Manifold

Abstract

The present invention relates to a manifold including: a manifold body including a manifold flow path and a port configured to discharge fluid from the manifold flow path; a pipe inserted into the port of the manifold body and including a pipe flow path fluidly connected to the manifold flow path via the port; a nut member inserted into the port while supporting the pipe and coupled to the manifold body; and a sealing member interposed between the nut member and the manifold body on an outer side of the piping, in which the sealing member includes a sensing dye therein, and in which the sealing member is configured to discharge the sensing dye from the port along with fluid flowing out of the port from the manifold flow path or the piping flow path.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0142288 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 23, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a manifold. Background Art

[0004] In recent years, people have become more aware of the crisis of the environment and the depletion of oil resources, and research and development of electric vehicles as environmentally friendly vehicles have attracted attention. Electric vehicles include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

[0005] The FCEV may include a fuel cell stack for generating electricity using hydrogen and a hydrogen storage tank for storing the hydrogen.

[0006] FCEV basically requires a large-capacity hydrogen tank to increase the cruising range. The hydrogen tank has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction of the vehicle to ensure that the hydrogen tank has a long cruising range.

[0007] The hydrogen transferred from the hydrogen storage tank to the fuel cell stack is usually at a high pressure, so the FCEV includes a manifold for distributing the high-pressure hydrogen internally. The manifold may include: a manifold body including flow channels and ports to distribute the fluid internally; and piping connected to the manifold body.

[0008] The leakage of high-pressure hydrogen flowing through the manifold may cause safety accidents. Therefore, in order to prevent safety accidents, a manifold with a more stable structure is required to sense the leakage of hydrogen. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a manifold. Some embodiments of the present invention can solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a manifold in which a relatively high pressure fluid is distributed and a pipe is inserted into a manifold body through a more stable structure.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a manifold capable of sensing fluid flowing out of a port.

[0012] The technical problems to be solved by some embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and those skilled in the art in the field to which the present invention relates can clearly understand the solutions of the embodiments for other technical problems not mentioned herein through the following description.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a manifold is provided, comprising: a manifold body, which includes a manifold flow path and a port configured to discharge fluid from the manifold flow path; a piping, which is inserted into the port of the manifold body and includes a piping flow path connected to the manifold flow path via the port fluid; a nut member, which is inserted into the port and coupled to the manifold body while supporting the piping; and a sealing member, which is placed between the nut member and the manifold body on the outside of the piping, wherein the sealing member includes a sensing dye, and wherein the sealing member is configured to discharge the sensing dye from the port together with the fluid flowing out of the port from the manifold flow path or the piping flow path.

[0014] The sealing member includes: a sealing member body located outside the pipe; and a housing portion located within the sealing member body to house the sensing dye therein.

[0015] The sealing member also includes an orifice located on the sealing member body and configured to fluidly connect the receptacle with the port.

[0016] The orifice is located on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member body.

[0017] The cross-sectional area of ​​the orifice increases radially outward.

[0018] The sealing member further includes an outflow face extending to be inclined in a direction perpendicular to the radially outward direction of the sealing member body.

[0019] The sealing member further includes: a top surface in contact with the nut member; and a chamfered surface recessed radially outward from the top surface toward the sealing member body.

[0020] The sealing member includes rubber.

[0021] The nut member includes: a fixing surface inserted into the port so that the pipe is fixed to the port and extending in the circumferential direction so that the fixing surface is coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the port; and a guide groove located in the fixing surface.

[0022] The guide groove extends in a direction in which the nut member is inserted into the port.

[0023] The nut member includes: a pressing surface that contacts the sealing member; and a nut inclined surface that is inclined in a direction away from the sealing member relative to the outer side of the pressing surface.

[0024] The nut member includes: an insertion surface facing the sealing member; and a pressing protrusion protruding from the insertion surface toward the sealing member and contacting the sealing member so that the insertion surface is spaced apart from the sealing member.

[0025] The sensing dye includes a fluorescent dye configured to be visible using ultraviolet light.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a manifold system includes: a manifold body having: a first outer surface; a port extending from the first outer surface into the manifold body, the port having an internal threaded portion with a port diameter; and a manifold flow path extending from the bottom surface of the port into the manifold body; a piping having a piping flow path, the piping flow path being configured to be coupled to the manifold flow path via the port fluid; a nut member having an inner circumferential surface, the inner circumferential surface being configured to accommodate and support the outer circumferential surface of the piping therein, the nut member having an external threaded portion on a nut fixing portion, the external threaded portion being configured to be threadedly engaged with the internal threaded portion of the port, the nut member having a pressing surface, the pressing surface being configured to face the bottom surface of the port when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port; and a sealing member configured to be located on the outside of the piping and to be placed between the pressing surface of the nut member and the bottom surface of the port when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port, wherein the sealing member includes a sensing dye.

[0027] The sealing member includes a receiving portion containing a sensing dye, wherein the sealing member includes an orifice extending from the receiving portion to a radially outer surface of the sealing member, and wherein the sealing member is configured so that when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port and when the sealing member is placed between a pressing surface of the nut member and a bottom surface of the port, the receiving portion is fluidly coupled to the port via the orifice.

[0028] The radially outer surface of the sealing member has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a manifold system includes: a manifold body having: a first outer surface; a port extending from the first outer surface into the manifold body, the port having an internal threaded portion with a port diameter; and a manifold flow path extending from a bottom surface of the port into the manifold body; a pipe having a pipe flow path, the pipe flow path being configured to be coupled to the manifold flow path via the port fluid; a nut member having an inner peripheral surface, the inner peripheral surface being configured to accommodate and support the outer peripheral surface of the pipe therein, the nut member having an external threaded portion on a nut fixing portion, the external threaded portion being configured to be threadedly engaged with the internal threaded portion of the port, the thread The female component has a pressing surface, which is configured to face the bottom surface of the port when the nut component is threadedly engaged with the port, wherein the nut fixing portion includes a guide groove, which extends along the nut fixing portion to intersect with the external threaded portion, so that the guide groove is configured to provide fluid communication between the bottom space adjacent to the bottom surface of the port and the first outer surface of the manifold body when the nut component is threadedly engaged with the port; and a sealing component, which is configured to be located on the outside of the piping and is placed between the pressing surface of the nut component and the bottom surface of the port when the nut component is threadedly engaged with the port, wherein the sealing component includes a sensing dye.

[0030] The sealing member includes a receiving portion containing a sensing dye, wherein the sealing member includes an orifice extending from the receiving portion to a radially outer surface of the sealing member, and wherein the sealing member is configured so that when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port and when the sealing member is placed between a pressing surface of the nut member and a bottom surface of the port, the receiving portion is fluidly coupled to a bottom space of the port via the orifice.

[0031] The radially outer surface of the sealing member has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0032] The guide groove extends in a direction in which the nut member is inserted into the port, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​the aperture increases radially outward, the sealing member includes rubber, and the sensing dye includes a fluorescent dye configured to be visible using ultraviolet light. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a manifold according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a pipe inserted into a manifold body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 is a side view showing a nut member and a sealing member separated from a manifold body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of a nut member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 is a side view of a nut member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 is a side view of a nut member according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Fig. 9 is a side view of a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Fig.10 is a side sectional view of a receiving portion of a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a nut member presses a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0045] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram showing that the sensing dye flows out to the outside of the port together with the hydrogen gas flowing out from the manifold body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Description of reference numerals:

[0047] 1: Manifold

[0048] 10: Manifold body

[0049] 11: Inflow connection part

[0050] 11a: Inflow hole

[0051] 12: Discharge surface

[0052] 12a: Flow path

[0053] 13: Guide surface

[0054] 14: Port plane

[0055] 15: Inner circumference

[0056] 15a: Port

[0057] 15b: Inner guide surface

[0058] 16: Outer surface

[0059] 20: Piping

[0060] 20a: Piping body

[0061] 21: Inner surface

[0062] 21a: Piping flow path

[0063] 22: Outer surface

[0064] 23: Inflow

[0065] 23a: Inflow surface

[0066] 23b: Circumferential rib

[0067] 23c: Circumferential surface

[0068] 23d: Support surface

[0069] 30,130: Nut component

[0070] 30a: Nut hole

[0071] 30b: Inner circumference

[0072] 30c: Locking surface

[0073] 30d: Through surface

[0074] 31,131: Nut head

[0075] 32,132: Nut fixing part

[0076] 33,133: Fixed surface

[0077] 34: Pressing surface

[0078] 134: Insert surface

[0079] 35: Nut inclined surface

[0080] 136: Pressing protrusion

[0081] 40: Sealing components

[0082] 40a: Sealing hole

[0083] 40b: Inner circumference

[0084] 40c: Sealing member body

[0085] 41: Accommodation

[0086] 42: Orifice

[0087] 42a: Orifice surface

[0088] 43: Base surface

[0089] 43a: Top surface

[0090] 43b: Bottom

[0091] 44: Chamfered surface

[0092] 44a: First chamfered surface

[0093] 44b: Second chamfer surface

[0094] 45: Outer surface

[0095] 45a: First connection surface

[0096] 45b: Second connection surface

[0097] 46: Flow out

[0098] 46a: First flow out

[0099] 46b: Second outflow surface

[0100] 47: Outflow Department

[0101] 50: Sensing dye. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to the components of each figure, the same or equivalent components may be represented by the same reference numerals even if they are shown on different drawings. In the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the main points of the present invention.

[0103] When describing the components of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)" may be used. Such terms may be used only to distinguish one component from another, and such terms do not necessarily limit the nature, order or sequence of the constituent components. Unless otherwise defined, the terms used herein (including technical terms or scientific terms) may have the same meaning as commonly understood by technicians in the field to which the present invention belongs. Such terms (such as terms defined in commonly used dictionaries) may be interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning in the relevant technical field.

[0104] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 12 Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail.

[0105] Figure 1 is a side view of a manifold according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a pipe inserted into a manifold body according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a side view showing a nut member and a sealing member separated from a manifold body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] See also Figures 1 to 3 The manifold 1 may include a manifold body 10 including an inflow communication portion 11 having an inflow hole 11a for inflowing a fluid. Hereinafter, the fluid may be hydrogen gas, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0107] The manifold body 10 may include a flow path 12 a communicating with the inflow hole 11 a to discharge the fluid flowing through the inflow hole 11 a , and a port 15 a formed to be recessed from the outer surface 16 to discharge the fluid from the flow path 12 a .

[0108] The manifold 1 may include a pipe 20 inserted into each of the plurality of ports 15a to form a pipe flow path 21a connected to the flow path 12a. Since the plurality of pipes 20 may be inserted into the manifold body 10, a fluid that may flow through the flow path 12a provided in the manifold body 10 may be discharged through the pipe 20 or introduced through the pipe 20.

[0109] The manifold 1 may include a nut member 30 that may serve as a component for supporting the outer peripheral surface 22 of each pipe 20 , inserted into the port 15 a while supporting the pipe 20 , and coupled to the manifold body 10 .

[0110] The manifold body 10 may be threadedly connected to a fixing surface 33 through an inner circumferential surface 15 defining a port 15a, which may be an outer circumferential surface of a nut member 30. The nut member 30 may be inserted into the port 15a while supporting the pipe 20 and coupled to the manifold body 10. Therefore, the nut member 30 may fix the pipe 20 to the port 15a.

[0111] The manifold 1 may be a component installed in a vehicle for distributing hydrogen from a hydrogen storage tank (not shown) or supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen storage tank.

[0112] For the manifold 1 for distributing a relatively high pressure fluid such as hydrogen, gas sealing performance is required for the manifold body 10 and the pipe 20. Since the manifold 1 is installed in the environment within the vehicle, the manifold 1 can have a supporting structure under a relatively high tightening torque.

[0113] When the port 15a of the manifold body 10 neither protrudes from the outer surface 16 nor the nut member 30 is inserted into the port 15a, the outer diameter of the port 15a may change due to repeated combination between the piping 20, the nut member 30 and the manifold body 10, which may make the assembly of the manifold body 10, the piping 20 and the nut member 30 relatively difficult, thereby impairing durability and usability.

[0114] In order to solve such problems, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a structure can be provided in which a port 15a formed in a recessed shape from the outer surface 16 of the manifold body 10 can be provided, and when the pipe 20 is inserted toward the port 15a, the position of the pipe 20 can be fixed by the nut member 30.

[0115] In this structure, the nut member 30 and the pipe 20 can be inserted into the port 15a. Therefore, compared with the structure in which the pipe 20 is coupled outside the port 15a, the productivity of the manifold 1 can be improved because the pipe 20 and the nut member 30 can be guided to the insertion position in the port 15a.

[0116] In more detail, the manifold body 10 may include: a discharge surface 12 extending toward the port 15a in a first direction (X direction) while defining a flow path 12a; and a guide surface 13 having a cross-sectional area widened from one end of the discharge surface 12 adjacent to the port 15a toward the port 15a.

[0117] The manifold body 10 may include: a port surface 14 extending from the guide surface 13 along a first direction (X direction) and extending radially outward from a virtual center line passing through the center of the flow path 12a; an inner circumferential surface 15 extending from the port surface 14 along the first direction (X direction) to surround a port 15a; and an outer surface 16 connected to the inner circumferential surface 15.

[0118] The inner circumferential surface 15 may be formed to have threads and correspond to the fixing surface 33 of the nut member 30. The inner circumferential guide surface 15b may be provided at a portion of the inner circumferential surface 15 adjacent to the outer surface 16. The inner circumferential guide surface 15b may be a surface for guiding the nut member 30 to be introduced into the port 15a while being aligned.

[0119] The pipe 20 can be inserted into the port 15a in the direction opposite to the first direction (-X direction). The pipe 20 may include: a pipe body 20a extending in the first direction (X direction); and an inlet portion 23 provided at an end of the pipe body 20a in the direction of insertion of the pipe body 20a.

[0120] The outer peripheral surface 22 of the pipe 20 may be the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body 20a, and the inner surface 21 of the pipe 20 may be the inner surface of the pipe body 20a and the inflow portion 23. When viewed from the direction in which the pipe 20 is inserted into the port 15a, the outer peripheral surface 22 of the pipe body 20a and the inner surface 21 of the pipe 20 may have a circular cross section. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when viewed from the direction in which the pipe 20 is inserted into the port 15a, the outer peripheral surface 22 of the pipe body 20a and the inner surface 21 of the pipe 20 may have a rectangular cross section.

[0121] The inflow portion 23 of the pipe 20 may protrude radially outward relative to the pipe body 20 a from the circumferential surface of the pipe body 20 a and may be inserted into the port 15 a toward the guide surface 13 .

[0122] The inflow portion 23 of the pipe 20 may include an inflow surface 23a corresponding to the guide surface 13 to contact the guide surface 13, and a circumferential rib 23b extending from the inflow surface 23a while protruding radially outward relative to the pipe body 20a. The inflow surface 23a and the circumferential rib 23b may extend along the circumference of the pipe body 20a.

[0123] In this example, the pipe 20 and the manifold body 10 may be formed of metal to have a sealing structure between the inflow portion 23 of the pipe 20 and the guide surface 13 because metal contacts metal between the inflow portion 23 of the pipe 20 and the guide surface 13. In other words, the inflow surface 23a of the pipe 20 and the guide surface 13 of the manifold body 10 may contact each other to cause plastic deformation and withstand a tightening torque with a stronger strength. Therefore, the gas seal between the pipe 20 and the manifold body 10 can be improved.

[0124] The inflow portion 23 of the pipe 20 may include: a support surface 23d having a cross-sectional area that increases from the outer peripheral surface 22 of the pipe body 20a in a direction (-X direction) opposite to the first direction (X direction); and a circumferential surface 23c that extends in a direction (-X direction) opposite to the first direction and is recessed inward from the circumferential rib 23b and formed in a radial direction of the pipe body 20a. In other words, the circumferential surface 23c may be recessed radially inward from the circumferential rib 23b to extend toward the support surface 23d in the first direction (X direction).

[0125] The support surface 23d and the circumferential surface 23c may protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 22 of the pipe body 20a toward the pipe body 20a to support the circumferential rib 23b.

[0126] The inflow portion 23 of the pipe 20 may be formed to be engaged by the nut member 30 when the nut member 30 is fixed to the manifold body 10 to prevent the pipe 20 from being pulled out from the port 15 a in the first direction (X direction).

[0127] The nut member 30 may include: an inner circumferential surface 30b, which can support the outer circumferential surface 22 of the piping body 20a; a locking surface 30c, which extends to have a cross-sectional area that increases from the inner circumferential surface 30b in the direction in which the nut member 30 is inserted into the port 15a, so that the supporting surface 23d of the piping 20 is locked to the locking surface 30c; and a through surface 30d, which extends from the locking surface 30c in a direction (-X direction) opposite to the first direction (X direction) so that the inflow portion 23 passes through the through surface 30d.

[0128] The manifold 1 may include a sealing member 40 interposed between the nut member 30 and the manifold body 10 and configured to seal between the tubing 20 and the manifold body 10. The sealing member 40 may be interposed between the nut member 30 and the port face 14 and located outside (e.g., concentrically with) the tubing 20.

[0129] The sealing member 40 may be configured to receive the sensing dye 50 within the sealing member 40 (see Figure 8 ), and is configured to discharge the sensing dye 50 to the outside of the port 15a through the fluid flowing from the flow path 12a or the piping flow path 21a to the port 15a.

[0130] According to one embodiment of the present invention, after the pipe 20 is inserted into the port 15a, the sealing member 40 and the nut member 30 may be inserted into the port 15a along the pipe 20. Alternatively, the pipe 20 may be inserted into the port 15a together with the sealing member 40 in a state where the pipe 20 can be supported by the nut member 30. Alternatively, the sealing member 40 may be inserted before the pipe 20 and the nut member 30.

[0131] Figure 4is a bottom perspective view of a nut member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a side view of a nut member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 The nut member 30 may include a nut head 31 located outside the port 15a (see Figure 1 ), and a nut fixing portion 32 configured to engage with the inner peripheral surface 15 of the port 15a when the nut member 30 is inserted into the port 15a.

[0133] The nut member 30 may include a nut hole 30a provided in the nut head 31 and the nut fixing portion 32 so that the pipe body 20a (see Figure 2 ) can be inserted into the nut hole 30a.

[0134] The nut fixing portion 32 may include: a fixing surface 33 extending in the circumferential direction, having a thread corresponding to the inner circumferential surface 15 of the port 15a; and a guide groove 33a formed in the fixing surface 33 and extending in the direction in which the nut member 30 is inserted into the port 15a. However, the extension direction of the guide groove 33a is not limited to the first direction (X direction), and may extend in a spiral shape or other shapes along the circumferential direction of the fixing surface 33.

[0135] The nut fixing portion 32 may include a pressing surface 34 configured to be inserted into the port 15 a to face the port surface 14 , and a nut inclined surface 35 inclined or skewed radially outwardly from the pressing surface 34 relative to the nut fixing portion 32 .

[0136] As further described below, the pressing surface 34 of the nut fixing portion 32 may be a surface that contacts the sealing member 40 to press the sealing member 40, and the nut inclined surface 35 may be a surface that is inclined or skewed from the pressing surface 34 in the first direction (X direction) so that the nut inclined surface 35 is spaced apart from the sealing member 40. In other words, the nut inclined surface 35 is inclined relative to the outer side of the pressing surface 34 in a direction away from the sealing member.

[0137] Figure 6 is a side view of a nut member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0138] See also Figure 6 The nut member 130 may include an insertion surface 134 configured to allow the sealing member 40 to face the port surface 14 (see Figure 2 and a pressing protrusion 136, protruding from the insertion surface 134 toward the sealing member 40 to press the sealing member 40 while the insertion surface 134 and the sealing member 40 are spaced apart, replacing the pressing surface 34 (see Figure 5 ) and the structure of the nut inclined surface 35.

[0139] With the above structure, the nut member 130 can press the sealing member 40 by pressing the protrusion 136 instead of the insertion surface 134 .

[0140] Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of a sealing member 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a sealing member 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 9 is a side view of a sealing member 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.10 is a side sectional view of the accommodation portion of the sealing member 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0141] Reference Figures 7 to 10 The sealing member 40 may include: a sealing member body 40c having a sealing hole 40a, which is formed and configured to be inserted into the pipe 20 (see Figure 2 ) and located outside the pipe 20; and a housing portion 41, which is formed inside the sealing member body 40c and is configured to receive the sensing dye 50 therein.

[0142] The sensing dye 50 may include a fluorescent dye and may be detected by a user using ultraviolet (UV) lighting.

[0143] The sealing member body 40 c may extend in the circumferential direction and be arranged along the outer side of the pipe 20 , and may include an inner peripheral surface 40 b defining the sealing hole 40 a .

[0144] The sealing member 40 may include an aperture 42 formed in the sealing member body 40c, the aperture being configured to communicate the accommodation portion 41 with the port 15a so that the sensing dye 50 flows out to the port 15a. A plurality of apertures 42 may be provided along the outer peripheral surfaces 45 and 46 of the sealing member 40.

[0145] In the sealing member 40 , the sensing dye 50 may be provided and received in the accommodation portion 41 through the orifice 42 , and the sensing dye 50 may flow out from the accommodation portion 41 to the port 15 a through the orifice 42 by the higher pressure fluid flowing out from the port 15 a .

[0146] The sealing member body 40 c may include a base surface 43 and a chamfered surface 44 recessed from the base surface 43 toward the outside of the sealing member 40 .

[0147] The base surface 43 may include a top surface 43 a configured to face the nut member 30 and to be in contact with the nut member 30 , and a bottom surface 43 b configured to face the port surface 14 and to be in contact with the port surface 14 .

[0148] The chamfered surface 44 may include a first chamfered surface 44a recessed radially outward from the top surface 43a relative to the sealing member body 40c, and a second chamfered surface 44b recessed radially outward from the bottom surface 43b relative to the sealing member body 40c.

[0149] The outer peripheral surfaces 45 and 46 of the sealing member body 40c may include a connecting surface 45 including a first connecting surface 45a extending from the first chamfered surface 44a in a direction opposite to the first direction (-X direction), and a second connecting surface 45b extending from the second chamfered surface 44b in the first direction (X direction).

[0150] The outer peripheral surfaces 45 and 46 of the sealing member body 40c may include an outflow surface 46 extending radially inward from the sealing member body 40c toward each other from the first connection surface 45a and the second connection surface 45b.

[0151] The outflow surface 46 may include: a first outflow surface 46a, extending radially inward from the sealing member body 40c from the first connecting surface 45a along a direction opposite to the first direction (-X direction); and a second outflow surface 46b; extending radially inward from the second connecting surface 45b along the first direction (X direction) relative to the sealing member body 40c.

[0152] The first outflow surface 46 a and the second outflow surface 46 b may extend in the circumferential direction of the sealing member body 40 c to form an outflow portion 47 connected to the accommodation portion 41 together with the inner circumferential surface 15 of the port 15 a .

[0153] A plurality of orifices 42 may be provided between the first outflow surface 46a and the second outflow surface 46b along the circumferential direction of the sealing member body 40c. More specifically, five orifices 42 may be provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the sealing member body 40c.

[0154] The sealing member 40 may further include an aperture face 42 a surrounding the aperture 42 such that a cross-sectional area of ​​the aperture 42 increases radially outward from the receiving portion 41 relative to the sealing member body 40 c .

[0155] The orifice 42 has a shape of an orifice face 42 a whose diameter increases radially outward relative to the sealing member body 40 c to guide the sensing dye 50 so that the sensing dye 50 can receive pressure to flow out through the orifice 42 .

[0156] According to this structure, the sensing dye 50 accommodated in the accommodation portion 41 can flow out through the aperture surface 42a. Then, the sensing dye 50 can flow out from the aperture surface 42a to the outflow portion 47 along the outflow surface 46 extending to be inclined in a direction perpendicular to the radial outward direction of the sealing member body 40c relative to the radial outward direction of the sealing member body 40c.

[0157] The sealing member 40 may be formed of rubber, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, any object having elasticity is sufficient for use as the sealing member 40 .

[0158] In the following, reference will be made to Fig.11 and Fig.12 The principle that the sensing dye 50 in the sealing member 40 flows out from the port 15 a is described in detail.

[0159] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a nut member presses a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.12 is a schematic diagram showing that the sensing dye flows out to the outside of the port together with the hydrogen gas flowing out of the manifold body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0160] Reference Fig.11 and Fig.12 , the sealing member 40 and the nut member 30 can be inserted into the port 15a when the pipe 20 is inserted into the port 15a. In this example, the sealing member 40 can be inserted into the port 15a toward the port surface 14, and when the fixing surface 33 is coupled to the inner peripheral surface 15 of the port 15a, the nut member 30 can be inserted into the port 15a toward the sealing member 40.

[0161] In this state, since the nut member 30 can be coupled to the inner circumferential surface 15 of the port 15 a , the sealing member 40 may be interposed between the nut member 30 and the manifold body 10 to perform gas sealing therebetween.

[0162] Hereinafter, a principle of sensing the outflow of a fluid provided as colorless and odorless hydrogen gas as an example fluid will be described in detail.

[0163] The pressing surface 34 and the nut inclined surface 35 of the nut member 30 may move toward the sealing member 40 so that the pressing surface 34 and the nut inclined surface 35 are closer to the sealing member 40. The pressing surface 34 may contact the top surface 43a to press the top surface 43a of the sealing member 40. Even in this state, the nut inclined surface 35 may be spaced apart from the top surface 43a and the first chamfered surface 44a of the sealing member 40 along the first direction (X direction).

[0164] According to this structure, the top surface 43 a of the sealing member 40 can be pressed by the pressing surface 34 , and the bottom surface 43 b of the sealing member 40 can be pressed by the port surface 14 .

[0165] According to this principle, in the sealing member body 40c (see Figure 7 ) received in the sensing dye 50 (see Figure 8 ) can receive a force in the accommodating portion 41 along the first direction (X direction) or in a direction opposite to the first direction (−X direction).

[0166] In the process of fixing the pipe 20 to the manifold body 10, the sensing dye 50 can flow out to the port 15a through the orifice 42. In this state, the internal fluid of the manifold body 10 or the pipe 20 has leaked in the process of inserting the pipe 20 into the manifold body 10. Alternatively, in the state in which the pipe 20 is completely fixed to the manifold body 10, the internal higher-pressure fluid of the manifold body 10 or the pipe 20 can flow out between the manifold body 10 and the inflow portion 23 of the pipe 20 while flowing out.

[0167] At this time, due to the attraction of the higher-pressure fluid, the sensing dye 50 can be guided out of the port 15a together with the higher-pressure fluid through the guide groove 33a formed in the fixing surface 33. As described above, the user can use a light emitting device that irradiates ultraviolet (UV) light to sense the sensing dye 50 to determine that the higher-pressure fluid flows out of the port 15a from the inside of the manifold body 10 or the piping flow path 21a.

[0168] When the higher pressure fluid flows through the outflow portion 47, the higher pressure fluid of up to 1,050 bar may flow within the manifold body 10 and the piping 20. Therefore, the sensing dye 50 may not flow into the manifold body 10 or the piping 20 due to the pressure caused by the higher pressure fluid.

[0169] In addition, in a state where the pipe 20 is fixed to the manifold body 10, the manifold 1 (see Figure 1 ), a higher pressure fluid of up to 1,050 bar may flow in the manifold body 10 or the piping 20. Therefore, the sensing dye 50 may not flow into the manifold body 10 or the piping 20 due to the pressure caused by the higher pressure fluid.

[0170] According to this structure, the user can use the sensing dye 50 to check the fluid flowing out of the manifold body 10 or the piping 20 without position restriction when fixing the piping 20 and the nut member 30 to the manifold body 10 or using the manifold 1, thereby improving convenience and preventing safety accidents in advance.

[0171] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a manifold structure is provided in which a pipe is inserted into a manifold body to improve the coupling force so that a relatively high-pressure fluid is distributed more stably. Therefore, the durability and gas sealing of the manifold can be improved.

[0172] According to the embodiments of the present invention, since the fluid flowing out of the port of the manifold body can be sensed, a safety accident can be prevented.

[0173] The above description shows some example embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed.

[0174] Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided to explain the spirit and scope of the present invention, but not necessarily to limit them, so that the spirit and scope of the present invention are not necessarily limited by the exemplary embodiments. The scope of the present invention can be interpreted based on the appended claims, and the technical ideas within the scope equivalent to the claims can be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0175] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto but may be variously modified and changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A manifold comprising: a manifold body including a manifold flow path and a port configured to discharge fluid from the manifold flow path; a tubing inserted into a port of the manifold body and including a tubing flow path fluidly connected to the manifold flow path via the port; a nut member inserted into the port and coupled to the manifold body while supporting the pipe; as well as A sealing member is disposed between the nut member and the manifold body on the outside of the piping, wherein the sealing member includes a sensing dye therein, and wherein the sealing member is configured to discharge the sensing dye from the port together with a fluid flowing out of the port from the manifold flow path or the piping flow path.

2. The manifold according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing member comprises: A sealing member body located outside the pipe; and The receiving portion is located in the sealing member body to receive the sensing dye therein.

3. The manifold of claim 2, wherein: The sealing member also includes an orifice located on the sealing member body and configured to fluidly connect the receptacle with the port.

4. The manifold of claim 3, wherein: The orifice is located on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member body.

5. The manifold of claim 3, wherein: The cross-sectional area of ​​the orifice increases radially outwardly.

6. The manifold of claim 5, wherein: The sealing member further includes an outflow face extending to be inclined in a direction perpendicular to a radially outward direction of the sealing member body, wherein the outflow face is adjacent to the orifice.

7. The manifold of claim 2, wherein: The sealing member further comprises: a top surface in contact with the nut member; and A chamfered surface is recessed radially outward from the top surface toward the sealing member body.

8. The manifold of claim 1, wherein: The sealing member includes rubber.

9. The manifold of claim 1, wherein: The nut member comprises: a fixing surface inserted into the port so that the pipe is fixed to the port and extending in a circumferential direction so that the fixing surface is bonded to an inner circumferential surface of the port; and A guide groove is located in the fixing surface.

10. The manifold of claim 9, wherein: The guide groove extends in a direction in which the nut member is inserted into the port.

11. The manifold of claim 1 , wherein: The nut member comprises: A pressing surface in contact with the sealing member; and The nut inclined surface is inclined relative to the outer side of the pressing surface in a direction away from the sealing member.

12. The manifold of claim 1, wherein: The nut member comprises: an insertion surface facing the sealing member; and The pressing protrusion protrudes from the insertion surface toward the sealing member and contacts the sealing member so that the insertion surface is spaced apart from the sealing member.

13. The manifold of claim 1, wherein: The sensing dye includes a fluorescent dye configured to be visible using ultraviolet light.

14. A manifold system comprising: a manifold body having: a first outer surface; a port extending from the first outer surface into the manifold body, the port having an internally threaded portion with a port diameter; and a manifold flow path extending from a bottom surface of the port into the manifold body; a piping having a piping flow path configured to be fluidly coupled to the manifold flow path via the port; a nut member having an inner peripheral surface configured to accommodate and support the outer peripheral surface of the pipe therein, the nut member having an external threaded portion on a nut fixing portion, the external threaded portion configured to be threadedly engaged with the internal threaded portion of the port, and the nut member having a pressing surface configured to face the bottom surface of the port when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port; as well as The sealing member is arranged to be located outside the pipe and to be placed between a pressing surface of the nut member and a bottom surface of the port when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port, wherein the sealing member includes a sensing dye.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: The sealing member includes a receiving portion containing a sensing dye, wherein the sealing member includes an orifice extending from the receiving portion to a radially outer surface of the sealing member, and wherein the sealing member is configured such that when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port and when the sealing member is placed between a pressing surface of the nut member and a bottom surface of the port, the receiving portion is fluidly coupled to the port via the orifice.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: The radially outer surface of the sealing member has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape.

17. A manifold system comprising: a manifold body having: a first outer surface; a port extending from the first outer surface into the manifold body, the port having an internally threaded portion with a port diameter; and a manifold flow path extending from a bottom surface of the port into the manifold body; a piping having a piping flow path configured to be fluidly coupled to the manifold flow path via the port; a nut member having an inner peripheral surface configured to accommodate and support the outer peripheral surface of the pipe therein, the nut member having an external threaded portion on a nut fixing portion, the external threaded portion configured to be threadedly engaged with the internal threaded portion of the port, the nut member having a pressing surface configured to face the bottom surface of the port when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port, wherein the nut fixing portion includes a guide groove therein, the guide groove extending along the nut fixing portion to intersect the external threaded portion, so that the guide groove is configured to provide fluid communication between a bottom space adjacent to the bottom surface of the port and a first outer surface of the manifold body when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port; and The sealing member is arranged to be located outside the pipe and to be placed between a pressing surface of the nut member and a bottom surface of the port when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port, wherein the sealing member includes a sensing dye.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein: The sealing member includes a receiving portion containing a sensing dye, wherein the sealing member includes an orifice extending from the receiving portion to a radially outer surface of the sealing member, and wherein the sealing member is configured such that when the nut member is threadedly engaged with the port and when the sealing member is placed between a pressing surface of the nut member and a bottom surface of the port, the receiving portion is fluidically coupled to a bottom space of the port via the orifice.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein: The radially outer surface of the sealing member has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein: The guide groove extends in a direction in which the nut member is inserted into the port, a cross-sectional area of ​​the orifice increases radially outward, the sealing member includes rubber, and the sensing dye includes a fluorescent dye configured to be visible using ultraviolet light.

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