WO2011043412A1

WO2011043412A1 - Coupler

Info

Publication number: WO2011043412A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/067629
Authority: WO
Inventors: 稔官野; 浩昭林; 憲司吉弘; 陽山盛; 賢一高橋
Original assignee: 東洋製罐株式会社; 株式会社東芝
Priority date: 2009-10-07
Filing date: 2010-10-07
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Also published as: JP2011080532A

Abstract

Between the socket (S10) and the plug (P10) of a coupler (10), a pair of first identification means (60) which prevent fitting with a different coupler are provided on opposite sides of the center axis of fit-in coupling of the coupler (10). Within the first identification means (60), a pair of second identification means (70) are provided on the opposite sides of the center axis of the fit-in coupling. The second identification means (70) are arranged within the inscribed circle (within a circle of a diameter T1, T2) of the minimum width of a device to be provided with the coupler (10). Therefore, many kinds of identification can be performed with a simple shape by the combination of the first and second identification means (60, 70). Moreover, the coupler (10) is simply compatible with even a device thin in thickness by arranging the second identification means (70) within the inscribed circle (within the circle of the diameter T1, T2) of the minimum width (T1, T2) and arranging the first identification means (60) outside.

Description

Coupler

The present invention relates to a coupler composed of a socket and a plug, which is detachably connected. When transferring liquid from a container to a container on the main body side or when replacing the entire container, only one type of various contents is identified. In particular, it is preferably provided between a fuel cell cartridge container and a fuel cell main body using a liquid as a fuel.

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.

A variety of detachable couplers are used to simplify the connection and replacement of containers.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connecting device as shown in FIG. 8, 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 that close 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, so that the liquid in the inner bag passes from the main flow path on the plug side to the main flow path on the socket side. Thus, the liquid can be delivered out of the container.

JP 2003-172487 A

Various types of fuel have been proposed for fuel cells using liquid fuel. For example, even when methanol is used as the fuel, there are differences in the concentration of methanol required by the use of the fuel cell, which is very large. It becomes a fuel type.
In order to supply such a coupler for use in transferring various types of fuel with one type of coupler, an identification means that can reliably connect only the fuel required by the fuel cell main body is required.

In addition, the diversification of equipment that uses fuel cells requires equipment that can handle very thin equipment.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems and demands of the prior art, and is intended to provide a coupler capable of identifying and connecting only one type of various contents. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coupler that can reliably identify even a very thin device.

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. A coupler comprising: a biasing means for biasing; 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. A pair of first identifying means for preventing fitting with different couplers is provided with the central axis of the coupling connection of the coupler in between, and the fitting connection inside the first identification means A pair of second discriminating means is provided across the central axis, and the second discriminating means is arranged in an inscribed circle of the minimum width of the equipment provided with the coupler. is there.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect, the first identification means and the second identification means are respectively arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the coupler. It is characterized by comprising.

In the coupler according to claim 3 of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to

claim

1 or 2, when the pair of gaps of the first identification means are arranged wider than the minimum width of the device provided with the coupler, In this case, the second identification means can be used for identification.

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 first identification means is connected and held to hold the socket and the plug in a connected state. It is characterized in that it is also used as a means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the fourth aspect, the connection holding means can be rotated about a central axis of the coupler with a lock arm on either the socket or the plug. And the other is provided with an engagement recess for engaging with the lock arm, and the first identification means can be reciprocated in the direction of the central axis with respect to the lock arm and can be attached to the coupler. On the other hand, it is configured to be provided so as to be rotatable around the central axis.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the coupler may include either a member that can reciprocate with the lock arm and can rotate about the central axis of the coupler, and the coupler. It is characterized in that a separating means for the connecting and holding means constituted by a cam follower is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the fifth or sixth aspect, the coupling holding means and the first identification means are provided with a protrusion or groove that intersects the lock arm in the coupling direction. The engagement recess is provided with a hook or protrusion that engages with the protrusion or groove.

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 different coupler between the socket and the plug. A pair of first identification means for preventing the fitting connection is provided with the central axis of the coupling connection of the coupler in between, and a pair of first identification means with the central axis of the fitting connection in the first identification means Since the second identification means is provided, and the second identification means is arranged in the inscribed circle of the minimum width of the apparatus provided with the coupler, it is easy to combine with the first and second identification means. That many types of shapes can be identified. Moreover, it is possible to easily cope with a thin device by arranging the second identification means within the inscribed circle of the minimum width and arranging the first identification means outside.

According to the coupler according to claim 2 of the present invention, since the first identification means and the second identification means are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the coupler, Any of the second discriminating means can be connected with being inverted with respect to the central axis of the coupler, so that it is not necessary to invert and confirm the discriminating operation, and it can be easily discriminated by a single discriminating operation. .

According to the coupler according to claim 3 of the present invention, when the pair of gaps of the first identification means are arranged wider than the minimum width of the device provided with the coupler, only the second identification means is used. Since it is configured to be identifiable, even when the first identification unit does not function in the case of a very thin device, it can be identified by only the second identification unit, and couplers of the same specification can be identified by different thicknesses. In particular, it can be reliably identified even when used in a very thin device.

According to the coupler of claim 4 of the present invention, the first identification means is configured to serve as the connection holding means for holding the socket and the plug in a connected state, so that the first identification means can be reliably identified. At the same time, the coupling state of the coupler can be held by the connection holding means that also serves as the first identification means, and the contents and the like can be reliably supplied.

According to the coupler of claim 5 of the present invention, the connection holding means is provided such that the lock arm is provided on one of the socket and the plug so as to be rotatable around the central axis of the coupler, and the other is provided with the lock arm. An engaging recess is provided to engage the lock arm, and the first identification means can be reciprocated in the direction of the central axis for the lock arm and about the central axis for the coupler. Since it is provided so as to be rotatable, the lock arm of the connecting and holding means can be rotated about the central axis of the coupler, and this can be permitted even if a rotational force is applied between the socket and the plug.

According to a coupler of a sixth aspect of the present invention, the coupling constituted by a member that can reciprocate with the lock arm and that can rotate about the central axis of the coupler and the coupler includes a cam and a cam follower. Since the separation means of the holding means is provided, if excessive rotational force is applied between the socket and the plug, the separation force in the central axis direction can be generated by the cam and cam follower of the separation means, preventing damage. The connection holding state can be released.

According to the coupler of claim 7 of the present invention, the connection holding means and the first identification means are provided with protrusions or grooves that intersect the lock arm in the connection direction, while the engagement recesses have protrusions or grooves. Since the hooks or protrusions to be engaged with each other are provided, the connection state can be reliably maintained by the protrusions of the lock arm and the hooks of the engagement recesses, or the grooves of the lock arm and the protrusions of the engagement recesses. A click feeling (sound, vibration, etc. caused by getting over) is generated by getting over at the time of engagement or release, and it is possible to know that it is engaged or released reliably.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which isolate | separated the socket and plug which comprise the coupler concerning one Embodiment which applied the coupler of this invention to the fuel cell. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which connected the socket and plug which comprise the coupler concerning one Embodiment which applied the coupler of this invention to the fuel cell. It is an external appearance perspective view of the plug which comprises the coupler concerning one Embodiment which applied the coupler of this invention to the fuel cell. It is the disassembled perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the plug which comprises the coupler concerning one Embodiment which applied the coupler of this invention to the fuel cell, and the external appearance perspective view of an assembly state. It is a disassembled perspective view of the cam mechanism part of the front-end | tip part of the plug which comprises the coupler concerning one Embodiment which applied the coupler of this invention to the fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the discrimination property by the side of the socket by the 1st and 2nd identification means in the coupler concerning one Embodiment which applied the coupler of this invention to the fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing of the discriminability by the thickness of the apparatus by the 1st and 2nd identification means in the coupler concerning one Embodiment which applied the coupler of this invention to the fuel cell. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional coupling device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, before describing the embodiment of the coupler of the present invention, the overall configuration of the coupler will be described by taking as an example a case where it is provided between a fuel cell main body and a fuel replenishing cartridge main body for a fuel cell.

The fuel cell coupler (hereinafter simply referred to as a coupler) 10 includes a socket S10 and a plug P10 that is fitted and connected to the socket S10. For example, a fuel tank that is a container body on the methanol fuel cell body side. Is provided with a socket S10, and a plug P10 is provided on a bottle which is a container body on the cartridge body side as a methanol container, and the fuel body is replenished with fuel from the cartridge body, or the entire cartridge is replaced. Used for That is, in the coupler according to the present invention, the container body includes both the tank on the battery body side and the bottle on the cartridge side.

The main part of the socket S10 is made of a metal material, but most of the socket S10 is exposed to liquid fuel. Therefore, the socket S10 is preferably made of a material excellent in corrosion resistance, for example, non-conductive. It is preferable to use it after treatment or gold coating. For example, polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), etc. are used as the non-metallic material member, as well as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) having methanol resistance, liquid crystal A super engineer plastic such as a polymer (LCP) or a general engineer plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polyacetal (POM) is preferably used. Further, as the rubber, for example, nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), fluorine rubber (FKM), chloroprene rubber (CR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPT, EPDM), and silicone rubber (VMQ) are preferably used. .

In the following description, the upper and lower sides in the drawing will be described as a reference, but the actual fitting connection direction is not limited at all and may be performed in any direction.

The socket S10 of the coupler 10 includes a socket body 11 that constitutes a coupler body that is exposed and attached to the surface of a container body provided in the fuel cell body, and a plug P10 that is paired with the socket S10 is inserted and connected. A plug connection hole 12 is formed on the surface. The plug connection hole 12 is composed of a three-stage cylindrical portion including a large diameter portion, an intermediate diameter portion, and a small diameter portion whose inner diameter is larger toward the surface side.

A substantially bottomed cylindrical valve holder 13 is connected to the stepped portion outside the medium diameter portion of the socket main body 11, and the outer periphery of the small diameter portion of the socket main body 11 and the inner periphery of the valve holder 13 serve as a holder seal portion 14. In the bottom of the valve holder 13, a communication hole 13a communicating with the inside of the container body is formed. The communication hole 13a of the valve holder 13 and the front end hole of the connecting portion seal portion 21 serve as a flow path 15 in the socket S10 so that the inside and outside of the container body can be communicated with each other.

A valve body 16 constituting a socket-side valve body that opens and closes the flow path 15 is slidably mounted in the valve holder 13, and has a substantially cylindrical valve body 16 a and a large-diameter conical seal portion at the lower end. 16b, the conical surface of the seal portion 16b is used as the valve seal portion 17, and the outer peripheral surface of the seal portion 16b is used as a guide portion along the inner periphery of the valve holder 13, so that the flow path 15 is opened and closed. .

It should be noted that the seal portion 16b of the valve body 16 is not limited to a conical surface, and may be a flat surface.

Further, a compression coil spring 18 is mounted between the bottom of the valve holder 13 and the upper side of the large-diameter conical seal portion 16b of the valve body 16 as a biasing means for biasing the valve body 16 in the closing direction. .

By the valve body 16 opened and closed by the compression coil spring 18, the flow path 15 between the communication hole 13a formed at the bottom of the valve holder 13 and the plug connection hole 12 is connected to the outer periphery of the valve body 16a and the valve from the communication hole 13a. It is formed so as to reach the front end hole of the connection seal portion 21 through the inner periphery of the holder 13 and the valve seal portion 17 of the seal portion 16b of the valve body 16 to be opened and closed.

The valve body 16 has a mounting hole 19 for an operating member formed at the center of the large-diameter conical seal portion 16b, and a stepped rib 19a is formed at the bottom of the mounting hole 19. A socket-side operation member 20 having a hollow pipe shape with a diameter smaller than 19 is attached to the stepped rib so that the tip 20 a is positioned in the plug connection hole 12 of the socket body 11. The distal end portion 20a of the socket side operation member 20 forms a connection portion seal portion 21 between the distal end portion of the plug P10, which will be described later, and ensures a sealed state when the socket S10 and the plug P10 are connected.

It should be noted that the seal member of the connection portion seal portion 21 may be provided on either or both of the socket S10 side and the plug P10 side. Here, the seal member is provided on the socket S10 side.

In the illustrated example, the distal end portion 20a of the socket side operation member 20 is flared, and the connection portion seal member is inflated and sealed on the outer peripheral surface. However, a flange is formed to form a connection portion seal. The member may be inflated and sealed, or simply formed as a straight tube and sealed at the tip surface or the outer peripheral surface. When sealing at the distal end surface, the connecting portion seal member 21 does not slide or friction with the movement of the valve body 16, and when sealing at the outer peripheral surface, Sliding will occur.

In the socket S10 configured as described above, three seal portions of the holder seal portion 14, the valve seal portion 17, and the connection portion seal portion 21 are provided, and usually an elastic seal material is attached to each of them. One seal member for sealing the seal portion of the place is also used as one, and the seal member 22 for three places is mounted. The three-way seal member 22 includes a flange-shaped substantially disk portion 22b protruding outward at the upper end portion of the inner cylindrical portion 22a at the center, and is concentric with the inner cylindrical portion 22a at the outer peripheral end of the substantially disk portion 22b. The cross-sectional shape of the vertical half in which the outer cylindrical portion 22c is integrated is substantially J-shaped.

The tip end portion 20a of the socket side operation member 20 is attached to the inner side of the inner cylindrical portion 22a of the three-way seal member 22, and the outer periphery of the lower end portion becomes a connection portion seal member (22a) for sealing the connection portion seal portion 21. The socket-side operation member 20 is held.

Further, the flange-shaped substantially disc portion 22b of the three-way seal member 22 is disposed on the valve seal portion 17 to become a valve seal member (22b), and the valve body 16 is moved in the valve opening direction by the socket side operation member 20. As a result, the substantially disc portion 22b is elastically deformed and a gap is formed between the disc seal portion 16a and the valve seal portion 16a is brought into a valve open state, and the valve seal portion 16a is brought into close contact with the valve seal portion 16a.

Further, the outer cylindrical portion 22c of the dual-purpose seal member 22 is disposed in the holder seal portion 14, and is attached so as to be sandwiched between the outer periphery of the small diameter portion of the socket body 11 and the inner periphery of the valve holder 13 and sealed. The holder seal member (22c) is made, and one end of the three-point seal member 22 is thereby fixed.

The three-way seal member 22 is a holder seal that seals the holder seal portion 14 at the front end edge of the substantially disc portion 22b that serves as a valve seal member by omitting the molding of the outer cylindrical portion 22c serving as a holder seal member. You may make it a member and it does not necessarily need to shape | mold previously.

Alternatively, the socket-side operation member 20 may be formed in a straight tube shape and supported independently using the three-point seal member 22 without being supported.

By using this dual-purpose seal member 22, the seal member at the three locations can be attached only once, and the inner cylindrical portion 22a serving as the connecting portion seal member can be attached to the front end portion 20a of the socket side operation member 20. After the mounting, the socket side operation member 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 19 for the operation member of the valve body 16, the compression coil spring 18 is disposed outside the valve body 16, the valve holder 13 is attached, and the holder seal member By sandwiching the outer cylindrical portion 22c to be between the socket main body 11, the substantially edge plate portion 22b serving as a valve seal member can be attached in a set state at the same time. In particular, when the coupler 10 has a small diameter and a small size, if the sealing member is constituted by an O-ring or the like, the diameter of the sealing member may be several millimeters, which makes it difficult to incorporate. It is simple and can reduce the mounting process, and is more effective.

In addition, it replaces with the sealing member 22 combined with three places, and seals by contacting the sealing part 16b of the valve | bulb main body 16 by the connection part sealing member 21 and the substantially disc part 22b which seal the connection part sealing part 21 by the inner cylindrical part 22a. The seal member of the valve seal portion 17 and the valve seal member at two locations can be integrated into a two-point seal member, and the holder seal member may be attached as a separate body, and the number of assembling locations is increased by one. However, it can be easily integrated. In addition, an independent seal member such as an O-ring can be attached to each of the three locations.

Further, the three-port combined seal member 22 that seals the valve seal portion 17 and the substantially circular plate portion 22b of the two-port dual-use seal member may have any shape that can be opened and closed by the movement of the valve body 16, and together with the socket-side operation member 20. It can be opened or closed with a large elastic deformation while moving, or can be opened and closed with almost no elastic deformation such as a structure independent of the socket side operation member.

In the socket S10 configured as described above, the socket-side operation member 20 mounted in the mounting hole 19 of the valve body 16 is pressed in conjunction with the connection with the plug P10, whereby the connection portion seal portion 21 is sealed. After that, the valve body 16 constituting the valve body is automatically opened or closed by removing the plug P10.

Next, the plug P10 of the coupler 10 that is fitted and connected to the socket S10 is mainly made of a non-metallic material such as polypropylene (PP) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) except for a part of an operation member, a spring or the like. , High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), etc., methanol-resistant polyether ether ketone (PEEK), liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and other super engineer plastics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly General-purpose engineer plastics such as butylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyacetal (POM) are preferably used. Further, as the rubber, for example, nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), fluorine rubber (FKM), chloroprene rubber (CR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPT, EPDM), and silicone rubber (VMQ) are preferably used. . In addition, since metal parts are exposed to liquid fuel, it is preferable to use a material with excellent corrosion resistance and the like. For example, it may be used after being subjected to a non-conductive treatment or a gold coating. preferable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plug P10 is attached to the outer periphery of the tip of the nozzle N of the container constituting the container main body in which methanol as fuel of the fuel cell is placed, and is approximately 4 constituting the coupler main body screwed into the container. A stepped cylindrical plug body 31 is provided, with a distal end portion (upper end portion) 31a having a minimum diameter and a proximal end portion (lower end portion) 31d following the intermediate small diameter portion 31b and the intermediate large diameter portion 31c having a maximum diameter. Yes.

The plug main body 31 constituting the coupler main body on the plug side is formed with a substantially cylindrical projecting coupling portion 32 having a minimum diameter that protrudes from the tip portion and is fitted into the plug connection hole 12 of the socket S10. The tip end of the projecting connecting portion 32 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion (connecting portion seal member) 22a of the three-point seal member 22 attached to the tip end portion 20a of the socket side operation member 20 of the socket S10. A seal recess 32a for sealing is formed, and a mounting hole 32b for a plug-side operation member is formed in the center.

The seal recess 32a has a tapered recess having a large diameter on the distal end opening side and a small diameter on the base end bottom side. The taper surface guides the insertion of the seal member 22 for the three locations of the socket S10 and securely at the inner periphery. It can be sealed. In addition, since the seal recess 32a is provided so as to dent the front end surface of the plug P10, even if liquid fuel remaining on the plug P10 is removed from the socket s10, even if liquid fuel remains attached, the seal recess 32a is accommodated in the seal recess 32a. In this way, contact with the liquid fuel that remains is prevented.

In addition to the tapered recess 32a, the seal recess 32a may be sealed at the bottom instead of being sealed at the inner peripheral surface as a cylindrical recess, or as another recess shape as a storage space for the seal and attached liquid. Also good.

The end face of the intermediate small-diameter portion 31b on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate large-diameter portion 31c of the plug main body 31 is a valve seat 33 configured with a flat surface.

The inner circumference of the cylindrical portion with the maximum diameter of the intermediate large-diameter portion 31c and the base end portion (lower end portion) 31d of the plug main body 31 is the holder seal portion 34, and the nozzle N of the container is the holder seal member 40. The plug body 31 is attached to the container by being screwed into the nozzle of the container.

Inside the plug main body 31, a valve main body 35 constituting a plug-side valve body is mounted, and a substantially large-diameter disk portion at an intermediate portion is used as a valve head 35a. A valve stem 35b formed with a small-diameter channel groove 35e that crosses the distal end surface and a large-diameter guide portion 35c that projects to the base end center portion (lower end center portion) are integrally formed. A plug-side operation member 41 provided in contact with the flow channel groove 35e of the valve stem 35b protruding to the center of the tip (upper center) is positioned in the projecting coupling portion 32 so as to reciprocate integrally with the valve body 35. It has become.

The plug-side operation member 41 is composed of a metal small-diameter pipe, and its base end (lower end) is flared and applied to the flow channel groove 35e of the valve stem 35b. The flow path is configured to communicate with the inside of the vip via the flow path groove 35e opened on both side surfaces and the front end surface. Thereby, the flow path which connects the inside of a pipe and the outside of a pipe can be formed, without processing a hole, an axial groove | channel, etc. on the side surface of a small diameter pipe.

An O-ring mounting portion 35f is provided at the tip (upper end) of the valve head 35a of the valve body 35 so as to face the valve seat 33, and an O-ring 37 constituting a valve seal member of the valve seal portion 36 is provided. It is attached.

In order to guide the reciprocation of the valve main body 35, a substantially cylindrical valve holder 38 with a bottom is provided so as to surround the outer side of the guide portion 35c, and an intermediate flange portion of the intermediate large diameter portion 31c of the plug main body 31 is provided. While being applied to the lower end surface, an O-ring 40 as a holder seal member is applied to the lower surface of the flange portion and is sandwiched and attached by a plug main body 31 that is screwed into a screw portion on the outer periphery of the nozzle N.

Further, a compression coil spring 39 is mounted on the outer periphery of the guide portion 35 c of the valve body 35, the upper end is applied to the valve head 35 a, and the lower end is pressed by the intermediate projecting portion of the valve holder 38.

As a result, the valve body 35 is always urged upward, and the O-ring 37 attached to the O-ring holding portion 35f of the valve head 35a is pressed against the valve seat 33 for sealing, thereby closing the valve or compressing the coil. The valve 39 can be opened by being separated from the spring 39.

In addition, since the valve holder 38 that supports the lower end of the compression coil spring 39 is attached to the plug body 31 without interposing an elastic body or the like, the biasing force is not changed by the interposition of the elastic body, and is always kept constant. Can be opened and closed in a stable state.

Furthermore, a channel hole 38a is formed in the lower end side wall of the valve holder 38 so as to communicate with the inside of the container.

In the plug P10 configured as described above, the valve body 35, which is a valve body, is automatically operated by pressing the valve stem 35b of the valve body 35 via the plug-side operation member 41 in connection with the socket S10. The valve is opened or closed by releasing the connection.

In such a coupler 10, the connection between the socket S10 and the plug P10 is performed after the sealing material 22a of the connection portion seal portion 21 of the three-point seal member 22 contacts and the connection portion is sealed, and then the connection portion seal portion. The socket side operation member 20 is operated in a state where the seal 21 is held, and the valve body 16 of the socket S10 is first opened by setting the strength of the compression coil spring 18, and then the valve of the plug P10 is further pushed. The main body 35 is moved to open the valve, and the connection of the socket S10 and the plug P10 constituting the coupler 10 is completed.

Further, the coupler 10 is provided with connection holding means 50 for holding the connection state between the socket S10 and the plug P10. For example, one side of the connection holding means 50 is used as an engagement recess 51 or the like. The other side to be engaged is configured as a lock arm 52 or the like, and is engaged and held by one action of pushing so as to get over each other. Fuel can be supplied in the state.

In the socket S10 of the coupler 10, an engagement recess 51 serving as one side of the connection holding means 50 is provided on the fuel cell body outside the tip of the socket body 11 attached to the mounting hole of the fuel cell body. As shown in FIG. 2, two engaging recesses 51 are formed, for example, in a rectangular shape, are opposed to each other with the central axis of the plug connection hole 12 interposed therebetween, and are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the central axis. On the inner side surface of the engagement concave portion 51 at these two point-symmetrical positions, a flange 53 is formed from the opening surface to the middle so as to protrude toward the central axis, and the lock arm on the plug P10 side, which will be described later, which is the counterpart side Engagement with the projections 54 of 52 is ensured.

A direction orthogonal to the thickness is formed by forming engagement recesses 51 at two locations outside the plug connection hole 12 in a point-symmetric position with respect to the central axis of the coupler 10 and forming a flange portion 53 at the inside. The two engaging recesses 51 are arranged along the line, so that the installation space can be made as small as possible, and the connection holding means 50 can be easily installed even in a thin apparatus.

On the other hand, in the plug P10 of the coupler 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the two engagements of the socket S10 are performed at the tip end portion of the plug body 31 as the mating side of the connection holding means 50 that holds the connection state with the socket S10. Two lock arms 52 protrude upward and face each other corresponding to the recess 51, are pointed to the central axis of the plug P10, and are rotatably provided around the central axis.

These two lock arms 52 are provided with a substantially disc-shaped ring portion 55 at the base end portion, and are arranged around the central axis so that the hollow portion covers the intermediate small diameter portion 31b and the intermediate large diameter portion 31c of the plug body 31. The two lock arms 52 are integrally formed on the disk of the ring portion 55 so as to protrude vertically. A protrusion 54 is formed on the outer side of the distal end of each lock arm 52 to be engaged with the flange 53 of the engagement recess 51, and the engagement connection / release is performed so as to get over the flange 53. .

In the coupler 10 configured as described above, when the socket S10 and the plug P10 are connected and held, the protruding connection portion 32 of the plug P10 is inserted into the plug connection hole 12 of the socket S10 and the connection provided on the socket body 11 is connected. The lock arm 52 provided on the plug body 31 is pushed in so as to face the engaging recess 51 of the holding means 50.

Then, with the connection operation of the socket S10 and the plug P10, in the connection holding means 50, the lock arm 52 is pushed back inward by the contact between the flange 53 of the engagement recess 51 and the projection 54 of the lock arm 52. By being elastically deformed and further pushing the plug P10, the engaging recess 51 and the protrusion 54 of the lock arm 52 are engaged with each other while overcoming each other, and the connected state is maintained.

In this connected state, the lock arm 52 is rotatable about the central axis via the ring portion 55 with respect to the plug main body 31, so that a force about the central axis is applied between the socket S10 and the plug P10. However, it can be permitted by the rotation of the lock arm 52, and damage to the coupler 10 can be prevented.

On the other hand, when the connection holding state is released, when the plug P10 is pulled out from the socket S10, the lock arm 52 is pushed back inward by the flange 53 of the engagement recess 51 and the protrusion 55 of the lock arm 52. Can be elastically deformed, and can be pulled out to get over each other to release and release the connected holding state.

According to such a coupler 10, the socket S10 and the plug P10 can be connected or disconnected by only pushing and pulling out, 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.

Furthermore, in this coupler 10, since the hook 53 of the engaging recess 51 and the protrusion 54 of the lock arm 52 are put on and held in the connected state or the connected state is released, particularly during the connecting operation. By entering the engaged state after getting over, a click feeling (sense transmitted by sound and vibration) is generated, and it is possible to know that the engaged state is surely achieved.

Next, identification means according to an embodiment of the coupler of the present invention will be described.

This identification means is for preventing, for example, the plugs P10 having different concentrations of methanol, which is a fuel to be used in a methanol fuel cell, from being connected. In this embodiment, the two identification means are connected to the central axis of the coupler. By providing them symmetrically with respect to each other, the connection in the inverted state is possible, so that the connection can be identified by one connection operation without inversion, and the first identification means 60 is connected to the connection holding means 50 already described. The second identifying means 70 is also used as an independent unit.

Note that the first identification unit 60 may be configured as a single unit without using the connection holding unit 50, and the connection holding unit 50 may be omitted to have no connection holding function.

A pair of first identification means 60 is provided across the central axis of the coupler, and the engaging recess 51 of the socket S10 disposed symmetrically with respect to the central axis and the plug P10 engaged and connected thereto. The lock arm 52 is also used to add an identification function. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the engagement recesses 51 and 51A and the lock arms 52 and 52A having different square widths and rectangular shapes, and the square engagement recess 51 and the lock arm 52 are centered. It is configured by combining three types of arrangements having three different angles, horizontal, right inclination, and left inclination with respect to the axis.

A pair of the second identification means 70 is provided inside the first identification means 60 with the central axis of the connection holding means 50 interposed therebetween, and is disposed symmetrically with respect to the central axis. For example, the coupler 10 The key groove on one side of the socket S10 and the plug P10 and the key on the other side. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the key groove 71 and the pair of keys 72 of the second identification means 70 are arranged in a point-symmetric arrangement and three different angles of horizontal, left-tilt and right-tilt with respect to the central axis. Different types of arrangements (not distinguishable with only three angles) are identified in combination with the first identification means.

By these first identification means 60 and second identification means 70, the first identification means 60 and the second identification means 70 are secured while ensuring reversibility (function that can be identified and connected even if they are inverted 180 degrees). A total of 12 types of identification can be performed by combining 9 types of identification by combinations of angles and 3 types of identification by combinations of the width of the first identification unit 60 and the angle of the second identification unit 70.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second identification means 70 includes a key groove 71 in the socket S10 and a key 72 in the plug P10. The key groove 71 of the socket S10 on one side is formed by the socket body 12. One pair is formed at two diagonal positions which are point-symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis inside the engagement recess 51 of the plug connection hole 12.

On the other hand, two (one pair) keys 72 of the plug P10 on the other side of the identification means 70 are provided with a substantially disc-shaped ring portion 73 at the base end, and the hollow portion is a lock arm of the first identification means 60. The lock arm 52 is placed on the ring portion 55 of the ring 52 so as to be rotatable about the central axis with respect to the plug P10, and the lock arm 52 is inserted into the two guide holes 74 corresponding to the lock arm 52 formed in the ring portion 73. Thus, the ring portion 73 can reciprocate in the central axis direction of the plug P10. Then, two (one pair) keys 72 are integrally formed on the disk of the ring portion 73 so as to correspond to the pair of key grooves 71 so as to protrude vertically.

As a result, the key 72 constituting the second identification means 70 can be fitted and connected to the key groove 71 of the socket S10, and can be rotated about the central axis with respect to the plug body 31, so that the socket S10 and the plug P10 are connected. Even if a force around the central axis is applied, this can be allowed in a state where it is connected to the key groove 71, and damage can be prevented.

In such a coupler 10, it arrange | positions in the inner side with respect to the engagement recessed part 51 of the one side and the lock arm 52 of the other party of the 1st identification means 60 used as the connection holding | maintenance means 50 arrange | positioned in the point symmetry position. By changing the angle of the key groove 71 at the two point-symmetrical positions on the one side of the second identification means 70 and the key 72 at the two point-symmetrical positions on the opposite side, completely one socket S10 and one plug P10 are obtained. It is possible to distinguish from the other while maintaining the state that only can be inverted and inserted and connected.

Accordingly, the key groove 71 and the key 72 of the second identification means 70 are formed, for example, at two diagonal positions that are point-symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis in order to ensure the types that can be identified. While maintaining the state, as shown in FIG. 6, it is arranged at three angles of horizontal, right inclination, and left inclination with respect to the central axis, and exhibits distinctiveness only when combined with the first identification means 60. It is supposed to be. For example, as described above, twelve types of identification can be performed with the three types of angles and the two types of widths of the first and second identification means, and can be inverted and inserted and connected. Can be identified without performing a reversal operation.

Note that the angle formed by the engagement recess 51 and the lock arm 52 and the keyway 71 and the key 72 in the identification means 60 and 70 is changed to more point-symmetrical positions, and the engagement recess 51 and the lock arm. By combining the change of the width of 52, it becomes possible to identify more while maintaining reversibility.

In this way, when the coupler identification means is constituted by the first identification means 60 on the outside sandwiching the central axis of the connection and the second identification means 70 on the inside, the thickness T1 of the device provided with the coupler 10 is: For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, there is no problem when the distance T between the pair of lock arms 52 of the outer first identification means 60 is the same as the distance T (same as the distance between the engagement recesses 51). The means 60, 70 can be made to function and be identified.

However, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the thickness T2 of the device provided with the coupler 10 is the distance T (engagement recess) between the pair of lock arms 52 of the first identifying means 60. If it is thinner than the interval 51), the first identification means 60 cannot function depending on the angle at which the plug P10 is connected. In the case of FIG. The problem arises that it will be possible.

Therefore, it is necessary to be able to identify such a thin device. For example, as shown in FIG. 7C, in a state where the first identification unit 60 does not function, the second identification unit 70 is used. It can respond by configuring so that it can be identified only by. That is, in the range where the first identification means 60 falls between the widths of the thin devices, the second identification means can be identified by the arrangement of the second identification means, or the circumferential width and the radial width of the second identification means. This can be dealt with by adding distinctiveness by changing the shape of the.

Further, when the number of patterns that can be identified increases, it becomes difficult to distinguish the arrangement of keys and key grooves 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.

As described above, according to the coupler 10 of the present invention, the first discriminating means 60 that prevents fitting with a different coupler is provided between the socket S10 of the coupler 10 and the plug P10. A pair of second identification means 70 are provided on the inner side of the first identification means 60, and a pair of second identification means 70 are provided on the inner side of the first coupling means 60. The second identification means 70 is a coupler. 10 is arranged in the inscribed circle of the minimum width of the equipment provided with 10 (in a circle having a diameter of T1, T2), so that a simple shape can be obtained by combining the first and second discriminating means 60, 70. In addition to being able to discriminate many types, the second identifying means 70 is arranged in an inscribed circle having a minimum width T1, T2 (in a circle having diameters T1, T2) for thin devices, By arranging the first identification means 60 on the outside, it is easy. Can simply respond.

Further, according to the coupler 10 of the present invention, the first identifying means 60 and the second identifying means 70 are configured to be point-symmetric with respect to the central axis of the coupler 10 (the central axis of the fitting connection). Therefore, both the first and second identification means 60 and 70 can be reversed and connected to the central axis of the coupler 10 (the central axis of the fitting connection), thereby reversing the identification operation by 180 degrees. Therefore, it is not necessary to confirm, and it can be easily identified by a single identification operation.

Furthermore, according to the coupler 10 of the present invention, when the pair of intervals T of the first identification means 60 is arranged wider than the minimum width T2 of the device provided with the coupler 10, only the second identification means 70 is used. Since it is configured to be discriminable, even when the first discriminating means 60 does not function in the case of a very thin device, it can be discriminated only by the second discriminating means 70, and the couplers 10 of the same specification can have different thicknesses. Even when used in the devices T1, T2, especially the very thin device T2, it can be reliably identified.

According to the coupler 10 of the present invention, the first identification means 60 is configured to be used as the connection holding means 50 that holds the connection between the socket S10 and the plug P10 in a connected state. The coupling state of the coupler can be held by the connection holding means 50 that also serves as the first identification means 60, so that the contents and the like can be reliably supplied.

According to the coupler 10 of the present invention, the connection holding means 50 is provided in either one of the socket S10 and the plug P10 so that the lock arm 52 can be rotated around the central axis of the coupler 10, and the lock arm 52 is provided in either one of them. Is provided with an engaging recess 51 to be engaged with the lock arm 52. The first discriminating means 60 can be reciprocated in the central axis direction with respect to the lock arm 52, and can be rotated about the central axis with respect to the coupler 10. Since the lock arm 52 of the connecting and holding means 50 is rotatable around the central axis of the coupler 10, even if a rotational force is applied between the socket S 10 and the plug P 10, this is allowed. Can do.

According to the coupler 10 of the present invention, the connection holding means 50 and the first identification means 60 are provided with the protrusion 55 or the groove intersecting the connection direction in the lock arm 52, while the engagement recess 51 is engaged with the protrusion 55 or the groove. Since the hooks 53 or projections to be combined are provided, the connection state can be reliably maintained by the projections 55 of the lock arm 52 and the hooks 53 of the engagement recess 51, or the grooves of the lock arm and the protrusions of the engagement recess. A click feeling (sound, vibration, etc. caused by getting over) is generated by getting over at the time of engagement or release, and it can be known that the engagement or release is surely made.

Further, in this coupler 10, when a rotational force is applied, the ring portion 73 provided with the key 72 can be freely rotated with respect to the plug main body 31 to release the rotation, and the connection holding state can be automatically released. Thus, a cam mechanism 80 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, this cam mechanism 80 has four cams 81 formed at regular intervals (every 90 degrees) around the central axis on the back surface of the ring portion 73 provided with the key 72, and both ends in the circumferential direction. The end portion is an inclined surface, and the center portion is constituted by an end face cam formed into a curved surface. The end face cam 81 has a height that can secure a lift amount sufficient to release the engagement from the state in which the engagement recess 51 of the socket S10 is engaged with the lock arm 52 of the plug P10 by the connection holding means 50. As a cam.

On the other hand, around the central axis of the upper end surface of the intermediate portion 31b of the plug main body 31 of the plug P10, cam followers 82 that follow the cam 81 and change the rotational motion into the axial motion are formed to protrude upward at four locations. In addition, it is composed of inclined surfaces at both ends in the circumferential direction and curved surfaces at the center.

Accordingly, the plug P10 is in the connected holding state in which the engagement recess 51 of the socket S10 and the lock arm 52 of the plug P10 are engaged, and in the engagement state in which the key groove 71 of the socket S10 and the key 72 of the plug P10 are engaged. When a rotational force around the central axis is relatively applied between the socket S10 and the socket S10, the ring portion 55 of the lock arm 52 and the ring portion 73 of the key 72 are respectively applied to the plug body 31 with a slight rotational force. Although it is allowed to rotate, this can be allowed in the range of play of the cam mechanism 80. However, when a larger rotational force is applied, the cam 81 of the cam mechanism 80 is rotated by the relative rotation of the socket S10 and the plug P10. Will be.

As a result, the ring portion 73 in which the key 72 is formed via the cam follower 82 in contact with the cam 81 is guided to the lock arm 52 by the guide hole 74 and lifted in the axial direction, and the ring portion 55 of the lock arm 52 is relatively moved. Thus, the engagement recess 51 of the socket S10 and the lock arm 52 of the plug P10 are connected and held, and the key groove 71 of the socket S10 and the key 72 of the plug P10 are engaged. Opened.

Therefore, the cam mechanism 80 prevents the damage by the rotation of the ring portion 55 of the lock arm 52 and the ring portion 73 of the key 72 when a rotational force is applied, and generates an axial force to automatically Thus, the connected holding state can be released.

This makes it possible to safely and automatically remove the plug P10 from the socket S10 even if an excessive rotational force exceeding the normal use range is applied without damaging the coupler 10 or damaging the equipment of the main body.

Further, by using this cam mechanism 80, even when the plug P10 is removed from the socket S10, it can be removed by generating a pulling force easily by twisting it so as to apply a rotational force around the central axis.

According to such a coupler 10, the plug P10 is provided with the connection holding means 50 and the lock arm 52 of the first identification means 60 so as to be rotatable with respect to the plug body 31, and the key 72 of the second identification means 70 is provided. Since the plug body 31 is provided so as to be rotatable, a member protruding from the plug body 31 can be disposed only on one side of the plug P10, and at the same time, the rotational force applied between the plug P10 and the socket S10 can be reduced. The connection holding state can be released.

In addition, the plug P10 of the coupler 10 is assembled in advance so that the ring portion 53 on which the lock arm 52 is formed is covered with the ring portion 73 on which the key 72 is formed. This makes it easy to assemble.

Further, in this plug P10, the lock arm 52 is arranged so as to protrude on both sides of the projecting coupling portion 32 of the plug body 31, and therefore, when the plug P10 is accidentally dropped by the lock arm 52, the projecting coupling portion 32 is disposed. In particular, it is possible to prevent damage when the protruding connecting portion has a small diameter.

In this coupler 10, the cam follower is integrally provided on the upper end surface of the intermediate portion of the projecting connecting portion of the plug P10, and the cam is provided on the key ring portion. However, the cam and the cam follower may be provided interchangeably. good.

In the coupler 10, the connection holding means 50 and the lock arm 52 of the first identification means 60 are provided on the plug P 10 so as to be rotatable with respect to the plug body 31, and the key 72 of the second identification means 70 is provided on the plug body. Although the member which is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to 31 and protrudes only on one side of the plug P10 is arranged, a lock arm and a key may be provided only on the socket S10 side. At the same time, the connected holding state can be released against the rotational force applied between the plug P10 and the socket S10.

In addition, as an example of the use of these couplers, the case of connecting a methanol container and a main body of a methanol fuel cell has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be used for other purposes, particularly when it is necessary to identify many types. Is preferred.

10 Coupler S10 Socket P10 Plug 11 Socket body (Coupler body)
12 Plug connection hole 13 Valve holder 13a Communication hole 14 Holder seal part 15 Flow path 16 Valve body 16a Valve body 16b Seal part 17 Valve seal part 18 Compression coil spring (biasing means)
19 Mounting hole (for operation member)
19a Stepped rib 20 Socket side operation member 20a Tip portion 21 Connection portion seal portion 21a Tip side wall portion 21b Recess portion 22 Three-position seal member 22a Inner cylindrical portion (connection portion seal member)
22b Approximate disk part (valve seal member)
22c Outer cylindrical part (holder seal member)
31 Plug body 31a Tip portion 31b Middle small diameter portion 31c Middle large diameter portion 31d Base end portion 32 Projection connection portion 32a Seal recess 32b Mounting hole 33 Valve seat 34 Holder seal portion 35 Valve body 35a Valve head 35b Valve stem 35c Guide portion 35e Flow Road groove 35f O-ring mounting part 36 Valve seal part 37 O-ring (valve seal member)
38 Valve holder 38a Channel hole 39 Compression coil spring 40 O-ring (holder seal member)
41 Plug-side operation member 50 Connection holding means 51 Engaging recess 52 Lock arm 53 Hook part 54 Projection part 55 Ring part 60 First identification means 70 Second identification means 71 Key groove 72 Key 73 Ring part 74 Guide hole 80 Cam Mechanism 81 Cam 82 Cam follower N Nozzle T Pair of first identifying means T1, T2 Minimum thickness of equipment

Claims

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,
Between the socket and the plug, a pair of first identification means for preventing fitting with different couplers is provided across the central axis of the coupling connection of the coupler, and inside the first identification means. A pair of second discriminating means is provided across the central axis of the fitting connection, and the second discriminating means is arranged in an inscribed circle having the minimum width of the device provided with the coupler. And a coupler.
The coupler according to claim 1, wherein the first identification means and the second identification means are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the coupler.
When the pair of intervals of the first identification means is arranged wider than the minimum width of the device provided with the coupler, the first identification means can be identified only by the second identification means. Item 3. The coupler according to Item 1 or 2.
The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first identification means is also used as a connection holding means for holding the socket and the plug in a connected state.
The connection holding means is provided with a lock arm rotatably around one of the socket and the plug, and an engagement recess with which the lock arm is engaged is provided on either one of the socket and the plug. In addition, the first identification means can be reciprocated in the direction of the central axis for the lock arm, and can be rotated about the central axis for the coupler. The coupler according to claim 4.
Separating means for the connecting and holding means composed of a cam and a cam follower is provided on either one of the coupler and the member that can reciprocate on the lock arm and that can rotate about the central axis of the coupler. The coupler according to claim 5.
The connection holding means and the first identification means are configured such that the lock arm is provided with a protrusion or groove that intersects the connection direction, and the engagement recess is provided with a hook or protrusion that engages with the protrusion or groove. The coupler according to claim 5 or 6.