Connector connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connecting structure which can more easily connect a first connector and a second connector for use in supply of liquid hydrogen.SOLUTION: A first connector 10 comprises a body 12, a first connecting face 32, a rotating ring 40, and a regulation pin 58 for prohibiting the rotation of the rotating ring 40 with respect to the first connecting face 32. When the rotating ring 40 takes a prescribed rotation phase with respect to a second connector 70, the rotating ring 40 can withdraw the second connector 70 up to an abutment position in an axial direction, and by rotating with respect to the first connecting face 32 with the second connector 70 withdrawn at the abutment position, engages with a part of the second connector 70 to maintains a connecting state. When the second connector 70 is withdrawn to the abutment position, the regulation pin 58 moves from a regulating position at which the rotation of the rotating ring 40 is prohibited to a permitting position at which the rotation of the rotating ring 40 is permitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present specification discloses a connector connection structure that connects a first connector provided on one of a liquid hydrogen supply source and a storage unit, and a second connector provided on the other of the supply source and the storage unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Hydrogen may be supplied in liquid form from a supply source to a storage unit. For example, some hydrogen stations receive hydrogen in liquid form from a tank truck, which is the supply source, and store it. Typically, the supply source is provided with a first connector, and the storage unit is provided with a second connector that can be connected to the first connector. Then, by connecting the first connector and the second connector, liquid hydrogen can be supplied from the supply source to the storage unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-071778 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to properly supply liquid hydrogen, the first connector and the second connector need to be connected in a liquid-tight manner. To achieve this, some have proposed a technique in which the first connector is screwed to the second connector while the first connector is in close contact with the second connector. However, this makes the connection process very complicated and time-consuming.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for extracting liquid stored in a tank. However, the technique in Patent Document 1 utilizes the siphon effect, and is difficult to apply to the supply of liquid hydrogen.

[0006] Therefore, this specification discloses a connection structure that can more easily connect a first connector and a second connector used for supplying liquid hydrogen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector connection structure disclosed in this specification is a connector connection structure that connects a first connector provided on one of a liquid hydrogen supply source and a storage unit, and a second connector provided on the other of the supply source and the storage unit, wherein the first connector comprises a main body, a first coupling surface that is fixed to the main body and against which a second coupling surface of the second connector abuts, a rotatable ring that surrounds the first coupling surface and is rotatable relative to the first coupling surface, and a restricting pin that prohibits rotation of the rotatable ring relative to the first coupling surface, wherein the rotatable ring is capable of retracting the second connector in the axial direction to an abutment position where the second coupling surface abuts the first coupling surface when the rotatable ring has a predetermined rotation phase with respect to the second connector, and further, the rotatable ring rotates relative to the first coupling surface with the second connector retracted to the abutment position, thereby engaging with a part of the second connector to maintain the coupled state, and the restricting pin moves from a restricting position that prohibits rotation of the rotatable ring to an allowing position that allows rotation of the rotatable ring when the second connector is retracted to the abutment position. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, the operation of positioning the rotational phase of the rotatable ring with respect to the second connector and the operation of engaging the rotatable ring with the second connector can be easily performed. As a result, according to the technology disclosed in this specification, the first connector and the second connector used for supplying liquid hydrogen can be more easily connected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 2 is a perspective view of a first connector and a second connector; FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 2 in a state where the restriction pin is in a restriction position. [Diagram 5] 3 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 2 in a state where the restriction pin is in an allowable position. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between the interlock member and the accommodating recess when the first valve is closed. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between the interlock member and the accommodating recess when the first valve is open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The connector connection structure will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first connector 10 and a second connector 70. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector 10. The first connector 10 is connected to a liquid hydrogen supply source 100. The second connector 70 is connected to a liquid hydrogen storage section 110. When liquid hydrogen is supplied from the supply source 100 to the storage section 110, the first connector 10 and the second connector 70 are liquid-tightly connected. When the storage section 110 is a fuel cell vehicle or a hydrogen engine vehicle, the supply source 100 is a hydrogen tank at a hydrogen station or a tank truck that transports liquid hydrogen. When the storage section 110 is a hydrogen tank at a hydrogen station, the supply source 100 is a tank truck. In another embodiment, the second connector 70 may be provided to the supply source 100, and the first connector 10 may be provided to the storage section 110.

[0011] The first connector 10 includes a main body 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 12 has a flange portion 12a at its end that protrudes in the radial direction. A first flow path 16 is formed inside the main body 12. The first flow path 16 has a gas pipe 20 and a liquid pipe 18 disposed inside the gas pipe 20. In other words, the first flow path 16 has a double pipe structure. Liquid hydrogen flows through the inside of the liquid pipe 18 to the second connector 70. Vaporized hydrogen gas passes through a gap between the liquid pipe 18 and the gas pipe 20 and is sucked into the supply source 100 side.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, a first connecting plate 30 is provided at an end of the first connector 10 (i.e., an end on the second connector 70 side). The first connecting plate 30 is mechanically connected to the main body 12 via an intermediate tube 24. Therefore, the first connector 10 does not rotate with respect to the main body 12. The end surface of the first connecting plate 30 functions as a first connecting surface 32 with which a second connecting plate 72 described later abuts. A central hole 34 is formed at the center of the first connecting plate 30. A first valve 26 is disposed between the central hole 34 and the first flow passage 16. The first valve 26 is a ball valve. The first valve 26 rotates about a rotation axis 68 to connect or disconnect the central hole 34 and the first flow passage 16.

[0013] The rotating ring 40 is a tubular member that surrounds the periphery of the first connecting plate 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating ring 40 is mechanically connected to the rotating body 46 via a connecting bar 52. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the rotating body 46 is a tubular member that surrounds the periphery of the main body 12. A handle 50 that an operator grasps is fixed to the circumferential surface of the rotating body 46. The rotating body 46 is not fixed to the main body 12. Therefore, the rotating body 46, the handle 50, and the rotating ring 40 are rotatable relative to the main body 12 and the first connecting surface 32. When a regulating pin 58, which will be described later, is in a predetermined regulating position, the rotation of the rotating ring 40 relative to the main body 12 is regulated.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rotatable ring 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the rotatable ring 40 is formed with four engagement recesses 42. The engagement recesses 42 are generally L-shaped cutouts that extend axially from an end of the rotatable ring 40 (i.e., the end closer to the first connector 10) and then extend circumferentially. Hereinafter, the portion of the engagement recesses 42 that extends axially will be referred to as the "entrance 42a," and the portion that extends circumferentially will be referred to as the "tail 42b."

[0015] When the first connector 10 is brought close to the second connector 70 with the rotation phase of the inlet 42a coinciding with the rotation phase of the engagement pin 76 (see FIG. 1) of the second connector 70, the engagement pin 76 enters the inlet 42a. This causes the second connector 70 to be retracted in the axial direction to a predetermined abutment position. At the abutment position, the second coupling surface 74 abuts against the first coupling surface 32. When the second connector 70 is retracted to the abutment position and the rotatable ring 40 is further rotated relative to the first coupling surface 32, the engagement pin 76 enters the tail portion 42b and engages with the tail portion 42b. This engagement maintains the second coupling surface 74 in abutment against the first coupling surface 32.

[0016] An accommodating recess 44 is further formed in a portion of the circumferential direction of the rotatable ring 40. The accommodating recess 44 is formed by partially reducing the plate thickness of the peripheral wall of the rotatable ring 40. The accommodating recess 44 receives an interlock member 64, which will be described later.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 2, the first valve 26 is connected to the interlock member 64 and the first gear 62 via a rotating shaft 68. An opening / closing lever 66 (see Fig. 1) is connected to an end of the first gear 62. When the opening / closing lever 66 is swung, the first gear 62, the interlock member 64, and the rotating shaft 68 rotate, and the first valve 26 is opened or closed by the rotation of the rotating shaft 68. In other words, the first valve 26 is opened or closed by the swinging of the opening / closing lever 66. When the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 70, the first gear 62 meshes with a second gear 84, which will be described later.

[0018] The interlock member 64 is a non-circular member integral with the first gear 62 on an upper surface of the first gear 62. The interlock member 64 prevents improper opening of the first valve 26 and improper disconnection of the connector. The interlock member 64 will be described in more detail below.

[0019] 4 and 5 are enlarged views of part A in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first connector 10 has a pin hole 54, a pressing pin 56, a restricting pin 58, and a spring 60. The pin hole 54 is an axially long hole. The pin hole 54 spans both the rotating body 46 and the flange portion 12a of the main body 12. The restricting pin 58 is disposed inside the pin hole 54. The restricting pin 58 advances and retreats between a restricting position that restricts the relative rotation of the rotating ring 40 with respect to the main body 12 and an allowing position that allows the relative rotation.

[0020] When the restriction pin 58 is in the restriction position, the restriction pin 58 straddles both the rotating body 46 and the main body 12. Fig. 4 shows the state in which the restriction pin 58 is in the restriction position. When the restriction pin 58 is in the restriction position, the rotation of the rotating body 46 relative to the main body 12 is restricted, and the rotation of the rotatable ring 40 relative to the first coupling surface 32 is restricted.

[0021] When the regulating pin 58 is in the permissible position, the regulating pin 58 is completely contained inside the rotating body 46 and completely removed from the main body 12. Fig. 5 shows the state in which the regulating pin 58 is in the permissible position. The spring 60 biases the regulating pin 58 in the direction of the regulating position. When the regulating pin 58 is in the permissible position, rotation of the rotating body 46 relative to the main body 12 is permitted, and rotation of the rotatable ring 40 relative to the first coupling surface 32 is also permitted.

[0022] The pressing pin 56 is a pin disposed on the axial end side of the restricting pin 58. The first connecting plate 30 is formed with a through hole 35 through which the pressing pin 56 passes. The base end of the pressing pin 56 is inserted into the pin hole 54, and the end of the pressing pin 56 is inserted into the through hole 35. As shown in FIG. 4, when the restricting pin 58 is in the restricting position, the end of the pressing pin 56 protrudes outward from the first connecting surface 32. As shown in FIG. 5, when the second connecting surface 74 is pressed against the first connecting surface 32, the pressing pin 56 and the restricting pin 58 are retracted in a chain reaction toward the axial base end side. As a result, the restricting pin 58 moves to the allowable position.

[0023] Next, the second connector 70 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, a second flow path 80 through which liquid hydrogen and hydrogen gas pass is formed inside the second connector 70. A second valve 82 is provided in the second flow path 80. A second gear 84 is connected to the second valve 82 via a rotating shaft (not shown). When the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 70, the second gear 84 meshes with the first gear 62. Then, by swinging the opening / closing lever 66 with the second gear 84 meshing with the first gear 62, the first valve 26 and the second valve 82 are opened and closed in synchronization.

[0024] A second connecting plate 72 is provided at an end of the second connector 70 (i.e., the end on the first connector 10 side). The end surface of the second connecting plate 72 functions as a second connecting surface 74 that abuts against the first connecting surface 32. Four engagement pins 76 extend radially from the circumferential surface of the second connecting plate 72. The configuration of the engagement recesses 42 and the engagement pins 76 may be changed. For example, the engagement recesses 42 may be grooves rather than notches. Furthermore, the engagement pins 76 may be provided in the first connector 10, and the engagement recesses 42 may be provided in the second connector 70.

[0025] Next, a procedure for connecting the first connector 10 and the second connector 70 will be described. When connecting the connectors, the worker grasps the handle 50 and matches the rotational phase of the entrance 42a of the engagement recess 42 with the rotational phase of the engagement pin 76. Once the rotational phase has been properly adjusted, the worker moves the first connector 10 in the axial direction and inserts the engagement pin 76 into the entrance 42a. This causes the second connector 70 to be pulled in the axial direction to a predetermined abutment position.

[0026] When the second connector 70 is retracted to the abutment position, the second coupling surface 74 abuts against the first coupling surface 32, and the pressing pin 56 is pressed in the proximal direction. This causes the restricting pin 58 to retreat from the restricting position to the allowable position. When the restricting pin 58 reaches the allowable position, the rotation of the rotating ring 40 relative to the first coupling surface 32 is allowed. In this state, the operator rotates the rotating ring 40 relative to the first coupling surface 32. This causes the engaging pin 76 to enter the tail portion 42b of the engaging recess 42. In this state, the axial movement of the second connector 70 relative to the first connector 10 is restricted, so that the abutment state between the first coupling surface 32 and the second coupling surface 74 is maintained. In this state, the connecting operation between the first connector 10 and the second connector 70 is completed.

[0027] As is clear from the above description, in this example, when the second connecting surface 74 is not in contact with the first connecting surface 32, rotation of the rotatable ring 40 relative to the main body 12 is restricted. Moreover, when the second abutment surface is in contact with the first connecting surface 32, rotation of the rotatable ring 40 relative to the main body 12 is permitted. The reason for this configuration will be explained.

[0028] If the rotating ring 40 is always rotatable relative to the main body 12, the rotating ring 40 will move unsteadily relative to the main body 12, making it difficult to align the rotation phase of the rotating ring 40 with the second connector 70. On the other hand, if the rotating ring 40 is always non-rotatable relative to the main body, it is necessary to rotate the main body 12 itself with the first connecting surface 32 abutting against the second connecting surface 74 in order to engage the engagement pin 76 with the tail portion 42b. However, when attempting to rotate the main body 12, the first connecting plate 30 connected to the main body 12 will tilt or move in the axial direction. Therefore, it is difficult to rotate the main body 12 while maintaining the abutment state between the first connecting surface 32 and the second connecting surface 74. In addition, if the rotating ring 40 is not rotatable relative to the main body 12, the first connecting plate 30 will rotate relative to the second connecting plate 72 while remaining in abutment against the second connecting plate 72. In this case, the first connecting plate 30 and the second connecting plate 72 rub against each other, resulting in wear of the first connecting surface 32 and the second connecting surface 74.

[0029] On the other hand, in the case of the present example in which the rotatable ring 40 does not rotate relative to the main body 12 when the first coupling surface 32 is not in contact with the second coupling surface 74, the operation of positioning the rotation phase of the rotatable ring 40 relative to the second connector 70 becomes easy. Also, according to this example, when the first coupling surface 32 is in close contact with the second coupling surface 74, the rotatable ring 40 can be rotated without rotating the main body 12 and the first coupling plate 30. As a result, the second connector 70 can be engaged with the first connector 10 with a relatively simple operation.

[0030] Next, the interlock function in this embodiment will be described. The connector connection structure in this embodiment has an interlock function that prevents both the first valve 26 from being released at an inappropriate timing and the connector from being disconnected at an inappropriate timing. This interlock function will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

[0031] 6 and 7 are schematic three-view diagrams of the rotating ring 40 and the interlock member 64. In FIG. 6 and FIG. <vt>FIG. 1 is a plan view of the rotating ring 40 and the interlock member 64. <vb>FIG. 1 is a rear view of the rotating ring 40 and the interlock member 64. <vbb>is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B; <vcc>is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows the first valve 26 in a closed state, and FIG. 7 shows the first valve 26 in an open state. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the interlock member 64 is non-circular in plan view and is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis 68. When the first valve 26 is closed, the interlock member 64 is located at a predetermined closed position, and when the first valve 26 is open, the interlock member 64 is located at a predetermined open position. As shown in FIG. 6, when the first valve 26 is in the closed position, the entire interlock member 64 is located axially outside the rotatable ring 40. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, when the rotatable ring 40 is in the open position, the axial range of the interlock member 64 partially overlaps with the axial range of the rotatable ring 40.

[0033] As described above, the rotatable ring 40 rotates relative to the first connecting plate 30. Hereinafter, the rotational phase when the engagement pin 76 enters the entrance 42a of the engagement recess 42 will be referred to as the "initial rotational phase," and the rotational phase when the engagement pin 76 advances to the end of the engagement recess 42 will be referred to as the "connected rotational phase." In Fig. 6, the rotatable ring 40 is in the initial rotational phase, and in Fig. 7, the rotatable ring 40 is in the connected rotational phase.

[0034] 6, in the initial rotation phase, the accommodation recess 44 of the rotatable ring 40 is in a position that does not axially face the interlock member 64. In this case, even if an attempt is made to open the first valve 26 and thus move the interlock member 64 to the open position, the interlock member 64 interferes with the rotatable ring 40. In other words, in a state in which the connection between the first connector 10 and the second connector 70 is not complete, the interlock member 64 interferes with the rotatable ring 40, and therefore the first valve 26 cannot be opened.

[0035] 7, in the coupled rotation phase, the accommodating recess 44 of the rotatable ring 40 faces the interlock member 64 in the axial direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, when the interlock member 64 moves to the open position, a part of the interlock member 64 is received in the accommodating recess 44. In other words, when the rotatable ring 40 is in the coupled rotation phase, the interlock member 64 does not interfere with the rotatable ring 40 even if the first valve 26 is opened. In other words, when the coupling between the first connector 10 and the second connector 70 is completed, there is no interference between the interlock member 64 and the rotatable ring 40, so the first valve 26 can be opened.

[0036] Furthermore, when the interlock member 64 is in the open position, even if an attempt is made to rotate the rotatable ring 40, the interlock member 64 gets in the way and the rotatable ring 40 cannot be rotated. Therefore, when the first valve 26 is open, the rotatable ring 40 cannot be moved from the coupled rotation phase, and the coupling between the first connector 10 and the second connector 70 cannot be released.

[0037] In this way, by providing the interlock member 64 and the accommodating recess 44, it is possible to reliably prevent the first valve 26 from being opened before the connection of the connectors is completed, and to prevent the connection of the connectors from being released with the first valve 26 left open. As described above, in this example, the first gear 62 and the second gear 84 mesh with each other, so that the first valve 26 and the second valve 82 open and close synchronously. With this configuration, the interlock function provided in the first connector 10 can also prevent the second valve 82 from being opened or closed inappropriately. This further improves the safety of the liquid hydrogen supply operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10 first connector, 12 main body, 12a flange portion, 16 first flow path, 18 liquid pipe, 20 gas pipe, 24 intermediate pipe, 26 first valve, 30 first connecting plate, 32 first connecting surface, 34 center hole, 35 through hole, 40 rotating ring, 42 engagement recess, 44 accommodation recess, 46 rotating body, 50 handle, 52 connection bar, 54 pin hole, 56 pressing pin, 58 regulating pin, 60 spring, 62 first gear, 64 interlock member, 66 opening / closing lever, 68 rotating shaft, 70 second connector, 72 second connecting plate, 74 second connecting surface, 76 engagement pin, 80 second flow path, 82 second valve, 84 second gear, 100 supply source, 110 storage portion.< / vcc> < / vbb> < / vb> < / vt>

Claims

1. A connector connection structure for connecting a first connector provided on one of a liquid hydrogen supply source and a storage section, and a second connector provided on the other of the supply source and the storage section, The first connector is The main body, a first coupling surface fixed to the main body and adapted to receive a second coupling surface of the second connector; a rotatable ring surrounding the first coupling surface and rotatable relative to the first coupling surface; A restriction pin that prohibits rotation of the rotating ring relative to the first connecting surface; When the rotating ring has a predetermined rotation phase with respect to the second connector, the rotating ring can retract the second connector in the axial direction to an abutment position where the second coupling surface abuts against the first coupling surface, and the rotating ring rotates with respect to the first coupling surface in a state where the second connector is retracted to the abutment position, thereby engaging with a portion of the second connector to maintain a coupled state, the restricting pin moves from a restricting position that prohibits rotation of the rotatable ring to an allowing position that allows rotation of the rotatable ring when the second connector is pulled to the abutting position, The main body has a flange portion that protrudes in a radial direction, The first connector further comprises: a rotating body surrounding the main body and rotatable relative to the main body together with the rotating ring; a pin hole extending in an axial direction so as to straddle the rotating body and the flange portion, the pin hole through which the restriction pin is inserted; A pressing pin having a portion protruding from the first connecting surface and another portion inserted into the pin hole; Equipped with the restriction position is a position where the restriction pin straddles both the flange portion and the rotating body, and the allowable position is a position where the restriction pin is completely removed from the flange portion, When the pressing pin is pressed in the axial direction by the second connecting surface, the pressing pin and the regulating pin are retracted in the axial direction in a chain reaction, whereby the regulating pin moves from the regulating position to the allowing position. A connector connection structure characterized by the above.

2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1, When the first connector and the second connector are connected to each other, the rotating ring has a predetermined connection rotation phase with respect to the first connection surface, The first connector further comprises: a first valve for opening and closing the flow path of the liquid hydrogen; an interlock member that prohibits the first valve from being opened when the rotatable ring is not in the coupled rotation phase and prohibits the rotatable ring from rotating from the coupled rotation phase when the first valve is opened; A connector connection structure comprising:

3. The connector connection structure according to claim 2, the interlock member moves together with the first valve so as to be positioned at a closed position where it does not interfere with the rotatable ring when the first valve is closed, and to be positioned at an open position when the first valve is opened; The rotating ring has an accommodating recess in a part in a circumferential direction, When the rotating ring is not in the coupled rotation phase, the rotating ring interferes with the interlock member in the process of moving from the closed position to the open position, When the rotating ring is in the coupled rotation phase, the rotating ring receives at least a portion of the interlock member in the open position in the receiving recess; When a portion of the interlock member is received in the accommodating recess, rotation of the rotatable ring relative to the first coupling surface is restricted. A connector connection structure characterized by the above.

4. The connector connection structure according to claim 2 or 3, The first connector further comprises: an opening / closing lever that is mechanically connected to the first valve and that opens and closes the first valve when operated; A first gear that rotates together with the opening / closing lever; the second connector further comprises: a second valve for opening and closing the flow path of the liquid hydrogen; a second gear that rotates with the second valve and meshes with the first gear when the first connector is connected to the second connector; wherein the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other, so that the first valve and the second valve are opened and closed in synchronization with each other. A connector connection structure characterized by the above.

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