Fluid coupler

Abstract

A fluid connector includes a body, a support, a valve assembly, a switch, and an interlocking mechanism. The body has a docking platform with an opening, an interlocking latch, a latch groove, a latching tongue groove, a latching tongue receiving groove, and a safety bolt hole on its docking surface. The support is circumferentially located at the first end of the body and adjacent to the side of the docking platform facing away from the docking surface. The support has a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface, and its interior has a limiting cavity and a bolt hole. The limiting cavity axially penetrates the second mounting surface and the docking surface and communicates with the safety bolt hole. The bolt hole opens into the first mounting surface and communicates with the limiting cavity. The valve assembly includes a ball core with a channel and pivotally mounted within the body. The switch is located on the first mounting surface and includes a handle and a latch; the handle has a pivoting portion and a limiting groove. The interlocking mechanism includes a safety bolt, a spring, and a latch. The safety bolt has a main body, a front column, and a conical part. The main body has a safety bolt ring groove and is housed within a limiting cavity. The front column is inserted into the safety bolt hole, and the conical part protrudes beyond the mating surface. A spring is located within the limiting cavity, providing elasticity to hold the safety bolt in a preset position. A locking bolt is housed within a locking bolt hole and includes a limiting part and a locking part. The limiting part and the locking part have shapes that match the limiting groove and the safety bolt ring groove, respectively, so that the locking bolt can lock or unlock the handle when the safety bolt reaches a specific position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fluid connector, and more particularly to a fluid connector with a ball valve structure. Prior Technology

[0002] Fluid connectors are used in pipeline systems for fluid transport, primarily for quickly connecting or disconnecting two pipe sections while controlling the flow of fluid. Traditional fluid connector designs typically prioritize sealing performance and ease of operation, but several technical limitations remain in practical applications. For example, existing fluid connectors may experience valve opening due to accidental or improper operation, leading to fluid leakage. To prevent such accidents, some fluid connectors employ manual locking mechanisms, but these are cumbersome to operate and susceptible to user negligence, reducing system safety. Furthermore, traditional fluid connectors neglect to prevent accidental disconnection when valves are not closed. If the connector is accidentally disconnected while the valve is open, fluid leakage or equipment damage can easily occur.

[0003] Please refer to Figures 1A and 1B. Figure 1A is a side view of a conventional valve connector. Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the interlocking system of the valve connector in Figure 1A. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, prior art discloses a valve connector with a mechanism to prevent the valve from opening when not properly connected and from disengaging when not closed. The mechanism to prevent the valve from opening when not properly connected mainly relies on the coordinated action of components such as the gear 11, pin 12, and roller 14. Specifically, when the valve connector is in the unconnected state, the pin 12 is protruded by spring bias, thereby locking the roller 14. The locked roller 14 restricts the movement of the key pin 18, further preventing the valve from rotating from the closed position to the open position. The gear 11 is disposed between the handle 6 and the pin 12, and is responsible for converting the rotational motion of the handle 6 into the linear motion of the pin 12. Furthermore, the mechanism to prevent the valve from disengaging when not closed also relies on the structural cooperation of the gear 11, pin 12, and roller 14. Through the coordinated action of multiple components, the safety of the valve connector during operation is ensured. When the valve is open, the pin 12 is pushed to its extended position by the actuator, and the pin 12 inserts into the hole of the complementary valve connector, thereby mechanically locking the two valve connectors and preventing them from rotating relative to each other or separating. To separate the valve connectors, the valve connectors must first be rotated, and only after the valve is fully closed will the pin 12 retract into the hole, releasing the lock and allowing the valve connectors to separate.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned valve connector has a complex structure and is bulky. In addition, because the valve is located far from the interface, water overflow is likely to occur when the connector is separated, which affects the convenience of operation and the cleanliness of the system.

[0005] In view of this, how to solve the above problems and shortcomings is an urgent research direction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a fluid connector with multiple anti-misoperation mechanisms. When the fluid connector is not docked, the elastic force of the spring and the limiting effect of the limiting cavity hold the rear end of the main body of the safety bolt in a predetermined position that abuts against the locking part of the bolt. This allows the limiting part of the bolt to engage with the limiting groove at the bottom of the handle, locking the switch and preventing the valve from being accidentally opened when not properly docked. When the fluid connector is docked with another fluid connector, the conical part of the safety bolt aligns with and embeds into the positioning hole of the other fluid connector, and the safety bolt moves to an unlocked position due to pressure. In this unlocked position, the locking part of the bolt, being suspended, falls into the safety bolt ring groove, and the limiting part of the bolt disengages from the limiting groove of the handle, thereby releasing the lock on the switch. Furthermore, after the fluid connector is docked and positioned with another fluid connector, when the switch is rotated to the open position, one end of the locking tongue of the fluid connector will pass through the locking tongue groove on its docking platform and insert into the locking tongue receiving groove on the docking platform of the other fluid connector, thus engaging with the other fluid connector. This mechanism prevents the valves of the two fluid connectors from being opened before they are docked and positioned, and also prevents the two fluid connectors from being disassembled without the valves being closed after docking and positioning.

[0007] A fluid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body, a support portion, a valve assembly, a switch element, and an interlocking mechanism. The body has a first end and a second end. A fluid channel extends between the first end and the second end. The first end of the body is provided with a docking platform, which has a docking surface. The docking surface has an opening communicating with the fluid channel and at least one interlocking buckle and at least one buckle groove arranged circumferentially around the opening. A safety bolt hole and a positioning hole are provided around the periphery of the at least one interlocking buckle and the at least one buckle groove. A locking tongue through groove and a locking tongue receiving groove are also provided between the safety bolt hole and the positioning hole, and the locking tongue through groove and the locking tongue receiving groove are arranged adjacent to each other. The support portion is disposed around the first end of the body and is adjacent to the side of the docking platform facing away from the docking surface. The support portion has a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface. The first mounting surface is adjacent to the side of the docking platform facing away from the docking surface and is perpendicular to the docking surface of the docking platform. The second mounting surface is located on the side of the support portion facing away from the docking platform and is perpendicular to the first mounting surface. The support section has a limiting cavity and a locking hole. The limiting cavity extends axially between the second mounting surface and the mating surface and communicates with the safety bolt hole. The locking hole opens onto the first mounting surface, extends perpendicular to the first mounting surface, and communicates with the limiting cavity. The valve assembly includes a ball core, an upper valve body, and a lower valve stem. The ball core is pivotally mounted in the internal space of the body through one end of the upper valve body and the lower valve stem. The ball core has a channel and can be rotated by the upper valve body to either a connected state or a blocked state. When the ball core is in the connected state, the channel is aligned and connected with the fluid channel. When the ball core is in the second state, the connection between the channel and the fluid channel is blocked. The switch is disposed on the first mounting surface of the support section and includes a handle and a locking tongue. The handle has a pivot portion through which the locking tongue connects to the handle. The pivot portion has a through-hole. The bottom surface of the handle has a limiting groove. The other end of the upper valve body is fixed in the shaft hole, allowing the ball core to move in conjunction with the rotation of the switching element. The interlocking mechanism includes a safety bolt, a spring, and a locking bolt. The safety bolt includes a main body, a front column, and a conical part. A safety bolt annular groove is provided on the outer periphery of the main body. The main body is housed in a limiting cavity, and the front column extends from the main body and is inserted into the safety bolt hole. The outer diameter of the main body matches the inner diameter of the limiting cavity, and the outer diameter of the front column is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body and matches the inner diameter of the safety bolt hole. The conical part is located at the front end of the safety bolt and can protrude beyond the mating surface of the docking platform. The spring is housed in the limiting cavity, with one end abutting against the bottom wall of the limiting cavity and the other end abutting against the rear end of the safety bolt. The locking bolt is movably housed in a locking bolt hole in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the limiting cavity. The locking bolt includes a limiting part and a locking part. A limiting part is located at one end of the bolt and has a shape that matches the limiting groove of the handle, so that the limiting part can engage in the limiting groove to limit the rotation of the handle. A locking part is located at the other end of the bolt and has a shape that matches the safety bolt ring groove, used to engage or disengage from the safety bolt ring groove when the safety bolt moves to a specific position.

[0008] This invention, through the aforementioned technical solution, utilizes a pair of interlocking buckles and buckle grooves of different sizes set on the docking platform to ensure that the fluid connector can only dock with another fluid connector in the correct docking direction, thereby achieving a foolproof function. Furthermore, through the synergistic action of the safety bolt, spring, and latch in the interlocking mechanism, the safety bolt is only released after the fluid connector has completed docking and positioning. The safety bolt is pressed and moves to the unlocking position, allowing the locking part of the latch to be suspended and fall into the safety bolt ring groove, thus effectively preventing the valve from being accidentally opened before the fluid connector has completed docking and positioning. Moreover, the handle is equipped with a button, which serves as a second protection mechanism. When the button is not triggered, the handle cannot rotate freely, thus preventing the valve from being accidentally opened or closed due to external force or accidental contact. In addition, when the fluid connector is docked with another fluid connector, when the switch is rotated to an open position to open the valve, one end of the locking tongue passes through the locking tongue groove and inserts into the locking tongue receiving groove of the other fluid connector, achieving mutual locking. This prevents the coupling from being disconnected before the valve is closed after the two fluid couplings have been docked and positioned, thereby improving operational safety and system stability.

[0009] The above description of the content of this invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of this invention, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of this invention. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0010] Figure 1A is a side view of a conventional valve connector. Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the interlocking system of the valve connector in Figure 1A. Figure 2A is a perspective view of the fluid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2B is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing the fluid connector and pipe fittings in a separated state, as shown in Figure 2A. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the main components of the fluid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fluid connector of an embodiment of the present invention in an unconnected state with another fluid connector. Figure 5 is a top view of the docking platform structure of the fluid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the fluid connector in an unconnected state according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the safety bolt located in a preset position. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fluid connector and another fluid connector in a docking and positioning state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the safety bolt in the unlocked position after the fluid connector of the embodiment of the present invention has completed docking and positioning. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid connector shown in Figure 7 along section 9-9. Implementation

[0011] Please refer to Figures 2A, 2B, and 3. The fluid connector 1 of this embodiment can be used to quickly connect or disconnect two pipeline sections, while controlling the on / off state of the fluid. The fluid connector 1 includes a body 10, a support 20, a valve assembly 40, a switch 50, and an interlocking mechanism 60.

[0012] The body 10 has a first end 101 and a second end 102, which are connected to form a fluid channel 100 for the conduction and transmission of fluid. The first end 101 of the body 10 is provided with a docking platform 103, which is used to dock with another fluid connector to realize the connection of the fluid channels 100 of the two fluid connectors. The docking platform 103 is provided with a docking surface 103S, which is a structural plane for realizing the docking of the fluid connectors.

[0013] The fluid connector 1 may further include a fitting 30. The fitting 30 is connected to the second end 102 of the body 10 and has a pipe channel 301. The pipe channel 301 communicates with the fluid channel 100 of the body 10. Specifically, the body 10 can be connected to the fitting 30 via a threaded structure (not shown) at its second end 102, thereby enabling communication between the fluid channel 100 of the body 10 and the pipe channel 301 of the fitting 30.

[0014] See Figures 4, 5, and 8. The docking surface 103S of the docking platform 103 is provided with an opening 1030 communicating with the fluid channel 100, and at least one pair of interlocking latches 1031 and at least one pair of latching grooves 1032 arranged circumferentially around the opening 1030. The interlocking latches 1031 and latching grooves 1032 constitute an interlocking structure during docking, enabling the fluid connector to be securely engaged during docking, preventing misalignment or loosening, and ensuring sealing and stability.

[0015] The interlocking buckle 1031 includes a handle 1031a that extends axially beyond the docking platform 103, and a docking part 1031b that connects to the handle 1031a and is perpendicular to the handle 1031a.

[0016] The snap-fit ​​groove 1032 has a mating section 1032a and a locking section 1032b. The mating section 1032a has an opening that matches the shape of the mating part 1031b, for guiding the mating part 1031b into the snap-fit ​​groove 1032. The opening of the locking section 1032b is recessed compared to the opening of the mating section 1032a, forming a restrictive area. When the mating part 1031b (not shown) of another fluid connector enters the mating section 1032a and rotates and slides to the locking section 1032b, the recessed opening of the locking section 1032b can effectively restrict the axial movement of the mating part 1031b, ensuring that the two fluid connectors are in a stable mating state and preventing axial separation.

[0017] Specifically, the docking platform 103 is equipped with a pair of interlocking latches 1031 of different sizes and a pair of latching slots 1032 of different sizes. As shown in Figure 5, the interlocking latch 1031 on the left is larger than the interlocking latch 1031 on the right, while the latching slot 1032 on the upper side is smaller than the latching slot 1032 on the lower side. Furthermore, the size of each interlocking latch 1031 matches the size of the docking section 1032a of its corresponding latching slot 1032. This design ensures that the fluid connector can only dock with another fluid connector in the correct docking direction, effectively achieving a foolproof function and preventing incorrect assembly or unstable connections.

[0018] The interlocking latches 1031 and latching slots 1032 are provided with a safety bolt hole 1035 and a positioning hole 1036 on their periphery. The safety bolt hole 1035 is used to receive the front end post 6012 of the safety bolt 601. The positioning hole 1036 is used to align and engage with the conical part 6013 of the safety bolt 601 on the docking platform of another fluid connector to ensure accurate positioning during the docking process.

[0019] A locking tongue groove 1033 and a locking tongue receiving groove 1034 are also provided between the safety bolt hole 1035 and the positioning hole 1036. The locking tongue groove 1033 and the locking tongue receiving groove 1034 are arranged adjacent to each other to cooperate with the locking tongue structure in another fluid connector to achieve a locking function during docking, thereby further improving the stability and safety of the fluid connector.

[0020] The docking platform 103 may also be provided with an additional external locking hole 1037. When the fluid connector docks with another fluid connector, the external locking holes 1037 of the two fluid connectors can overlap each other, thereby allowing the use of additional locking devices to simultaneously pass through and fix the external locking holes 1037 of the two fluid connectors, so as to further enhance the stability of the docking.

[0021] Refer to Figures 2A and 2B. The support portion 20 is disposed around the first end 101 of the main body 10 and is adjacent to the side of the docking platform 103 facing away from the docking surface 103S, to enhance the structural stability at the connection between the docking platform 103 and the main body 10. The support portion 20 has a first mounting surface P1 and a second mounting surface P2. The first mounting surface P1 is adjacent to the side of the docking platform 103 facing away from the docking surface 103S and is perpendicular to the docking surface 103S of the docking platform 103; the second mounting surface P2 is located on the side of the support portion 20 facing away from the docking platform 103 and is perpendicular to the first mounting surface P1.

[0022] See Figures 3 and 6. The support portion 20 contains a limiting cavity 201 and a locking hole 202. The limiting cavity 201 extends axially between the second mounting surface P2 and the mating surface 103S, and communicates with the safety bolt hole 1035. The locking hole 202 opens onto the first mounting surface P1, extends in a direction perpendicular to the first mounting surface P1, and communicates with the limiting cavity 201.

[0023] Referring again to Figure 4, the valve assembly 40 includes a ball core 401, an upper valve body 402, and a lower valve stem 403. The ball core 401 is pivotally mounted in the internal space of the body 10 through one end of the upper valve body 402 and the lower valve stem 403. The ball core 401 has a channel 401P and can be rotated by the upper valve body 402 to either a connected state or a blocked state. When the ball core 401 rotates to the connected state, the channel 401P is aligned with and connected to the fluid channel 100 (not shown in the figure), allowing fluid to pass through; when the ball core 401 rotates to the blocked state, the channel 401P is offset from the position of the fluid channel 100, blocking the passage of fluid. Furthermore, in this embodiment, through the arrangement of the components, the ball core 401 is positioned close to the inner surface of the docking platform 103. This effectively reduces the space between the two valves after the two fluid connectors are docked, thereby significantly reducing the amount of residual liquid between the connectors when they are separated, improving the cleanliness of the system and increasing operational efficiency.

[0024] One end of the upper valve body 402 is located in the shaft hole of the ball core 401, and the other end of the upper valve body 402 is fixed in the shaft hole 5030 on the switch 50, so that the ball core 401 can rotate synchronously with the rotation of the switch 50.

[0025] See Figures 2A, 3, and 4. The switch element 50 is mounted on the first mounting surface P1 of the support portion 20.

[0026] The switch 50 includes a handle 501 and a latch 502. The latch 502 is located at one end opposite to the handle 501. The handle 501 has a pivot part 503, through which a shaft hole 5030 is provided. The latch 502 is connected to the handle 501 through the pivot part 503. When the handle 501 is rotated in one direction to rotate the ball core 401, so that the channel 401P of the ball core 401 is connected to the fluid channel 100, the latch 502 will deflect in the opposite direction.

[0027] See Figures 7 and 9. In this embodiment, a ball groove 203 is provided on the first mounting surface P1 of the support. The handle 501 has a transversely penetrating button hole 5010 and a ball through hole 5011 connected to the button hole 5010 and located on the lower side of the handle 501. The ball through hole 5011 is provided corresponding to the ball groove 203. A button member 5012 is provided in the button hole 5010. The button member 5012 is laterally limited and can perform limited axial displacement. The button member 5012 includes a pressing part 5013 extending out of the button hole 5010 and a pressing core part 5014 located in the button hole 5010. The pressing core part 5014 is recessed in the circumferential direction with a button ring groove 5015. A ball 5016 is housed within the ball bearing through-hole 5011. The depth of the ball bearing through-hole 5011 is less than the diameter of the ball 5016, causing part of the ball 5016 to protrude from the lower side of the handle 501 and embed into the ball bearing groove 203, forming a stable fit. In this embodiment, when the pressing part 5013 is pressed by external force, the button 5012 moves axially, aligning the button ring groove 5015 with the ball bearing through-hole 5011, allowing the ball 5016 to retract upwards into the handle 501, thereby releasing the engagement between the ball 5016 and the ball bearing groove 203, achieving the unlocking purpose.

[0028] This invention provides a button on the handle. When the button is not pressed, the handle is locked and cannot rotate freely, effectively preventing the valve from being accidentally opened or closed due to external force or accidental operation, thus further improving the safety and reliability of operation.

[0029] See Figure 6 for further details. The interlocking mechanism 60 includes a safety bolt 601, a spring 602, and a locking bolt 603.

[0030] The safety bolt 601 includes a main body 6011, a front end post 6012, and a conical part 6013. A safety bolt annular groove 6011G is provided on the outer periphery of the main body 6011. The main body 6011 is housed within a limiting cavity 201. The front end post 6012 extends from the main body 6011 and can be inserted into the safety bolt hole 1035. The outer diameter of the main body 6011 matches the inner diameter of the limiting cavity 201, while the outer diameter of the front end post 6012 is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body 6011 and matches the inner diameter of the safety bolt hole 1035. The conical part 6013 is located at the foremost end of the safety bolt 601 and can protrude beyond the mating surface of the docking platform 103. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the safety bolt hole 1035 is smaller than the inner diameter of the limiting cavity 201. The front end post 6012 of the safety bolt 601 cooperates with the safety bolt hole 1035, while the main body 6011 cooperates with the limiting cavity 201, ensuring that the main body 6011 of the safety bolt 601 is securely locked in the limiting cavity 201, thereby restricting the safety bolt 601 from axially dislodging.

[0031] The spring 602 is housed in the limiting cavity 201, with one end abutting against the bottom wall of the limiting cavity 201 and the other end abutting against the rear end of the safety bolt 601.

[0032] The bolt 603 is movably accommodated within the bolt hole 202 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the limiting cavity 201. The bolt 603 includes a limiting part 6031 and a locking part 6032. The limiting part 6031 is located at one end of the bolt 603 and has a shape that matches the limiting groove 501G of the handle 501, allowing it to engage within the limiting groove 501G and restrict the rotation of the handle 501. The locking part 6032 is located at the other end of the bolt 603 and has a shape that matches the safety bolt ring groove 6011G. When the safety bolt 601 moves to a specific position, the locking part 6032 can be inserted into or disengaged from the safety bolt ring groove 6011G.

[0033] When fluid connector 1A is not connected to another fluid connector 1B, safety bolt 601 is held in a predetermined position. In this predetermined position, the front end of the main body 6011 of safety bolt 601 is pushed by the elastic force of spring 602 and abuts against the wall of the limiting cavity 201 adjacent to the safety bolt hole 1035. The rear end of the main body 6011 of safety bolt 601 abuts against the locking part 6032 of bolt 603, so that the limiting part 6031 of bolt 603 is engaged in the limiting groove 501G of handle 501 to lock the switch.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the locking portion 6032 of the bolt 603 is engaged with the left side of the safety bolt ring groove 6011G. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the locking portion 6032 of the bolt 603 can also be configured to engage with other positions of the main body 6011 of the safety bolt 601, such as the right side of the safety bolt ring groove 6011G. The specific configuration can be adjusted according to actual application requirements, depending on the length of the safety bolt 601 and the setting position of the safety bolt ring groove 6011G, to adapt to different structural requirements.

[0035] See Figures 5 and 8. When the interlocking latches 1031 on the docking platforms 103 of fluid connector 1A and another fluid connector 1B are correctly inserted into the docking sections 1032a of the corresponding latch slots 1032, and the two fluid connectors are rotated in opposite directions to a predetermined angle (for example, each fluid connector rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise), and the docking positioning is completed, the conical portion 6013 of the safety bolt 601 of one fluid connector 1A will align with and be inserted into the positioning hole 1036 on the docking platform 103 of the other fluid connector 1B, thereby achieving the unlocked position.

[0036] At the unlocked position, the safety bolt 601 moves further toward the compression spring 602 compared to the aforementioned preset position, causing the locking part 6032 of the bolt 603 to be suspended and fall into the safety bolt ring groove 6011G, and causing the limiting part 6031 of the bolt 603 to disengage from the limiting groove 501G of the handle 501, thereby releasing the locking state of the handle 501.

[0037] As shown in Figure 8, after being pressed by the docking surface 103S of the docking platform 103 of another fluid connector 1B, the safety bolt 601 moves towards the compression spring 602, and during docking positioning, the position of the safety bolt 601 precisely reaches the unlocking position. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the depth of the positioning hole 1036 matches the length of the cone portion 6013 of the safety bolt 601, and can only accommodate the cone portion 6013. Therefore, during the docking process, the cone portion 6013 of the safety bolt 601 of one fluid connector is first pushed into the limiting cavity 201 of the other fluid connector by the docking platform. When docking positioning is completed, the cone portion 6013 of the safety bolt 601 of the fluid connector aligns and, under the pushing force of the spring 602, slightly pops out of the limiting cavity 201 and embeds into the positioning hole 1036 on the docking platform of the other fluid connector 1B. At this time, the safety bolt 601 reaches the unlock position precisely, so that the locking part 6032 of the bolt 603 falls smoothly into the safety bolt ring groove 6011G, and the limiting part 6031 of the bolt 603 disengages from the limiting groove 501G, thereby releasing the handle 501 from locking.

[0038] Refer to Figure 7 again. Continuing from the previous embodiment, when fluid connector 1A and another fluid connector 1B are docked and positioned, and the handles 501 of the two fluid connectors are rotated in one direction to connect the two fluid channels 100, the fluid channels 100 of the two fluid connectors are connected. The locking tongues 502 of each fluid connector will pass through the locking tongue slots 1033 on their respective docking platforms 103 in opposite directions and insert into the locking tongue receiving slots 1034 of the other fluid connector, thereby achieving mutual engagement of the two fluid connectors. This design effectively prevents disassembly operations when docking and positioning are completed and the valves are not closed, thereby improving the safety and stability of the operation.

[0039] This invention ensures that fluid connectors can only be connected in the correct direction by setting a pair of interlocking latches and latching grooves of different sizes on the docking platform, thus achieving a foolproof function. Simultaneously, the safety bolt, spring, latch, and limiting cavity in the interlocking mechanism work together. Only after the fluid connectors have completed docking and positioning, the safety bolt is pressed and moves, causing the locking part of the latch to fall into the safety bolt ring groove, releasing the lock on the switch and preventing the valve from accidentally opening before docking is complete. Furthermore, the button on the handle serves as a second safety protection mechanism. When the button is not pressed, the handle is locked and cannot be rotated, preventing accidental opening or closing of the valve due to external force or accidental contact. Moreover, when the two fluid connectors are docked and the valve is opened, the locking tongue passes through the locking tongue groove on the docking platform and inserts into the locking tongue groove of the other fluid connector, achieving mutual locking and preventing disassembly without closing the valve, further improving operational safety and system stability. The interlocking mechanism mainly consists of a safety bolt, spring, and latch, simplifying the design and eliminating the need for gears and other components, thus reducing component size. In addition, by optimizing the configuration of each component, the ball core can fit tightly against the inner surface of the docking platform, effectively reducing the amount of water overflow when the fluid connector is separated, and improving the cleanliness and efficiency of the system.

[0040] The present invention has been described in detail above. However, the above description is only one preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the present invention should still fall within the patent coverage of the present invention.

[0041] 1, 1A, 1B: Fluid connectors 10:Ontology 100: Fluid Channel 101: First End 102: Second End 103: Platform Integration 103S: Dating Surface 1030: Opening 1031: Interlocking buckle 1031a: Handle 1031b: Docking section 1032: Clip slot 1032a: Docking Section 1032b: Card System Section 1033: Locking tongue through groove 1034: Locking tongue groove 1035: Safety bolt hole 1036: Positioning hole 1037: External lock hole 20: Support section 201: Limiting cavity 202: Bolt hole 203: Ball Groove 30: Pipe fittings 301: Pipeline 40: Valve assembly 401: Core 401P: Channel 402: Upper valve body 403: Lower valve stem 50: Switching components 501: Handle 502: Locking tongue 503: Pivot section 5030: Shaft Hole 501G: Limiting slot 5010: Button hole 5011: Ball bearing through hole 5012: Button component 5013: Pressing part 5014: Press the core 5015: Button ring groove 5016: Ball bearing 60: Interlocking mechanism 601: Safety Bolt 602: Spring 603: Locking Bolt 6011: Main Body 6011G: Safety Bolt Ring Groove 6012: Front-end column 6013: Conical part 6031: Limiting part 6032: Locking part P1: First mounting surface P2: Second mounting surface

Claims

1. A fluid connector, comprising: A body having a first end and a second end, with a fluid channel passing through the first end and the second end. The first end of the body is provided with a docking platform, the docking platform having a docking surface, the docking surface having an opening communicating with the fluid channel, and at least one interlocking buckle and at least one buckle groove arranged circumferentially around the opening. A safety bolt hole and a positioning hole are provided around the at least one interlocking buckle and the at least one buckle groove. A locking tongue through groove and a locking tongue receiving groove are also provided between the safety bolt hole and the positioning hole, and the locking tongue through groove and the locking tongue receiving groove are arranged adjacent to each other. A support portion is circumferentially disposed at the first end of the main body and adjacent to the side of the docking platform facing away from the docking surface. The support portion has a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface. The first mounting surface is adjacent to the side of the docking platform facing away from the docking surface and is perpendicular to the docking surface of the docking platform. The second mounting surface is located on the side of the support portion facing away from the docking platform and is perpendicular to the first mounting surface. The support portion is provided with a limiting cavity and a locking hole. The limiting cavity extends axially between the second mounting surface and the docking surface and communicates with the safety locking hole. The locking hole opens at the first mounting surface, extends in a direction perpendicular to the first mounting surface, and communicates with the limiting cavity. A valve assembly includes a ball core, an upper valve body, and a lower valve stem. The ball core is pivotally mounted in the internal space of the main body through one end of the upper valve body and the lower valve stem. The ball core is provided with a channel and can be rotated by the upper valve body. A switching component, disposed on the first mounting surface of the support, includes a handle and a locking tongue. The handle has a pivot portion through which the locking tongue connects to the handle. The pivot portion has a through-hole. The bottom surface of the handle has a limiting groove. The other end of the upper valve body is fixed in the shaft hole, allowing the ball core to move in conjunction with the rotation of the switching component. An interlocking mechanism includes a safety bolt, a spring, and a locking bolt. The safety bolt includes a main body, a front post, and a conical portion. The outer periphery of the main body has a safety bolt ring groove. The main body is housed within the limiting cavity. The front post extends from the main body and is inserted into the safety bolt hole. The outer diameter matches the inner diameter of the limiting cavity. The outer diameter of the front column is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body and matches the inner diameter of the safety bolt hole. The conical part is located at the front end of the safety bolt and can protrude beyond the docking surface of the docking platform. The spring is housed in the limiting cavity, with one end abutting against the bottom wall of the limiting cavity and the other end abutting against the rear end of the safety bolt. The latch is movably housed in the latch hole in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the limiting cavity. The latch includes a limiting part and a locking part. The limiting part is located at one end of the latch and has a shape that matches the limiting groove of the handle. The locking part is located at the other end of the latch and has a shape that matches the ring groove of the safety bolt.

2. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 1 further includes a fitting connected to a second end of the body and having a pipe channel communicating with the fluid channel.

3. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interlocking latch includes a handle protruding from the docking platform and a docking portion connected to the handle and disposed perpendicular to the handle, the latch groove including a docking section and a locking section, the docking section having an opening matching the shape of the docking portion, the opening of the locking section being recessed relative to the opening of the docking section, and the opening of the locking section restricting axial separation of the docking portion when the docking portion slides into the locking section.

4. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the docking platform is provided with a pair of interlocking snaps of different sizes and a pair of snap slots of different sizes, the size of each interlocking snap being matched with the size of the docking section of its corresponding snap slot.

5. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the depth of the positioning hole matches the length of the cone portion of the safety bolt.

6. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ball groove is further provided on the second mounting surface of the support portion, a transversely penetrating button hole is further provided on the handle, and a ball through hole located on the lower side of the handle and communicating with the button hole, the position of the ball through hole corresponding to the ball groove.

7. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein a button member is provided in the button hole and is laterally limited and capable of limited axial displacement, the button member including a pressing part extending out of the button hole and a pressing core part disposed in the button hole, the outer periphery of the pressing core part being recessed with a button ring groove.

8. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, When the fluid connector is in an unconnected state, the safety bolt is held in a predetermined position. In this predetermined position, the front end of the main body of the safety bolt is pushed by the spring force against the wall of the limiting cavity adjacent to the safety bolt hole, and the rear end of the main body of the safety bolt abuts against the locking part of the latch, so that the limiting part of the latch engages in the limiting groove of the handle to lock the switch.

9. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein, When the fluid connector is docked with another fluid connector, the conical part of the safety bolt aligns with and is embedded in the positioning hole on the docking platform of the other fluid connector to reach an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the safety bolt moves further toward compressing the spring relative to the predetermined position, causing the locking part of the bolt to be suspended and fall into the safety bolt ring groove.

10. The fluid connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein, After the fluid connector is positioned and docked with another fluid connector, when the switch rotates in one direction to rotate the ball core, the latch will pass through the latch groove in the opposite direction and insert into the latch groove of the other fluid connector, so that the fluid connector and the other fluid connector engage with each other.

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