Dual interlocking system for fluid connector

Abstract

A dual interlock system for a fluid connector includes a valve body having a fluid passage inside, a valve member capable of selectively switching the fluid passage between a closed state and an open state, the valve body being connected to a complementary connector at an interface, an interlock mechanism including a pin, a first spring, and a lock, the front end of the pin is provided with a rotating cambered surface, and the rear end of the pin is connected with a first spring; the pin is operatively connected with the valve component through a locking piece, and the pin axially moves among an extending position, a retracting position and a locking position in the mounting cavity; a dual interlock system for a fluid connector of the present invention restricts movement of a valve member when the connector is not engaged; when the connectors are connected, the valve component is in an open state, and the locking piece limits the axial displacement of the pin, so that the connector and the complementary connector cannot be rotationally disconnected, and fluid leakage is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a double interlocking system for a fluid connector. Background Art

[0002] A fluid connector provides sealed fluid communication between two fluid passages (such as fluid passages defined by hoses, tubes, etc.).

[0003] Some connectors only have a locking device between the handle and the valve body, which has the following defect problems: When the connector is not engaged with the complementary connector, the handle can be unlocked, which easily causes fluid leakage; When the connector is engaged with the complementary connector, with the fluid passage in the open state, the connector and the complementary connector can still rotate and separate, which easily causes fluid leakage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a double interlocking system for a fluid connector, including: A valve body having a fluid passage inside; A valve member capable of selectively switching between a closed state blocking the fluid passage and an open state not blocking the fluid passage; An interface where the valve body can be connected to a complementary connector through a bayonet structure; An interlocking mechanism that prevents the valve member from switching from the closed state to the open state when the complementary connector is not connected to the valve body at the interface, and allows the valve member to switch between the closed state and the open state when the complementary connector is connected to the valve body at the interface, and prevents the complementary connector and the valve body from rotating and disconnecting when the valve member is in the open state; The interface includes a sealing surface; The valve body is provided with a mounting cavity and a socket opening on the sealing surface; The interlocking mechanism includes a pin, a first spring and a lock, the pin can axially move selectively between an extended position, a retracted position and a locked position in the mounting cavity, the front end of the pin is provided with a rotating pressing arc surface, the rotating pressing arc surface is adapted to the socket, and the rear end of the pin is connected to the first spring; When the pin is in the extended position and the locked position, the rotating pressing arc surface of the pin protrudes from the sealing surface, the pin extends further out of the mounting cavity in the extended position than in the locked position, and when the pin is in the retracted position, the rotating pressing arc surface of the pin is located in the mounting cavity; The pin is operatively connected to the valve member through a locking member. When the complementary connector is not connected to the valve body at the interface, the pin is in the extended position, and the locking member restricts the switching of the opening and closing states of the valve member; during the connection process of the complementary connector to the valve body at the interface, the pin is in the retracted position, and the restriction of the locking member on the valve member is released. When the complementary connector is connected to the valve body at the interface and the pin is in the locked position and the valve member is in the open state, the locking member restricts the axial displacement of the pin.

[0005] Preferably, the valve member includes a valve ball, a rotating shaft and a handle. The valve ball is rotatably arranged inside the valve body. A through hole is provided inside the valve ball. When the valve member is in the open state, the through hole is aligned with the fluid passage. The valve ball is fixedly connected to the handle through the rotating shaft, and the handle is located outside the valve body.

[0006] Preferably, the valve body and the complementary connector are detachably connected through a rotary clamping structure. The rotary clamping structure includes a clamping buckle and a clamping groove that cooperate with each other. The rotary pressing arc surface at the front end of the pin is inserted into the jack of the complementary connector.

[0007] Preferably, a locking mechanism is provided between the valve body and the handle. The locking mechanism includes a locking bead, a second spring and a button. The locking bead is slidably connected to the handle and is arranged on the handle. The valve body also has a first locking groove and a second locking groove. The first locking groove and the second locking groove correspond to the opening and closing positions of the handle respectively. The first locking groove and the second locking groove cooperate with the locking bead. The button is slidably installed on the handle. A groove for accommodating the locking bead is provided on the button. The two ends of the second spring are respectively connected to the button and the handle, and the second spring is located inside the handle.

[0008] Preferably, both the pin and the locking member are wear-resistant metal materials, such as high manganese steel, alloy wear-resistant steel or LG die steel, etc.

[0009] Preferably, the locking member includes a roller or an L-shaped locking rod and a limit post; Specifically, when the locking member is a roller, a rolling port communicating with the installation cavity is provided on the valve body. The roller is slidably arranged in the rolling port. An avoidance groove group is provided on the pin. The rolling port corresponds to the avoidance groove group, and a part of the roller is located in the avoidance groove group; the avoidance groove group is composed of a deep groove and a shallow groove axially arranged on the pin. A left limiting inclined surface is provided on one side of the deep groove facing the rotary pressing arc surface. An excessive inclined surface is provided between the deep groove and the shallow groove. A right limiting inclined surface is provided on one side of the shallow groove facing the first spring; a bead embedding groove is provided on the handle. The bead embedding groove corresponds to the closing position of the handle, and the bead embedding groove is adapted to a part of the roller.

[0010] Specifically, when the locking member is an L-shaped locking rod and a limiting post, one end of the L-shaped locking pin is fixedly arranged on the pin. The pin and the L-shaped locking rod are slidably arranged in the installation cavity along the axis direction of the pin. A rod groove is formed on the rotating shaft, and the rod groove corresponds to the closed position of the handle. The rod groove is inserted and matched with the other end of the L-shaped locking rod. A limiting post extending into the interior of the valve body is arranged on the bottom surface of the handle. A sliding groove matching the rotation track of the handle is formed on the valve body. The limiting post is movably arranged in the sliding groove, and the limiting post corresponds to the open position of the handle. The limiting post is abutted and matched with the L-shaped locking rod to form axial limitation of the pin.

[0011] The advantages and beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: A dual interlocking system for a fluid connector is provided. When the connector is not engaged with a complementary connector, the pin is in the extended position, and the locking member restricts the switching of the opening and closing states of the valve member, thereby locking the handle to prevent accidental touching of the handle to open the fluid passage. When the connector is engaged with the complementary connector, the pin is in the locked position, and when the valve member is in the open state, the locking member restricts the axial displacement of the pin, making it impossible to rotate and disconnect between the connector and the complementary connector to prevent fluid leakage. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a part of the valve body in the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 It is an end view of the sealing surface in the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the locking mechanism in the present invention.

[0016] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the pin in the extended position in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the pin in the retracted position in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the pin in the locked position in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 8 It is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the pin in the extended position in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 9 It is a schematic cross-sectional top view of the pin in the retracted position in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 10It is a schematic top view of the cross-section when the pin is in the locked position in the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0022] The following will further describe the detailed implementation manners of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0023] The technical solution specifically implemented by the present invention is as follows: As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a dual interlock system for a fluid connector includes: A valve body 1 having a fluid passage 11 inside; A valve member 2 capable of selectively switching between a closed state blocking the fluid passage 11 and an open state not blocking the fluid passage 11; An interface 4, and the valve body 1 can be connected to a complementary connector at the interface 4 through a bayonet structure 41; An interlock mechanism 3, when the complementary connector is not connected to the valve body 1 at the interface 4, the interlock mechanism 3 prevents the valve member 2 from switching from the closed state to the open state, and when the complementary connector is connected to the valve body 1 at the interface 4, the interlock mechanism 3 allows the valve member 2 to switch between the closed state and the open state, and when the valve member 2 is in the open state, the interlock mechanism 3 prevents rotational disconnection between the complementary connector and the valve body 1. The interface 4 includes a sealing surface 42, and the valve body 1 is provided with an installation cavity 43 and a jack 44 opening on the sealing surface 42.

[0024] The above valve member 2 includes a valve ball 21, a rotating shaft 23 and a handle 22. The valve ball 21 is rotatably arranged inside the valve body 1. A through hole is provided inside the valve ball 21. When the valve member 2 is in the open state, the through hole is aligned with the fluid passage 11. The valve ball 21 is fixedly connected to the handle 22 through the rotating shaft 23, and the handle 22 is located outside the valve body 1.

[0025] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the above valve body 1 and the complementary connector are detachably connected through a bayonet structure 41. The bayonet structure 41 includes a cooperating buckle 412 and a slot 411. The rotating pressure arc surface 311 at the front end of the pin 31 is inserted into the jack 44 of the complementary connector.

[0026] As Figure 4As shown, a locking mechanism 5 is provided between the valve body 1 and the handle 22. The locking mechanism 5 includes a locking bead 51, a second spring 53, and a button 52. The locking bead 51 is slidably connected to the handle 22 and is provided on the handle 22. The valve body 1 further has a first locking groove 55 and a second locking groove 56. The first locking groove 55 and the second locking groove 56 respectively correspond to the open and closed positions of the handle. The first locking groove 55 and the second locking groove 56 cooperate with the locking bead 51. The button 52 is slidably mounted on the handle 22. A groove 54 for accommodating the locking bead 51 is provided on the button 52. The two ends of the second spring 53 are respectively connected to the button 52 and the handle 22. The second spring 53 is located inside the handle 22.

[0027] Specifically, the elastic force of the second spring 53 drives the button 52 to move, causing the end of the button 52 to extend out of the handle 22. At this time, the positions of the groove 54 and the locking bead 51 are staggered, so that the button 52 drives the locking bead 51 to move downward, and then the locking bead 51 can extend into the first locking groove 55 or the second locking groove 56 to lock the position of the handle 22. When the handle 22 needs to be rotated, the operator needs to press the button 52 to align the groove 54 with the locking bead 51. At this time, when the handle 22 is rotated, the locking bead 51 can move upward into the groove 54, and at this time the handle 22 can be rotated to change the open or closed state, avoiding accidental touch of the handle 22 and causing fluid leakage.

[0028] In the first embodiment, as Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the interlocking mechanism 3 includes a pin 31, a first spring 33, and a locking member. The locking member is a roller 321. The pin 31 can axially move selectively between an extended position, a retracted position, and a locked position in the installation cavity 43. A rotating pressure arc surface 311 is provided at the front end of the pin 31. The rotating pressure arc surface 311 is adapted to the jack 44. The rear end of the pin 31 is connected to the first spring 33; When the pin 31 is in the extended position and the locked position, the rotating pressure arc surface 311 of the pin 31 protrudes from the sealing surface 42. The pin 31 extends further out of the installation cavity 43 in the extended position than in the locked position. When the pin 31 is in the retracted position, the rotating pressure arc surface 344 of the pin 31 is located in the installation cavity 43; A rolling port 34 communicating with the installation cavity 43 is provided on the valve body 1. The roller 321 is slidably arranged in the rolling port 34. An avoidance groove group 35 is formed on the pin 31. The rolling port 34 corresponds to the avoidance groove group 35, and a part of the roller 321 is located in the avoidance groove group. The avoidance groove group 35 is composed of a deep groove 351 and a shallow groove 352 axially arranged on the pin 31. A left limiting inclined surface 353 is provided on one side of the deep groove 351 facing the rotary pressing arc surface 311. An excessive inclined surface 354 is arranged between the deep groove 351 and the shallow groove 352. A right limiting inclined surface 355 is provided on one side of the shallow groove 352 facing the first spring 33. A bead groove 36 is formed on the handle 22. The bead groove 36 corresponds to the closed position of the handle 22, and the bead groove 36 is adapted to a part of the roller 321.

[0029] During use: When the complementary connector is not connected to the valve body 1, the pin 31 is in the extended position, the pin 31 protrudes from the sealing surface 42 of the valve body 1, the roller 321 is clamped between the rolling port 34 of the valve body 1, the bead groove 36 of the handle 22 and the shallow groove 352 of the pin 31. The roller 321 locks the handle 22 in the closed position, avoiding accidental touch of the handle 22 and causing fluid leakage. At the same time, the roller 321 prevents the pin 31 from being disengaged from the installation cavity 43. During the connection process of the complementary connector and the valve body 1, when the complementary connector abuts against the valve body 1 at the interface 4, the pin 31 is pushed into the installation cavity 43 of the valve body 1, and the first spring 33 is compressed and deformed, and the pin 31 is in the retracted position. When the complementary connector is connected to the valve body 1 at the interface 4, the complementary connector and the valve body 1 are mutually clamped in place through the rotary clamping structure 41. The rotary pressing arc surface 311 of the pin 31 is aligned with the jack 44 of the complementary connector. The restoring force of the first spring 33 causes the rotary pressing arc surface 311 to be inserted into the corresponding jack 44. The deep groove 351 on the pin 31 moves to the corresponding position of the roller 321, and the handle 22 is unlocked. At this time, the handle 22 is switched to the open state, the fluid passage 11 is opened, the bead groove 36 on the handle 22 is misaligned with the position of the roller 321, the handle 22 presses the roller 321 downward, and the roller 321 is pushed into the space between the rolling port 34 of the valve body 1 and the deep groove 351 of the pin 31, so that the pin 34 is axially limited, and the pin 341 is in the locked position. Since the rotary pressing arc surface 311 of the pin 31 is located in the jack 44 of the other complementary connector, the locking connection between the complementary connector and the valve body 1 is completed, preventing fluid leakage between the complementary connector and the valve body 1. Afterwards, the handle 22 is switched to the open state, the fluid passage 11 is closed, and the bead groove 36 on the handle 22 moves to the corresponding position of the roller 321. Due to the pressing arc surface 311 of the pin 31, during the process of the complementary connector and the valve body 1 disengaging from the rotary snap structure 41 by rotation, the pressing arc surface 311 is squeezed, and the pressing arc surface 311 drives the pin into the installation cavity 43. The pin 31 returns to the retracted position, the first spring 33 is compressed and deformed, and the left limiting inclined surface 353 of the pin 31 squeezes the roller 321 upwards. The roller 321 moves upwards from the deep groove 351 to between the rolling port 34 of the valve body 1 and the bead groove 36 of the handle 22, locking the handle 22. After the complementary connector and the valve body 1 are completely separated, the resilience of the first spring 33 causes the pressing arc surface 311 of the pin 31 to protrude from the sealing surface 11 of the valve body 1, and the shallow groove 352 of the pin 31 moves to the corresponding position of the roller 321, and the pin 31 returns to the extended position.

[0030] In the second embodiment, as Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, the interlocking mechanism 3 includes a pin 31, a first spring 33 and a locking member. The locking member is an L-shaped locking rod 322 and a limiting post 323. The pin 31 can selectively axially move between an extended position, a retracted position and a locked position in the installation cavity 43. A pressing arc surface 311 is provided at the front end of the pin 31, and the pressing arc surface 311 is adapted to the jack 44. The rear end of the pin 31 is connected to the first spring 33; When the pin 31 is in the extended position and the locked position, the pressing arc surface 311 of the pin 31 protrudes from the sealing surface 42. The pin 31 extends further outwards from the installation cavity 43 in the extended position than in the locked position. When the pin 31 is in the retracted position, the pressing arc surface 311 of the pin 31 is located in the installation cavity 43; One end of the L-shaped locking rod 322 is fixedly arranged on the pin 31. The pin 31 and the L-shaped locking rod 322 are slidably arranged in the installation cavity 43 along the axis of the pin 31. A rod groove 37 is formed in the rotating shaft 23, and the rod groove 37 corresponds to the closed position of the handle 22. The rod groove 37 is inserted and matched with the other end of the L-shaped locking rod 322; A limiting post 323 extending into the interior of the valve body 1 is provided on the bottom surface of the handle 22. A sliding groove 324 matching the rotation trajectory of the handle 22 is formed in the valve body 1. The limiting post 323 is movably arranged in the sliding groove 324. The limiting post 323 corresponds to the open position of the handle 22. The limiting post 323 abuts against the L-shaped locking rod 322 to form an axial limit for the pin 31.

[0031] During use, when the complementary connector is not connected to the valve body 1, the pin 1 is in the extended position, and the turning pressure arc surface 311 of the pin 1 protrudes from the sealing surface 42 of the valve body 1. At this time, the L-shaped locking lever 322 on the pin 31 is inserted into the rod groove 37 of the rotating shaft 23 to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft 23, so that the handle 22 is in the locked state and cannot move through the interlocking mechanism 3, reducing the risk of fluid leakage caused by accidental contact with the handle 22. At the same time, the locking bead 51 on the handle 22 is located on the second locking groove 56 of the valve body 1, and the handle 22 is secondarily locked through the locking mechanism 5, further reducing the risk of accidental contact with the handle 2. When the complementary connector is connected to the valve body 1, when the complementary connector abuts against the valve body 1 at the interface 4, the pin 31 is pushed into the installation cavity 43 of the valve body 1, the first spring 33 is compressed and deformed, the L-shaped locking lever 322 withdraws from the rod groove 37 of the rotating shaft 23, the locking of the handle 22 by the interlocking mechanism 3 is released, the pin 31 is in the retracted position, but the locking mechanism 5 still locks the handle 22. After the complementary connector is connected to the valve body 1 at the interface 4, the complementary connector and the valve body 1 are clamped in place through the rotary clamping structure 41, the turning pressure arc surface 311 of the pin 31 is aligned with the jack 44 of the complementary connector, and the return force of the first spring 33 makes the turning pressure arc surface 311 inserted into the corresponding jack 44, and the pin 31 is in the locked position. At this time, by pressing the button 52 on the handle 22, the second spring 53 is compressed and deformed, so that the groove 54 is aligned with the locking bead 51. By turning the handle 22, the locking bead 51 can be moved upward into the groove 54, and the handle 22 is completely unlocked. The handle 22 is moved to the open position, so that the first locking groove 55 is aligned with the locking bead 51. The return force of the second spring 53 resets the button 52, and the locking bead 51 moves between the first locking groove 55 and the handle 22, locking the handle 22 in the open position. At the same time, the limiting column 323 at the bottom of the handle 22 abuts against the L-shaped locking lever 322, thereby forming an axial limit for the pin 31. And because the turning pressure arc surface 311 of the pin 31 is located in the jack 44 of the butted valve body 1, the locking connection between the complementary connector and the valve body 1 is completed, so that the complementary connector and the valve body cannot be rotated and disconnected, preventing fluid leakage. After that, press the button 52 on the handle 22 to unlock the locking mechanism 5, switch the handle 22 to the closed state, close the fluid passage 11, and the limit post 323 at the bottom of the handle 22 moves along the chute 324. The limit post 323 separates from the L-shaped locking rod 322, and the axial limit of the counterbore pin 31 is released. Since the front end of the pin 31 is a rotating pressing arc surface 311, during the process of the complementary connector rotating and disengaging from the valve body 1, the rotating pressing arc surface 311 of the pin 31 is squeezed to drive the pin 31 to retract into the installation cavity 43, and the pin 31 returns to the retracted position. The first spring 33 is compressed and deformed again. When the complementary connector is completely separated from the valve body 1, the restoring force of the first spring 33 causes the rotating pressing arc surface 311 of the pin 31 to protrude from the sealing surface 42 of the valve body 1. The pin 31 is in the extended position, and the L-shaped locking rod 322 on the pin 31 is inserted into the rod groove 37 of the rotating shaft 23 to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft 23, and the handle 22 is locked in the closed state and cannot move again.

[0032] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the technical principle of the present invention, several improvements and refinements can be made, and these improvements and refinements should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual interlock system for a fluid connector, characterized in that, Comprising: A valve body having a fluid passage therein; A valve member capable of selectively switching between a closed state blocking the fluid passage and an open state not blocking the fluid passage; An interface where the valve body can be connected to a complementary connector through a bayonet structure; An interlocking mechanism that prevents the valve member from switching from the closed state to the open state when the complementary connector is not connected to the valve body at the interface, and allows the valve member to switch between the closed state and the open state after the complementary connector is connected to the valve body at the interface, and prevents rotational disconnection between the complementary connector and the valve body when the valve member is in the open state; The interface includes a sealing surface; The valve body is provided with a mounting cavity and a jack opening on the sealing surface; The interlocking mechanism includes a pin, a first spring, and a locking member. The pin can axially move selectively between an extended position, a retracted position, and a locked position in the mounting cavity. The front end of the pin is provided with a rotating pressing arc surface that is adapted to the jack. The rear end of the pin is connected to the first spring; When the pin is in the extended position and the locked position, the rotating pressing arc surface of the pin protrudes from the sealing surface. The pin extends further out of the mounting cavity in the extended position than in the locked position. When the pin is in the retracted position, the rotating pressing arc surface of the pin is located within the mounting cavity; The pin is operatively connected to the valve member through the locking member. When the complementary connector is not connected to the valve body at the interface, the pin is in the extended position and the locking member restricts the switching of the opening and closing state of the valve member; during the connection process of the complementary connector to the valve body at the interface, the pin is in the retracted position and the restriction of the locking member on the valve member is released. After the complementary connector is connected to the valve body at the interface, when the valve member is in the open state, the locking member restricts the axial displacement of the pin.

2. The dual interlock system for a fluid connector according to claim 1, wherein The valve member includes a valve ball, a rotating shaft, and a handle. The valve ball is rotatably arranged inside the valve body. A through hole is provided inside the valve ball. When the valve member is in the open state, the through hole is aligned with the fluid passage. The valve ball is fixedly connected to the handle through the rotating shaft, and the handle is located outside the valve body.

3. The dual interlocking system for a fluid connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve body and the complementary connector are detachably connected through a bayonet structure. The bayonet structure includes a cooperating buckle and a slot. The rotating pressing arc surface at the front end of the pin is inserted into the jack of the complementary connector.

4. The dual interlock system for a fluid connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, A locking mechanism is provided between the valve body and the handle. The locking mechanism includes a locking bead, a second spring, and a button. The locking bead is slidably connected to the handle and is arranged on the handle. The valve body also has a first locking groove and a second locking groove, which respectively correspond to the opening and closing positions of the handle. The first locking groove and the second locking groove cooperate with the locking bead. The button is slidably installed on the handle. A groove for accommodating the locking bead is provided on the button. The two ends of the second spring are respectively connected to the button and the handle. The second spring is located inside the handle.

5. The dual interlock system for a fluid connector according to claim 4, wherein Both the pin and the locking member are made of wear-resistant metal materials.

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