Valve and filter container

Abstract

To provide a valve that has a simple structure and can switch between opening and closing of a flow passage while preventing twisting of a tube constituting the flow passage due to rotation.SOLUTION: The problem is resolved by a valve comprising: a first tube 2 having a cylindrical outer shape with a first tube end 2a, and having inside a first flow passage 21 extending in the direction of the axis of the cylinder, in which the first flow passage forms an opening 2b at the first tube end; a second tube 3 extending coaxially with the axis, having a second tube end 3a and a cylindrical outer shape, and having inside a second flow passage 32 extending in the direction of the axis, in which an insertion portion 3c of the second tube end is inserted into the inside of the first flow passage of the first tube from the opening of the first tube; and a rotary ring 4 held rotatably about the axis by each of the first and second tubes on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second tubes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve and a filter container. [Background technology]

[0002] There are valves in which a flow path is opened and closed by a rotational action. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plunger in which a flow path is opened and closed by rotation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5753557 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in the plunger disclosed in the patent document, there is a problem that the plunger constituting the flow path is twisted by rotation for opening and closing. In particular, in a structure in which the plunger is rotated by using a cam groove and a cam follower, there is a problem that the flow path is inevitably twisted. In particular, in a valve structure in which a flexible tube is connected, there is a problem that the tube constituting the flow path is twisted frequently, and the durability of the structure including the valve is reduced. Furthermore, there is a problem that the elasticity of the tube causes the tube to twist, and the restoring force due to the twisting of the tube causes the valve to malfunction. There is a demand for a simple structure that can switch between opening and closing the flow path by rotation while preventing twisting of the tube constituting the flow path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] a first tube having a cylindrical outer shape and a first tube end, the first tube having a first flow passage extending in an axial direction of the cylinder, the first flow passage forming an opening at the first tube end; a second tube extending coaxially with the axis, the second tube having a second tube end and a cylindrical outer shape, the second tube having a second flow passage extending in the axial direction, an insertion portion of the second tube end being inserted from the opening of the first tube into the first flow passage of the first tube; and a rotating ring held on each of the first tube and the second tube so as to be rotatable around the axis on outer circumferential surfaces of the first tube and the second tube. wherein the second flow path does not reach the second tube end, but extends toward an inner wall of the first flow path at the insertion portion of the second flow path to form an opening at the insertion portion of the second flow path, the surface of the first tube is provided with a cam follower protrusion, the rotating ring is a guide cam groove that receives the cam follower protrusion, and the guide cam groove has a first position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is longest and a second position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is shorter than the first position by the rotation of the rotating ring. a valve having a first tube end, the valve comprising: a guide cam groove that moves the cam follower projection between the first tube end and the second tube end to move relative to each other, the valve having a first position, the opening of the second flow passage of the second tube being closed by a closing portion of an inner wall of the first flow passage of the first tube, so that the first flow passage and the second flow passage are not in fluid communication with each other, and a second position, the opening of the second flow passage of the second tube being open and spaced apart from the inner wall of the first tube, so that the first flow passage and the second flow passage are in fluid communication with each other, a first tube having a first passage therein extending in a direction of the axis, the first passage forming an opening at the first tube end; a second tube extending coaxially with the axis, having a second tube end and having a cylindrical outer shape, the second tube having a second passage therein extending in the direction of the axis, an insertion portion of the second tube end being inserted from the opening of the first tube into the inside of the first passage of the first tube; and a rotating ring held on each of the first tube and the second tube to be rotatable around the axis on outer circumferential surfaces of the first tube and the second tube,The problem is solved by a valve having a cam follower protrusion on a surface of the first tube, the rotatable ring having a guide cam groove for receiving the cam follower protrusion, the guide cam groove having a guide cam groove that moves the cam follower protrusion between a first position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is longest and a second position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is shorter than the first position by the rotation of the rotatable ring, thereby causing relative movement between the first tube and the second tube, and the valve having a closed state in which the first flow path and the second flow path are not fluidically connected in the first position, and an open state in which the first flow path and the second flow path are fluidically connected in the second position.

[0006] a filter container having a valve, the valve comprising: a first tube having a cylindrical outer shape and a first tube end, the first tube having an internal first flow passage extending in an axial direction of the cylinder, the first flow passage forming an opening at the first tube end and an end opposite to the first tube end communicating with the inside of the filter container; a second tube extending coaxially with the axis, having a second tube end and having a cylindrical outer shape, the second tube having an internal second flow passage extending in the axial direction, an insertion portion of the second tube end being inserted from the opening of the first tube into an inside of the first flow passage of the first tube; and a rotating ring held on each of the first tube and the second tube to be rotatable around the axis on outer circumferential surfaces of the first tube and the second tube, The problem is solved by a filter container which extends toward an inner wall of one flow path to form an opening at the insertion portion of the second flow path, and is provided with a cam follower protrusion on a surface of the first tube, the rotatable ring has a guide cam groove that receives the cam follower protrusion, and the guide cam groove comprises a guide cam groove that moves the cam follower protrusion between a first position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is longest and a second position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is shorter than the first position by the rotation of the rotatable ring, thereby causing relative movement between the first tube and the second tube, and the valve has a closed state in the first position where the first flow path and the second flow path are not fluidically connected, and an open state in the second position where the first flow path and the second flow path are fluidically connected. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present invention makes it possible to realize a valve with a simple structure that can switch between opening and closing a flow path while preventing twisting of the tubes that form the flow path due to rotation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A]FIG. 1 is a side view of a valve in a closed state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve in a closed state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 is a side view of a valve in an open state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve in an open state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a holding portion of a rotating ring of a valve according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4B] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a holding portion of a rotating ring of a valve according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4C] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a holding portion of a rotating ring of a valve according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5A] 13A and 13B are views showing another embodiment of the guide cam groove and the follower protrusion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing still another embodiment of the guide cam groove and the follower protrusion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5C] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing still another embodiment of the guide cam groove and the follower protrusion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5D] 5D is an enlarged view of the guide cam groove and the follower protrusion of FIG. 5C, as viewed from the axial direction of the follower protrusion. FIG. [Figure 5E] 13 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the guide cam groove and the follower protrusion according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [First embodiment] A valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3B. Figure 1 is a perspective view of valve 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A is a side view of valve 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of valve 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. Figure 3A is a side view of valve 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an open state. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of valve 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a closed state.

[0010] The valve 1 includes a first tube 2, a second tube 3, and a rotating ring 4. The first tube 2 has a first tube end 2a and has a cylindrical outer shape. The first tube 2 has a first flow passage 21 inside so as to extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical outer shape. The first flow passage 21 forms a first tube end opening 2b at the first tube end 2a. The diameter of the first flow passage 21 expands at the first tube end opening 2b. That is, the first flow passage 21 is composed of a first flow passage main flow section 21a with a narrow diameter and a first flow passage expansion section 21b with a larger diameter. The first tube end opening 2b is formed as an opening of the first flow passage expansion section 21b. An end (not shown) opposite to the first tube end 2a is connected to a fluid source, and the first flow passage 21 communicates with the fluid source. The first flow passage 21 on the first tube end 2a side is typically cylindrical.

[0011] The second tube 3 extends coaxially with the axis of the first tube 2. The second tube 3 has a second tube end portion 3a at one end and a second tube terminal portion 3b at the other end opposite to the second tube end portion 3a. The second tube 3 has a second flow passage 32 extending in the axial direction therein.

[0012] The valve 1 is a valve that allows a fluid to flow between the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 32, and one of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 32 can be set as the upstream path and the other can be set as the downstream path. In the following of this specification, as a representative example, the first flow path 21 will be described as the upstream path and the second flow path 32 as the downstream path.

[0013] The second pipe 3 has an insertion portion 3c whose side including the second pipe end 3a has a shape complementary to the shape of the first flow passage 21 on the first pipe end 2a side. When the first flow passage 21 on the first pipe end 2a side is a typical cylindrical shape, the insertion portion 3c has a cylindrical shape. The insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is inserted from the first pipe end opening 2b of the first pipe 2 into the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b of the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2. Of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3, the part of the second pipe end 3a has a radius smaller than the radius of the cylindrical shape of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3.

[0014] When the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is inserted into the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2, the outer diameter of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b of the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2, and a flow passage gap 5 is formed between the outer diameter of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 and the inner diameter of the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2. The flow passage gap 5 is a gap formed between the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b and the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3.

[0015] The central axis of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is coaxial with the central axis of the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2, and the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 can move along the central axis of the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2. The movement is such that the insertion length of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 inserted into the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2 is between D1 and D2, which is shorter than D1. When the valve 1 is in a closed state, the insertion length of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is D1, and the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is inserted most deeply into the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2. On the other hand, when the valve 1 is in an open state, the insertion length of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is D2, and the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is inserted most shallowly into the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2.

[0016] The second flow passage 32 forms an opening at the second tube end 3b and extends from the second tube end 3b toward the second tube end 3a. However, the second flow passage 32 does not reach the second tube end 3a, but extends axially toward the inner wall of the first flow passage 21 at the insertion portion 3c of the second flow passage 32, and forms an opening 33 on the circumferential surface of the insertion portion 3c of the second flow passage 32. The opening 33 of the insertion portion 3c of the second flow passage 32 is fluidly connected to the flow passage gap 5.

[0017] A seal member 34a (first seal member) is arranged around the entire circumference of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 on the first pipe end opening 2b side of the flow passage gap 5 so that the flow passage gap 5 is not communicated with the outside of the first pipe end opening 2b through the first pipe end opening 2b at the first pipe end 2a. The seal member 34a is arranged so that it is in close contact with the inner surface of the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b of the first flow passage 21 and the second pipe 3 can slide within the first flow passage 21. The seal member 34a is a seal member that ensures that the fluid in the flow passage gap 5 flows into the opening 33 of the insertion portion 3c of the second flow passage 32. In both the open state and the closed state of the valve 1, the flow passage gap 5 is fluidly isolated from the first pipe end 2a side of the seal member 34a in the central axial direction of the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2 by the seal member 34a and does not communicate with it.

[0018] On the other hand, a seal member 34b (second seal member) is arranged around the entire circumference of the second pipe end 3a of the second pipe 3 on the opposite side to the position of the seal member 34a with respect to the opening 33 of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 32 in the central axis direction of the first pipe 21. The outer diameter of the seal member 34b is smaller than that of the seal member 34a. The seal member 34a is arranged so that the second pipe 3 can slide in the first pipe 21 by being in close contact with the inner surface of the first pipe enlarged portion 21b of the first pipe 21, while the seal member 34b is arranged so that the second pipe 3 can slide in the first pipe 21 when the valve 1 is in the closed state, i.e., when the insertion length of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is D1, the seal member 34b is arranged so that the second pipe 3 can slide in the first pipe 21 by being in close contact with the inner surface of the first pipe main portion 21a of the first pipe 21. On the other hand, when the valve 1 is in an open state, that is, when the insertion length of the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe 3 is D2, the seal member 34b moves from the first flow passage main portion 21a of the first flow passage 21 into the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b of the first flow passage 21. Since the outer diameter of the seal member 34b is smaller than the inner diameter of the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b of the first flow passage 21, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the seal member 34b and the inner surface of the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b. As a result, in a closed state of the valve 1, the flow passage gap 5 is fluidically isolated by the seal member 34b from the first flow passage main portion 21a on the opposite side to the first pipe end portion 2a of the seal member 34b in the central axis direction of the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2, and does not communicate with it. On the other hand, in an open state of the valve 1, even if the seal member 34b is present, the flow passage gap 5 is fluidically communicated with the first flow passage main portion 21a in the central axis direction of the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2.

[0019] As a result, when the valve 1 is open, the fluid inside the first flow path 21 of the first tube 2 flows from the first flow path main portion 21a through the flow path gap 5 to the second flow path 32 through the opening 33 on the peripheral surface of the insertion portion 3c of the second flow path 32, and is discharged to the outside from the opening of the second tube end portion 3b to form a flow circuit. In order to make it easier for the fluid inside the first flow path 21 of the first tube 2 to flow from the first flow path main portion 21a to the flow path gap 5, a groove 3d that reduces the area of ​​the surface perpendicular to the central axis of the first flow path 21 of the first tube 2 can be arranged in the second tube end portion 3a of the second tube 3 to expand the flow path.

[0020] In this flow circuit, when the valve 1 is in a closed state, the fluid inside the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2 cannot reach the flow passage gap 5 from the first flow passage main portion 21a due to contact between the seal member 34b of the second pipe 3 and the inner surface of the first flow passage main portion 21a of the first flow passage 21, and the valve 1 is closed. When the valve 1 is in a closed state, the second pipe end portion 3a of the second pipe 3 passes over the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b in the first flow passage 21 and reaches the inside of the first flow passage main portion 21a.

[0021] The rotating ring 4 is a member that controls the positional relationship between the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 when the valve 1 is in an open state and a closed state. The rotating ring 4 is held on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 so as to be rotatable about the central axes of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3, respectively.

[0022] The rotatable ring 4 is a hollow cylinder, and has a retaining protrusion 42 on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape of the rotatable ring 4, the retaining protrusion 42 protruding from the inner peripheral surface toward the center of the cylindrical shape of the rotatable ring 4. For example, the second tube 3 has a retaining recess 31 drilled in the direction around the axis on the outer peripheral surface of the second tube 3. When the retaining protrusion 42 of the rotatable ring 4 engages with the retaining recess 31 on the outer peripheral surface of the second tube 3, the rotatable ring 4 is retained by the first tube 2 and the second tube 3, respectively, so that the rotatable ring 4 can rotate around the central axis of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3. In this state, the portion of the first tube 2 including the first tube end portion 2a is inserted into the hollow portion of the rotatable ring 4.

[0023] The surface of the first tube 2 is provided with a cam follower protrusion 22. The cam follower protrusion 22 is, for example, a protrusion formed so as to protrude from the circumferential surface of the first tube 2 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the first tube 2. Typically, it has a cylindrical shape.

[0024] The rotating ring 4 has guide cam grooves 41 formed on its circumferential surface. The guide cam grooves 41 receive the cam follower projections 22. Due to the engagement between the retaining projections 42 of the rotating ring 4 and the retaining recesses 31 of the second tube 3 and the engagement between the guide cam grooves 41 and the cam follower projections 22, the second tube 3 functions as a plunger for the first tube 2 in the valve 1.

[0025] The guide cam groove 41 is composed of, for example, a first groove 41a, a second groove 41b, and a transition groove 41c. The first groove 41a, the second groove 41b, and the transition groove 41c are all grooves with a width that is approximately the same as or greater than the width of the cam follower projection 22, and the cam follower projection 22 can move along the first groove 41a, the second groove 41b, and the transition groove 41c, respectively. As long as the cam follower projection 22 can move along the respective grooves, the first groove 41a, the second groove 41b, and the transition groove 41c do not need to be through-grooves that penetrate the front and back of the rotating ring 4, and may be grooves formed as recesses drilled on the surface side facing the first tube 2 on which the cam follower projection 22 is arranged.

[0026] The first groove 41a is a groove that is drilled in a direction around the axis on a plane perpendicular to the axis. The first groove 41a is drilled on a side of the first tube 2 that is closer to the first tube end 2a in a direction along the central axis of the first tube 2 to define a first position. The first groove 41a is drilled at a predetermined angle around the central axis of the first tube 2 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the first tube 2, and when the cam follower protrusion 22 is positioned in the first groove 41a, the positions of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 in the central axis direction do not change.

[0027] The second groove 41b is a groove that is drilled in a direction around the axis on a plane perpendicular to the axis. The second groove 41b is drilled on a side farther away from the first tube end 2a of the first tube 2 than the first position in the direction along the central axis of the first tube 2 to define the second position. The second groove 41b is also drilled at a predetermined angle around the central axis of the first tube 2 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the first tube 2. When the cam follower protrusion 22 is located in the second groove 41b, the positions of the central axes of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 do not change. That is, the first groove 41a that defines the first position is located closer to the second tube 3 than the second groove 41b that defines the second position in the direction along the central axis of the first tube 2, and as a result, the first groove 41a is located closer to the second tube 3 than the second groove 41b in the direction along the central axis of the first tube 2.

[0028] The transition groove 41c is a groove that connects the first groove 41a and the second groove 41b. The transition groove 41c is a groove that extends in a direction having an angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the first tube 2.

[0029] In the first position, the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe end 3a of the second pipe 3 is longest, and in the second position, the insertion portion 3c of the second pipe end 3a of the second pipe 3 is defined to be shorter than in the first position.

[0030] In the first position where the cam follower projection 22 is in the first groove 41a, the valve 1 corresponds to a closed state. That is, in the first position, the seal member 34b of the second pipe 3 is in the first flow passage main portion 21a of the first flow passage 21, and the outer surface of the seal member 34b is in contact with the inner surface of the first flow passage main portion 21a of the first flow passage 21, so that the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2 and the flow passage gap 5 are fluidically blocked (not communicated), and the fluid in the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2 does not reach the second flow passage 32 of the second pipe 3.

[0031] On the other hand, in the second position where the cam follower protrusion 22 is in the second groove 41b, the valve 1 corresponds to an open state. That is, in the second position, the seal member 34b of the second pipe 3 is separated from the first flow passage main stream portion 21a of the first flow passage 21 and retreats to the inside of the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b, the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2 and the flow passage gap 5 are fluidly connected, and the fluid inside the first flow passage 21 of the first pipe 2 flows from the first flow passage main stream portion 21a through the flow passage gap 5 to the second flow passage 32 through the opening 33 on the circumferential surface of the insertion portion 3c of the second flow passage 32, and is discharged to the outside through the opening of the second pipe end portion 3b.

[0032] The cam follower protrusion 22 is movable between a first position and a second position within the guide cam groove 41 by rotation about the axial direction of the rotatable ring 4. The movement of the cam follower protrusion 22 between the first position and the second position within the guide cam groove 41 allows the rotatable ring 4 to move relative to the first tube 2 and the second tube 3.

[0033] The valve 1 can be attached, for example, by attaching the first tube 2 to a filter container (not shown) and opening the second tube 3 to the atmosphere, with the first flow path 21 of the first tube 2 being upstream and the second flow path 32 of the second tube 3 being downstream. In this case, due to the fluid communication from the first flow path 21 of the first tube 2 to the second flow path 32 of the second tube in the open state of the valve 1, the fluid inside the filter container is discharged from the opening of the end tube portion 3b of the second tube via the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 32. In particular, in the pre-filtration preparation stage in which fluid and air exist inside the filter container, when discharging the air inside the filter container, the valve can function as a so-called vent valve or drain valve for discharging the air inside the filter container and the subsequent filtrate fluid inside the filter container.

[0034] With these configurations, the valve 1 can be operated as follows to perform the following functions: When the cam follower projection 22 is in the first groove 41a, i.e., in the first position, that is, when the valve 1 is closed, the seal member 34b of the second pipe 3 is in contact with the inner surface of the first flow path main portion 21a of the first flow path 21. At this time, the fluid inside the filter container is not discharged from the opening of the second pipe end portion 3b.

[0035] When discharging the fluid inside the filter container, the rotating ring 4 is rotated around the central axis of the first tube 2 or the second tube 3 to move the cam follower projection 22 from the first groove 41a to the transition groove 41c. In a state in which the cam follower projection 22 moves through the transition groove 41c, the second tube end 3a of the insertion portion 3c of the second tube 3 gradually moves away from the first flow path main portion 21a of the first flow path 21 of the first tube 2 and into the first flow path enlarged portion 21b. Accordingly, the contact between the seal member 34b of the second tube 3 and the inner surface of the first flow path main portion 21a of the first flow path 21 is gradually released, and the first flow path main portion 21a of the first flow path 21 starts to separate from the second tube end 3a of the second tube 3.

[0036] Furthermore, the rotating ring 4 is rotated around the central axis of the first tube 2 or the second tube 3 to move the cam follower projection 22 from the transition groove 41c to the second groove 41b. When the cam follower projection 22 is in the second groove 41b, i.e., in the second position, that is, the valve 1 is in an open state, the second tube end 3a of the insertion portion 3c of the second tube 3 moves completely into the first flow passage enlarged portion 21b, and accordingly the seal member 34b of the second tube 3 is completely separated from the first flow passage main portion 21a of the first flow passage 21. Due to the separation of the seal member 34b of the second tube 3 from the first flow passage main portion 21a of the first flow passage 21, the fluidic blockage between the first flow passage 21 of the first tube 2 and the flow passage gap 5 is completely released, and the first flow passage 21 of the first tube 2 and the flow passage gap 5 are fluidically connected. The fluid inside the first flow path 21 of the first tube 2 flows from the first flow path main portion 21a through the flow path gap 5, through the opening 33 on the peripheral surface of the insertion portion 3c of the second flow path 32, to the second flow path 32, and is discharged to the outside through the opening of the second tube terminal portion 3b.

[0037] A locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided in the first groove 41a and the second groove 41b to prevent the cam follower projection 22 from easily moving. The locking mechanism is a mechanism for fixing the position of the cam follower projection 22 with respect to the rotating ring 4. For example, a claw-shaped member (not shown) may be provided in the cam follower projection 22 to fix the position of the cam follower projection 22 with respect to the rotating ring 4. Also, the first groove 41a and the second groove 41b may have a projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which each groove extends (the direction along the central axis of the first tube 2) and narrows the width of each of the first groove 41a and the second groove 41b. The locking mechanism may take any form as long as it can fix the position of the cam follower projection 22 with respect to the rotating ring 4.

[0038] The above has described an example in which the retaining protrusions 42 are disposed on the rotatable ring 4 and the retaining recesses 31 are disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the second tube 3 as a method for holding the rotatable ring 4 to each of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 so as to enable rotation about the central axes of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3. However, the rotatable ring 4 can take various other forms as long as it is held by each of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 so as to enable rotation about the central axes of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3.

[0039] 4A, the retaining projections 35 may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the second tube 3, and the retaining depressions 43 may be disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the rotatable ring 4. By the engagement between the retaining depressions 43 of the rotatable ring 4 and the retaining projections 35 of the second tube 3, the rotatable ring 4 can be held by each of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3, and can rotate about the central axes of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3.

[0040] 4B, for example, a flange 3e that covers the rotatable ring 4 from the outside can be disposed on the second tube 3. Then, a retaining protrusion 36 may be disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the flange 3e of the second tube 3 at a location where the flange 3e of the second tube 3 covers the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable ring 4, and a retaining depression 44 may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable ring 4. Even in this case, the engagement between the retaining depression 44 of the rotatable ring 4 and the retaining protrusion 36 of the second tube 3 allows the rotatable ring 4 to be held by each of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 so as to be rotatable about the central axes of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, similar to the example shown in Fig. 4B, a flange portion 3e that covers the rotatable ring 4 from the outside may be disposed on the second tube 3, and the relationship between the recess and the protrusion may be reversed. That is, as shown in Fig. 4C, a holding recess 37 may be disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 3e of the second tube 3 at a location where the flange portion 3e of the second tube 3 covers the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable ring 4, and a holding protrusion 45 may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable ring 4. Even in this case, the engagement between the holding recess 44 of the rotatable ring 4 and the holding protrusion 36 of the second tube 3 allows the rotatable ring 4 to be held by each of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3 so as to be rotatable about the central axes of the first tube 2 and the second tube 3.

[0042] (Embodiment of Guide Cam Groove and Cam Follower Protrusion) The basic configuration of guide cam groove 41 and cam follower protrusion 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention is as described above, but in addition to the basic configuration, a locking mechanism can be provided that prevents cam follower protrusion 22 from moving to transition groove 41c when cam follower protrusion 22 is positioned in first groove 41a or second groove 41b of guide cam groove 41. An embodiment having a locking mechanism will be described as guide cam groove 141 and cam follower protrusion 122 having a locking mechanism with reference to Figures 5A to 5E. Guide cam groove 141 and cam follower protrusion 122 are the same as the above-described guide cam groove 41 and cam follower protrusion 22 except for the locking mechanism.

[0043] The guide cam groove 141 is composed of a first groove 141a, a second groove 141b, and a transition groove 141c. The first groove 141a, the second groove 141b, and the transition groove 141c are long holes or recesses defined by groove edges located opposite each other in each groove. The transition groove 141c is a groove that connects the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b. The first groove 141a, the second groove 141b, and the transition groove 141c are all grooves with a width that is approximately the same as or larger than the width of the cam follower protrusion 122, and the cam follower protrusion 122 can reciprocate along the first groove 141a, the second groove 141b, and the transition groove 141c. As long as the cam follower protrusion 122 is capable of moving along each of the grooves, the first groove 141a, the second groove 141b and the transition groove 141c do not have to be through grooves that penetrate the front and back of the rotating ring 4, but may be grooves formed by recesses drilled into the surface side facing the first tube 2 on which the cam follower protrusion 122 is arranged.

[0044] Figures 5A to 5E each show an embodiment of a guide cam groove 141 having a locking mechanism and a cam follower protrusion 122. Figure 5D is an enlarged view of the guide cam groove 141 of Figure 5C as viewed from the axial direction of the cam follower protrusion 122.

[0045] As shown in Figs. 5A to 5E, the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b are grooves that are drilled at a predetermined angle around the central axis of the first tube 2 on a plane perpendicular to the central axis. The first groove 141a and the second groove 141b are drilled in parallel at different positions along the central axis of the first tube 2. The first groove 141a is a groove that defines a first position when the cam follower projection 122 is at the position of the first groove 141a. The first groove 141a is a groove that defines a second position when the cam follower projection 122 is at the position of the second groove 141b. The first groove 141a is located closer to the second tube 3 than the second groove 141b that defines the second position in the direction along the central axis of the first tube 2. As described above, the transition groove 141c is a groove that connects the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b, and is therefore a groove that is drilled on a surface that is angled with respect to the central axis of the first tube 2, i.e., obliquely with respect to the central axis of the first tube 2, at a predetermined angle around the central axis of the first tube 2 so as to connect the respective ends of the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b.

[0046] First, the embodiment shown in Figures 5A and 5B will be described. Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the guide cam groove 141 and the cam follower protrusion 122 of this embodiment, and show a state in which the cam follower protrusion 122 is positioned in the first groove 141a. In this embodiment, a retaining claw 146 is disposed between the first groove 141a and the transition groove 141c and between the second groove 141b and the transition groove 141c as a locking mechanism. The retaining claw 146 is a convex protrusion that protrudes from the groove edge that forms the guide cam groove 141 toward the center of the groove. The length of protrusion of the retaining claw 146, which is a protrusion from the groove edge toward the center of the groove, can be set so that the cam follower protrusion 122 cannot naturally move from the position in the groove in which it is currently located among the first groove 141a, the second groove 141b, and the transition groove 141c, but can be set so that the cam follower protrusion 122 is induced to move from the groove in which it is currently located to the adjacent groove by a relative movement of the rotating ring 4 with a reasonable force suitable for use with the first tube 2. The retaining claw 146 is disposed at a curved portion of the guide cam groove 141 where the extending direction of the first groove 141a and the extending direction of the transition groove 141c change. That is, the guide cam groove 141 has the cam follower protrusion 122 held in the first or second position by the retaining claw 146 due to the locking mechanism.

[0047] For example, as shown in Fig. 5A, the holding claw 146a is disposed at two locations on the inside of the curved portion of the guide cam groove 141, that is, at the boundary between the first groove 141a and the transition groove 141c, and the holding claw 146b is disposed at the boundary between the second groove 141b and the transition groove 141c. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5B, the holding claws 146a, 146b, 146c, and 146d can be disposed on both the inside and outside of the two curved portions of the guide cam groove 141. That is, in the vicinity of the boundary between the first groove 141a and the transition groove 141c, the holding claw 146a is disposed on the inside edge of the curved portion of the guide cam groove 141, and the holding claw 146c is disposed on the outside edge of the curved portion of the guide cam groove 141. In addition, in the vicinity of the boundary between the second groove 141b and the transition groove 141c, the holding claw 146b is disposed on the inner edge of the curved portion of the guide cam groove 141, and the holding claw 146d is disposed on the outer edge of the curved portion of the guide cam groove 141. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the holding claws 146 may be disposed on two groove edges on the outer side of the curved portion of the guide cam groove 141, in contrast to FIG. 5A. In this case, in the example of FIG. 5B, only the holding claws 146c and the holding claws 146d are disposed. Each of the holding claws 146 is formed so as to protrude from the edge of the guide cam groove toward the center of the guide cam groove 141. In addition, although the holding claws 146 are described here as being disposed on the curved portion of the guide cam groove 141, they may be disposed on the groove edges in the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b, not on the curved portion of the guide cam groove 141.

[0048] Further, with reference to Fig. 5C and Fig. 5D, a further embodiment will be described. Fig. 5C is a diagram showing the guide cam groove 141 and the cam follower protrusion 122 of this embodiment, and shows a state in which the cam follower protrusion 122 is positioned in the first groove 141a. Fig. 5D is a diagram showing the state of the cam follower protrusion 122 in Fig. 5C, as viewed from a direction facing the cam follower protrusion. In the embodiment described with Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B, the lock mechanism is described as being composed only of the retaining claw 146. Here, the lock mechanism is composed of the retaining claw 146 and the receiving groove 122a arranged in the cam follower protrusion 122. The guide cam groove 141 and the retaining claw 146 are as described above. The receiving groove 122a is a groove arranged in a portion of the cam follower protrusion 122 facing the groove edge of the guide cam groove 141, and is a groove that can hold the cam follower protrusion 122 in a predetermined position by receiving the retaining claw 146 and engaging with it. The retaining claw 146 has a protrusion shape that protrudes into the groove from the groove edges of the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b, and the receiving groove 122a is a recessed groove with which the cam follower protrusion 122, which has a groove depth in the direction away from the groove edge, can engage, and is disposed on the periphery of the cam follower protrusion 122 on the side facing the groove edges of the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b.

[0049] 5A and 5B, the locking mechanism not only retains cam follower projection 122 in a predetermined section of first groove 141a and second groove 141b separated by retaining claw 146, but also makes it possible to retain cam follower projection 122 at the location where retaining claw 146 is disposed. Therefore, in this embodiment, retaining claw 146 is disposed not at the curved portion of guide cam groove 141, but inside first groove 141a and second groove 141b, and retaining claw 146 and receiving groove 122a of cam follower projection 122 are disposed at a position such that cam follower projection 122 is reliably present inside first groove 141a and second groove 141b even in a state in which retaining claw 146 is received in receiving groove 122a of cam follower projection 122. In the example shown in Figures 5C and 5D, retaining claws 146a, 146c and retaining claws 146b, 146d are arranged on both side groove edges defining the first groove 141a and both side groove edges defining the second groove 141b, respectively. However, it is not necessary for the retaining claws 146 to be arranged on both side groove edges defining the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b, and one retaining claw 146 may be arranged on either one of the groove edges defining the first groove 141a and one of the groove edges defining the second groove 141b.

[0050] Next, an embodiment in which the cam follower protrusion 122 is more firmly retained in the first groove 141a and the second groove 141b than the embodiment shown in Fig. 5A to Fig. 5D will be described with reference to Fig. 5E. The configuration of the guide groove 141 shown in Fig. 5E is the same as that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5A to Fig. 5D, and Fig. 5E also shows a state in which the cam follower 122 is located inside the first groove 141a. In this embodiment, the guide cam groove 141 includes a holding claw 146e extending from the direction of the transition groove 141c toward the first groove 141a, and a holding claw 146f extending from the direction of the transition groove 141c toward the second groove 141b. The holding claw 146e has elasticity and can be bent toward the groove edge of the first groove 141a, and when the holding claw 146e is bent, the tip side of the holding claw 146e can be stored in the retreat groove 147a arranged on the groove edge of the first groove 141a. Similarly, the retaining claw 146f is also elastic and can be bent toward the edge of the second groove 141b, and when the retaining claw 146f is bent, the tip side of the retaining claw 146f can be stored in the retreat groove 147b that is positioned at the edge of the second groove 141b.

[0051] In the normal state, retaining claw 146e extends so as to limit the groove width between first groove 141a and transition groove 141c, thereby obstructing movement of cam follower protrusion 122 between first groove 141a and transition groove 141c, and similarly, retaining claw 146f extends so as to limit the groove width between second groove 141b and transition groove 141c, thereby obstructing movement of cam follower protrusion 122 between second groove 141b and transition groove 141c.

[0052] On the other hand, when the tip side of retaining claw 146e is stored in retraction groove 147a and the tip side of retaining claw 146f is stored in retraction groove 147b, retaining claw 146e and retaining claw 146f do not hinder the movement of cam follower protrusion 122 between first groove 141a and transition groove 141c and between second groove 141b and transition groove 141c, and cam follower protrusion 122 is able to move between first groove 141a and transition groove 141c and between second groove 141b and transition groove 141c.

[0053] Therefore, the cam follower projection 122 can easily be accommodated from the transition groove 141c into the first groove 141a without a large load, and once the cam follower projection 122 is accommodated in the first groove 141a, it cannot naturally return from the first groove 141a to the transition groove 141c. Figure 5E shows this state. Similarly, the cam follower projection 122 can easily be accommodated from the transition groove 141c into the second groove 141b without a large load, and once the cam follower projection 122 is accommodated in the second groove 141b, it cannot naturally return from the second groove 141b to the transition groove 141c.

[0054] After cam follower projection 122 is accommodated in first groove 141a or second groove 141b, holding claw 146e is bent into retraction groove 147a, or holding claw 146f is bent into retraction groove 147b, respectively, to ensure the groove width between first groove 141a and transition groove 141c, or between second groove 141b and transition groove 141c, thereby encouraging movement of cam follower projection 122. With the locking mechanism of this embodiment, it is possible to actively and firmly retain cam follower projection 122 in first groove 141a and second groove 141b. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Valve 2 1st tube 2a 1st pipe end 2b 1st pipe end opening 21 First Channel 22,122 Cam follower protrusion 3 2nd pipe 3a Second pipe end 3b Second pipe terminal part 3c Insertion part 3d groove 3e Tsubabe 31 Retaining recess 32 Second flow path 33 Second flow outlet 34a, 34b Seal members 35,36 Retaining protrusion 4 Rotating Ring 41,141 Guide cam groove 42,45 Retaining protrusion 43,44 Retaining recess 122a Receptor groove 146 Holding claw 147 Evacuation Ditch 5 Flow passage clearance D1 Insertion length (closed) D2 Insertion length (when open)

Claims

1. a first tube having a cylindrical outer shape with a first tube end, the first tube having a first flow passage extending in an axial direction of the cylinder, the first flow passage forming an opening at the first tube end; a second tube having a cylindrical outer shape and a second tube end, the second tube having a second flow passage extending in the axial direction therein, the second tube having an insertion portion of the second tube end inserted into the first flow passage of the first tube from the opening of the first tube; a rotating ring held on each of the first tube and the second tube so as to be rotatable about the axis on an outer circumferential surface of the first tube and the second tube, The second flow passage does not reach the second pipe end, but extends toward an inner wall of the first flow passage at the insertion portion of the second flow passage to form an opening at the insertion portion of the second flow passage, a cam follower protrusion is provided on a surface of the first tube; the rotating ring has a guide cam groove that receives the cam follower protrusion, and the guide cam groove has a guide cam groove that moves the cam follower protrusion between a first position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is longest and a second position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is shorter than the first position by the rotation of the rotating ring, thereby causing relative movement between the first tube and the second tube, The valve has a closed state in the first position in which the first flow path and the second flow path are not fluidly connected, and an open state in the second position in which the first flow path and the second flow path are fluidly connected.

2. 2. The valve of claim 1, The guide cam groove comprises a first groove that defines the first position close to the second tube in the axial direction and is drilled in a direction around the axis on a plane perpendicular to the axis, a second groove that defines the second position farther away from the second tube in the axial direction than the first position and is drilled in a direction around the axis on a plane perpendicular to the axis, and a transition groove connecting between the first groove and the second groove.

3. 2. The valve of claim 1, The second tube has a retaining protrusion or a retaining recess formed on the outer circumferential surface in a direction around the axis, The rotating ring includes a retaining protrusion that engages with the retaining recess, or a retaining recess that is drilled in a direction around the axis so as to engage with the retaining protrusion, A valve in which the rotatable ring is held for said rotation relative to the second tube by engagement between the retaining projection and the retaining recess.

4. 2. The valve of claim 1, the first flow path includes a first flow path expansion portion, one end of which forms the opening, and a first flow path main stream portion having a smaller diameter than the first flow path expansion portion and communicating with the other end of the first flow path expansion portion, The second pipe is a valve comprising a first sealing member whose outer surface is always in contact with the inner surface of the first flow path expansion portion, and another second sealing member whose outer surface is in contact with the inner surface of the first flow path main portion when the valve is in the closed state, and whose outer surface is not in contact with the inner surface of the first flow path main portion when the valve is in the open state.

5. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The valve is attached to a filter container; The first pipe has a first flow passage communicating with the inside of the filter container on an opposite side to the first pipe end, The first flow path of the first tube is upstream and the second flow path of the second tube is downstream, The second tube has a second tube end portion which is an end portion opposite to the second tube end portion having an opening of the second flow path, In the open state, the valve discharges fluid inside the filter container through the first flow path and the second flow path and out of the opening of the second tube end portion.

6. 2. The valve of claim 1, The guide cam groove is provided with a locking mechanism having a retaining claw protruding from a groove edge that defines the guide cam groove, and the cam follower protrusion is retained in the first position or the second position by the locking mechanism.

7. 7. The valve of claim 6, The locking mechanism is a valve having a receiving groove disposed on the cam follower projection and receiving the retaining pawl.

8. A filter vessel having a valve, comprising: The valve is a first tube having a cylindrical outer shape with a first tube end, the first tube having a first flow passage therein extending in an axial direction of the cylinder, the first flow passage forming an opening at the first tube end and an end opposite to the first tube end communicating with the inside of the filter container; a second tube having a cylindrical outer shape and a second tube end, the second tube having a second flow passage extending in the axial direction therein, the second tube having an insertion portion of the second tube end inserted into the first flow passage of the first tube from the opening of the first tube; a rotating ring held on each of the first tube and the second tube so as to be rotatable around the axis, the rotating ring being disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the first tube and the second tube; The second flow passage does not reach the second pipe end, but extends toward an inner wall of the first flow passage at the insertion portion of the second flow passage to form an opening at the insertion portion of the second flow passage, a cam follower protrusion is provided on a surface of the first tube; the rotating ring has a guide cam groove that receives the cam follower protrusion, and the guide cam groove has a guide cam groove that moves the cam follower protrusion between a first position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is longest and a second position where the insertion portion of the second tube end of the second tube is shorter than the first position by the rotation of the rotating ring, thereby causing relative movement between the first tube and the second tube, The valve has a closed state in the first position in which the first flow path and the second flow path are not fluidly connected, and an open state in the second position in which the first flow path and the second flow path are fluidly connected.

9. 9. The filter vessel of claim 8, The guide cam groove comprises a first groove that defines the first position close to the second tube in the axial direction and is drilled in a direction around the axis on a plane perpendicular to the axis, a second groove that defines the second position in the axial direction that is farther away from the second tube than the first position and is drilled in a direction around the axis on a plane perpendicular to the axis, and a transition groove that connects between the first groove and the second groove.

10. 9. The filter vessel of claim 8, The second tube has a retaining protrusion or a retaining recess formed on the outer circumferential surface in a direction around the axis, The rotating ring includes a retaining protrusion that engages with the retaining recess, or a retaining recess that is drilled in a direction around the axis so as to engage with the retaining protrusion, The filter container has a retaining projection and a retaining recess, and the rotatable ring is retained for said rotation relative to the second tube by engagement of the retaining projection and the retaining recess.

11. 9. The filter vessel of claim 8, the first flow path includes a first flow path expansion portion, one end of which forms the opening, and a first flow path main stream portion having a smaller diameter than the first flow path expansion portion and communicating with the other end of the first flow path expansion portion, The second pipe is a filter container comprising a first sealing member whose outer surface is always in contact with the inner surface of the first flow path expansion portion, and another second sealing member whose outer surface is in contact with the inner surface of the first flow path main portion when the valve is in the closed state, and whose outer surface is not in contact with the inner surface of the first flow path main portion when the valve is in the open state.

12. A filter vessel according to any one of claims 8 to 11, The valve is configured such that the first flow path of the first pipe is upstream and the second flow path of the second pipe is downstream, The second tube has a second tube end portion which is an end portion opposite to the second tube end portion having an opening of the second flow path, A filter container which is a valve that, in the open state, discharges fluid inside the filter container through the first flow path and the second flow path and out of the opening of the second tube end portion.

13. 9. The filter vessel of claim 8, The guide cam groove is provided with a locking mechanism having a retaining claw protruding from a groove edge that defines the guide cam groove, and the cam follower protrusion is retained in the first position or the second position by the locking mechanism.

14. 14. The filter vessel of claim 13, The locking mechanism is a filter container having a receiving groove disposed on the cam follower projection and receiving the retaining pawl.

Images