Pressure controller

Abstract

To provide a pressure controller with a simple structure, capable of preventing occurrence of abnormal pressure.SOLUTION: A pressure controller comprises: a body 1 having a valve seat 15; a cover 2 provided with a female screw part 21; a diaphragm 3 disposed between the body 1 and the cover 2; a valve 4 that moves close to and away from the valve seat 15 in interlock with deformation of the diaphragm 3; a spring 5 disposed inside the cover 2; a pressing member 6 disposed inside the cover 2; and a set screw 7 screwed to the female screw part 21 of the cover 2 and adjusting pressing force of the spring 5 via the pressing member 6. A bottomed groove part 22 extending in an axial direction of the cover 2 is provided on an inner surface of the cover 2, and the pressing member 6 is fitted movably in the axial direction into the groove part 22 of the cover 2, thereby an axial moving range of the pressing member 6 being restricted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pressure regulators. [Background technology]

[0002] A pressure regulator equipped with a diaphragm is known in the art. In this type of pressure regulator, the diaphragm is disposed between the body and the cover, and the valve opens and closes in response to deformation of the diaphragm.

[0003] In addition, in this type of pressure regulator, a spring and a pressure member are arranged inside the cover, and the pressing force that the spring exerts on the diaphragm is adjusted as the pressure member moves within the cover along the axis of the spring (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-186353 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conventional pressure regulator described above, if the pressing member moves too far inside the cover, abnormal pressure may occur. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a mechanism for restricting the range of movement of the pressing member inside the cover in the pressure regulator. However, if such a mechanism is added, the structure of the pressure regulator becomes complicated.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a pressure regulator with a simple structure that can prevent the occurrence of abnormal pressure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A pressure regulator according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body having a valve seat, a cover provided with a female thread portion, a diaphragm disposed between the main body and the cover, a valve that moves toward and away from the valve seat in response to deformation of the diaphragm, a spring disposed inside the cover, a press member disposed inside the cover, and a set screw that threads into the female thread portion of the cover and adjusts the pressing force of the spring via the press member. An inner surface of the cover is provided with a bottomed groove extending in the axial direction of the cover. The press member is fitted into the groove of the cover so as to be movable in the axial direction, thereby restricting the range of movement of the press member in the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure has an advantage in that it is possible to provide a pressure regulator that can prevent abnormal pressure from occurring, with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pressure regulator according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3A is a plan view of a pressing member provided in the pressure regulator, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the pressing member. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a pressing member is housed in a cover provided in the pressure regulator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1. One embodiment 1 and 2 show a pressure regulator according to one embodiment. The pressure regulator according to one embodiment includes a main body 1 configured to allow a gas to flow, a cover 2 having an opening connected to the main body 1, a diaphragm 3, a valve 4, a spring 5, a pressing member 6, a set screw 7, and a handle 8. The gas flowing through the main body 1 is, for example, oxygen.

[0011] The pressure regulator of one embodiment is used to extract high-pressure gas from a gas container such as a cylinder filled with gas at high pressure. By extracting gas through the pressure regulator of one embodiment, the gas filled at high pressure in the gas container is decompressed and extracted.

[0012] Each component of the pressure regulator of one embodiment will be described below in order.

[0013] (Main body) The main body 1 has a flow path through which a gas such as oxygen flows. The flow path includes a first flow path 11, a second flow path 12, a communication flow path 13 that communicates with the first flow path 11, and a recess 14 that communicates with the communication flow path 13 and the second flow path 12.

[0014] A valve seat 15 is fixed to the communication flow path 13. The valve 4 housed in the communication flow path 13 moves toward or away from the valve seat 15, thereby opening and closing the valve in the main body 1.

[0015] The communication flow path 13 further accommodates a stabilizer 16 and a valve spring 17. The stabilizer 16 is configured to contact the valve 4 and the valve spring 17 and transmit the biasing force of the valve spring 17 to the valve 4.

[0016] A transmission member 18 is attached to the valve seat 15. The transmission member 18 is movable forward and backward within a predetermined range relative to the valve seat 15. The transmission member 18 has one end that abuts against the valve 4 and the other end that abuts against the center of the diaphragm 3. When the diaphragm 3 deforms, the displacement of the center of the diaphragm 3 is transmitted to the valve 4 via the transmission member 18.

[0017] The recess 14 opens toward the side where the cover 2 and the diaphragm 3 are located, and the opening of the recess 14 is covered by the diaphragm 3.

[0018] (cover) The cover 2 has a wall portion 28 located on the opposite side to the opening connected to the main body 1. A female screw portion 21 is provided in the center of the wall portion 28 so as to penetrate the wall portion 28. The female screw portion 21 is configured so that the push screw 7 can be threadedly engaged therewith so as to be able to move forward and backward.

[0019] In one embodiment of the pressure regulator, the female thread portion 21 is formed by attaching a member separate from the wall portion 28 to the wall portion 28, but the female thread portion 21 may also be formed by processing the wall portion 28.

[0020] A large diameter portion 23 having a circular cross section and a small diameter portion 25 also having a circular cross section are provided continuously in the axial direction of the cover 2 on the inner surface of the cover 2. The cross-sectional shapes of the large diameter portion 23 and the small diameter portion 25 here are shapes of cross sections perpendicular to the axial direction of the cover 2.

[0021] The large diameter portion 23 is a portion that is provided with a larger diameter than the female thread portion 21, with a step interposed therebetween. The small diameter portion 25 is a portion that is provided with a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 23, with a step interposed therebetween. The female thread portion 21, the large diameter portion 23, and the small diameter portion 25 are formed continuously in the axial direction of the cover 2 on the cover 2. In other words, the female thread portion 21, the large diameter portion 23, and the small diameter portion 25 are formed in the cover 2 in a straight line in the axial direction of the cover 2.

[0022] In one embodiment of the pressure regulator, the large diameter portion 23 provided on the inner surface of the cover 2 defines a bottomed groove 22 that extends in the axial direction of the cover 2. The groove 22 is formed around the entire circumference surrounding the axis of the cover 2. The groove 22 is configured so that the plate-shaped pressing member 6 fits into the groove 2 so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the axial direction of the cover 2. In other words, the groove 22 is configured to restrict the movement of the pressing member 6 to within a predetermined range in the axial direction of the cover 2.

[0023] The groove portion 22 has end faces on both sides in the axial direction of the cover 2 that restrict the movement of the pressing member 6. One end face of the groove portion 22 is an end face that forms a step with the female thread portion 21. The other end face of the groove portion 22 is an end face that forms a step with the small diameter portion 25.

[0024] An internal thread 29 is formed in the opening of the cover 2. The main body 1 is firmly connected to the main body 1 by screwing the cover 2 into the internal thread 29.

[0025] (Diaphragm) The diaphragm 3 is disposed between the body 1 and the cover 2 .

[0026] The diaphragm 3 is a disk-shaped member having elasticity. The outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 3 is sandwiched between the main body 1 and the cover 2. In this state, the opening of the recess 14 of the main body 1 is covered by the diaphragm 3, and a space is formed between the recess 14 and the diaphragm 3.

[0027] (valve) The valve 4 is housed in a portion of the communication flow path 13 of the main body 1 that is farther from the cover 2 and diaphragm 3 than the valve seat 15. A stabilizer 16 and a valve spring 17 are also housed in this portion, and the valve 4 is urged toward the valve seat 15 by the urging force exerted by the valve spring 17 via the stabilizer 16.

[0028] In the pressure regulator of one embodiment, the valve 4 moves toward and away from the valve seat 15 in conjunction with the deformation of the diaphragm 3, thereby opening and closing the valve.

[0029] (Spring) The spring 5 is a coil spring disposed inside the cover 2 .

[0030] The axial direction of the spring 5 coincides with the axial direction of the cover 2. The spring 5 is freely expandable and contractible in the axial direction of the cover 2. In the following, when simply referring to the "axial direction," it includes the axial directions of both the cover 2 and the spring 5.

[0031] A first axial end of the spring 5 is pressed against a pressure plate 9 housed in the cover 2. The pressure plate 9 is a plate member that comes into surface contact with the diaphragm 3. The first axial end of the spring 5 is supported by the diaphragm 3 via the pressure plate 9.

[0032] The second axial end of the spring 5 is pressed against a pressing member 6 housed in the cover 2. The pressing member 6 is a plate material that comes into contact with a tip 71 of the set screw 7. The second axial end of the spring 5 is supported by the set screw 7 via the pressing member 6.

[0033] (Pressing member) The pressing member 6 is housed inside the cover 2 so as to be located between the spring 5 and the set screw 7 .

[0034] 3A and 3B, the pressing member 6 is an elliptical plate member having a minor axis A1 and a major axis A2. The term "elliptical" here is not limited to an ellipse in the strict sense, but includes shapes that are approximate to an ellipse. The elliptical pressing member 6 may have an overall rounded outer shape in a plan view and may have a short side and a long side that are perpendicular to each other.

[0035] In one embodiment, the pressing member 6 has an oval shape. The pressing member 6 has four rounded corners 63, and a straight portion 64 is provided between two adjacent corners 63 in the circumferential direction. The corners 63 have an arc-shaped outer shape with a curvature radius of 9 mm, for example.

[0036] The dimension d1 in the short side direction of the pressing member 6 (i.e., the dimension d1 along the minor axis A1) is set smaller than the diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 23 and smaller than the diameter D2 of the small diameter portion 25. For example, the dimension d1 is 20 mm, the diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 23 is 26.4 mm, and the diameter D2 of the small diameter portion 25 is 24.5 mm.

[0037] The longitudinal dimension d2 of the pressing member 6 (i.e., the dimension d2 along the major axis A2) is slightly smaller than the diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 23 and larger than the diameter D2 of the small diameter portion 25. For example, the dimension d2 is 26 mm, which is 0.4 mm smaller than the diameter D1 of the large diameter portion 23 and 1.5 mm larger than the diameter D2 of the small diameter portion 25.

[0038] The thickness t1 of the pressing member 6 is 3.2 mm. The dimension d5 in the axial direction of the groove 22 of the cover 2 is larger than the thickness t1 of the pressing member 6, and is, for example, 12.8 mm.

[0039] Therefore, in one embodiment of the pressure regulator, the peripheral edge of the pressing member 6 is configured to fit freely in the axial direction relative to the groove 22 of the cover 2. In detail, of the pressing member 6, which has an elliptical shape in a plan view having a short side direction and a long side direction, portions located at both ends in the long side direction are configured to fit into the groove 22 of the cover 2.

[0040] (Push screw) The set screw 7 has a truncated cone-shaped tip 71 configured to press against the center of the pressing member 6. The set screw 7 has an outer peripheral surface provided with a male thread 73 that screws into the female thread 21 of the cover 2.

[0041] The male thread portion 73 of the set screw 7 is threadedly engaged with the female thread portion 21 of the cover 2, so that the set screw 7 is supported so as to be able to move back and forth in the axial direction. When the set screw 7 moves in the axial direction toward the diaphragm 3, the spring 5 contracts via the pressing member 6, and when the set screw 7 moves in the axial direction away from the diaphragm 3, the spring 5 expands via the pressing member 6. The set screw 7 has the function of adjusting the pressing force of the spring 5 via the pressing member 6.

[0042] (handle) The handle 8 integrally has a bottom portion 81 connected to the base end of the set screw 7 and a peripheral wall portion 83 extending from the outer periphery of the bottom portion 81. The set screw 7 is located surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 83 of the handle 8. In addition, a part of the cover 2 including the wall portion 28 and the female thread portion 21 is located surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 83 of the handle 8.

[0043] In the pressure regulator of one embodiment, when the user rotates the handle 8, the set screw 7 rotates integrally with the handle 8, and the set screw 7 advances and retreats relative to the cover 2 in the axial direction.

[0044] (Action and effect) In one embodiment, pressure adjustment in the pressure regulator is performed by rotating the handle 8. When the set screw 7 advances or retreats in the axial direction as the handle 8 is rotated, the set screw 7 expands or contracts the spring 5 in the axial direction via the pressing member 6. When the spring 5 is compressed, the elastic force of the spring 5 applied to the diaphragm 3 increases, and when the spring 5 is expanded, the elastic force of the spring 5 applied to the diaphragm 3 decreases.

[0045] Here, the outer peripheral edge of the pressing member 6 is fitted into the groove 22 of the cover 2 so as to be movable within a predetermined range in the axial direction. In the pressure regulator of one embodiment, the axial movement of the pressing member 6 is structurally restricted, so that the pressing member 6 is reliably prevented from moving too far and causing abnormal pressure.

[0046] When assembling the pressure regulator of one embodiment, as shown by the imaginary lines in Figure 4, the plate-shaped pressing member 6 having a minor axis A1 and a major axis A2 is inserted into the cover 2 in an oblique position, and the pressing member 6, which is caught in the groove portion 22 inside the cover 2, is rotated, so that the pressing member 6 can be housed inside the cover 2 in a predetermined position shown by the solid lines. The oblique position of the pressing member 6 when inserted into the cover 2 is a position in which the major axis A2 of the pressing member 6 intersects obliquely with the axis of the cover 2.

[0047] Specifically, with the opening of cover 2 facing upward, pressing member 6 can be dropped into cover 2 at an angle through the upward-facing opening of cover 2. If cover 2 is then set upside down, pressing member 6 will be housed within cover 2 in the predetermined position indicated by the solid line.

[0048] That is, according to the pressure regulator of one embodiment, the pressing member 6 can be housed in the cover 2 with a simple structure, without employing a complex structure such as dividing the cover 2 into multiple parts to house the pressing member 6. Having the cover 2 configured as an inseparable, one-piece member also has the advantage of preventing modifications.

[0049] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the pressure regulator, it is only necessary to form a bottomed groove portion 22 in the cover 2, which has the advantage of preventing foreign objects from entering the cover 2 and preventing external objects from getting caught in the groove portion that penetrates the cover 2, compared to when a large groove portion that penetrates the cover 2 radially is formed to accommodate, for example, the pressing member 6.

[0050] 2. Variations The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiment can be modified in various ways, for example, as described below, as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. In the following description of the modifications, the same components as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The configurations of the various modifications can be applied in appropriate combination.

[0051] For example, in the above embodiment, the pressing member 6 is configured from a plate member having a shape close to an ellipse, but it is also possible to configure the pressing member 6 from a plate member having an elliptical shape in the strict sense. It is also possible to configure the pressing member 6 from a plate member that is not elliptical.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, high-pressure oxygen is configured to flow into and out of the main body 1, but the fluid flowing through the main body 1 may also be a high-pressure gas other than oxygen, such as hydrogen, nitrogen, argon, or helium.

[0053] 3. Summary As described in the above embodiment and modified examples, the pressure regulator according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body (1) having a valve seat (15), a cover (2) provided with a female thread portion (21), a diaphragm (3) disposed between the main body (1) and the cover (2), a valve (4) that moves toward or away from the valve seat (15) in response to deformation of the diaphragm (3), a spring (5) disposed inside the cover (2), a pressing member (6) disposed inside the cover (2), and a set screw (7) that threadably engages with the female thread portion (21) of the cover (2) and adjusts the pressing force of the spring (5) via the pressing member (6). A bottomed groove portion (22) extending in the axial direction of the cover (2) is formed on the inner surface of the cover (2), and the pressing member (6) is fitted into the groove portion (22) of the cover (2) so as to be axially movable, thereby restricting the axial movement range of the pressing member (6).

[0054] According to this aspect, the retaining member (6) fits into the groove (22) of the cover (2), preventing the retaining member (6) from moving too far in the axial direction within the cover (2). This effectively prevents abnormal pressure from occurring in the pressure regulator. In addition, according to this aspect, it is sufficient to provide the bottomed groove (22) on the inner surface of the cover (2), eliminating the need for additional complex mechanisms, thereby avoiding a complex structure of the pressure regulator. As described above, according to this aspect, a pressure regulator capable of preventing abnormal pressure from occurring can be provided with a simple structure.

[0055] In the pressure regulator according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the pressing member (6) is an elliptical plate member having a minor axis (A1) and a major axis (A2). The peripheral edge of the pressing member (6) is configured to fit into the groove portion (22) of the cover (2) so as to be movable in the axial direction.

[0056] According to this embodiment, it is easy to insert the elliptical pressing member 6 into the cover 2 having the groove 22. This prevents the assembly process of the pressure regulator from becoming complicated.

[0057] A pressure regulator according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the first or second aspect, in which a female thread portion (21), a large diameter portion (23) provided with a step therebetween and having a diameter larger than that of the female thread portion (21), and a small diameter portion (25) provided with a step therebetween and having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion (23) are arranged continuously in the axial direction on the inner surface of the cover (2). The large diameter portion (23) forms a groove portion (22).

[0058] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a pressure regulator that can prevent the generation of abnormal pressure with a simple structure in which the large diameter portion (23) and the small diameter portion (25) are formed on the inner surface of the cover (2).

[0059] In a pressure regulator according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the pressing member (6) is an elliptical plate member having a minor axis (A1) and a major axis (A2). The inner surface of the cover (2) is provided with a large diameter portion (23) that forms a groove portion (22), and a small diameter portion (25) that is continuous with the large diameter portion (23) in the axial direction. The dimension (d1) of the pressing member (6) along the minor axis (A1) is smaller than the diameter (D2) of the small diameter portion (25). The dimension (d2) of the pressing member (6) along the major axis (A2) is larger than the diameter (D2) of the small diameter portion (25).

[0060] According to this embodiment, a pressure regulator can be provided that can prevent the generation of abnormal pressure with a simple structure in which a large diameter portion (23) and a small diameter portion (25) are formed on the inner surface of the cover (2), and further, when assembling the pressure regulator, the elliptical pressing member (6) can be easily inserted into the cover (2). [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Main unit 15 Valve seat 2 Cover 21 Female thread 22 Groove 23 Large diameter section 25 Small diameter section 3 diaphragm 4 valves 5 Spring 6 Presser member 7 Push screw A1 Short axis A2 long axis d1 Dimension along the minor axis d2 Dimension along the major axis D2 Diameter of small diameter part

Claims

1. a body having a valve seat; a cover provided with a female screw portion; a diaphragm disposed between the body and the cover; a valve that moves toward and away from the valve seat in conjunction with deformation of the diaphragm; a spring disposed inside the cover; a pressing member disposed inside the cover; a press screw that is screwed into the female screw portion of the cover and adjusts the pressing force of the spring via the pressing member, a groove having a bottom and extending in the axial direction of the cover is provided on the inner surface of the cover, The pressing member is fitted into the groove of the cover so as to be movable in the axial direction, thereby restricting the range of movement of the pressing member in the axial direction. Pressure regulator.

2. the pressing member is an elliptical plate member having a minor axis and a major axis, The peripheral edge of the pressing member is configured to fit into the groove of the cover so as to be movable in the axial direction. The pressure regulator of claim 1.

3. the female thread portion, a large diameter portion having a diameter larger than that of the female thread portion with a step interposed therebetween, and a small diameter portion having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion with a step interposed therebetween, are continuously arranged on the inner surface of the cover in the axial direction; The large diameter portion constitutes the groove portion. The pressure regulator of claim 1 or 2.

4. the pressing member is an elliptical plate member having a minor axis and a major axis, The inner surface of the cover is provided with a large diameter portion that constitutes the groove portion and a small diameter portion that is continuous with the large diameter portion in the axial direction, a dimension of the pressing member along the minor axis is smaller than a diameter of the small diameter portion; The dimension of the pressing member along the major axis is larger than the diameter of the small diameter portion. The pressure regulator of claim 1.

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