Fluid transfer connector

Abstract

To stably supply fluid without causing curving or breakage in a connection portion between a plug and a socket.SOLUTION: A fluid transfer connector 1 includes: a plug 100 which has a first valve element section 110 and a cylindrical first storage section 120 for storing the first valve element section 110; and a socket 200 which has a second valve element section 210, a cylindrical second storage section 220 for storing the second valve element section 210, a first support section 230 for supporting the second storage section 220 in a state of being fixed to an installation surface S, a plug insertion section 240 into which the plug 100 is inserted, a moving mechanism 250 which moves the plug insertion section 240 along an axis line X2 and switches an open state and a closed state, and a second support section 260 for supporting the load of the plug insertion section 240 at a prescribed position Po along the axis line X2 of the plug insertion section 240. The plug insertion section 240 has a lock mechanism 245 for fixing the plug 100 not to move along the axis line X2 with respect to the plug insertion section 240.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for transferring fluids. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a coupling device for fluid transfer is known that transfers fluid from a pipe connected to a plug to a pipe connected to the socket by inserting a plug into the socket (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the coupling device for fluid transfer disclosed in Patent Document 1, an operator fixes a plug to a slider of the socket, and then moves the slider by air pressure, thereby bringing a first valve on the socket side into contact with a second valve on the plug side, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the pipe on the plug side to the pipe on the socket side.

[0003] The coupling device for fluid transfer shown in Patent Document 1 supports the plug inserted into the socket by a plug support portion that is positioned further forward than the front end of the socket, thereby preventing bending or damage to the joint between the plug and socket and ensuring a stable supply of fluid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4986520 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the fluid transfer coupling device shown in Patent Document 1, the plug support portion supports the plug at a position where it is not inserted into the socket. Therefore, the joint between the plug and the socket may be bent or damaged due to the load of the plug on the socket side of the plug support portion and the fluid flowing therein, and further due to the load of the pipe connected to the plug and the fluid flowing therein.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a connector for fluid transfer that is capable of steadily supplying fluid without bending or damaging the connection between the plug and socket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means. A fluid transfer connector according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a plug attached to an end of a first pipe through which a fluid flows, and a socket into which the plug is inserted and which is connected to a second pipe through which a fluid flowing in from the first pipe flows out, the plug having a first valve body portion and a cylindrical first accommodating portion that accommodates the first valve body portion movably along a first axis, the socket having a second valve body portion and a cylindrical second accommodating portion that accommodates the second valve body portion movably along a second axis, a first support portion that supports the second accommodating portion in a fixed state relative to an installation surface, and a socket having a second accommodating portion that is configured to surround the second accommodating portion. the plug insertion portion being formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 1 and into which the plug is inserted; a movement mechanism that moves the plug insertion portion along the second axis in a direction toward or away from the second accommodating portion to switch between an open state in which the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion are in contact with each other and a closed state in which the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion are not in contact with each other; and a second support portion that supports a load of the plug insertion portion at a predetermined position along the second axis of the plug insertion portion, and the plug insertion portion has a locking mechanism that fixes the plug so that it does not move along the second axis relative to the plug insertion portion.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operator inserts a plug into the socket and activates a locking mechanism of the plug insertion portion of the socket, thereby fixing the plug so that it does not move along the second axis relative to the plug insertion portion. When the plug is fixed in the plug insertion portion and the plug insertion portion is moved by the movement mechanism along the second axis in a direction approaching the second storage portion, the first valve body of the plug and the second valve body of the socket come into contact with each other. This allows fluid to flow from the first pipe on the plug side to the second pipe on the socket side.

[0009] According to the first aspect of the fluid transfer connector of the present invention, the first support portion supports the second housing portion of the socket in a fixed state relative to the installation surface. Also, the second support portion supports the load of the plug insertion portion at a predetermined position along the second axis of the plug insertion portion. Since the load of the plug insertion portion into which the plug is inserted is supported by the second support portion, the fluid can be stably supplied without bending or breaking the joint portion between the plug and the socket, compared to the case where the load of the plug is supported at a position where the plug is not inserted into the socket. Also, since the plug insertion portion and the second housing portion of the socket are arranged on the same axis, friction generated when the plug insertion portion is moved toward or away from the second housing portion by the moving mechanism is reduced, and the open state in which the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion are in contact is reliably maintained, and the fluid can be stably supplied from the plug to the socket.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the fluid transfer connector of the first aspect of the present invention, even if the plug insertion portion is moved along the second axis by the movement mechanism, the predetermined position of the plug insertion portion along the second axis is maintained in a state in which it is supported by the second support portion. Therefore, even if the center of gravity of the plug insertion portion and the plug fixed to the plug insertion portion is moved by the movement mechanism, the second support portion can maintain a state in which it supports the load of the plug insertion portion, and fluid can be stably supplied without bending or breaking the joint portion between the plug and socket.

[0011] The fluid transfer connector according to a second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, and further has the following configuration: the movement mechanism moves the plug insertion portion along the second axis in a direction toward or away from the second accommodating portion by pressure generated by compressed gas.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the fluid transfer connector can switch between an open state in which the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion are in contact with each other and a closed state in which the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion are not in contact with each other by the pressure generated by the compressed gas, without the need for an operator to manually switch between the open state in which the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion are not in contact with each other.

[0013] The fluid transfer connector according to a third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect, further configured as follows: the second support portion has a support shaft fixed to the installation surface and disposed along a third axis parallel to the second axis, and the plug insertion portion has an insertion hole into which the support shaft is inserted and which extends along the third axis.

[0014] According to the fluid transfer connector of the third aspect of the present invention, the load of the plug insertion portion can be transmitted from the insertion hole of the plug insertion portion to the installation surface via the support shaft inserted into the insertion hole.

[0015] The fluid-transfer connector according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the third aspect, further configured as follows: the second support portion has a plurality of the support shafts, and the plug insertion portion has a plurality of the insertion holes.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the load of the plug insertion portion can be transmitted from the multiple insertion holes of the plug insertion portion to the installation surface via the multiple support shafts inserted into the multiple insertion holes. Also, compared to the case where a single support shaft is inserted into a single insertion hole, a force that rotates the plug insertion portion around the support shaft is prevented from acting, and the load of the plug insertion portion can be reliably transmitted to the installation surface. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector for transferring fluid that is capable of stably supplying fluid without bending or breaking the connecting portion between the plug and the socket. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a fluid transfer connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a closed state in which the piping on the plug side and the piping on the socket side are not in communication with each other. [Diagram 2] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a fluid transfer connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an open state in which a piping on the plug side and a piping on the socket side are in communication with each other. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the plug shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the socket shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a left side view of the fluid transfer connector shown in FIG. 1, showing the locking mechanism in an unlocked state. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a left side view of the fluid transfer connector shown in FIG. 1, showing the locking mechanism in a fixed state. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support body shown in FIG. 4 taken along the line AA. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bypass flange shown in FIG. 4 taken along the arrow BB. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An embodiment of the fluid transfer connector 1 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the fluid transfer connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a closed state in which the pipe L1 on the plug 100 side and the pipe L2 on the socket 200 side do not communicate with each other. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the fluid transfer connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing an open state in which the pipe L1 on the plug 100 side and the pipe L2 on the socket 200 side communicate with each other. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the plug 100 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the socket 200 shown in Fig. 1.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a fluid transfer connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises, for example, a plug 100 attached to the end of a pipe (first pipe) L1 through which a fluid flows, and a socket 200 into which the plug 100 is inserted and which is connected to the end of a pipe (second pipe) L2 through which the fluid flowing in from the pipe L1 flows out.

[0021] By connecting the plug 100 and the socket 200 to each other, a non-compressible fluid can flow through the fluid transfer connector 1. In this embodiment, the non-compressible fluid is, for example, liquid such as pure water or chemical liquid used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The socket 200 is connected to a pipe L2 that is connected to a buffer tank installed in a building, for example. The plug 100 is attached to an end of a pipe L1 such as a hose led from a tank truck, for example. Note that the plug 100 may be connected to the pipe L2, and the socket 200 may be connected to the pipe L1.

[0022] 1 to 3, the plug 100 has a first valve body portion 110, a first accommodating portion 120, a first main body portion 130, and a first spring 140. The first accommodating portion 120 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape and accommodates the first valve body portion 110 so as to be movable along the axis X1 (first axis). The first main body portion 130 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape so as to extend along the axis X1, with the first accommodating portion 120 attached to one end and the pipe L1 attached to the other end.

[0023] The first main body 130 guides the fluid flowing in from the pipe L1 to the first housing 120 in which the first valve body 110 is housed. One end of a first spring 140 is attached to the end of the first main body 130 on the first housing 120 side. The other end of the first spring 140 is attached to the first valve body 110. The first valve body 110 is pressed against the opening hole 120a of the first housing 120 by the biasing force generated by the first spring 140. The first valve body 110 pressed against the opening hole 120a closes the opening hole 120a, bringing the opening hole 120a into a closed state in which no fluid flows through it.

[0024] 1, 2, and 4, the socket 200 has a second valve body portion 210, a second accommodating portion 220, a first support portion 230, a plug insertion portion 240, a movement mechanism 250, a second support portion 260, a bypass flange 270, and a second spring 280. The second accommodating portion 220 is a member that accommodates the second valve body portion 210 movably along the axis X2 (second axis) and is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0025] 4, one end of a second spring 280 is attached to the end on the second housing portion 220 side. The other end of the second spring 280 is attached to the second valve body portion 210. The second valve body portion 210 is pressed against the opening hole 220a of the second housing portion 220 by the biasing force generated by the second spring 280. The second valve body portion 210 pressed against the opening hole 220a closes the opening hole 220a, bringing the opening hole 220a into a closed state in which no fluid flows through it.

[0026] The first support portion 230 is a member that supports the second accommodating portion 220 in a fixed state relative to the installation surface S. The first support portion 230 is a member that is fixed to the installation surface S and formed in a plate shape along the vertical direction VD. A through hole that surrounds and holds the second accommodating portion 220 via the plug insertion portion 240 and the movement mechanism 250 is formed in the first support portion 230.

[0027] The plug insertion portion 240 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the second accommodating portion 220, and into which the plug 100 is inserted. The plug insertion portion 240 has a cylindrical body 241, a support body 242, a accommodating body 243, a cover member 244, and a locking mechanism 245.

[0028] The cylindrical body 241 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape so as to extend along the axis X2. The cylindrical body 241 has an inner circumferential surface disposed so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the second housing portion 220. One end of the cylindrical body 241 (the left end in FIG. 4) is connected to the support body 242. The cylindrical body 241 is formed with a through hole 241a extending along the axis X2.

[0029] The support 242 is a member formed in a plate shape along the vertical direction VD, and is a member supported by the second support part 260. A through hole 242a extending along the axis X2 is formed in the support 242. A container 243 is connected to the support 242.

[0030] The container 243 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape so as to extend along the axis X2. The container 243 has a through hole 243a formed therein, which extends along the axis X2. A plate-shaped cover member 244 is attached to the container 243. The cover member 244 has a through hole 244a formed therein, which extends along the axis X2. The through hole 241a, the through hole 242a, the through hole 243a, and the through hole 244a form a through hole into which the plug 100 is inserted.

[0031] The locking mechanism 245 is a mechanism that fixes the plug 100 so as not to move along the axis X2 relative to the plug insertion portion 240. By being fixed to the plug insertion portion 240 by the locking mechanism 245, the plug 100 is moved together with the plug insertion portion 240 along the axis X2 by the movement mechanism 250.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a left side view of the fluid transfer connector 1 shown in Fig. 1, showing the locking mechanism 245 in an unlocked state. Fig. 6 is a left side view of the fluid transfer connector 1 shown in Fig. 1, showing the locking mechanism 245 in a locked state. The locking mechanism 245 has a pair of lever members 245a and a pair of locking members 245b.

[0033] The locking mechanism 245 switches between an unfixed state in which the locking member 245b does not protrude into the fluid flow path 240a centered on the axis X2 and a fixed state in which the locking member 245b protrudes into the fluid flow path 240a centered on the axis X2, by swinging the lever member 245a about the axis X4. The plug 100 is not shown in Figures 5 and 6. A pair of engagement grooves (not shown) with which the locking member 245b engages are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the plug 100.

[0034] With the plug 100 inserted into the socket 200, the operator switches the locking mechanism 245 from an unlocked state to a locked state, thereby causing the locking member 245b to engage with the engagement groove of the plug 100. This fixes the plug 100 to the plug insertion portion 240 so as not to move along the axis X2.

[0035] The movement mechanism 250 is a mechanism that moves the plug insertion portion 240 along the axis X2 in a direction toward or away from the second accommodation portion 220 to switch between an open state in which the first valve body portion 110 and the second valve body portion 210 are in contact with each other and a closed state in which the first valve body portion 110 and the second valve body portion 210 are not in contact with each other. The movement mechanism 250 has an annular member 251, a cylindrical body 252, a first intake / exhaust port 253, a second intake / exhaust port 254, and a cover member 255.

[0036] A bearing member 252a made of a resin material (e.g., a fluororesin material) is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 252. The bearing member 252a has the effect of reducing friction between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 241 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 252. The cover member 255 is an annular member attached to the end of the cylindrical body 252 by a fastening bolt (not shown) so as to maintain a state in which the bearing member 252a is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 252.

[0037] The moving mechanism 250 supplies compressed air (compressed gas) from the first intake / exhaust port 253 to the first pressure chamber P1, thereby increasing the pressure in the first pressure chamber P1 to be higher than the pressure in the second pressure chamber P2, and moves the plug insertion portion 240 along the first moving direction MV1 (the direction from right to left in Figure 4) to the closed state shown in Figure 1.

[0038] In addition, the moving mechanism 250 increases the pressure in the second pressure chamber P2 above the pressure in the first pressure chamber P1 by supplying compressed air (compressed gas) from the second intake / exhaust port 254 to the second pressure chamber P2, and moves the plug insertion portion 240 along the second moving direction MV2 (the direction from left to right in Figure 4) to the open state shown in Figure 2.

[0039] The second support portion 260 is a member that supports the load of the plug insertion portion 240 so that the axis X1 coincides with the axis X2 at a predetermined position Po along the axis X2 of the plug insertion portion 240. The second support portion 260 has a pair of support shafts 261 and a fixing portion 262 that fixes one end of the support shafts 261 to the installation surface S.

[0040] The support shaft 261 is a shaft-shaped member that is fixed to the installation surface S via the fixing portion 262 and the first support portion 230, and is disposed along a third axis (X3) parallel to the axis X2. The support shaft 261 is preferably formed from a metal material. One end of the support shaft 261 is fixed to the installation surface S via the fixing portion 262, and the other end of the support shaft 261 is fixed to the installation surface S via the first support portion 230.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the support 242 shown in Fig. 4 taken along the line AA. As shown in Fig. 7, the support 242 is formed with a pair of insertion holes 242b into which the pair of support shafts 261 are inserted. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the insertion holes 242b are through holes formed to extend along the axis X3. The insertion holes 242b are preferably formed from a resin material (e.g., a fluororesin material) in order to reduce friction generated between the insertion holes 242b and the support shafts 261.

[0042] The bypass flange 270 is a member for supplying air (gas) for checking the airtightness of a fluid flow path from the pipe L1 to the pipe L2 of the fluid transfer connector 1 in the open state shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bypass flange 270 shown in Fig. 4 taken along the line BB. As shown in Fig. 8, the bypass flange 270 is formed with a through hole 271 which is a part of the flow path from the pipe L1 to the fluid flow path from the pipe L2, and an introduction flow path 272 which introduces air supplied from an external air supply source (not shown) to the through hole 271.

[0043] The bypass flange 270 is fixed in a sandwiched state between the flange F and the second accommodating portion 220 by fastening a bolt B inserted into the flange F attached to the end of the pipe L2 to a fastening hole (not shown) formed in the second accommodating portion 220.

[0044] The operator supplies air to the fluid flow path from pipe L1 to pipe L2 of the fluid transfer connector 1 by supplying air to the introduction flow path 272 of the fluid transfer connector 1 in the open state shown in Fig. 2. This enables the operator to check whether the air that has flowed into the fluid flow path from pipe L1 to pipe L2 is flowing out of the fluid transfer connector 1 (a state in which airtightness is not ensured).

[0045] In addition, the operator supplies air to the fluid flow path inside the second valve body portion 210 of the socket 200 by supplying air to the introduction flow path 272 of the fluid transfer connector 1 in the closed state shown in Fig. 1. This enables the operator to check whether the second valve body portion 210 of the socket 200 is in contact with the opening hole 220a of the second storage portion 220 and the state in which the pipes L1 and L2 are not in communication with each other is being properly maintained.

[0046] The functions and effects of the fluid transfer connector 1 of the present embodiment described above will be described. According to the fluid transfer connector 1 of this embodiment, an operator inserts the plug 100 into the socket 200 and operates the locking mechanism 245 of the plug insertion section 240 of the socket 200, thereby fixing the plug 100 so as not to move along the axis X2 relative to the plug insertion section 240. When the plug insertion section 240 is moved by the movement mechanism 250 along the axis X2 in a direction approaching the second accommodating section 220 with the plug 100 fixed to the plug insertion section 240, the first valve body 110 of the plug 100 and the second valve body 210 of the socket 200 come into contact with each other. This allows fluid to flow from the pipe L1 on the plug 100 side to the pipe L2 on the socket 200 side.

[0047] According to the fluid transfer connector 1 of this embodiment, the first support portion 230 supports the second accommodating portion 220 of the socket 200 in a fixed state relative to the installation surface S. Furthermore, the second support portion 260 supports the load of the plug insertion portion 240 at a predetermined position Po along the axis X2 of the plug insertion portion 240. Since the load of the plug insertion portion 240 into which the plug 100 is inserted is supported by the second support portion 260, the fluid can be stably supplied without bending or breaking the joint portion between the plug 100 and the socket 200, as compared to a case in which the load of the plug 100 is supported at a position where the plug 100 is not inserted into the socket 200.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the fluid transfer connector 1 of this embodiment, even if the plug insertion portion 240 is moved along the axis X2 by the movement mechanism 250, the predetermined position Po of the plug insertion portion 240 along the axis X2 is maintained in a state in which it is supported by the second support portion 260. Therefore, even if the center of gravity of the plug insertion portion 240 and the plug 100 fixed to the plug insertion portion 240 is moved by the movement mechanism 250, the state in which the load of the plug insertion portion 240 is supported by the second support portion 260 is maintained, and fluid can be stably supplied without bending or breaking the joint portion between the plug 100 and the socket 200.

[0049] According to the fluid transfer connector 1 of this embodiment, the operation of switching between an open state in which the first valve body portion 110 and the second valve body portion 210 are in contact and a closed state in which the first valve body portion 110 and the second valve body portion 210 are not in contact can be performed by the pressure generated by the compressed air, without the need for an operator to manually switch between the open state in which the first valve body portion 110 and the second valve body portion 210 are not in contact.

[0050] According to the fluid transfer connector 1 of this embodiment, the load of the plug insertion portion 240 can be transmitted from the pair of insertion holes 242b of the plug insertion portion 240 to the installation surface S via the pair of support shafts 261 inserted into the pair of insertion holes 242b. Furthermore, compared to the case where a single support shaft is inserted into a single insertion hole, a force in a direction that rotates the plug insertion portion 240 around the support shafts 261 is not applied, and the load of the plug insertion portion 240 can be reliably transmitted to the installation surface S. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Fluid transfer connector 100 Plug 110 First valve body part 120 First storage section 120a Opening hole 130 First body part 140 First Spring 200 Sockets 210 Second valve body part 220 Second Storage Unit 230 1st support part 240 Plug insertion part 240a Fluid flow path 241 Cylinder 241a,242a,243a,244a Through hole 242 Support 242b Insertion hole 243 Containment Unit 244 Cover material 245 Locking mechanism 245a Lever member 245b Locking member 250 Moving mechanism 251 Annular member 252 Cylinder 253 First intake and exhaust port 254 Second intake and exhaust port 260 Second support part 261 Support shaft 262 Fixed part 270 Bypass flange 271 Through Hole 272 Inlet Channel 280 2nd Spring L1 piping (first piping) L2 piping (second piping) MV1 1st movement direction MV2 2nd movement direction P1 First pressure chamber P2 Second pressure chamber Po in place S Installation surface VD Vertical direction X1, X2, X3, X4 axes

Claims

1. a plug attached to an end of a first pipe through which a fluid flows; a socket into which the plug is inserted and which is connected to a second pipe through which the fluid flowing in from the first pipe flows out; The plug is A first valve body portion; a cylindrical first housing portion that houses the first valve body portion so as to be movable along a first axis, The socket is A second valve body portion; a cylindrical second housing portion that houses the second valve body portion so as to be movable along a second axis; a first support portion that supports the second housing portion in a fixed state relative to an installation surface; a plug insertion portion formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the second housing portion and into which the plug is inserted; a moving mechanism that moves the plug insertion portion along the second axis in a direction toward or away from the second accommodating portion to switch between an open state in which the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion are in contact with each other and a closed state in which the first valve body portion and the second valve body portion are not in contact with each other; a second support portion that supports a load of the plug insertion portion at a predetermined position along the second axis of the plug insertion portion, The plug insertion portion has a locking mechanism that fixes the plug so that it does not move along the second axis relative to the plug insertion portion.

2. The connector for fluid transfer according to claim 1 , wherein the movement mechanism moves the plug insertion portion along the second axis in a direction toward or away from the second accommodating portion by pressure generated by compressed gas.

3. the second support portion has a support shaft that is fixed to the installation surface and is disposed along a third axis that is parallel to the second axis, 3. The connector for transporting fluid according to claim 1, wherein the plug insertion portion has an insertion hole into which the support shaft is inserted and which extends along the third axis.

4. The second support portion has a plurality of the support shafts, The connector for transferring fluid according to claim 3 , wherein the plug insertion portion has a plurality of the insertion holes.

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