pipe joint

Abstract

The present invention provides a pipe joint capable of immediately shutting off a hydrogen flow path at an initial stage when a plug (nozzle side member) is detached from a socket (filling device side member) to prevent release of a fugitive gas. The pipe joint of the present invention includes a cylindrical nozzle side member having a shut-off valve, in which a passage is formed, and a cylindrical filling device side member having a shut-off valve, in which a passage is formed, wherein when the nozzle side member and the filling device side member are connected to each other, the center axes of the passages of the nozzle side member and the filling device side member do not form the same straight line, and the center axes of the passages are offset without intersecting, the shut-off valves of the two members are opened to make the passages of the two members communicate with each other, and when the nozzle side member is separated from the filling device side member, the shut-off valves of the two members are closed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a filling device for filling gases such as hydrogen used as fuel. More specifically, this invention relates to a pipe fitting for separating the filling device and the gas filling nozzle from each other in an emergency when filling gas with the filling device. Background Technology

[0002] For example, such as Figure 15 As shown, for vehicle A, which uses hydrogen as fuel, hydrogen is filled at the hydrogen filling station after the filling nozzle 202 at one end of the filling hose 201 attached to the hydrogen filling equipment 200 and the vehicle-side filling port 203 are connected to each other. Filling is performed while being controlled according to the maximum operating pressure of the hydrogen tank 204 mounted on vehicle A. Here, for example, if vehicle A is running while filling hydrogen and the filling hose 201 is pulled, components such as the filling nozzle 202 and the filling hose 201 may be damaged, causing hydrogen to spray out and creating a dangerous situation. Therefore, an emergency release connector 300 is installed between the hydrogen filling equipment 200 and the filling hose 201, and when a pulling force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the filling hose 201, the emergency release connector 300 is opened to prevent damage to components such as the filling nozzle 202 and the filling hose 201.

[0003] As prior art, the applicant has proposed a pipe fitting (for emergency release) comprising: a cylindrical plug (filling nozzle side member) having a passage formed therein; a cylindrical socket (filling device side member) having a passage formed therein; a shut-off valve opening the passage between the plug and the socket when the plug is inserted into the socket, thereby connecting the passages to each other, and closing the shut-off valve when the plug is separated from the socket. In a pipe fitting for emergency release, the central axes of the passages of the plug and the socket are not on the same straight line. When the plug is reinserted into the socket, the end of the valve stem on the socket side (the end of the valve element opposite to the end of the valve stem on the socket side) abuts against the plug-side stem housing, and the valve element mounted on the other side of the valve stem resists the elastic repulsive force of the elastomer located on the socket side and is held in a position separate from the valve seat on the socket side. The locking member held in the plug-side housing restricts radial outward movement by the inner wall of the opening on the socket body side. The valve stem on the plug side abuts against the locking member and does not move toward the socket side. The valve body provided on the valve stem on the plug side resists the elastic repulsive force of the elastomer on the plug side and is held in a position separate from the valve seat on the plug side (see Patent Document 1). This type of pipe fitting is very useful.

[0004] However, as Figure 16 As shown, in the pipe fitting 100 (of Patent Document 1), when a large tensile force is applied to the filling hose 201 (in... Figure 15When the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20 (as shown in the upper part of FIG. 1) and at the initial stage of the process of pulling the plug 10 out of the socket 22 (the stage at which the plug 10 starts to come out), the socket-side stem 22 connected to the valve body 25 on the socket 20 side is placed on the plug-side valve stem 2 or the cover member 3 of the valve stem. In the state in which the socket-side stem 22 is placed on the plug-side valve stem 2 or the cover member 3 of the valve stem (as shown in the lower part of FIG. 1), the socket-side valve body 25 is positioned away from the socket-side valve seat 21E against the elastic repulsive force of the spring 23 on the socket 20 side, which causes the socket-side stop valve 24 to remain in the open state. Figure 16 In the state shown in the lower part of FIG. 1, the high-pressure hydrogen gas supplied from the filling device 200 (as shown by the arrow HG) flows into the pipe joint 100 through the opening 21C on the socket 20 and is supplied to the plug 10. Figure 16 In the stage shown in the upper part of FIG. 1, that is, the initial stage of pulling the plug 10 out of the socket 20 (the stage at which the plug 10 starts to be pulled out), the high-pressure hydrogen gas supplied from the filling device 200 (as shown by the arrow HG) flows out to the outside of the pipe joint 100 as so-called "outgassing gas" through the opening 21C on the socket 20 (as shown by the arrow OG in FIG. 1). Figure 15 Figure 16

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6540967 SUMMARY

[0008] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The present invention has been achieved in view of the above-described problems in the related art, and aims to provide a pipe joint that can immediately shut off a hydrogen gas flow path to prevent the release of outgassing gas at the initial stage when a plug as a nozzle-side member is pulled out of a socket as a filling device-side member.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] ​​The pipe joint (100) of the present application includes a cylindrical nozzle side member (10: plug) having a shut-off valve (5: plug side shut-off valve) with a passage (1A: plug inner passage) formed therein, and a cylindrical filling device side member (20: spigot) with a shut-off valve (24: spigot side shut-off valve) with a passage (21A: spigot inner passage) formed therein, wherein when the nozzle side member (10) and the filling device side member (20) are connected to each other, the center axes of the passages of the nozzle side member (10) and the filling device side member (20) do not form the same straight line, and the center axes of the passages (1A, 21A) are offset without intersecting, the shut-off valves (5, 24) of the two members (10, 20) are opened to make the passages (1A, 21A) of the two members (10, 20) communicate with each other, and when the nozzle side member (10) is separated from the filling device side member (20), the shut-off valves (5, 24) of the two members (10, 20) are closed.

[0012] In the present application, it is preferable that the filling device side member (20) includes a filling device side rod-like member (22: spigot side rod) extending from a valve body (25) of the shut-off valve (24) to the nozzle side member (10) side, and the pipe joint (100) further includes a first conversion mechanism (26) for converting movement of the nozzle side member (10) into rotation of the filling device side rod-like member (22) when the nozzle side member (10) is separated from the filling device side member (20), and a second conversion mechanism (27) for converting rotation of the filling device side rod-like member (22) into movement of the rod-like member (22) toward the nozzle side member (10) in the direction of the center axis of the rod-like member (22).

[0013] Here, it is preferable that the first conversion mechanism (26) includes a recess (3A: for example, a channel or a hole) formed on a protruding portion (3: plug side protruding portion) of the nozzle side member (10) that is inserted into a through-hole (21C: spigot through-hole) formed in the filling device side member (20) in a state in which the nozzle side member (10) and the filling device side member (20) are connected to each other, and a first protrusion (22A) formed on the filling device side member (20) and capable of being inserted into the recess (3A).

[0014] Additionally, preferably, the second conversion mechanism (27) includes: a second protrusion (22B) disposed on the end portion (end of the port-side rod 22) of the filling device-side rod member (22) located on the side separated from the valve body (25) of the filling device-side shut-off valve (24); and a hollow member (28: first cylindrical member) having an upper edge portion (28A) on which the second protrusion (22B) can be placed, wherein when the nozzle-side member (10) is connected to the filling device-side member (20), the second protrusion (22B) is placed on the upper edge portion (28A), and when the filling device-side rod member (22) is rotated, the second protrusion (22B) separates from the upper edge portion (28A) and moves in the hollow internal space (28B).

[0015] Preferably, the second protrusion (22B) has a rectangular shape, and the upper edge portion (28A) of the hollow member (28) has a shape with a radially inwardly projecting protrusion (28C) at a position symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the hollow member (28) (radially opposite to each other), and when the nozzle side member (10) is connected to the filling device side member (20), the two ends of the second protrusion (22B) in the longitudinal direction are located on the protrusion (28C) at the upper edge portion (28A) of the hollow member (28), and the filling device side rod member (22) rotates, and the two ends of the second protrusion (22B) disengage from the protrusion (28C) of the upper edge portion (28A).

[0016] Effects of the present invention

[0017] For a pipe fitting (100) with the above structure, since the central axes of the passages (1A: plug inner passage, 21A: socket inner passage) are not aligned (e.g., the central axes are orthogonal), and the central axes of the passages (1A, 21A) are offset and do not intersect, the movement of the nozzle-side member (10) when the nozzle-side member (10) separates from the filling device-side member (20) can be easily converted into the rotation of the filling device-side rod member (22). Then, the rotation of the filling device-side rod member (22) can be quickly and reliably converted into the movement of the filling device-side rod member (22) toward the nozzle-side member (10) on its central axis. For example, by utilizing the elastic body (23: socket-side spring) on ​​the filling device side member (20), the movement of the filling device side rod member (22) toward the nozzle side member (10) causes the valve body (25: socket-side valve body) of the filling device side shut-off valve (24: socket-side shut-off valve) to be pressed against the valve seat (21E: socket-side valve seat) by the elastic repulsive force of the elastic body (23), and the filling device side shut-off valve (24) closes quickly and reliably. As a result, in this invention, compared with the reference photograph... Figure 16In contrast to the described prior art, the filling device side valve body (25) is immediately in place on the filling device side valve seat (21E) to close the shut-off valve (24) of the filling device side member (20) at the initial stage when the nozzle side member (10) is separated from the spout 20. In other words, when the nozzle side member (10) is separated from the filling device side member (20), the shut-off valve (24) of the filling device side member (20) is immediately changed from the open state to the closed state so that the shut-off valve (24) on the filling device side member (20) side is prevented from being in the open state despite the separation of the nozzle side member (10) from the spout 20 (the state shown). Figure 16 The flow rate of the high-pressure gas (fugitive gas) discharged from the pipe joint (100) becomes significantly small when the nozzle side member (10) is separated from the filling device side member (20). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pipe joint without a spout side housing; Figure 1

[0020] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a spout side rod;

[0021] Figure 4 shows a first cylindrical member that vertically supports the spout side rod in a state where the plug is not separated from the spout;

[0022] Figure 5 shows a second cylindrical member that horizontally supports the spout side rod while allowing vertical movement thereof;

[0023] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an initial stage of a process in which the plug is pulled out of the spout;

[0024] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A line in Figure 6 ;

[0025] Figure 8 is a plan view for explaining the position and size of the second protrusion of the spout side rod with respect to the upper edge portion of the first cylindrical member;

[0026] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an initial stage of a process in which the plug is pulled out of the spout;

[0027] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A line in Figure 9 ;

[0028] Figure 11 ​It is a perspective view showing the initial stage of the process of the plug being pulled out of the socket, without the socket housing;

[0029] Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view showing the plug being pulled out of the socket;

[0030] Figure 13 It is along Figure 12 A cross-sectional view taken from line AA in the diagram;

[0031] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of a pipe fitting according to a modified example of this embodiment;

[0032] Figure 15 This is a block diagram showing an outline of a hydrogen filling facility; and

[0033] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional view showing the initial stage of the process of removing the plug from the socket in the prior art. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the illustrated embodiments, with Figure 16 (Conventional techniques) show the same components indicated by the same reference numerals. Figure 1 and 2 In the figure, the pipe fitting, generally indicated by reference numeral 100, has a socket 20 as a component located on the filling device side and a plug 10 as a component located on the nozzle side. Here, the longitudinal direction of the plug is... Figure 1 and 2 They are different. This is to make the overall configuration easier to see. Additionally, to clearly show the internal structure of the socket 20, in Figure 2 In the middle, the prismatic outer shell 21 of the socket 20 is omitted (socket body: Figure 1 ) and the upper cover 31 ( Figure 7 ). Figure 1 and 2 The diagram shows the plug 10 and the socket 20 connected to each other. The plug 10, which is generally cylindrical, has a plug body 1 and a plug-side protruding member 3 that protrudes towards the socket 20. Figure 2 ). On the vehicle side of the plug body 1 ( Figure 1 and 2 The right side (the side separate from the socket 20) has a hydrogen supply port 1B connected to the filling hose (not shown). Figure 1 An internal passage is formed inside the plug body 1 and the plug-side protruding member 3. Figure 6 and 7 The figure shows reference numeral 1A, and the internal passage 1A of the plug extends along the axial direction (left-right direction) of the plug 10.

[0035] exist Figure 2 In the middle, the socket 20 is provided with a socket side rod 22 (a rod-shaped component on the filling equipment side), and the hydrogen filling equipment side of the socket side rod 22 ( Figure 2 The upper part of the middle) is integrally connected to the socket-side valve body 25, and the filling device side adjacent to the socket-side valve body 25. Figure 2 The upper part of the spring 23 on the socket side is arranged on the side separate from the filling equipment side of the socket side rod 22. Figure 2 The first columnar member 28 and the second columnar member 29 (lower part) are housed in a socket-side rod 22, a socket-side valve body 25, a socket-side spring 23, the first columnar member 28, and the second columnar member 29. Figure 1 The internal space of the outer casing 21 (not shown) includes the receiving portion 21D. Figure 7 ) and the socket side rod receiving part 21G ( Figure 7 In the first cylindrical member 28 and the second cylindrical member 29, the first cylindrical member 28 and the second cylindrical member 29 are fixed to the outer casing 21, and the socket side rod 22 is movable axially within the internal space of the first cylindrical member 28 and the second cylindrical member 29. Figure 2 and 3 As shown, a first protrusion 22A is formed on the insert side rod 22, and a side located where the first protrusion 22A separates from the filling device side is ( Figure 2 and 3 The second protrusion 22B on the lower side and the lower end of the insertion side rod 22.

[0036] exist Figure 2 In this design, a hole 3A (recess) is formed on the side of the protruding member 3 on the plug side, and when the plug 10 and the socket 20 are connected to each other, the first protrusion 22A of the socket side rod 22 is inserted into the hole 3A. The hole 3A and the first protrusion 22A of the socket side rod 22 constitute a first conversion mechanism 26, while the second protrusion 22B of the socket side rod 22 and the first cylindrical member 28 constitute a second conversion mechanism 27. When the plug 10 and the socket 20 are connected, the protruding member 3 on the plug side is inserted into the outer shell 21 formed in the socket 20. Figure 2 Through hole 21C (not shown in the image) Figure 6 In ) . For example Figure 2 and 11 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, along the plug side rod 2 ( Figure 6 The longitudinal central axis of the plug protrusion 3 and the longitudinal central axis of the socket side rod 22 are not arranged on the same straight line and are approximately orthogonal. The central axes of the plug side rod 2 and the plug protrusion 3 do not intersect with the central axis of the socket side rod 22 and are offset or separate.

[0037] Figure 4 The first columnar member 28 is shown. Figure 4The state of the first cylindrical member 28 is shown from an oblique upper side in (A), and Figure 4 A plane is shown in (B). Figure 4 The state of the second cylindrical member 29 is shown from an oblique lower side in (C). Figure 4 A cross section taken along line C-C of (B). A protrusion 28C is formed on the upper edge portion 28A of the first cylindrical member 28 at positions (positions facing each other in the radial direction) symmetrical about the center axis of the first cylindrical member 28, and the protrusion 28C projects inward in the radial direction. The first cylindrical member 28 is hollow and has an inner space 28B. Although the second conversion mechanism 27 will be described later with reference to Figure 8 (B), when the plug 10 is connected to the socket 20, the protrusion 28C of the upper edge portion 28A of the first cylindrical member 28 is fitted on the second protrusion 22B of the socket-side rod 22. However, when the socket-side rod 2 is rotated when the connection between the plug 10 and the socket 20 is released, the second protrusion 22B falls off from the protrusion 28C and the second protrusion 22B falls down and moves downward in the hollow inner space 28B of the first cylindrical member 28 (see Figure 4 (A) and 2).

[0038] As Figure 2 shown, the second cylindrical member 29 is arranged adjacent to the lower side of the first cylindrical member 28. Figure 5 The second cylindrical member 29 is shown, in Figure 5 (A) the state of the second cylindrical member 29 is shown from an oblique upper side, in Figure 5 (B) one plane is shown, and in Figure 5 (C) the Figure 5 (B) D-D cross section. A rod insertion hole 29B extends downward from the upper edge 29A of the second cylindrical member 29 (downward in Figure 5 (A) and 2). The socket-side rod 22 is able to be inserted into the rod insertion hole 29B. In Figure 5 (C), the rod insertion hole 29B communicates with the inner space 29C of the hollow second cylindrical member 29. The upper edge portion 29A of the second cylindrical member 29 functions as a receiver or stopper for the rectangular second protrusion 22B of the socket-side rod 22 when the connection between the plug 10 and the socket 20 is released and the socket-side rod 22 moves downward (in Figure 2 ). When the second protrusion 22B of the socket-side rod 22 is received by the upper edge portion 29A of the second cylindrical member 29, the end side of the second protrusion 22B of the socket-side rod 22 (the side opposite the side of the second protrusion 22B that is fitted on the protrusion 28C of the first cylindrical member 28) is positioned in the inner space 29C of the second cylindrical member 29. Figure 2The portion of the lower side of the spout side lever 22 (the portion of the lower side of the spout side lever 22 in the right side in FIG. 2) is housed in the hollow interior space 29C of the second cylindrical member 29. In other words, the first cylindrical member 28 and the second cylindrical member 29 have a function of rotatably supporting the spout side lever 22 and a function of supporting the spout side lever 22 so as to be movable by a certain distance in the longitudinal direction (the sum of the longitudinal distances of the interior spaces of the first cylindrical member 28 and the second cylindrical member 29).

[0039] In Figure 6 , the through-hole 21C is formed in the housing 21 of the spout 20, and the plug side protruding member 3 is inserted into the through-hole 21C. The plug inner passage 1A is formed in the plug body 1 in the vertical direction center (the portion of the lower side of the plug body 1 in the right side in FIG. 1). Figure 6 In Figure 6 , the plug inner passage 1A extends in the horizontal direction. The plug side valve body housing portion 1C, which is an extension area, is provided in the plug inner passage 1A. The plug inner passage 1A is composed of the interior space 3B, which is a flow path in the plug side protruding member 3 and a flow path in the plug side valve body housing portion 1C, and extends to the hydrogen gas supply port 1B. In other words, the plug inner passage 1A includes the interior space 3B of the plug side protruding member 3 and the plug side valve body housing portion 1C. The plug side lever 2 is housed in the plug inner passage 1A. The plug side valve body 6 is provided at the tip of the plug side lever 2 on the side (the right side in FIG. 1) that is separated from the spout 20. The plug side valve body 6 is housed in the valve body housing portion 1C. In the valve body housing portion 1C, the plug side spring 4 (an elastic material) is arranged on the vehicle side (the side separated from the spout 20: Figure 6 In Figure 6 , the plug side spring 4 pushes the plug side valve body 6 on the spout 20 side (the left side in FIG. 1). The plug side valve body 6 and the valve seat 1F constitute the plug side stop valve 5, and the valve seat 1F is formed by the stepped portion of the valve body housing portion 1C. The plug side stop valve 5 has a function of closing or opening the plug inner passage 1A. Figure 6 In

[0040] , the plug side protruding member 3 is provided with the plug side protruding member 3 on the spout 20 side (the left side in FIG. 1). Figure 6 In Figure 6formed near the tip of the left side of the plug 10, and the lock ball 7 is held in the groove. On the socket 20 side (the plug main body 21), an annular ball receiving space 21F is formed, and the lock ball 7 is received in the annular ball receiving space 21F when the connection between the plug 10 and the socket 20 is released. The plug side rod 2 connected to the plug side valve body 6 extends toward the socket 20 side, and a flat plate member 2A is provided at the tip thereof. In the state in which the plug 10 and the socket 20 are connected, the flat plate member 2A abuts against the portion of the lock ball 7 that protrudes into the internal space 3B of the plug side protruding member 3, and as a result, the plug side rod 2 does not move from the position at which it is in contact with the lock ball 7 to the socket 20 side (the left side in Figure 6 Figure 6 Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the plug side valve body 6 is held in a state separate from the plug valve seat IF, and the shut-off valve 5 of the plug 10 is held in an open state.

[0041] In Figure 6 , when the plug 10 and the socket 20 are connected, the lock ball 7 is not located in the ball receiving space 21F, and is pressed against the inner wall portion of the through-hole 21C of the socket 20 in the radial direction and is biased inward (in the direction of the arrow IR in Figure 9 , and protrudes into the internal space 3B of the plug side protruding member 3. In the state in which the lock ball 7 protrudes into the internal space 3B of the plug side protruding member 3, the lock ball 7 is pressed by the flat plate member 2A and is pushed outward in the radial direction (in the direction of the arrow RO in Figure 7 , opposite to the direction of the arrow IR). In Figure 7 , when the plug 10 and the socket 20 are connected, the first protrusion 22A of the socket side rod 22 is inserted into the hole 3A (recess) formed in the plug side protruding member 3. The socket side rod receiving portion 21G of the socket main body 21 and the internal space 3B of the plug side protruding member 3 communicate with each other via the hole portion 3A, thereby forming a hydrogen gas flow path together with the annular ball receiving space 21F. The reference sign SS is a sealing member (for example, an O-ring).

[0042] In Figure 7 , a hydrogen gas introduction port 21B for introducing hydrogen gas supplied from a hydrogen gas filling machine (not shown) is provided at the end portion of the socket main body 21 on the hydrogen filling device side (the upper side in Figure 7 ). Figure 7 The state in which the hydrogen gas introduction port 21B is covered by a cover 31 is shown. The socket main body 21 is formed with a socket inner passage 21A extending in the vertical direction Figure 7 . An expansion region is formed in the socket inner passage 21A, and the expansion region constitutes a socket side valve body receiving portion 21D for receiving a socket side valve body 25. Below the socket side valve body receiving portion 21D (on the lower side in Figure 7 ​A hollow insert-side rod receiving portion 21G is formed in the middle. As a result, the hydrogen inlet 21B communicates with the opening 21C of the insert body 21 via the insert-side valve body receiving portion 21D and the insert-side rod receiving portion 21G (and the ball receiving space 21F). The opening 21C of the insert body 21 is along the... Figure 6 The direction perpendicular to the paper ( Figure 6 It extends in the left-right direction, and the opening 21C is located on the side separate from the plug 10. Figure 6 The left end (of the middle part) is open. That is, Figure 7 and Figure 6 The opening 21C is configured as a through hole. Figure 7 and 7 When the plug 10 and the socket 20 are connected, the plug-side protruding member 3 is inserted into the opening 21C.

[0043] exist Figure 7 In the middle, the side of the plug-side rod 22 is separated from the side of the plug-side valve body 25 housed in the plug-side valve body receiving part 21D, which is separate from the hydrogen inlet 21B side. Figure 7 The lower part of the valve body is connected to the inlet valve body 25. Furthermore, in the inlet-side valve body receiving portion 21D, the inlet-side spring 23 (elastic material) is arranged on the side of the inlet-side valve body 25 located at the hydrogen inlet 21B. Figure 7 The area above the middle, and the spring 23 pushes the valve body 25 on the socket side towards the valve seat 21E side ( Figure 7 (below). The valve seat 21E is composed of a stepped portion of the valve body receiving portion 21D, and the socket-side shut-off valve 24 is formed by the valve body 25 and the valve seat 21E, and the socket-side shut-off valve 24 has the function of closing or opening the socket internal passage 21A. In Figure 8 In this configuration, when the plug 10 and the socket 20 are connected, the first protrusion 22A of the socket-side rod 22 is inserted into the hole 3A (through hole) of the plug-side protruding member 3. Furthermore, as will be referred to later... Figure 4 As described, the second protrusion 22B of the socket side rod 22 is placed on the upper edge portion 28A of the first cylindrical member 28. Figure 7 and 8 The socket side lever 22 will not move below [the specified position]. Figure 7 The state shown is (when plug 10 and socket 20 are connected). As a result, the socket-side valve body 25 connected to the socket-side rod 22... Figure 7 The image shown is maintained at Figure 6 With the valve seat 21E on the middle side separated from the valve seat 21E, and the valve 24 on the valve seat 24 remaining in the open position.

[0044] When plug 10 and socket 20 are connected, the shut-off valve 24 of socket 20 and the shut-off valve 5 of plug 10 are kept open, and gas can be filled into the vehicle from the filling device (not shown). In other words, asFigure 6 and 7 As shown, when the plug 10 and the socket 20 are connected, the socket-side shut-off valve 24 opens, allowing the plug-side protruding member 3 to be inserted into the opening 21C. The hydrogen inlet 21B communicates with the plug inner passage 1A (located in the internal space 3B of the plug-side protruding member 3) via the socket inner passage 21A (the socket-side valve body receiving portion 21D and the socket-side rod receiving portion 21G), the annular ball receiving space 21F, and the hole 3A (through hole) formed in the plug-side protruding member 3. Since the plug 10's shut-off valve 5 is also open, the internal space 3B of the plug-side protruding member 3 communicates with the hydrogen supply port 1B via the valve body receiving portion 1C. That is, with the plug 10 and the socket 20 connected, a hydrogen flow path is formed from the hydrogen inlet 21B to the hydrogen supply port 1B.

[0045] On the other hand, when the plug 10 is removed from the socket 20 (when the connection between the plug 10 and the socket 20 is released), the plug-side protruding member 3 protrudes along the longitudinal direction (in Figure 8 The device moves from center to right, and this movement is converted into rotation of the socket-side rod 22 via a first conversion mechanism 26 (the hole 3A of the plug-side protruding member 3 and the first protrusion 22A of the socket-side rod 22). Then, as the socket-side rod 22 rotates, the relative position of the second protrusion 22B of the socket-side rod 22 with respect to the upper edge portion 28A of the first cylindrical member 28 changes. Figure 4 In the middle, the upper edge portion 28A of the first columnar member 28 (see Figure 6 The first columnar member 28 has a radially inwardly projecting region (protrusion 28C) at a position symmetrical about the central axis of the first columnar member 28 (facing each other in the radial direction). The first columnar member 28 has a hollow shape and an internal space 28B. When the plug 10 and the socket 20 are as follows... Figure 7 and Figure 8 When connected as shown, the two ends of the rectangular second protrusion 22B of the socket side rod 22 in the longitudinal direction are as follows: Figure 8 The solid line in the figure indicates that the protrusion 28C (position A) is placed on the upper edge portion 28A of the first cylindrical member 28. Figure 8 In this diagram, only the second protrusion 22B is shown, and the entire plug-side rod 22 is not shown. On the other hand, when the connection between the plug 10 and the socket 20 is released, the plug-side protrusion 3 is pulled out of the socket 20, causing the hole 3A to also move along the longitudinal direction of the plug-side protrusion 3. Since the first protrusion 22A of the plug-side rod 22 is inserted into the hole 3A of the plug-side protrusion 3, when the hole 3A moves along the longitudinal direction of the plug-side protrusion 3, this movement is transmitted to the first protrusion 22A, and the plug-side rod 22 rotates around the rotation center C (…). Figure 8 ) rotate, and the second protrusion 22B of the socket side rod 22 also rotates and, for example, in Figure 7the position shown by a dotted line (position B) moves, and the longitudinal direction both ends of the second protrusion 22B are separated from the convex portion 28C of the first cylindrical member 28. That is, the second protrusion 22B is not placed on the upper edge portion 28A of the first cylindrical member 28. As a result, due to the weight of the spout side lever 22, the spout side valve body 25, and the like, and the elastic repulsive force of the spout side spring 23, the spout side lever 22 moves downward (falls) in the internal space 28B of the first cylindrical member 28 (in the direction pushed by the elastic repulsive force of the spout side spring 23) in Figure 7 and 10 .

[0046] As described above, the first conversion mechanism 26 (the hole 3A of the plug side protruding member 3 and the first protrusion 22A of the spout side lever 22) converts the movement of the plug side protruding member 3 trying to come off from the spout 20 into the rotation of the spout side lever 22. Then, the second conversion mechanism 27 (the second protrusion 22B of the spout side lever 22 and the first cylindrical member 28) converts the rotation of the spout side lever 22 into the movement of the spout side lever 22 (downward in Figure 8 and 2 . Although not explicitly shown in Figure 7 , when the spout side lever 22 rotates and moves (downward in Figure 5 and 2 ), the rectangular second protrusion 22B of the spout side lever 22 is placed on the upper edge portion 29A of the second cylindrical member 29 (see Figure 7 ), and the portion of the spout side lever 22 located on the end side of the second protrusion 22B (the lower side in Figure 11 and 2 ) is housed in the lever insertion hole 29B and the hollow internal space 29C of the second cylindrical member 29. As can be clearly seen by comparing Figure 2 and Figure 11 . Figure 2 shows a state in which the spout side lever 22 moves to the plug 10 side (a state in which the plug 10 and the spout 20 are separated), Figure 11 shows a state in which the plug 10 and the spout 20 are connected. Figure 2 The length of the spout side lever 22 shown in Figure 4 is shorter than the length of the spout side lever 22 shown in Figure 5 and 8 . This is because the lower end of the spout side lever 22 is housed in the internal space 28B of the first cylindrical member 28 ( Figure 9 ) and the internal space 29C of the second cylindrical member 29 (

[0047] Reference will be made to Figure 9The movement of the plug 10 in the initial stage when the plug 10 is removed from the socket 20 constituting the pipe joint 100 will be described. When the plug 10 starts to come off from the socket 20, the plug-side protruding member 3 moves in the longitudinal direction (the right direction in Figure 9 ; the direction of arrow D). Thus, in the initial stage when the plug 10 comes off from the socket 20, the longitudinal position of the locking ball 7 becomes the longitudinal position of the annular ball receiving space 21F as Figure 9 shown, so that the locking ball 7 is pressed by the flat plate member 2A of the plug-side rod 2 and is pressed outward in the radial direction (the direction of arrow RO in Figure 9 ) to move to the ball receiving space 21F side. As a result, no part of the locking ball 7 protrudes into the inner space 3B of the plug-side protruding member 3. Since the locking ball 7 does not protrude into the inner space 3B of the plug-side protruding member 3 and the flat plate member 2A at the end of the plug-side rod 2 and the locking ball 7 do not come into contact with each other, the plug-side spring 4 extends due to the elastic repulsive force and moves the plug-side valve body 6, the plug-side rod 2, and the flat plate member 2A at the end of the rod to the left (the side on which the plug-side spring 4 extends) in Figure 9 . As a result, the plug-side valve body 6 comes to rest on the plug-side valve seat IF, which closes the plug-side stop valve 5, and the plug inner passage IA is closed. In Figure 10 , the fact that the plug-side rod 2 and the flat plate member 2A at the end of the rod move to the left end (the socket-side end portion) of the inner space 3B of the plug-side protruding member 3 is caused by inertia.

[0048] Next, the movement of the socket 20 side in the initial stage when the plug 10 is pulled out from the socket 20 will be described with reference to Figure 7 ( and 9). As described above, since the first protrusion 22A of the socket-side rod 22 is inserted into the hole 3A (recess, see Figure 9 ) of the plug-side protruding member 3, the movement of the plug-side protruding member 3 out of the socket 20, i.e., movement in the longitudinal direction (the right direction in Figure 8 ; the direction of arrow D) is converted into rotation about the axis of the socket-side rod 22. Then, as shown with reference to Figure 8 , the rotation of the socket-side rod 22 causes the position (position Figure 8 ) at which the second protrusion 22B of the socket-side rod 22 is mounted on the upper edge portion 28A of the first cylindrical member 28 to move from the position shown in solid line in Figure 10 to the position shown in broken line, and the socket-side rod 22 moves in the direction in which the socket-side spring 23 extends (downward in Figure 10 ). Due to the weight of the socket-side valve body 25 and the elastic repulsive force of the socket-side spring 23, the socket-side rod 22 moves in the direction in which the socket-side spring 23 extends (downward in Figure 10The insertion side rod 22 moves downwards, causing it to extend in the direction of the insertion side spring 23 within the internal space 28B of the first cylindrical member 28. Figures 1 to 7 (Move downwards). Then, the spigot-side valve body 25 also immediately descends and takes position on the spigot-side valve seat 21E, which closes the spigot-side shut-off valve 24 and the spigot internal passage 21A.

[0049] Here, as referenced above Figure 9 As stated above, when the socket 20 and the plug 10 are connected, the plug-side protruding member 3 does not move relative to the socket 10, so that the plug-side protruding member 3 is in the longitudinal direction ( Figure 8 The position relative to the socket 10 in the right direction (direction of arrow D) remains unchanged. Since the first protrusion 22A of the socket-side rod 22 is inserted into the hole 3A (recess) of the plug-side protruding member 3, if the plug-side protruding member 3 does not move in the longitudinal direction, the first protrusion 22A of the socket-side rod 22 also does not move, and the socket-side rod 22 does not rotate. As a result, in Figure 8 In the middle, even the second protrusion 22B (in the region 28C (protrusion) that protrudes inward in the radial direction on the upper edge portion 28A of the first columnar member 28) is placed. Figure 8 The areas at both ends of the longitudinal direction (shown as solid lines in the image) are very small because the socket side rod 22 does not rotate, so the second protrusion 22B of the socket side rod 22 is... Figure 9 The solid line in the diagram indicates that the valve does not rotate (move) and does not deviate from region 28C. As a result, even if the weight of the valve body 25 and the elastic repulsive force of the spring 23 on the valve side acts on the valve side rod 22, the valve side rod 22 will not descend in the internal space 28B of the first columnar member 28 and the internal space 29C of the columnar member 29, and the open state of the valve side shut-off valve 24 is maintained.

[0050] As referenced above Figure 16 and 10 The above, with Figure 12 Unlike conventional techniques, in the illustrated embodiment, the spigot-side valve body 25 immediately positions itself on the spigot-side valve seat 21E during the initial stage when the plug 10 begins to disengage from the spigot 20. This closes the spigot-side shut-off valve 24 and the spigot internal passage 21A. Consequently, the flow rate of high-pressure hydrogen supplied by the filling equipment as an escape gas flowing to the outside of the connector 100 is significantly reduced.

[0051] Figure 12 and 13 The diagram shows the plug 10 separated from the socket 20 constituting the pipe connector 100. Figure 12 In the middle, the protruding member 3 on the plug side of the plug 10 separates from the opening 21C of the socket 20 (socket body 21) (not inserted therein). As a result, the plug-side valve body 6 is pressed against the elastic repulsive force of the plug-side spring 4.Figure 13 the plug side, and the plug side shutoff valve 5 is closed. In Figure 13 the plug side, and the plug side shutoff valve 5 is closed. In Figure 13 the plug side, and the plug side shutoff valve 5 is closed. In Figure 12 the plug side, and the plug side shutoff valve 5 is closed. In Figures 1 to 13 and 13 the plug side, and the plug side shutoff valve 5 is closed. In

[0052] According to the pipe joint 100 of the embodiment shown in Figure 16 , the center axes of the plug inner passage 1A and the socket inner passage 21A are arranged orthogonally (i.e., they are not arranged on the same straight line), and the center axes of the plug inner passage 1A and the socket inner passage 21A do not cross and are separated from each other. With this structure, the movement of the plug 10 when the plug 10 is separated from the socket 20 is easily converted into the rotation of the socket side lever 22, and further, the rotation of the socket side lever 22 can be converted into the movement of the socket side lever 22 in the direction in which the socket side spring 23 extends along the center axis of the socket side lever 22 (downward). Specifically, a first conversion mechanism 26 composed of a hole 3A (recess) formed in the plug side protruding member 3 of the plug 10 and a first protrusion 22A formed on the socket side lever 22 and insertable into the hole 3A converts the movement of the plug 10 into the rotation of the socket side lever 22. In addition, a second conversion mechanism 27 composed of a second protrusion 22B provided at the tip end of the socket side lever 22 and a first cylindrical member 28 converts the rotation of the socket side lever 22 into the movement of the socket side lever 22 in the direction in which the socket side spring 23 extends along the center axis of the socket side lever 22 (downward).

[0053] When the plug 10 starts to be detached from the socket 20 and the socket side lever 22 rotates, the socket side lever 22 moves rapidly and reliably in the direction in which the socket side spring 23 extends (downward). The movement of the socket side lever 22 in the direction in which the socket side spring 23 extends causes the socket side valve body 25 to be pressed against the socket side valve seat 21E under the action of the elastic repulsive force of the socket side spring 23 to rapidly and reliably close the socket side shutoff valve 24. As a result, in the illustrated embodiment, unlike the prior art described with reference to Figure 14 , the socket side valve body 25 is immediately seated on the socket side valve seat 21E to close the socket side shutoff valve 24 at the initial stage when the plug 10 is separated from the socket 20. Thereby, the flow rate of the high-pressure gas that escapes as the gas that escapes from the pipe joint 100 can be greatly reduced when the plug 10 is separated from the socket 20.

[0054] Figures 1 to 13 A modified example of the illustrated embodiment is shown. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, with the plug 10 connected to the socket 20, for example, as Figure 6 As shown, the opening 21C of the socket body 21 is on the opposite side of the plug 10. Figure 14 The left side is open, not closed. On the other hand, in Figure 6 In the middle, the muffler 30 is located on the opposite side of the plug 10 connection side and the opening 21C (through hole) of the plug body 21 of the plug 20 (located in Figure 14 The opening on the left side is connected to suppress noise during gas filling. Figures 1 to 13 The effects of other configurations and operations in the modified examples are the same as ​ The embodiments are the same as those in the example.

[0055] Since the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples, they do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0056] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0057] 1. Plug body

[0058] 1A Plug Internal Passage

[0059] 2. Plug side rod

[0060] 3. Protruding component on the plug side

[0061] 3A hole (recessed part)

[0062] 5. Plug-side shut-off valve

[0063] 6. Plug-side valve body

[0064] 10. Plug (Nozzle-side component)

[0065] 20. Insert (component for filling equipment)

[0066] 21. Socket body

[0067] 21A Internal Circulation of the Socket

[0068] 21C Socket Through Hole (Opening)

[0069] 22. Insert side rod (side rod-shaped component of filling equipment)

[0070] 22A First protrusion

[0071] 22B Second protrusion

[0072] 24. Socket-side shut-off valve

[0073] 25. Socket-side valve body

[0074] 26 first conversion mechanism

[0075] 27 second conversion mechanism

[0076] 28 first cylindrical member (hollow member)

[0077] 28A upper edge portion

[0078] 28B internal space

[0079] 28C protrusion

[0080] 29 second cylindrical member (hollow member)

[0081] 100 pipe joint

Claims

1. A pipe fitting, comprising: A cylindrical nozzle side member having a shut-off valve, wherein a passage is formed in the cylindrical nozzle side member; and A cylindrical filling device side component with a shut-off valve, wherein a passage is formed in the cylindrical filling device side component. Specifically, when the nozzle-side component and the filling device-side component are connected to each other, the central axes of the passages of the nozzle-side component and the filling device-side component do not form a straight line and the central axes of the passages are offset and do not intersect. The shut-off valves of the two components are open to allow the passages of the two components to communicate with each other. When the nozzle-side component is separated from the filling device-side component, the shut-off valves of both components are closed. The filling device side component includes a filling device side rod-shaped component extending from the valve body of the shut-off valve to the nozzle side component, and the pipe joint further includes: a first conversion mechanism for converting the movement of the nozzle side component into the rotation of the filling device side rod-shaped component when the nozzle side component is separated from the filling device side component; and a second conversion mechanism for converting the rotation of the filling device side rod-shaped component into the movement of the rod-shaped component toward the nozzle side component along the central axis of the rod-shaped component.

2. The pipe fitting as described in claim 1, wherein, The first conversion mechanism includes: a recess formed on a protrusion of the nozzle-side member, the protrusion being inserted into a through hole formed in the filling device-side member when the nozzle-side member and the filling device-side member are connected to each other; and a first protrusion formed on the filling device side and capable of being inserted into the recess.

3. The pipe fitting as described in claim 1, wherein, The second conversion mechanism includes: a second protrusion disposed on the end of the rod-shaped member on the side separated from the valve body of the shut-off valve on the filling device side; and a hollow member having an upper edge portion on which the second protrusion can be placed, wherein when the nozzle-side member is connected to the filling device-side member, the second protrusion is placed on the upper edge portion, and when the rod-shaped member on the filling device side rotates, the second protrusion separates from the upper edge portion and moves in the hollow internal space.

4. The pipe fitting as described in claim 3, wherein, The second protrusion has a rectangular shape, and the upper edge portion of the hollow member has a radially inwardly projecting convex portion at a position symmetrical about the central axis of the hollow member. When the nozzle-side member is connected to the filling device-side member, the two ends of the second protrusion in the longitudinal direction are located on the convex portion at the upper edge portion of the hollow member. When the filling device-side rod-shaped member rotates, the two ends of the second protrusion disengage from the convex portion at the upper edge portion.

Images