the plug P10, The installation space can be made as small as possible, and it can be easily installed in a thin apparatus.

In the coupler 10 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, when the socket S10 and the plug P10 are connected and held, the plug P10 is protruded and connected to the plug connecting hole 12d and the lower plug connecting hole 13a of the socket S10. While inserting the part 16c and the block member 18, the protrusion 24 as the engagement convex part 22 is made to oppose the leaf | plate spring member 23 as the engagement recessed part 21 of the connection holding means 20, and it is made to push in straightly.
Then, when the O-ring 17 of the protruding coupling portion 16c of the plug P10 is inserted into the large diameter portion below the plug coupling hole 12d of the socket S10, sealing by the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 17 is started, and the socket S10 and the plug P10 are sealed. The valve body is automatically opened by a connecting operation by an operation section (not shown) provided between the valve bodies so that the flow path 16d of the plug P10 and the flow path 12c of the socket S10 communicate with each other in a sealed state. Further, when the O-ring 17 hits the conical portion of the plug connecting hole 12d, the tip end surface is also sealed, and a more complete sealing state is achieved.

  In connection with such a connecting operation, in the connection holding means 20, the inclined surface 23b of the lower end of the leaf spring member 23 of the engaging recess 21 and the protruding portion 24 of the engaging protrusion 22 are pressed while being in contact with each other, and the leaf spring portion 23a. Is elastically deformed outward and the plug P10 is further pushed in, so that the engagement surface 23c and the engagement surface 24a are moved while the leaf spring member 23 of the engagement recess 21 and the protrusion 24 of the engagement protrusion 22 get over each other. The engaged state is brought into contact, and the connected state is maintained.

  On the other hand, when the connection holding state is to be released, if the plug P10 is pulled out from the socket S10, the engagement surface 23c of the leaf spring member 23 of the engagement recess 21 and the engagement portion 24 of the engagement protrusion 22 are engaged. After the plate spring portion 23a is elastically deformed so as to spread outward with the surface 24a and the mutual engagement is released, it is further pulled out to engage with the inclined surface 23b of the plate spring member 23 of the engagement recess 21 The protruding portion 24 of the convex portion 22 is pulled out while being in contact with each other, and the connected holding state can be released.

  According to such a coupler 10, the socket S10 and the plug P10 can be connected to each other and the connection can be released only by pushing and pulling operations, and can be easily operated with one action. As a result, the installation space can be reduced, and for example, it is not necessary to secure a space for rotation as compared to a mechanism (twist lock mechanism) that is connected and held by combining insertion and removal and rotation. Space saving.

  Moreover, in this coupler 10, since the rectangular parallelepiped block member 18 is integrally formed in the solid state so that it may protrude on both sides at the base end part of the protrusion connection part 16c, in the fitting connection state with the socket S10, etc. Even if an accidental force is applied to the plug, such as when it is accidentally dropped or when the plug is forcibly rotated, the block member 18 receives these forces. It is possible to prevent the protruding connecting portion 16c from being broken or broken.

  Furthermore, in this coupler 10, since it is made into the connection holding state so that it may get over the engagement recessed part 21 and the engagement convex part 22, and the connection state is cancelled | released, especially in the case of connection operation, it engages after getting over. Since it is in the state, a click feeling is generated, and it is possible to know that the engaged state is surely achieved.

  Next, in this coupler 10, as one of the identification means 30 for preventing the plug P10 of the containers having different concentrations of methanol, which is a fuel to be used in a methanol fuel cell, from being connected, any of the socket S10 and the plug P10 is used. A key groove 31 is provided on one side, and a key 32 fitted into the key groove 31 is provided on either side.

  An identification function is added by changing the arrangement and size of the distance from the central axis of the key groove 31 and the key 32.

  In this identification means 30, the key groove 31 is formed in two places of the point symmetrical position with respect to the central axis in the side surface portion of the lower block connecting hole portion 13a of the socket S10, and the same arrangement is obtained even in a state of being inverted 180 degrees. It is like that.

  A key 32 protruding from the side surface is formed on the block member 18 of the plug P10 corresponding to the key groove 31.

In such a discriminating means 30, as shown in FIG. 4, three types of key grooves 31 and keys 32 are provided by changing the distance of the point-symmetrical positions about the central axes of the socket S10 and the plug P10, and The six types of sockets S10 and the plugs P10 can be identified by the three types of key grooves 31 and keys 32 arranged in reverse.
In addition, the key and the key groove are provided in the protruding connection portion 16c of the plug P10, and the key groove is provided in the plug connection hole 12d and / or the lower plug connection hole portion 13a, or the key and the key groove are replaced. It can also be provided.

  Further, by providing the key groove 31 in the plug P10 and providing the key 32 in the socket S10, six types of sockets S10 and plugs P10 can be similarly identified.

Therefore, in the above case, six types of identification can be made, and more combinations can be identified by changing the dimensions so as to intersect the maximum and minimum width and protrusion amount.
Further, as a method for increasing the identifiable pattern, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to arranging the block member 18 in a straight line on both sides of the projecting connecting portion 16c of the plug P10, a combination of shifting up and down is combined. In the case of the figure (b), the combination can be tripled.
Furthermore, it becomes possible to further increase the identification pattern by combining changing the thickness and width of the block member 18.

  On the other hand, when the number of patterns that can be identified increases, it becomes difficult to distinguish the key groove 31 and the key 32 in appearance. For example, the socket S10 and the plug P10 of the coupler 10 that can be connected to each other are color-coded in the same color. Or combining the same color pattern can be identified more easily.

  Next, another embodiment of the coupler of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. However, the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  In this coupler 10A, the socket member 11 and the lower socket member 13 are integrated, and the engagement recess 21 provided in the lower socket connection hole 13a of the socket S10 of the connection holding means 20 is replaced with the leaf spring member 23 and is integrally formed. The concave portion 25 is formed, and two concave portions 25 are formed facing each other by forming a convex shape having an inclined surface 25a at the lower end and an engaging surface 25b at the upper end.

  In addition, depending on the material of the socket S10, when it is difficult to bend only by elasticity, a slit or a space is formed at a certain distance on the back of the recess 25, so that the same as in the case of the leaf spring member 23. Can be easily bent outward.

  Such an integrally formed engagement recess 25 can also function in the same manner as the engagement recess 21.

  The other configuration of the coupler 10A is the same as that of the coupler 10 already described, and has the same effect.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the methanol container of the methanol fuel cell is connected to the main body has been described as an example of the use of the coupler. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be used for other purposes. It is suitable when there is.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view, a cross-sectional view, a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of a socket according to an embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler according to the present invention and its biasing means are omitted. It is a schematic perspective view of the plug concerning one embodiment which omits and shows the valve element of the coupler of this invention, and its energizing means. It is explanatory sectional drawing of the fitting connection process concerning one Embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body and its biasing means of the coupler of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the identification pattern in the identification means concerning each embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its biasing means. It is explanatory drawing of the other identification pattern by the identification means concerning each embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its biasing means. It is explanatory drawing sectional drawing of the fitting connection process concerning other one Embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional coupling device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Coupler 10A Coupler S10 Socket P10 Plug 11 Socket member 12 Socket main body 12a Projection part 12b Partition part 12c Flow path 12d Plug connection hole 13 Lower socket member 13a Lower plug connection hole part 16 Plug main body 16a Outer large diameter part 16b Locking ring Portion 16c Protruding coupling portion 16d Flow path 17 O-ring 18 Block member 20 Connection holding means 21 Engaging recess 22 Engaging projection 23 Leaf spring member 23a Leaf spring portion 23b Inclined surface 23c Engaging surface 24 Protruding portion 24a Engaging surface 25 Engaging recess 25a Inclined surface 25b Engaging surface 30 Identification mechanism 31 Keyway 32 Key

Claims (6)

A socket having a valve body and an urging means for urging the valve body in the closing direction; and a valve body and an urging means for urging the valve body in the closing direction, and detachably fitted and connected to the socket. A coupler constituted by a plug that can be communicated by opening both valve bodies in a joint state,
While providing the block member for reinforcement projecting to the proximal end sides of the projecting connecting portion protruding from the plug body of the plug, the projecting connecting portion and both sides of the front Symbol block member insertable plug coupling hole in the socket A coupler characterized by providing a portion.   The engagement convex part for fitting connection is provided in either one of the block member and the plug connection hole, and the engagement concave part for engaging the engagement convex part is provided in either one of the block member and the plug connection hole part. The coupler according to claim 1.   The engagement convex portion is provided on a side end surface of the block member, while the engagement concave portion is provided inside the plug connection hole portion, and the engagement concave portion is constituted by a leaf spring member. Item 3. The coupler according to Item 1 or 2.   The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the block member and the plug connection hole are provided with identification means for fitting and connecting only one set of the plug and the socket.   5. The coupler according to claim 4, wherein the identification means includes a key and a key groove that are fitted to each other, and the key and the key groove are inverted 180 degrees so as to be fitted and connected. . The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the socket and the plug are configured to be provided with an identification portion having the same color, respectively.

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