Quick Release Connector

Abstract

Provides quick release connectors. [Solution] The quick release connector includes a first connector unit (10) and a second connector unit (20). The first connector unit includes a first connector body (11) that defines and forms a first flow path (110), a first abutting member (12) fixed to the first flow path, a first closing member (13) that is located in the first flow path and is movable in the axial direction, and a first elastic member (14) that is positioned between the first closing member and the first abutting member. The second connector unit includes a second connector body (21) that defines and forms a second flow path (210), a second abutting member (22) fixed to the second flow path, an annular pressing stop member (25) that is annularly disposed between the second abutting member and the second closing member (23) and is movable in the axial direction, and a second elastic member (24) that is positioned between the annular pressing stop member and a second tube connection port (212).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a quick release connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Quick-release connectors are widely used in industrial equipment and daily necessities to connect different pipes, especially when different pipes need to be connected and disconnected frequently, thereby improving the efficiency of connecting and disconnecting pipes. Currently, quick-release connectors typically include an elastic member, such as a spring, elastic piece, or rubber pad, which provides a constant clamping force to secure the two pipes while they are connected, making them less likely to separate and maintaining communication between them. However, after prolonged use, the elastic member is prone to elastic fatigue due to repeated compression and recovery, resulting in a decrease in the clamping force of the quick-release connector, further affecting the stability of the connection and the communication between the two pipes, and making the two pipes more likely to unintentionally separate during the connection period. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a quick release connector that helps users quickly detach and connect, and at the same time prevents two connected connectors from coming apart from each other due to elastic fatigue of the elastic members arranged inside during the connection period, thereby providing good connection stability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The quick release connector of the present invention includes a first connector unit and a second connector unit.

[0005] The first connector unit includes a first connector body, a first abutment member, a first elastic member, and a first closure member. The first connector body is a hollow tube that defines and forms a first flow path axially penetrating the first connector body and has a first coupling port and a first tube connection port located at opposite ends of the first connector body, the first abutment member is fixed to the first flow path and adjacent to one side of the first tube connection port, the first closure member is axially movably installed in the first flow path and adjacent to the first coupling port, and the first elastic member is installed on the first abutment member and located between the first closure member and the first abutment member.

[0006] The second connector unit includes a second connector body, a second abutment member, a second elastic member, a second blocking member, and an annular pressing prevention member, the second connector body is a hollow tube that defines and forms a second flow path that penetrates the second connector body in the axial direction, and has a second coupling port and a second tube connection port located at opposite ends of the second connector body, the second abutment member is fixed to the second flow path and is spaced from the second coupling port, the second blocking member is connected to the side of the second abutment member that is closest to the second coupling port, the annular pressing prevention member is annularly attached to the second abutment member and the second blocking member so as to be axially movable, and the second elastic member is annularly attached to the second abutment member and is located between the annular pressing prevention member and the second tube connection port.

[0007] In the quick release connector of the present invention, the first outer tube diameter of the first connector body is smaller than the second outer tube diameter of the second connector body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The advantages of the present invention are as follows: when the first connector body and the second connector body are joined together, the first elastic member continuously provides an elastic restoring force to the first blocking member, pressing the first blocking member and the second blocking member against each other, and the second elastic member continuously provides an elastic restoring force to the annular pressing preventing member, pressing the first connecting port and the annular pressing preventing member against each other, and the structural design of the first elastic member and the second elastic member is utilized to maintain communication between the first flow path and the second flow path, preventing one of the elastic members from affecting the communication between the first flow path and the second flow path due to elastic fatigue. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view illustrating a quick release connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2A] FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view illustrating components of the first connector unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 2B] 5 is an exploded schematic view illustrating components of the second connector unit of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1, and explains the cross-sectional structure of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structural aspect of the embodiment in a joined state. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 4, illustrating a cross-sectional structure of the embodiment in the joined state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The technical contents and effects of the present invention will be more clearly shown by combining the drawings and the detailed description of the embodiments below. It should be noted that the drawings of the present invention are only used to show the relative positions of the components, and are not related to the actual dimensions of each component.

[0011] 1, 2A and 3, a quick release connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The quick release connector includes a first connector unit 10, a second connector unit 20 and a mating unit 30.

[0012] The first connector unit 10 includes a first connector body 11, a first contact member 12, a first closing member 13, and a first elastic member .

[0013] The first connector body 11 is a hollow tube that defines and forms a first flow path 110 that passes axially through the first connector body 11, and has a first coupling port 111 and a first tube connection port 112 located at opposite ends of the first connector body 11.

[0014] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first flow passage 110 forms a reduced diameter portion adjacent to the first coupling port 111, and the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the first flow passage 110. The inner wall of the first connector body 11 forms an inward shoulder 114, which is disposed at a fixed interval from the first pipe connection port 112 along the axial direction A and is located on the opposite side of the reduced diameter portion from the first coupling port 111. Furthermore, the first connector body 11 has an outer circumferential groove 113, which is recessed in the outer circumferential wall of the first connector body 11, adjacent to the first coupling port 111, and is used to accommodate a water stop ring 41.

[0015] The first abutment member 12 is fixed to the first passage 110 and adjacent to one side of the first pipe connection port 112 to define and form a primary passage 121 communicating with the first passage 110 .

[0016] In this embodiment, a first abutment portion 122 is formed on the side of the first abutment member 12 away from the first pipe connection port 112, and the first abutment portion 122 abuts against the shoulder portion 114 to fix and install the first abutment member 12 in the first flow path 110.

[0017] The first closing member 13 is installed in the first flow passage 110 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

[0018] When the first connector unit 10 is not connected to the second connector unit 20, the first blocking member 13 is adjacent to the first connecting port 111 and is used to seal the first flow path 110 and prevent the first flow path 110 from communicating with the outside through the first connecting port 111.

[0019] In this embodiment, the first closure member 13 has a cylindrical closure portion 132, an outer circumferential groove 133, an annular sidewall extending axially from the closure portion 132 opposite the first coupling port 111, and a plurality of first communication ports 131 formed at intervals in the annular sidewall. The outer circumferential groove 133 is recessed in the outer circumferential wall of the closure portion 132 and is used to accommodate a watertight ring 42. The diameter of the closure portion 132 is close to the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion. Therefore, when the closure portion 132 is positioned in the reduced diameter portion (as shown in FIG. 3 ), it can seal the first coupling port 111. When the closure portion 132 moves in the axial direction A within the first flow path 110 away from the reduced diameter portion, the first flow path 110 can communicate with the outside via the first coupling port 111.

[0020] The first elastic member 14 is installed on the first abutment member 12 and is located between the first blocking member 13 and the first abutment member 12, and in this embodiment, the first elastic member 14 is a coil spring that can expand and contract along the axial direction A.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first closure member 13 may have only a single first communication port 131. The first closure member 13 may have a different structure as needed, as long as it closes the first coupling port 111 and has at least one first communication port 131 that can communicate with the first flow path 110, and is not limited to the above examples or drawings.

[0022] 1, 2B, and 3, the second connector unit 20 includes a second connector body 21, a second abutting member 22, a second elastic member 24, a second blocking member 23, and an annular pressing preventing member 25. Among these, a first outer tube diameter of the first connector body 11 is smaller than a second outer tube diameter of the second connector body 21, so that the first coupling port 111 of the first connector body 11 can be inserted into the second connector body 21 from the second coupling port 211 along the axial direction A.

[0023] The second connector body 21 is a hollow tube that defines and forms a second flow path 210 that penetrates the second connector body 21 in the axial direction, and has the second coupling port 211 and the second tube connection port 212 located at opposite ends of the second connector body 21.

[0024] Specifically, in this embodiment, the second connector body 21 is located in the second flow path 210 and further has a protrusion 213 formed by extending inward from the inner pipe wall, and the protrusion 213 is located between the second elastic member 24 and the second pipe connection port 212.

[0025] The second abutment member 22 is fixed to the second flow passage 210, and is spaced apart from the second coupling port 211 at a predetermined interval along the axial direction A between the second abutment member 22 and the second coupling port 211.

[0026] In this embodiment, the second abutment member 22 is tubular, extends along the axial direction A, and defines and forms a secondary flow path 221. The second abutment member 22 further includes a second abutment portion 222 that abuts against the protrusion 213, and a plurality of second communication ports 223 formed in the second abutment portion 222, and the second communication ports 223 are used to communicate between the second flow path 210 and the secondary flow path 221. Of these, the second abutment portion 222 is hollow and annular, and the second communication ports 223 are provided in the second abutment portion 222 at intervals around the annulus.

[0027] In some embodiments, the second abutment member 22 may be provided with only a single second communication port 223 that communicates with the second flow path 210. Note that the second abutment member 22 may have a different structural form as necessary, and is not limited to the above examples or drawings as long as the second abutment member 22 abuts against and is fixed to the convex portion 213 to form the second communication port 223 that can communicate between the secondary flow path 221 and the second flow path 210.

[0028] The second closing member 23 is connected to the second abutting member 22 on a side closer to the second coupling port 211. In this embodiment, the second closing member 23 is cylindrical and has an outer circumferential groove 231 that is recessed into the outer circumferential wall of the second closing member 23 and is used to accommodate a water stop ring 43.

[0029] The annular pressing prevention member 25 is annularly arranged on the second abutting member 22 and the second closing member 23 so as to be axially movable. In this embodiment, the annular pressing prevention member 25 is a hollow annular body having an inner ring diameter, an outer ring diameter, and an outer peripheral groove 251. Of these, the outer peripheral groove 251 is recessed into the outer peripheral wall of the annular pressing prevention member 25 and is used to accommodate a water stop ring 44. Of these, the outer ring diameter is close to the inner diameter of the second flow path 210, and the inner ring diameter is close to the diameter of the second closing member 23.

[0030] When the first connector unit 10 is not connected to the second connector unit 20, the annular pressing stop member 25 is adjacent to the second connecting port 211 and is annularly disposed on the second closing member 23, and cooperates with the second closing member 23 to seal the second flow path 210 and prevent the second flow path 210 from communicating with the outside through the second connecting port 211. When the annular pressing stop member 25 moves in the second flow path 210 along the axial direction A away from the second connecting port 211, the annular pressing stop member 25 and the second closing member 23 separate, and the second flow path 210 becomes able to communicate with the outside via the second connecting port 211.

[0031] The second elastic member 24 is disposed in an annular shape on the second contact member 22, and is located between the second contact portion 222 and the annular pressure preventing member 25. In this embodiment, the second elastic member 24 is a coil spring that is expandable and contractible along the axial direction A.

[0032] The engaging unit 30 includes a pressable engaging member 31 formed in the first connector body 11 and an engaging groove 32 formed in the second connector body 21. The engaging groove 32 extends from the second coupling port 211 in a direction away from the second coupling port 211, and is used to engage the first connector body 11 and the second connector body 21 with each other by inserting the engaging member 31 from the second coupling port 211 into the engaging groove 32. The engaging groove 32 has a plurality of extension portions 321 connected head to tail, and each extension portion 321 has an extension direction different from that of the other extension portions 321 to be joined, which helps to fix the engaging member 31 to the end of the engaging groove 32 far from the second coupling port 211, thereby preventing the first connector body 11 and the second connector body 21 from loosening during joining. Preferably, the extension 321 adjacent to the second coupling port 211 extends along the axial direction A.

[0033] In this embodiment, the engaging unit 30 is described as having two engaging members 31 located on opposite sides of the first connector body 11 and two engaging grooves 32 correspondingly installed on opposite sides of the second connector body 21, but is not limited thereto. The positional design of the two engaging members 31 makes it more convenient for the user to apply force to press the two engaging members 31, which is advantageous for quick disconnection or connection of the first connector unit 10 and the second connector unit 20.

[0034] In use, a force is applied to the two engaging members 31 to insert the first connector body 11 into the second connector body 21 through the first coupling port 111 and the second coupling port 211, and into the second flow path 210.

[0035] During the joining period, the first connector body 11 moves along the axial direction A, and the pressed two engaging members 31 move along the extension directions of the corresponding engaging grooves 32. At this time, the first coupling port 111 moves the annular pressing prevention member 25 along the axial direction A to abut against the second elastic member 24, applying an axial force to the second elastic member 24. When the annular pressing prevention member 25 is pressed and separated from the second closing member 23, the second flow path 210 becomes communicable with the outside via the hollow space of the annular pressing prevention member 25 and the second coupling port 211. The second closing member 23 contacts the first closing member 13, moving the first closing member 13 along the axial direction A to abut against the first elastic member 14. When the first closing member 13 separates from the reduced diameter portion, the first flow path 110 becomes communicable with the outside via the first coupling port 111.

[0036] 4 and 5, when the engaging member 31 moves to the end of the corresponding engaging groove 32 opposite to the second coupling port 211, the force applied to the engaging member 31 is removed, and the engaging member 31 is locked into the corresponding engaging groove 32. At this time, the first connector unit 10 and the second connector unit 20 are connected to each other, and the quick release connector is in the connected state as shown in FIGS.

[0037] In the joined state, the first closing member 13 is pushed by the second closing member 23 and pressed against the first elastic member 14 in the axial direction, and the first elastic member 14 continuously applies an elastic restoring force to the first closing member 13 in the opposite direction along the axial direction A during the joined state. As a result, the first closing member 13 and the second closing member 23 press against each other, ensuring that the first flow path 110 is continuously maintained in communication with the first communication port 131, the primary flow path 121, and the second flow path 210.

[0038] In the joined state, the annular pressing stop member 25 is pushed by the first connecting port 111 and pressed against the second elastic member 24 in the axial direction, and the second elastic member 24 continuously applies an elastic restoring force in the opposite direction to the annular pressing stop member 25 along the axial direction A during the joined state. As a result, the annular pressing stop member 25 and the first connecting port 111 press against each other, separating the annular pressing stop member 25 from the second closing member 23, and ensuring that the second flow path 210 is continuously connected to the second communication port 223, the second secondary flow path 221, and the first flow path 110.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first connector unit 10 is provided with the first elastic member 14, and the second connector unit 20 is provided with the second elastic member 24. When the quick release connector is in the mated state, the first elastic member 14 and the second elastic member 24 provide the elastic restoring force to the first blocking member 13 and the annular pressing preventing member 25, respectively, thereby ensuring that the first flow path 110 and the second flow path 210 remain in communication in the mated state and preventing any one of the elastic members from affecting the flowability between the first flow path 110 and the second flow path 210 due to elastic fatigue. Furthermore, the structural design of the engaging unit 30 not only facilitates the user to detach and mating the first connector body 11 and the second connector body 21, but also prevents the first connector body 11 and the second connector body 21 from unintentionally loosening.

[0040] As described above, when the quick release connector of the present invention is in the mated state, the first elastic member 14 continuously provides the elastic restoring force to press the first blocking member 13 and the second blocking member 23 against each other, and the second elastic member 24 continuously provides the elastic restoring force to press the first connecting port 111 and the annular pressing stopper member 25 against each other. Therefore, by utilizing the structural design of the first elastic member 14 and the second elastic member 24, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a situation in which the flow path between the first flow path 110 and the second flow path 210 is affected by elastic fatigue of either elastic member. Furthermore, the structural design of the engaging unit 30 facilitates the user's mating and detachment of the first connector body 11 and the second connector body 21 and prevents the first connector body 11 and the second connector body 21 from unintentionally loosening during mating, thereby reliably achieving the objectives of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 First connector unit 11 First connector body 110 First Flow Path 111 First coupling port 112 First pipe connection port 113 Peripheral groove 133 Peripheral groove 231 Peripheral groove 251 Peripheral groove 114 Shoulder 12 first abutment member 121 Primary flow path 122 1st contact part 13 First blocking member 131 1st communication port 132 Occlusion 14 First elastic member 20 Second connector unit 21 Second connector body 210 Second Flow Path 211 Second coupling port 212 Second pipe connection port 213 Convex 22 second abutment member 221 Secondary flow path 222 Second contact part 223 2nd communication port 23 Second blocking member 24 Second elastic member 25 Annular pressure preventing member 30 Engagement unit 31 Engagement member 32 Engagement groove 321 Stretching section 41 Water stop ring 42 Water stop ring 43 Water stop ring 44 Water stop ring A axis direction

Claims

1. a first connector unit including a first closure member, the first connector unit being axially movably disposed within the first flow passage and adjacent to the first coupling port; a second connector unit including a second closing member and an annular pressing preventing member, the second closing member being connected to a second abutting member, and the annular pressing preventing member being axially movable between the second closing member and the second abutting member; Including, A quick release connector in which the first coupling port of the first connector unit can be inserted into the second connector unit and push the annular pressing preventing member, and at the same time, the second closing member of the second connector unit can contact and push the first closing member of the first connector unit, thereby opening a flow path between them.

2. 2. The quick release connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connector unit and the second connector unit are respectively provided with a first elastic member and a second elastic member, and when the two connector units are joined, the first closing member compresses the first elastic member and the annular pressing preventing member compresses the second elastic member, and when the two connector units are separated, the elastic recovery forces of the two elastic members respectively push the first closing member and the annular pressing preventing member back to their original positions, thereby automatically sealing the first flow path and the second flow path.

3. 2. The quick release connector according to claim 1, further comprising an engagement unit, the engagement unit including an engagement member formed on the first connector body and an engagement groove formed on the second connector body, and used to secure the two connector units together when mated.

4. 2. The quick release connector according to claim 1, wherein the first closure member has at least one first communication port, and when the first closure member is pushed, the first communication port communicates with the first flow path.

5. 3. The quick release connector according to claim 2, wherein when the second blocking member and the annular pressing preventing member are separated, a hollow area is formed therebetween, communicating the second flow path.

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