Pipe connection system

Abstract

We provide a piping connection system that can suppress hydrogen leakage. [Solution] The piping connection system comprises a plug provided on a container that is a hydrogen supply source, and a receptacle provided on a pipe that is connected to the tip of the plug and supplied with hydrogen. The plug comprises an opening having an outer circumference on which a first threaded portion is formed, a closing mechanism that can move from a closed position that closes the opening to an open position that opens the opening, and a free-rotating mechanism that can rotate a second threaded portion that can engage with the first threaded portion of the receptacle. The receptacle comprises a cylindrical portion having an inner circumference on which a second threaded portion is formed, and an opening mechanism that moves the closing mechanism from the closed position to the open position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a piping connection system.

Background Art

[0002] Couplings provided with a receptacle, socket, and plug are known. In Patent Document 1, a coupling that can be attached with one touch is described, in which a locking body moves when a plug is inserted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a coupling is used in a piping connection system, high sealing performance is required. Therefore, there has been a problem that it is desired to suppress hydrogen leakage due to incorrect operation or poor fitting of plug attachment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems and can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a piping connection system is provided. The piping connection system comprises a plug provided in a container that is a hydrogen source, and a receptacle provided in a pipe supplied with hydrogen, connected to the tip of the plug. The plug comprises an opening having an outer circumference on which a first threaded portion is formed, a closing mechanism movable from a closed position that closes the opening to an open position that opens the opening, and a free-spinning mechanism that can rotate a second threaded portion that is engaged with the first threaded portion of the receptacle. The receptacle comprises a cylindrical portion having an inner circumference on which the second threaded portion is formed, and an opening mechanism that moves the closing mechanism from the closed position to the open position. With this type of piping connection system structure, if the plug and receptacle are not connected, the opening is closed by the blocking mechanism and the inside of the plug is sealed, thereby suppressing hydrogen leakage. (2) In the above-described pipe connection system, the closing mechanism may include a cylindrical plug movable part that can move the opening along the axial direction of the plug, and a closing part that closes the opening by internal pressure inside the plug, and the opening mechanism may include a receptacle movable part that is pushed into the interior of the receptacle along the axial direction of the receptacle by the plug movable part when connected to the plug, an extrusion part that pushes the closing part from a position that closes the opening to a position that opens the opening, and an on / off valve that opens and closes a flow path communicating with the piping as the receptacle movable part moves. In this type of piping connection system, the opening is opened when the closing part of the closing mechanism is pushed out by the extrusion part of the opening mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the opening from being opened when the plug and receptacle are not connected. In addition, the inside of the receptacle is sealed by the on / off valve. As a result, hydrogen leakage can be suppressed. (3) In the above-described pipe connection system, the plug may have a first sealing portion provided between the opening and the closing portion, and a second sealing portion provided on the opposite side of the closing portion from the first sealing portion. With this type of piping connection system, since the plug has a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion, hydrogen leakage can be suppressed even more effectively than in the case where these sealing portions are not present. (4) In the above-described pipe connection system, a locking mechanism is provided which protrudes radially from the plug and engages with the engagement portion of the plug to fix the movable portion of the plug in a fixed state, and when the locking mechanism is in the fixed state, the fixed state may be released by the locking mechanism being pushed in the opposite direction to the radial direction by the tip of the receptacle. With this type of piping connection system, the plug has a locking mechanism, which prevents the movable part of the plug from becoming loose and moving when the plug is not connected to the receptacle. Therefore, hydrogen leakage caused by the movement of the plug's movable part when the plug is not connected to the receptacle can be suppressed.

[0007] Furthermore, this disclosure can be implemented in various forms, for example, in the form of a plug or receptacle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the piping connection system. [Figure 2] The first explanatory diagram shows an example of the process in which the receptacle is connected to the plug and filled with hydrogen. [Figure 3] This is a second explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process in which the receptacle is connected to the plug and filled with hydrogen. [Figure 4] This is a third explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process in which the receptacle is connected to the plug and hydrogen is filled in. [Figure 5] This is the fourth explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process in which the receptacle is connected to the plug and filled with hydrogen. [Figure 6] This is the fifth explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process in which the receptacle is connected to the plug and filled with hydrogen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A. First Embodiment: Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the piping connection system 100 in this embodiment. The piping connection system 100 fills the piping 300 with hydrogen from the container 200. The piping connection system 100 includes a plug 10 and a receptacle 20. In Figure 1, the plug 10 and the receptacle 20 are shown in a cross-sectional view along the axial direction.

[0010] The plug 10 is provided in a container 200, which is a hydrogen supply source. The container 200 is, for example, a hydrogen tank. The plug 10 has an opening 11, a closing mechanism 12, a locking mechanism 13, a first elastic member 19, and a free-spinning mechanism 14a. In this embodiment, the opening 11 is provided at the tip of the plug 10. The opening 11 has an outer circumference 11a on which a first threaded portion 11b is formed. The closing mechanism 12 is a mechanism that can move from a closed position that closes the opening 11 to an open position that opens the opening 11. When the closing mechanism 12 is in the open position, hydrogen flows out from the opening 11.

[0011] In this embodiment, the closure mechanism 12 includes a plug movable part 14, a closure part 15, a first sealing part 16, and a second sealing part 17. The plug movable part 14 is a cylindrical portion that forms the opening 11. The plug movable part 14 is movable along the axial direction of the plug 10. That is, the plug movable part 14 can move the opening 11 along the axial direction of the plug 10. In this embodiment, the plug movable part 14 is biased inward along the axial direction of the plug 10 by the reaction force of the first elastic member 19.

[0012] The closing portion 15 is a substantially spherical member. The diameter of the closing portion 15 is larger than the diameter of the opening 11, and it closes the opening 11. The first sealing portion 16 is provided between the opening 11 and the closing portion 15. The second sealing portion 17 is provided on the opposite side of the closing portion 15 from the first sealing portion 16. The first sealing portion 16 and the second sealing portion 17 are, for example, O-rings.

[0013] The locking mechanism 13 protrudes in the radial direction of the plug 10 and engages with the engaging portion 18 of the plug 10 to fix the movable portion 14 of the plug in a fixed state. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion 18 is provided on the movable portion 14 of the plug. When the locking mechanism 13 is in the fixed state, the fixed state is released by being pushed in the direction opposite to the radial direction of the plug 10 by the tip of the receptacle 20.

[0014] The idle rotation mechanism 14a is a mechanism that can rotate the second screw portion 27b described later even after the tip of the receptacle 20 abuts on the plug 10. Further, the second screw portion 27b lifts the movable portion 14 of the plug in the outward direction of the plug 10 along the axial direction of the plug 10 with a force greater than the reaction force of the first elastic member 19 by the idle rotation mechanism 14a.

[0015] The receptacle 20 has a cylindrical tube portion 27 and an opening mechanism 21 that moves the closing mechanism 12 from the closed position to the open position. The receptacle 20 is provided in a pipe 300 to which hydrogen is supplied. The pipe 300 is, for example, a hydrogen pipe. The receptacle 20 is connected to the plug 10 and supplies the hydrogen supplied from the container 200 to the pipe 300 through the plug 10. The inner peripheral portion 27a of the tube portion 27 is formed with a second screw portion 27b that can engage with the first screw portion 11b.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the opening mechanism 21 has a receptacle movable portion 22, a pushing portion 23, an opening and closing valve 24, and a second elastic member 26. The receptacle movable portion 22 is a portion that is pushed into the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20 by the movable portion 14 of the plug when joined to the plug 10. In the present embodiment, the receptacle movable portion 22 is biased in the outward direction of the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20 by the reaction force of the second elastic member 26.

[0017] The extrusion part 23 extrudes the closing part 15 from the position where the opening part 11 is closed to the position where the opening part 11 is opened. In the present embodiment, the state where the closing part 15 is located at the position closing the opening part 11 indicates the state where the closing mechanism 12 is located at the closed position. Also, the state where the closing part 15 is located at the position opening the opening part 11 indicates the state where the closing mechanism 12 is located at the open position.

[0018] The on-off valve 24 is a valve provided at an end portion on the opposite side of the end portion where the extrusion part 23 abuts against the closing part 15 along the axial direction of the extrusion part 23. The on-off valve 24 has an extension part 24a formed to extend in the axial direction of the extrusion part 23. The extension part 24a is located on the outer periphery of the extrusion part 23. The extension part 24a has a folded-back part 24b whose tip is folded back in the outer peripheral direction of the extrusion part 23. The folded-back part 24b is in contact with the receptacle movable part 22.

[0019] The on-off valve 24 opens and closes a flow path 25 communicating with the pipe 300 as the extension part 24a moves. More specifically, as the extension part 24a is pushed into the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20 with the receptacle movable part 22 and the folded-back part 24b being pushed into the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20 by the plug movable part 14, the on-off valve 24 is pushed into the receptacle 20. As the extension part 24a is pushed into the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20, the on-off valve 24 is pushed out of the receptacle 20 and opens. Also, as the receptacle movable part 22 is biased in the outer direction of the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20 by the reaction force of the second elastic member 26 via the folded-back part 24b, the on-off valve 24 is pushed down in the outer direction of the receptacle 20 and closes.

[0020] Figures 2 to 6 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the process in which the receptacle 20 is connected to the plug 10 and hydrogen is supplied. As shown in Figure 2, first, the plug 10 is inserted into the receptacle 20. With the first threaded portion 11b of the plug 10 and the second threaded portion 27b of the receptacle 20 engaged, the plug 10 is screwed inward in the axial direction of the receptacle 20. The tip of the receptacle 20 pushes the locking mechanism 13 toward the radial center of the plug 10, releasing the lock. As shown in Figure 3, the plug 10 is inserted into the receptacle 20 until the tip of the receptacle 20 contacts the plug 10.

[0021] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the plug movable part 14 moves into the receptacle 20. More specifically, by continuously rotating the plug 10 with the tip of the receptacle 20 in contact with the plug 10, the plug movable part 14 rises due to the free-rotating mechanism 14a and moves into the receptacle 20. Also, because the internal pressure inside the plug 10 presses the closing part 15 against the first sealing part 16, the closing part 15 moves along with the movement of the opening 11, and the closing part 15 closes the opening 11.

[0022] Next, as shown in Figure 5, the receptacle movable part 22 is pushed into the interior of the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20 by the plug movable part 14. More specifically, as the plug movable part 14 moves into the interior of the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20 while in contact with the receptacle movable part 22 and the folded part 24b, the extension part 24a is pushed into the interior of the receptacle 20, causing the on-off valve 24 to open and allowing hydrogen to flow.

[0023] Finally, as shown in Figure 6, the extrusion unit 23 pushes the closure unit 15 from a position that closes the opening 11 to a position that opens the opening 11. In other words, the opening mechanism 21 moves the closure mechanism 12 to the open position. As a result, hydrogen flows out of the opening 11 and into the flow path 25. That is, hydrogen is supplied from the container 200 to the piping 300 via the plug 10 and receptacle 20.

[0024] According to the piping connection system 100 of this embodiment described above, if the plug 10 and the receptacle 20 are not connected, the opening 11 is closed by the blocking mechanism 12, sealing the inside of the plug 10, thereby suppressing hydrogen leakage. Furthermore, the plug 10 and the receptacle 20 are connected by screw engagement between the first screw portion 11b and the second screw portion 27b. Therefore, the plug 10 and the receptacle 20 can be easily connected.

[0025] Furthermore, since the opening 11 is opened by the pushing out of the blocking portion 15 in the blocking mechanism 12 by the pushing portion 23 in the opening mechanism 21, the opening 11 can be opened without requiring complex processing. In addition, the opening of the opening 11 can be prevented when the plug 10 and the receptacle 20 are not connected. Also, the flow path 25 is blocked by the on / off valve 24, and the inside of the receptacle 20 is sealed. Therefore, hydrogen leakage can be suppressed.

[0026] Furthermore, the opening mechanism 21 is a simple mechanism that includes an on-off valve 24 that opens and closes in accordance with the movement of the receptacle movable part 22, which moves in accordance with the movement of the plug movable part 14. Therefore, the receptacle 20 can be easily embedded in the piping 300 and can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, because the opening mechanism 21 has an on-off valve 24, it is possible to prevent the flow path 25 from opening when the plug 10 and the receptacle 20 are not connected. Therefore, hydrogen leakage can be suppressed.

[0027] Furthermore, since the plug 10 has a first sealing portion 16 and a second sealing portion 17, hydrogen leakage can be suppressed even more effectively than in the case where these sealing portions are not present.

[0028] Furthermore, since the plug 10 has a locking mechanism 13, it is possible to prevent the plug's movable part 14 from becoming unfixed and movable when the plug 10 is not connected to the receptacle 20. Therefore, hydrogen leakage caused by the plug's movable part 14 moving when the plug 10 is not connected to the receptacle 20 can be suppressed.

[0029] B. Other embodiments: (B1) In the embodiment described above, the piping connection system 100 does not have to have the first sealing portion 16 and the second sealing portion 17, the free-slip mechanism 14a, the on / off valve 24, and the locking mechanism 13.

[0030] (B2) In the embodiment described above, the piping connection system 100 fills the pipe 300 with hydrogen from the container 200. However, the piping connection system 100 may also circulate any fluid from the container 200 to the pipe 300.

[0031] (B3) In the embodiment described above, the plug 10 to which the receptacle 20 is connected supplies hydrogen from the container 200 to the piping 300 via the receptacle 20. However, the plug 10 may also be connected to a receptacle 20 provided on another container 200, so that hydrogen is supplied from the other container 200 to the container 200 via the receptacle 20. Alternatively, the hydrogen supplied from the container 200 via the receptacle 20 may be supplied to other devices or containers connected to the piping 300.

[0032] (B4) In the embodiment described above, the closure mechanism 12 has a substantially spherical closure portion 15 that closes the opening 11 by the internal pressure inside the plug 10. However, the closure portion 15 may be a substantially cubic or conical member. The closure mechanism 12 may also have a closure valve that closes the opening 11. In this case, the closure valve opens the opening 11 by the opening mechanism 21 or by operation from the outside.

[0033] (B5) In the embodiment described above, the piping connection system 100 may be equipped with a visualization mechanism that allows visual confirmation of whether it is in a fixed state by the locking mechanism 13 or in a released state.

[0034] (B6) In the embodiments described above, the plug movable part 14 pushes the receptacle movable part 22 and the folded part 24b into the interior of the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20. However, the plug movable part 14 may contact only the receptacle movable part 22 and push the receptacle movable part 22 into the interior of the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20. In this case, the extension part 24a moves in conjunction with the movement of the receptacle movable part 22. The plug movable part 14 may contact only the folded part 24b and push the folded part 24b into the interior of the receptacle 20 along the axial direction of the receptacle 20. In this case, the receptacle movable part 22 moves in conjunction with the movement of the folded part 24b. Alternatively, the receptacle movable part 22, the extension part 24a, and the folded part 24b may be integrated.

[0035] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve the problems described above or to achieve some or all of the effects described above. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 10...Plug, 11...Opening, 11a...Outer circumference, 11b...First threaded portion, 12...Closing mechanism, 13...Locking mechanism, 14...Plug movable portion, 14a...Free-spinning mechanism, 15...Closing portion, 16...First sealing portion, 17...Second sealing portion, 18...Engaging portion, 19...Elastic member, 20...Receptacle, 27a...Inner circumference, 27b...Second threaded portion, 21...Opening mechanism, 22...Receptacle movable portion, 23...Extrusion portion, 24...On / off valve, 25...Flow path, 26...Elastic member, 100...Piping connection system, 200...Container, 300...Piping

Claims

1. A piping connection system, The plug located on the container that is the source of hydrogen, A receptacle connected to the tip of the plug and provided in the piping through which the hydrogen is supplied, The plug comprises an opening having an outer circumference on which a first threaded portion is formed, a closing mechanism that can move from a closed position that closes the opening to an open position that opens the opening, and a free-rotating mechanism that can rotate a second threaded portion that can engage with the first threaded portion of the receptacle. A piping connection system comprising: a receptacle having a cylindrical portion with an inner circumference on which the second threaded portion is formed; and a receptacle having an opening mechanism for moving the closing mechanism from the closed position to the open position.

2. A piping connection system according to claim 1, The aforementioned blocking mechanism is A cylindrical plug movable part that can move along the axial direction of the plug and the opening, It has a closing portion that closes the opening due to the internal pressure inside the plug, The aforementioned release mechanism is A receptacle movable part, which, when connected to the plug, is pushed into the interior of the receptacle along the axial direction of the receptacle by the plug movable part, An extrusion unit that pushes the closing portion from a position that closes the opening to a position that opens the opening, A piping connection system having an on / off valve that opens and closes a flow path communicating with the piping as the movable part of the receptacle moves.

3. A piping connection system according to claim 2, The aforementioned plug is A first sealing portion is provided between the opening and the closing portion, A piping connection system comprising: a second sealing portion provided on the opposite side of the first sealing portion, with the aforementioned closing portion in between.

4. A piping connection system according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising: The plug is provided with a locking mechanism that protrudes radially and engages with the engaging portion of the plug, thereby fixing the movable portion of the plug in a fixed state. A pipe connection system in which, when in the aforementioned fixed state, the fixed state is released when the locking mechanism is pushed in the opposite direction to the radial direction by the tip of the receptacle.

Images