Filter built-in fitting

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a joint with a built-in filter which allows replacement of the filter without requiring removal of the joint from piping, thereby facilitating the replacement of the filter. This joint with the built-in filter comprises first and second inflow / outflow port portions (21, 22), a communicating space (24) formed so as to communicate with the first and second inflow / outflow port portions, and an opening portion for maintenance (23) which is air-tightly sealed during non-maintenance. A filter element (50) has a tubular filter main body (51), a base end portion 52 which is air-tightly attached to an opening portion at one end of the filter main body and which is provided with a sealing ring (55) disposed between an outer peripheral surface thereof and an inner surface of the communicating space, and a distal end portion (56) which is disposed so as to air-tightly seals an opening portion at the other end of the filter main body. The opening portion for maintenance has a predetermined opening size and is disposed at a predetermined position in a joint main body. A surface of the distal end portion on the maintenance opening portion side is provided with a locking means (57) for inserting and removing the filter element.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling that is disposed in a flow path through which a high-pressure fluid such as hydrogen flows and that incorporates a filter that removes impurities. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of high-pressure hydrogen gas is expanding for fuel cell vehicles and the like. For example, when supplying high-pressure hydrogen gas for fuel cells at hydrogen stations, etc., impurities in the gas must be removed, as they could have a negative effect on the fuel cell. A filter device to remove impurities must be installed in the hydrogen gas piping flow path.

[0003] As devices for removing impurities from hydrogen gas, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose fittings with built-in filters midway through piping. The fitting disclosed in Patent Document 1 is shown in Fig. 6. The fitting disclosed in Patent Document 2 is shown in Fig. 7.

[0004] In the joint shown in FIG. 6, the body 110 has a pipe connection portion 120 for connection to a pipe. The cap 111 is a joint that is placed midway through the piping and has a pipe connection portion 130 that connects to the piping. A cylindrical space 122 is formed inside the body 110, and a filter element 113 with a bottom portion 140 is placed inside the cylindrical space 122. The filter element 113 is connected to a holder 143 via a seal mechanism 115, and a through-hole is formed in the holder 143 that communicates with the pipe connection portion 120. The cap 111 is formed with a flow path 128 that communicates with the piping, and the cap 111 and body 110 are screwed together. When the cap 111 is screwed in, a spring 114 on the right side of the cap 111 is compressed, and the compression force presses the filter element 113 to the right, compressing an O-ring between the holder 143 and the body 110 to form a seal.

[0005] 7, a joint body 220 of a filter-integrated joint 210 has a first inlet / outlet section 221 and a second inlet / outlet section 222, and these inlet / outlet sections are connected to piping. A communication space 224 is formed inside the joint body 220. A filter element 240 is disposed inside the communication space 224, and a filter body 241 and a base end through-hole 242b that communicates with the opening of the filter body 241 and the second inlet / outlet section 222 are formed. One end of the filter body 241 is airtightly fixed to the opening of the filter body 241, and a female screw for installing the filter element is formed on the inner circumference of the joint body 220. 225 The other end of the filter body 241 is screwed together with a cylindrical base end 242 for airtight connection. The base end 242 is formed with a flange 242a having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filter body 241. The flange 242a is formed with a tool engagement portion 243. 220 A maintenance opening 223 is further formed in the filter element 240. During maintenance, a tool can be inserted through the maintenance opening 223, the tip of the tool can be engaged with the tool engagement portion 243, and the tool can be rotated to attach or remove the filter element 240. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-155061 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-089004 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The filter-integrated joint shown in Fig. 6 has the problem that pipe connection part 130, through which the fluid flows, must be removed during maintenance of filter element 113, and that if the fluid pressure on the pipe connection part 120 side increases, filter element 113 will move to the left against the biasing force of spring 114, loosening the seal (O-ring) between body 110 and holder 143. In filter-integrated joint 210 shown in Fig. 7, filter element 240 is threadedly engaged with fitting main body 220, so that filter element 240 will not move even if fluid pressure on the second inlet / outlet side increases; however, because a tool must be engaged with tool engagement part 243 at the back of communication space 224 to release the threaded engagement, there is the problem that attaching and removing filter element 240 takes some effort.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a joint with a built-in filter that allows the filter to be replaced without removing the joint from the piping, thereby facilitating filter replacement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention (1) provides a fitting body including a first inlet / outlet section and a second inlet / outlet section connected to a pipe through which a fluid flows, a communication space formed to communicate with the first inlet / outlet section and the second inlet / outlet section, and a maintenance opening that communicates with the communication space and is airtightly sealed when maintenance is not being performed; a cylindrical filter body; a base end portion having a through-hole airtightly communicating with the first inlet / outlet portion or the second inlet / outlet portion at an opening at one end of the filter body; and a tip end portion disposed so as to airtightly close the opening at the other end of the filter body; and a filter element disposed in the communication space, The filter element is movably and slidably disposed in the communication space, The filter-embedded joint is provided with a seal ring on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion for airtightly sealing a gap between the base end portion and the inner peripheral surface of the communication space.

[0010] In the filter-embedded joint of the present invention (1), the filter element is arranged in a sliding contact state so as to be movable within the communication space, and the outer surface of the base end is provided with a seal ring that airtightly seals the gap with the inner surface of the communication space. Therefore, even if the fluid pressure fluctuates upstream or downstream of the fluid flow path and causes the filter element to move, the airtightness between the joint body and the filter element will not decrease.

[0011] The present invention (2) is a filter-embedded fitting according to the present invention (1), in which the maintenance opening has a predetermined opening size so that the filter element can be inserted and removed during maintenance, and is disposed at a predetermined position on the fitting body, and the surface of the tip portion facing the maintenance opening is provided with a locking means for inserting and removing the filter element using a tool.

[0012] In the filter-integrated joint of present invention (2), the locking means provided at the tip of the filter element is close to the maintenance opening, making it easy to insert or remove the filter element. Furthermore, because the filter element and the joint body are not fixed by screwing, there is no need to rotate the filter element to release the screwing, and the filter element can be inserted or removed in a straight line, making the work even easier.

[0013] The present invention (3) is the filter-integrated joint of the present invention (1) or (2), characterized in that the locking means is a screw hole.

[0014] In the present invention (3), the locking means is a threaded hole, which makes processing easy and reduces costs, and the tool only needs to have a male thread at the tip, so a simple tool can be used.

[0015] The present invention (4) provides a fitting body including a first inlet / outlet section and a second inlet / outlet section connected to a pipe through which a fluid flows, a communication space formed to communicate with the first inlet / outlet section and the second inlet / outlet section, and a maintenance opening that communicates with the communication space and is airtightly sealed when maintenance is not being performed; a cylindrical filter body; a base end portion having a through-hole airtightly communicating with the first inlet / outlet portion or the second inlet / outlet portion at an opening at one end of the filter body; and a tip end portion disposed so as to airtightly close the opening at the other end of the filter body; and a filter element disposed in the communication space, The filter element is movably and slidably disposed in the communication space, a seal ring provided on an outer peripheral surface of the base end portion to airtightly seal a gap between the base end portion and an inner peripheral surface of the communication space; the maintenance opening has a predetermined opening size so that the filter element can be inserted and removed during maintenance, and is disposed at a predetermined position on the joint body; and a sealing cap having a protrusion that penetrates into the communication space is disposed at the maintenance opening, This is a filter-integrated joint in which a connecting mechanism that connects the tip portion and the protrusion is provided between the surface of the tip portion on the maintenance opening side and the surface of the protrusion on the tip portion side.

[0016] In the present invention (4), the protruding portion at the tip of the sealing cap inserted into the maintenance opening penetrates into the communicating space, and this protruding portion and the tip of the filter element are connected by a connecting mechanism. Therefore, since the sealing cap and the filter element are connected, it is possible to insert and remove the filter element using the sealing cap without using a tool to insert or remove the filter element.

[0017] The present invention (5) is the filter-integrated joint of the present invention (4), characterized in that the connecting mechanism has an integral structure in which the tip portion and the protrusion portion are integrated.

[0018] The present invention (5) has an integral structure in which the tip and the protrusion are integrated, so the number of parts is reduced and the effort of connecting the tip and the protrusion is not required.

[0019] The present invention (6) is the filter-integrated joint of the present invention (4), characterized in that the connecting mechanism has a male thread formed on one of the tip portion and the protruding portion, and a female thread formed on the other, and the male thread and the female thread are screwed together.

[0020] In the present invention (6), a male thread is formed on either the tip or the protruding portion, and a female thread is formed on the other, and the connecting mechanism is formed by threaded engagement of the male and female threads, making it possible to insert and remove the filter element simply and easily.

[0021] The present invention (7) is the filter-integrated joint of the present invention (4), characterized in that the connecting mechanism has a T-shaped protrusion formed on one of the tip portion and the protruding portion, and a T-shaped recess that fits into the T-shaped protrusion formed on the other, and is formed by connecting the T-shaped protrusion and the T-shaped recess.

[0022] In the present invention (7), a T-shaped protrusion is formed on either the tip or the protruding portion, and a T-shaped recess that fits into the T-shaped protrusion is formed on the other, and the connecting mechanism is formed by connecting the T-shaped protrusion and the T-shaped recess, making it possible to insert and remove the filter element simply and easily. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the filter-incorporating joint of the present invention, the filter can be replaced without removing the joint from the piping, making filter replacement easy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 shows a first embodiment of a filter-integrated joint according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 shows a second embodiment of a filter-integrated joint according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 shows a third embodiment of a filter-integrated joint according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 shows a fourth embodiment of a filter-integrated joint according to the present invention. [Figure 5]10 shows a fifth embodiment of a filter-integrated joint according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 shows a conventional filter-integrated joint described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 7] 1 shows a conventional filter-integrated joint described in Patent Document 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, up, down, left, and right refer to the up, down, left, and right of the figure. This "up, down, left, right" is for convenience, and the up, down, left, and right may be reversed during installation.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a filter-integrated joint according to the present invention. A joint body 20 of the filter-integrated joint 10 has a first inlet / outlet section 21 and a second inlet / outlet section 22, which are connected to piping. First inlet / outlet section female threads 21a and second inlet / outlet section female threads 22a are used for connection to the piping. A communication space 24 is formed inside the joint body 20, and the communication space 24 communicates with the first inlet / outlet section 21 and the second inlet / outlet section 22 via first communication passages 21b and second communication passages 22b, respectively.

[0027] A filter element 50 is disposed inside the communication space 24. The filter element 50 includes a filter body 51 made of a filter material, and a base end 52 having a base end through-hole 53 communicating with the opening of the filter body 51 and the second inlet / outlet portion 22, and one end of the base end 52 being airtightly fixed to the opening of the filter body 51.

[0028] A base end sealing groove 54 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end 52, and a base end seal ring 55 is fitted into this base end sealing groove 54, and this base end seal ring 55 is in close contact with the inner peripheral wall of the communicating space 24.

[0029] A tip portion 56 is airtightly disposed in another opening of the filter body 51, and a locking means 57 is formed on the left surface of the tip portion 56. In the first embodiment, the locking means 57 is a screw hole. A tool is engaged with the locking means 57 to insert or remove the filter element.

[0030] A maintenance opening 23 is formed on the left surface of the joint body 20. This maintenance opening 23 is an opening for inserting and removing the filter element 50. In order to insert and remove the filter element 50, the maintenance opening 23 has an appropriate opening size and is positioned in an appropriate position.

[0031] A sealing cap 30 is fitted into the maintenance opening 23. The sealing cap 30 is equipped with a slotted bolt 31 and a cap 36. The slotted bolt 31 has a small diameter hole 33, a tapered hole portion 34, and a large diameter hole 35 formed therein, and a sealing cap male thread 32 formed on the outer circumferential surface, which screws into the maintenance opening female thread 23a formed in the joint body 20.

[0032] A cap 36 is inserted into the slotted bolt 31. The cap 36 has a small-diameter portion 37, a tapered portion 38, a large-diameter portion 39, and a protruding portion 40, which penetrates into the communication space 24. A seal ring groove 41 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 40, and a seal ring 42 is disposed in this groove. The seal ring 42 also closely contacts the inner peripheral surface of the communication space 24, so that fluid passing through the first communication passage 21b and the second communication passage 22b does not leak out from the communication space 24 other than through these communication passages. Furthermore, because the sealing cap 30 is configured like the slotted bolt 31 and the cap 36 as shown in the figure, the cap 36 is less likely to rotate when the slotted bolt 31 is turned.

[0033] The protrusion end face 40a on the right end face of the protrusion 40 is located near the left end face of the tip portion 56, and even if the pressure of the fluid on the second communication passage side increases and the filter element 24 is moved to the left, this protrusion end face 40a acts as a wall to prevent the filter element 24 from moving any further to the left, and the fluid will not leak to the outside except from the specified flow passage of the communication space 24.

[0034] The procedure for removing the filter element 50 from the communication space 24 in the filter-integrated fitting 10 of Example 1 shown in Figure 1 will be described below. The fluid on-off valve attached to the piping is closed to shut off the flow of fluid. Next, the sealing cap 30 is turned and removed. Next, the small diameter portion 31 of the cap 36 is grasped and pulled out. At this stage, the locking means (threaded hole) 57 formed on the left end face of the tip 56 of the filter element 50 is visible through the maintenance opening 23. The filter element 50 can be removed by threading the male thread of a tool with a male thread at its tip into the threaded hole 57 and pulling it out. When placing the filter element 50 in the communication space 24, it can be easily done by reversing the removal procedure.

[0035] 2 shows the second embodiment, which differs from FIG. 1 only in that a seal ring groove 41' is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 56, and a seal ring 42' is fitted into this seal ring groove 41'. Even with this structure, even if the filter element 24 is moved to the left, the protruding portion end face 40a acts as a wall to prevent the filter element 24 from moving further to the left, and fluid will not leak to the outside except from the specified flow path of the communication space 24. The method of inserting and removing the filter element 50 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a third embodiment, which differs from Figure 1 in that the tip portion 56 and the protruding portion 40 are integrated. This integration eliminates the need for the locking means 57 shown in Figure 1. This integration prevents the filter element 50 from moving sideways even when the fluid pressure on the second communication passage 22b side increases. Furthermore, the filter element 50 can be easily inserted and removed without using a dedicated tool.

[0037] The procedure for removing the filter element 50 from the communication space 24 in the filter-integrated fitting 10 of Example 3 shown in Figure 3 will be described below. The fluid on-off valve attached to the piping is closed to shut off the flow of fluid. Next, the sealing cap 30 is turned and removed. Next, the small diameter portion 37 of the cap 36 is grasped and pulled out. Since the cap 36 and the filter element 50 are integrated, the filter element 50 can be removed. When placing the filter element 50 in the communication space 24, it can be easily placed by performing the removal procedure in reverse.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment, which differs from the third embodiment in Figure 3 in that the protrusion 40 and the tip 56 are separate rather than integral, and are connected to each other by locking means (male thread) 57a and locking means (female thread) 57b. This connection prevents the filter element 50 from moving sideways even if the fluid pressure on the second communication passage 22b side increases. Furthermore, the filter element 50 can be easily inserted and removed without using a dedicated tool.

[0039] The procedure for removing the filter element 50 from the communication space 24 in the filter-integrated joint 10 of Example 4 shown in Figure 4 will be described below. The fluid on-off valve attached to the piping is closed to shut off the flow of fluid. Next, the sealing cap 30 is turned and removed. Next, the small diameter portion 37 of the cap 36 is grasped and pulled out. Because the cap 36 and the filter element 50 are connected only by the locking means (external thread) 57a and the locking means (internal thread) 57b, the filter element 50 can be easily removed by turning it by hand. When placing the filter element 50 in the communication space 24, it can be easily placed by performing the removal procedure in reverse.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a fifth embodiment, which differs from the fourth embodiment in Fig. 4 in that locking means (male thread) 57a is replaced by locking means (T-shaped protrusion) 57c, and locking means (female thread) 57b is replaced by locking means (T-shaped recess) 57d. Locking means (T-shaped recess) 57d is a groove formed in protrusion end face 40a, and locking means (T-shaped recess) 57d can be connected by fitting locking means (T-shaped protrusion) 57c into locking means (T-shaped recess) 57d from an opening on the side surface of protrusion 40. In the fifth embodiment, the locking means is T-shaped, but is not limited to T-shaped as long as it can be locked in other shapes, such as a dovetail groove shape or a major arc shape.

[0041] The procedure for removing the filter element 50 from the communication space 24 in the filter-integrated joint 10 of Example 5 shown in Figure 5 will be described. The fluid on-off valve attached to the piping is closed to shut off the flow of fluid. Next, the sealing cap 30 is turned and removed. Next, the small diameter portion 37 of the cap 36 is grasped and pulled out. Because the cap 36 and the filter element 50 are connected only by a combination of the locking means (T-shaped protrusion) 57c and the locking means (T-shaped recess) 57d, the filter element 50 can be easily removed by shifting it laterally. When placing the filter element 50 in the communication space 24, it can be easily placed by performing the removal procedure in reverse. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] When the filter-incorporating joint of the present invention is used, the filter can be attached and detached without separating the piping from the joint, which saves time and effort. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10: Filter built-in fitting 20: Joint body 21: First inlet / outlet 21a: First inlet / outlet female thread 21b: 1st communication passage 22: Second inlet / outlet 22a: Second inlet / outlet female thread 22b:Second communication passage 23: Maintenance opening 23a: Maintenance opening female thread 24: Communication space 30: Sealing cap 31: Perforated bolt 32: Male thread sealing cap 33: Small diameter hole 34: Tapered hole 35: Large diameter hole 36: Cap 37: Small diameter part 38: Tapered section 39: Large diameter section 40:Protrusion 40a: Projection end surface 41, 41': Seal ring groove 42, 42': Seal ring 50: Filter element 51: Filter body 52: Proximal end 53: Base end through hole 54: Base end sealing groove 55: Base end seal ring 56:Tip 57:Latching means 57a: Locking means (male screw) 57b: Locking means (female thread) 57c: Locking means (T-shaped protrusion) 57d: Locking means (T-shaped recess)

Claims

1. a coupling body including a first inlet / outlet section and a second inlet / outlet section connected to a pipe through which a fluid flows, a communication space formed to communicate with the first inlet / outlet section and the second inlet / outlet section, and a maintenance opening section communicating with the communication space and airtightly sealed when maintenance is not being performed; a filter element disposed in the communication space, the filter element having a cylindrical filter body, a base end portion having a through hole airtightly communicating with the first inlet / outlet portion or the second inlet / outlet portion at an opening portion at one end of the filter body, and a tip end portion disposed so as to airtightly close an opening portion at the other end of the filter body, The filter element is movably and slidably disposed in the communication space, The joint with a built-in filter is provided with a seal ring on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion for air-tightly sealing a gap between the base end portion and the inner peripheral surface of the communication space.

2. The maintenance opening has a predetermined opening size so that the filter element can be inserted and removed during maintenance, and is disposed at a predetermined position of the joint body, 2. The filter-embedded joint according to claim 1, wherein a locking means is provided on a surface of said tip portion facing said maintenance opening for inserting and removing said filter element with a tool.

3. 3. The joint with a built-in filter according to claim 2, wherein the locking means is a screw hole.

4. a coupling body including a first inlet / outlet section and a second inlet / outlet section connected to a pipe through which a fluid flows, a communication space formed to communicate with the first inlet / outlet section and the second inlet / outlet section, and a maintenance opening section communicating with the communication space and airtightly sealed when maintenance is not being performed; a filter element disposed in the communication space, the filter element having a cylindrical filter body, a base end portion having a through hole airtightly communicating with the first inlet / outlet portion or the second inlet / outlet portion at an opening portion at one end of the filter body, and a tip end portion disposed so as to airtightly close an opening portion at the other end of the filter body, The filter element is movably and slidably disposed in the communication space, a seal ring provided on an outer circumferential surface of the base end portion for air-tightly sealing a gap between the base end portion and an inner circumferential surface of the communication space; the maintenance opening has a predetermined opening size so that the filter element can be inserted and removed during maintenance, and is disposed at a predetermined position of the joint body; and further, a sealing cap having a protrusion that penetrates into the communication space is disposed at the maintenance opening, A filter-embedded joint in which a connecting mechanism that connects the tip portion and the protrusion is provided between a surface of the tip portion on the maintenance opening side and a surface of the protrusion on the tip portion side.

5. 5. The filter-embedded joint according to claim 4, wherein the connecting mechanism has an integral structure in which the tip portion and the protrusion portion are integrated together.

6. The filter-embedded joint according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting mechanism is formed by a male thread on one of the tip portion and the protrusion, and a female thread on the other, and the male thread and the female thread are screwed together.

7. The filter-embedded joint as described in claim 4, characterized in that the connecting mechanism comprises a T-shaped protrusion formed on one of the tip portion and the protrusion, and a T-shaped recess formed on the other portion that fits into the T-shaped protrusion, and is formed by connecting the T-shaped protrusion and the T-shaped recess.

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