JP5876732B2 - Connector device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector device for connecting an electric wire, a piping member and the like in water or the like.

  Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a connector holder is fixed to an underwater work machine equipped with an electric motor that performs underwater work in accordance with power supplied from power generation equipment installed on the ground or on a ship, A second cable for supplying power from the power generation facility by fixing a male or female first joint (first connector) provided at the tip of the first cable connected to the electric motor to the connector holder. At the tip, a female or male second joint (second connector) joined to the first joint and maintained in a connected state by the connector holder is provided, and the underwater work machine is deployed on the bottom of the water. The second joint is attached to and detached from the first joint of the connector holder in water.

Japanese Patent No. 4162787

  In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, when water enters the connecting portion between the first joint connected to the electric motor of the underwater work machine and the second joint connected to the power generation facility, there is a possibility of causing electric leakage or the like. Therefore, while covering the connector holder fixed to the underwater work machine with a case, supplying the gas into the case and exposing the first joint fixed to the connector holder to the gas atmosphere, The first joint is connected to the second joint.

  However, when the first joint for the first cable fixed in advance to the case as described above and the second joint for the second cable introduced into the case are connected in water, It is difficult to completely prevent water from entering the case from the introduction portion of the second cable. Therefore, in order to reliably prevent the occurrence of electric leakage due to the ingress of moisture into the connecting portion of both the joints, there is a problem that a large amount of air must be continuously supplied into the case. In particular, when connecting the above connectors in a deep place under water, the pressure of water entering the case is extremely high, so a high-pressure gas is continuously supplied into the case. There is a problem in that the connecting operation of both the joints must be performed while discharging water, and the connecting operation is complicated and the structure of the connector device is inevitably complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. With a simple configuration, the first joint provided in the first frame and the second joint provided in the second frame are easily and appropriately configured. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector device that can be connected to the connector.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a first frame in which a first joint is disposed, and a second frame in which a second joint to be joined to the first joint is disposed. A connector device configured to be able to connect the first joint and the second joint in a state in which the frame and the second frame are joined, and a first opening / closing body installed in the first frame, The back side of the communication opening is connected so that the two joints can be connected from the state in which the first opening / closing body is driven and the back side of the communication opening provided in the first frame is airtightly closed. A first drive mechanism for displacing to an open state; a second opening / closing body installed in the second frame; and a communication opening provided in the second frame by driving the second opening / closing body. A second drive mechanism for displacing the back side of the communication opening from the state where the back side is airtightly closed so that the joints can be joined. , A joint sealant for sealing the joint between the first frame and the second frame, in the above state and the first frame body and the second frame are joined, and in the first frame The second joint is connected to the first joint through the communication opening in a state where the communication opening provided is communicated with the communication opening provided in the second frame. and a coupling driving mechanism for driving the said first joint and said second joint is a water coupling connector device is electrically connected to the power line.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the connector device according to the first aspect, in the joined state of the first frame body and the second frame body, the fluid that has entered the space formed at the joint portion of both frame bodies Is provided with a discharge mechanism for discharging the gas to the outside.

  A third aspect of the present invention provides the connector device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the reservoir portion stores the fluid remaining in the space portion formed at the joint portion between the first frame body and the second frame body. Is provided below the connecting portion of the two joints.

In the invention which concerns on Claim 1, while joining a 1st frame and a 2nd frame and sealing this junction part with a junction part sealing material, the 1st opening-closing body in a 1st frame, and the 2nd frame inside The second opening / closing body is connected to the first joint through the communication opening while being displaced to the open position where the back side of the communication opening is opened so that both the joints can be joined. The second joint is driven to connect the first joint and the second joint. Therefore, even when the connector device is used in seawater, the two joints can be connected to each other while reliably preventing the occurrence of leakage due to the intrusion of seawater and the like into the connecting portion of the both joints with a simple configuration. It is possible to easily and appropriately perform operations such as connecting or releasing the connected state of both joints.

  In the invention according to claim 2, by supplying the drainage air from the discharge mechanism into the space formed in the joint portion between the first frame and the second frame, the discharge air is supplied according to the pressure of the discharge air. The connecting operation of both the joints can be performed in a state where the fluid composed of seawater or the like in the space is discharged to the outside. Therefore, for example, when performing the connecting operation of the two joints in seawater or the disconnecting operation of the two joints, the occurrence of leakage due to the seawater remaining in the space entering the connecting portion of the two joints, etc. There is an advantage that can be prevented more reliably.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the fluid which remained in the space part formed in the junction part of said 1st frame and 2nd frame is made into the storage part provided below rather than the connection part of the said both joints. Since it is configured to store, seawater and the like enter the connecting part of both joints without supplying air for discharging to the space and discharging the fluid made of seawater or the like in the space to the outside. There is an advantage that both the joints can be easily and properly connected, or the connection between both the joints can be released while reliably preventing the occurrence of electric leakage due to the occurrence of the leakage.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage example of the connector apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the specific structure of a 1st frame. It is a front view which shows the specific structure of a 1st frame. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 illustrating a state in which the first opening / closing body is displaced to the open position. It is a perspective view which shows the specific structure of a 1st opening / closing body. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the specific structure of a 2nd frame and a connection drive mechanism. It is a front view which shows the specific structure of a 2nd frame. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 showing a state in which the second opening / closing body is displaced to the open position. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the state which made the 1st frame and the 2nd frame oppose. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the state which joined the 1st frame and the 2nd frame. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the state which connected the 1st coupling and the 2nd coupling. It is explanatory drawing which shows another embodiment of the connector apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  1 to 9 show an embodiment of a connector device according to the present invention. The connector device includes a first frame 3 attached to a support bracket 2 provided in a work vehicle 1 that performs underwater work, and a second frame 4 that is detachably joined to the first frame 3. And have. The second frame body 4 is attached to the distal end portion of a connection drive mechanism 6 operated by a mother ship 5 having a function of supplying drive power to the work vehicle 1 and outputting a control signal.

  The first frame 3 has a communication opening 7 formed in a circular shape in front view as shown in FIG. 3 and in a tapered shape that is widened in side view as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. It has the cylindrical main body 8 provided in the front-end | tip part, and the support block 9 installed so that the base end part of this cylindrical main body 8 might be covered. A first opening / closing body 10 is rotatably supported in the cylindrical main body 8 and a pair of front and rear internal seal members 11 made of a rubber ring-shaped body that abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the first opening / closing body 10. Is attached to the inner peripheral surface. Further, when the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are joined to the distal end surface of the cylindrical main body 8 as will be described later, both ends are brought into contact with the distal end surface of the second frame 4. A joint sealing material 12 made of a rubber ring-like body that seals the joints of the frames 3 and 4 is provided.

  The support block 9 includes a female connector 14 fixed to each end of three power lines 13 connected to an electric drive unit (not shown) of the work vehicle 1 and a control unit (see FIG. A first joint composed of a female connector 16 fixed to the end of one signal line 15 connected to a not-shown signal line 15 is supported while being restrained by a restraining plate 17. The support block 9 and the restraining plate 17 serve as a positioning portion when connecting a first joint provided in the first frame 3 and a second joint described later provided in the second frame 4. A pair of left and right positioning recesses 18 are formed (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first opening / closing body 10 is composed of a spherical valve body in which a large-diameter communication hole 19 is formed at the center. Further, the first opening / closing body 10 is rotationally driven according to the driving force of the rotary actuator 20 provided on the upper surface portion of the first frame 3, and as shown in FIG. A closed position in which the back side of the communication opening 7 (the installation side of the first opening / closing body 10) is closed by installing the center line in a direction perpendicular to the connecting direction of the first joint and the second joint; As shown by the broken line in FIG. 4, the center line of the communication hole 19 is installed along the joining direction of the first joint and the second joint, thereby opening the back side of the communication opening 7. The position is supported so as to be displaceable.

  In the state where the first opening / closing body 10 is installed at the closed position of the communication opening 7, the communication opening 7 formed at the distal end of the first frame 3 and the base end of the first frame 3. Even when the first frame 3 is installed in the sea or the like by the communication with the installation portion of the first joint provided in the outer periphery of the first opening / closing body 10, external seawater is It is possible to prevent intrusion into the installation portion of the first joint through the communication opening 7.

  On the other hand, in a state where the first opening / closing body 10 is installed at the open position of the communication opening 7, the communication opening 7 and the installation portion of the first joint are connected via the communication hole 19 of the first opening / closing body 10. The second joint is connected to the first joint of the first frame 3 by entering the first frame 3 through the communication hole 19 and the first joint. It is configured to be displaceable to a retracted position that is pulled out of the frame 3 and released from the connection with the first joint.

  In addition, the rotary actuator 20 is supplied from the mother ship 5 via air pipes 45 and 46 provided on the second frame 4 as described later in a state where the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are joined. Air pipes 21 and 22 for introducing the forward rotation air or the reverse rotation air are connected. Auto-connectors 23 and 24 connected to auto-connectors 43 and 44 (described later) provided on the second frame 4 are attached to the leading ends of the air pipes 21 and 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the second frame body 4 is a cylinder in which a base end portion is attached to the connection driving mechanism 6 and a circular communication opening 31 is formed at a front end portion when viewed from the front. A second opening / closing body 33 is rotatably supported in the cylindrical main body 32. In addition, a pair of front and rear internal seal members 34 made of a rubber ring-shaped body that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second opening / closing body 33 are provided on the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical body 32.

  A tapered portion 35 having a tapered outer peripheral surface corresponding to the communication opening 7 of the first frame 3 is formed at the distal end portion of the cylindrical main body 32. From the state where the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are opposed to each other on the tip surface of the tapered portion 35 as shown in FIG. A rubber that contacts the peripheral surface of the communication opening 7 provided at the tip of the first frame 3 and seals between the frames 3 and 4 when shifting to the coupled state with the two frames 4. A joint sealing material 36 made of a ring-shaped body is provided.

  The second opening / closing body 33 installed in the second frame 4 is a valve having a large-diameter communication hole 37 and a spherical outer peripheral surface, like the first opening / closing body 10 in the first frame 3. And is driven to rotate according to the driving force of the rotary actuator 38 provided on the upper surface of the second frame 4 to close the back side of the communication opening 31 as shown in FIG. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 8, the closed position and the open position where the back side of the communication opening 31 (the side where the second opening / closing body 33 is installed) are opened are supported so as to be displaceable. In a state where the second opening / closing body 33 is installed at the closed position of the communication opening 31, external seawater or the like can enter the installation unit of the connection drive mechanism 6 through the communication opening 31. It is to be prevented.

  Connected to the rotary actuator 38 are air pipes 39 and 40 for injecting forward rotation air or reverse rotation air supplied from the mother ship 5 in a joined state of the first frame body 3 and the second frame body 4. Yes. Further, auto connectors 43 and 44 that are automatically joined to the auto connectors 23 and 24 of the first frame 3 at the time of joining to the first frame 3 are installed on the upper surface of the second frame 4. Has been. Connected to the auto connectors 43 and 44 are air pipes 45 and 46 for leading forward rotation air or reverse rotation air supplied from the mother ship 5 to the rotary actuator 20 of the first frame 3.

  Then, when the first frame body 3 and the second frame body 4 are joined to each other, forward rotation air or reverse rotation air is supplied from the mother ship 5 to the rotary actuator 38 through the air pipes 39, 40. The second opening / closing body 33 in the two-frame body 4 is rotationally driven and displaced from the closed position of the communication opening 31 to the open position, or in the opposite direction. Further, forward air or reverse air is supplied from the mother ship 5 to the rotary actuator 20 of the first frame 3 through the air pipes 45 and 46, the auto connectors 43 and 44, the auto connectors 23 and 24, and the air pipes 21 and 22. Accordingly, the first opening / closing body 10 in the first frame 3 is configured to be displaced from the closed position of the communication opening 7 to the open position or in the opposite direction.

  On the upper surface of the second frame 4, the drainage air supplied from the mother ship 5 is formed between the first opening / closing body 10 and the second opening / closing body 33 at the joint between the frame bodies 3, 4. An air pipe 50 for injecting into the formed space portion, that is, the space portion 41 formed by the communication opening 7 of the first frame 3 and the communication opening 31 of the second frame 4 is connected. . In addition, a guide passage 47 that guides the drainage air supplied through the air pipe 50 into the space 41 is formed in the upper part of the second frame 4. Furthermore, a discharge passage 48 is formed in the lower part of the second frame 4 for discharging the fluid made of seawater or the like in the space 41 to the outside according to the pressure of the discharge air. A relief valve 49 is provided at the lower end of 48.

  The connection drive mechanism 6 includes a front cylinder 51 connected to the base end of the second frame 4, a support member 52 that slidably supports the front cylinder 51, and the support member 52. The first drive cylinder 53, the slide block 54 disposed in the front cylinder 51 and slidably supported, and the rear cylinder 55 connected to the base end of the front cylinder 51. And a second drive cylinder 56 disposed in the front cylinder body 51 and the rear cylinder body 55, and a rear plate 57 installed so as to cover the proximal end portion of the rear cylinder body 55. Yes.

  The slide block 54 includes a second joint composed of male connectors 58 and 59 respectively connected to female connectors 14 and 16 (first joints) provided on the first frame 3, and the first frame 3. The positioning pin 60 inserted into the positioning recess 18 provided in the base plate is supported in a state of being restrained by the restraining plate 61. Further, a connecting bracket 63 connected to the drive rod 73 of the second drive cylinder 56 is attached to the slide block 54.

  The first drive cylinder 53 is fixed to the outer cylindrical surface of the front cylindrical body 51 and the outer cylindrical body 64 fixed to the support member 52 and is slidably supported by being disposed in the outer cylindrical body 64. The piston 65 has an air pipe 66 for supplying forward air to the back side of the piston 65, and an air pipe 67 for supplying reverse air to the tip of the piston 65. Further, a front cover 68 is provided between the base end portion of the second frame body 4 and the front end portion of the support member 52 so as to cover the front end side outer peripheral portion of the front cylinder body 51 in an extendable manner. In addition, a rear cover 69 is provided between the base end portion of the support member 52 and the front end portion of the rear cylinder 55 so as to cover the outer peripheral portion of the base end side of the front cylinder 51 in an extendable manner.

  When forward air is supplied from the air pipe 66 to the base end side of the piston 65, the piston 65 and the front cylinder 51 are driven from the retracted position shown in FIG. 9 to the advanced position shown in FIG. By inserting the tapered portion 35 of the second frame body 4 into the communication opening 7 of the first frame body 3, the first frame body 3 and the second frame body 4 are joined. ing. On the other hand, when the backward movement air is supplied from the air pipe 67 to the front end side of the piston 65, the piston 65 and the front cylindrical body 51 are driven from the forward position to the backward position, and the tapered portion of the second frame body 4 is driven. By being pulled out of the opening 7 for communication of the first frame 3, the joining state between the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 is released.

  The tip of the second drive cylinder 56 is fixed to a support plate 71 installed in the front cylinder 51 (see FIG. 6). In the joined state of the first frame 3 and the second frame 4, the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are arranged in the second drive cylinder 56 in accordance with the forward air supplied from the air pipe 72 to the proximal end side of the second drive cylinder 56. A slide block 54 attached to the drive rod 73 via the connection bracket 63 by the piston (not shown) provided and the drive rod 73 connected to the piston being pushed toward the distal end side, The slide displacement is performed from the standby position shown in FIG. 10 to the connecting position shown in FIG. Further, the drive rod 73 is pushed toward the base end side in accordance with the backward movement air supplied from the air pipe 74 to the distal end side of the second drive cylinder 56, whereby the slide block 54 is connected to the front connection side. It is configured to slide and displace from the position to the rear standby position.

  In the front cylindrical body 51 and the rear cylindrical body 55, a power line 75 that connects a power supply source (not shown) provided in the mother ship 5 and the male connector 58, and a power supply 75 that is not shown in the mother ship 5. A signal line 76 that connects the control device and the male connector 59 is introduced, and a chain member 77 that holds the power line 75 and the signal line 76 is disposed. Then, the power line 75 and the signal line 76 are held together by the chain member 77 in a bundled state, so that the inside of the front cylinder body 51 and the rear cylinder body 55 are changed according to the slide displacement of the slide block 54. It is configured to move forward and backward smoothly. A ball plan (not shown) provided with a ball body on the outer peripheral portion of the slide block 54 for smoothly sliding and displacing the slide block 54 by rolling along the inner peripheral surface of the front cylindrical body 51. Jar is installed.

  When connecting the power line 13 and the signal line 15 of the work vehicle 1 installed in, for example, seawater to the power line 75 and the signal line 76 of the mother ship 5 located on the sea using the connector device configured as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the work vehicle 1 to which the first frame 3 is attached in a state where the first opening / closing body 10 of the first frame 3 is installed at the closed position of the communication opening 7. To the work position in seawater. Next, in a state where the second opening / closing body 33 of the second frame 4 is installed at the closed position of the communication opening 31, the connection drive mechanism 6 to which the second frame 4 is attached is put into seawater, As shown in FIG. 9, the second frame 4 is installed at a position facing the first frame 3 with a predetermined distance.

  Then, forward air is supplied from the mother ship 5 to the first drive cylinder 53 of the connection drive mechanism 6 through the air pipe 66, and the second frame body 4 is advanced to the joining position with the first frame body 3. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, the tapered portion 35 of the cylindrical main body 32 is inserted into the communication opening 7 of the first frame 3, and the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are connected to each other. The joint portion is sealed by the joint seal materials 12 and 36. In addition, a space 41 composed of the communication opening 7 of the first frame 3 and the communication opening 31 of the second frame 4 is formed between the frames 3 and 4, and the first frame The auto connectors 23 and 24 provided on the upper portion of the body 3 and the auto connectors 43 and 44 provided on the upper portion of the second frame 4 are automatically joined.

  In the state where the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 are joined as described above, the drainage air supplied from the mother ship 5 via the air pipe 50 is supplied from the guide passage 47 of the second frame 4. The first frame 3 and the second frame are introduced into the space 41 and the fluid composed of seawater or the like in the space 41 is discharged via the discharge passage 48 and the relief valve 49 according to the pressure of the discharge air. It discharges outside the joint with the body 4. Thereafter, the forward rotation air supplied from the mother ship 5 is introduced from the air pipe 39 to the rotary actuator 38 of the second frame 4, thereby allowing the second frame to pass through the rotary actuator 38 as shown in FIG. 4 is rotated to the open position of the communication opening 31, and the normal rotation air supplied from the mother ship 5 is sent from the air pipes 40, 21 to the rotary actuator 20 of the first frame 3. By introducing, the first opening / closing body 10 in the first frame 3 is rotated to the open position of the communication opening 7 via the rotary actuator 20.

  In this way, the first joint comprising the communication opening 7 provided at the distal end of the first frame 3 and the female connectors 14 and 16 disposed at the proximal end of the first frame 3. The installation portion communicates with the first opening / closing body 10 through the communication hole 19, and the communication opening 31 provided at the distal end portion of the second frame body 4 and the front cylinder of the connection drive mechanism 6. The air pipe 72 is connected from the mother ship 5 in a state where the installation portion of the second joint composed of the male connectors 58 and 59 disposed in the body 51 is communicated via the communication hole 37 of the second opening / closing body 33. The forward air is supplied to the base end side of the second drive cylinder 56 through the second drive cylinder 56.

  The slide block 54 attached to the drive rod 73 of the second drive cylinder 56 according to the forward air is a space 41 formed at the joint between the frame bodies 3 and 4 from the standby position shown in FIG. It slides and displaces to the connecting position shown in FIG. Then, the positioning pin 60 provided on the slide block 54 is inserted into the positioning recess 18 formed on the support block 9 and the restraining plate 17 of the first frame 3, so that the first frame 3 The first joint composed of the female connectors 14 and 16 provided and the second joint composed of the male connectors 58 and 59 provided on the second frame 4 are phase-coupled with each other.

  By connecting the first joint of the first frame 3 and the second joint of the second frame 4 as described above, the power line 13 connected to the electric drive unit of the work vehicle 1 and the control unit of the work vehicle 1 are connected. Is connected to the power line 75 connected to the power supply source of the mother ship 5 and the signal line 76 connected to the control device of the mother ship 5 via the first joint and the second joint. The As a result, driving power is supplied from the power supply source of the mother ship 5 to the electric drive unit of the work vehicle 1 via the signal lines 76 and 15, and the work vehicle 1 is supplied from the control device of the mother ship 5 via the power lines 75 and 13. By outputting a control signal to the control unit, it is possible to operate the work vehicle 1 while controlling the work vehicle 1 from the mother ship 5.

  Further, when the connection state between the first joint of the first frame 3 and the second joint of the second frame 4 is released and the second frame 4 is lifted onto the mother ship 5 together with the connection drive mechanism 6, etc. 11 is configured to slide the slide block 54 from the connecting position shown in FIG. 11 to the retracted position shown in FIG. 10 by supplying backward air from the mother ship 5 to the second drive cylinder 56 via the air pipe 74. Thus, the connection state between the first joint in the first frame 3 and the second joint in the second frame 4 is released. Next, the air for reverse rotation is supplied from the mother ship 5 to the rotary actuator 38 of the second frame 4 through the air pipe 40, and the second opening / closing body 33 in the second frame 4 as shown in FIGS. Is rotated to the closed position of the communication opening 31 and the reverse rotation air is supplied from the mother ship 5 to the rotary actuator 20 of the first frame 3 via the air pipes 46 and 22. The first opening / closing body 10 is rotated to the closed position of the communication opening 7.

  In this way, the installation portion of the first and second joints is hermetically sealed by the outer peripheries of the first opening / closing body 10 and the second opening / closing body 33, and the connection drive mechanism 6 is connected from the mother ship 5 through the air pipe 67. Retraction air is supplied to the second drive cylinder 56, and the second frame body 4 is retracted to the standby position to release the joined state with the first frame body 3. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, outside seawater or the like is prevented from entering the first frame body 3 and the second frame body 4 from the communication openings 7 and 31. The joining of both the frame bodies 3 and 4 is released, and the second frame body 4 and the connection drive mechanism 6 can be recovered in the mother ship 5.

  As described above, the first frame 3 in which the first joint composed of the female connectors 14 and 16 is disposed, and the second joint composed of the male connectors 58 and 59 joined to the first joint are disposed. In the connector device configured to be able to connect the first joint and the second joint in a state where the first frame body 3 and the second frame body 4 are joined to each other. The first opening / closing body 10 installed in the first frame 3 and the back side of the communication opening 7 provided in the first frame 3 are hermetically closed by driving the first opening / closing body 10. A first drive mechanism including a rotary actuator 20 that displaces the back side of the communication opening 7 so that the two joints can be connected from a state; and a second drive unit installed in the second frame 4. Two opening / closing bodies 33 and the opening 3 for communication provided in the second frame 4 by driving the second opening / closing body 33 A second drive mechanism comprising a rotary actuator 38 that displaces the back side of the communication opening 31 so that the two joints can be joined from a state in which the back side of the airtightly closed is closed, and the first frame Since the joint sealing materials 12 and 36 for sealing the joint between the body 3 and the second frame 4 are provided, the first joint and the second frame provided in the first frame 3 with a simple configuration. The second joint provided in 4 can be easily and properly connected.

That is, in the said embodiment, the 2nd attached to the front-end | tip part of the 1st frame 3 attached to the work vehicle 1 which performs underwater work via the support bracket 2, and the connection drive mechanism 6 operated by the mother ship 5. The frame body 4 is configured to be able to be joined in a state in which the frame body 4 is individually closed by the first opening and closing body 10 and the second opening and closing body 33, and the joint portions of the both frame bodies 3 and 4 are joined to the joint seal materials 12 and 36. It is configured so as to be hermetically sealed. Then, after joining the first frame 3 and the second frame 4, the first opening / closing body 10 and the second opening / closing body 33 are driven by the rotary actuators 20, 38 to open the communication opening of the first frame 3. A slide block 54 in which the second joint is supported by a second drive cylinder 56 provided in the connection drive mechanism 6 in a state where the connection opening mechanism 31 is displaced to an open position of the communication opening 31 of the part 7 and the second frame 4. Are connected to the first joint of the first frame 3, so that the external seawater and the like are connected to the first frame 3 and the second frame 4 from the communication openings 7, 31. It is possible to perform the connecting operation of both the joints while preventing intrusion into the inside.

  Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a large amount of air is continuously supplied into the case provided in the connecting portion of both joints, or seawater does not enter the case while paying close attention. The occurrence of leakage due to the intrusion of seawater etc. into the connecting part of both joints with a simple configuration without requiring complicated work such as connecting both joints or releasing the connection of both joints. Thus, it is possible to easily and appropriately perform operations such as connecting the two joints or releasing the connection state of the two joints.

  In the above-described embodiment, both the frame bodies 3 are provided by the discharge mechanism including the air pipe 50, the guide passage 47, the discharge passage 48, and the relief valve 49 in the joined state of the first frame body 3 and the second frame body 4. , 4 is configured to supply the drainage air into the space 41 formed between the two, the seawater in the space 41 is discharged to the outside in accordance with the pressure of the discharge air. The joint can be connected. Therefore, when the two joints are connected in seawater or the connection between the joints is released, leakage of seawater caused by the seawater remaining in the space 41 entering the joint of the two joints occurs. There is an advantage that the above can be prevented more reliably.

  Instead of the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a storage portion 80 for storing a fluid made of seawater remaining in the space portion 41 between the two frame bodies 3 and 4 is disposed below the connecting portion of both the joints. It is good also as the structure provided. And after joining the said 1st frame 3 and the 2nd frame 4, before displacing said 1st, 2nd opening-and-closing bodies 10 and 33 to an open position, respectively, it provides in the downward direction of the said space part 41. The opened on-off valve 81 may be opened, and the seawater in the space 41 may be naturally dropped into the storage unit 80 and stored.

  In the case of the above-described configuration, the above-described both are not required without supplying the discharge air to the joint between the frames 3 and 4 and discharging the fluid composed of seawater in the space 41 to the outside. There is an advantage that both the joints can be easily and properly connected or the connection between the joints can be released while reliably preventing the occurrence of leakage due to the intrusion of seawater or the like into the joint of the joint. It should be noted that it is possible to provide a structure in which a discharge mechanism for forcibly discharging the fluid in the space portion 41 into the storage portion 80 in the joined state of the first frame body 3 and the second frame body 4 may be used. It is.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the first opening / closing body 10 in the first frame 3 and the second opening / closing body 33 in the second frame 4 according to the forward rotation air or the reverse rotation air supplied from the mother ship 5. In the example described above, the rotary actuators 20 and 38 that displace the first opening and closing body 10 and the second opening and closing body 33 from the closed position of the communication openings 7 and 31 to the open position by rotating are described. Instead of this configuration, a drive mechanism having an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator that rotationally drives the first opening / closing body 10 and the second opening / closing body 33 may be provided.

  Further, the first opening / closing body and the second opening / closing body, which are formed of a cover plate (not shown) that covers the communication opening 7 of the first frame 3 and the communication opening 31 of the second frame 4 so as to be opened and closed, are provided. The first drive mechanism and the second drive (not shown) are moved from the closed position to the open position of the communication openings 7, 31 by moving the first opening / closing body and the second opening / closing body up and down or swinging. A structure provided with a mechanism may be employed.

The first frame 3 attached to the work vehicle 1 and the second frame 4 attached to the distal end portion of the connection drive mechanism 6 operated by the mother ship 5 are joined in seawater. Instead of the above-described embodiment, it may be configured to supply drive power to the work vehicle 1 and output a control signal from the power supply source and the control device installed on land via the connection drive mechanism 6. Good. Further, it is needless to say that the work vehicle 1 to the first frame body 3 is attached can be used in the lake secondary. Further, the first frame 3 is not limited to the work vehicle 1 but may be structured to be installed on various devices such as a work robot or an electric machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 1st frame body 4 2nd frame body 7 Opening part for communication 10 First opening / closing body 12, 36 Joint part sealing material 14, 16 Female joint (first joint)
20 Rotary actuator (first drive mechanism)
31 Communication Opening 33 Second Opening / Closing Body 38 Rotary Actuator (Second Drive Mechanism)
50 Air pipe (discharge mechanism)
58,59 Male joint (second joint)
80 Reservoir

Claims (3)

A first frame in which a first joint is disposed;
A second frame having a second joint to be joined to the first joint,
A connector device configured to connect the first joint and the second joint in a state in which the first frame and the second frame are joined,
A first opening / closing body installed in the first frame body;
The back side of the communication opening is connected so that the two joints can be connected from the state in which the first opening / closing body is driven and the back side of the communication opening provided in the first frame is airtightly closed. A first drive mechanism for displacing to an open state;
The second opening and closing body installed in the second frame body, and the two joints from the state in which the second opening and closing body is driven to hermetically close the back side of the communication opening provided in the second frame body A second drive mechanism that displaces the back side of the communication opening so as to be able to be joined, and
A joint sealant for sealing the joint between the first frame and the second frame,
The communication opening provided in the first frame and the communication opening provided in the second frame communicate with each other in a state where the first frame and the second frame are joined. And a connection drive mechanism for driving the second joint so as to connect with the first joint through the inside of the communication opening ,
The underwater coupling connector device, wherein the first joint and the second joint are electrically connected to a power line .   2. A discharge mechanism for discharging the fluid that has entered the space formed between the two frame bodies to the outside when the first frame body and the second frame body are joined to each other. The connector device as described.   In the joined state of the first frame body and the second frame body, a storage section for storing a fluid remaining in a space portion between the both frame bodies is provided below the connecting section of the two joints. The connector device according to claim 1.

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