Filling nozzle

Abstract

To provide a filling nozzle that can prevent a projection at a tip of a clutch from being fixed in a state of being open radially outward.SOLUTION: A filling nozzle (10) is provided at a tip of a filling hose of a fuel filling system. A clutch mechanism (12) for keeping the filling nozzle and a filling port for a vehicle (20: a receptacle) in a connected state includes a clutch (4) that engages with a member on a receptacle side. An elastic body (14: a spring, for example) is disposed in or a near a central portion of the clutch in a nozzle longitudinal direction, and the elastic body (14) energizes the clutch toward a radially inner side of the nozzle. Alternatively, an elastic body spacer (15) having a substantially U-shaped cross section and being ring-shaped as a whole is fitted to an engagement portion engaged with a pipe joint body (1) at a dispenser-side end portion of the clutch in such a manner that the part of the clutch excluding the end portion is energized toward the radially inner side of the nozzle by the elastic body spacer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling nozzle for filling a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen gas.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding such a filling nozzle, in order to prevent deterioration of the seal structure and reduce the possibility of hydrogen gas leakage, the applicant has proposed the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1. Although this technology is useful, when the filling nozzle and the receptacle are coupled, if the protrusions projecting radially outward and inward (having a large radial dimension) formed at the clutch tip of the filling nozzle cannot move radially inward due to freezing or the like and are fixed in a radially outwardly open state, there is a problem that the filling nozzle cannot be disconnected (removed) from the receptacle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a filling nozzle capable of preventing the protrusion at the clutch tip from being fixed in a radially outwardly open state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The filling nozzle (10) of the present invention is provided at the tip of a filling hose of a fuel filling system for filling a hydrogen filling tank mounted on a vehicle with hydrogen from a storage tank storing hydrogen fuel, and has a pipe joint body (1) connected to a receptacle (20). A pipe joint inner flow path (1A) is formed inside the pipe joint body (1) of the filling nozzle (10). A rod (2) having a valve body (2A) at one end is slidably disposed in the pipe joint inner flow path (1A), and a valve seat (1H) on which the valve body (2A) seats is formed. An elastic member (3) that biases the valve body (2A) against the valve seat (1H) is disposed. A clutch mechanism (12) for maintaining the connected state of the filling nozzle (10) and the vehicle filling port (20: receptacle) is provided. The clutch mechanism (12) includes a clutch (4) that engages with a member on the receptacle (20) side. The clutch (4) extends in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle. An elastic body (14: for example, a spring) is disposed at or near the central portion of the clutch (4) in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle. The elastic body (14) biases the clutch (4) inward in the radial direction of the nozzle.

[0006] Also, the filling nozzle (10-2) of the present invention is provided at the tip of a filling hose of a fuel filling system that fills a vehicle-mounted hydrogen filling tank mounted on a vehicle with hydrogen from a storage tank storing hydrogen fuel, and has a pipe joint body (1) connected to the receptacle (20). A pipe joint inner flow path (1A) is formed inside the pipe joint body (1) of the filling nozzle (10-2). A rod (2) having a valve body (2A) at one end is slidably disposed in the pipe joint inner flow path (1A), and a valve seat (1H) on which the valve body (2A) seats is formed. An elastic member (3) that biases the valve body (2A) against the valve seat (1H) is disposed. A clutch mechanism (12) for maintaining the connected state of the filling nozzle (10-2) and the vehicle filling port (20: receptacle) is provided. The clutch mechanism (12) includes a clutch (4) that engages with a member on the receptacle (20) side. The clutch (4) extends in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle. An engaging portion (annular recess 1D) where the end portion on the side separated from the receptacle (20) of the clutch (4) engages with the pipe joint body (1) is fitted with an elastic spacer (15) having a substantially U-shaped cross section and an overall ring shape such that the portion of the clutch (4) other than the said end portion is biased inward in the radial direction of the nozzle (10-2) by the elastic spacer (15). The shape of the elastic spacer (15) is characterized in that it is substantially complementary to the region radially inward of the engaging portion (1D) where the end portion (4E) of the clutch (4) engages with the pipe joint body (1) (the region radially inward of the radially inward end face 4EB of the end portion 4E).

[0007] Here, in the filling nozzle (10-2) of the present invention, the pipe joint body (1) is preferably formed with an (approximate) annular recess (1D: groove) for accommodating the dispenser-side end portion (4E: clutch base, clutch end) of the clutch (4), and has a drainage channel (7W) communicating the annular recess (1D) with the outside of the pipe joint body (1). Also, in the filling nozzle (10-2) of the present invention, an elastic body (14: for example, a spring) is disposed at or near the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle of the clutch (4), and the elastic body (14) can be configured to bias the clutch (4) inward in the radial direction of the nozzle (10).

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention having the above configuration, an elastic body (14: for example, a spring) is disposed at or near the longitudinal center of the nozzle of the clutch (4), and the elastic body (14) biases the clutch (4) inward in the radial direction of the nozzle (10). Therefore, the clutch (4) is biased inward in the radial direction of the nozzle (10). Thus, even if it becomes difficult to release the engagement of the clutch (4) for some reason, the clutch (4) is pressed inward in the radial direction by the elastic repulsive force of the elastic body (14: spring). As a result, the tip of the clutch (4) moves inward in the radial direction, and the engagement between the end face (4BB) of the protrusion (4B) of the clutch (4) and the end face (5BA) of the protrusion (5B) of the lever (5) is released, and the lever (5) can move in a direction away from the receptacle (20) (leftward in FIGS. 2 and 3). As a result, the protrusion (4B) of the clutch (4) can be removed from the fitting groove (20A) of the receptacle (20), and the filling nozzle (10) can be disconnected from the receptacle (20).

[0009] Here, for example, when moisture contained in the air that has entered the filling nozzle is cooled by the low temperature of the hydrogen gas and freezes, it freezes the clutch (4) and the nozzle components in its vicinity, or may freeze the elastic body (14: spring) and the nozzle components outside the clutch (4) in the radial direction. When the moisture accumulated in the substantially annular recess (1D) of the pipe joint body (1) freezes, the protrusion (4B) of the clutch (4) does not come out of the fitting groove (20A) of the receptacle (20), and the filling nozzle (10) cannot be disconnected from the receptacle (20). However, in the present invention, if a drain passage (7W) is provided that communicates an (approximate) annular recess (1D: groove) that houses the dispenser-side end portion (4E: clutch base portion, clutch end portion) of the clutch (4) formed in the pipe joint body (1) with the outside of the pipe joint body (1), even if moisture accumulates in the recess (1D), it is discharged to the outside of the filling nozzles (10-1, 10-2) via the drain passage (7W), so that the annular recess (1D) is prevented from freezing. Therefore, the inward movement of the clutch (4) in the radial direction is not hindered, and the protrusion (4B) of the clutch (4) comes out of the fitting groove (20A) of the receptacle (20), and the filling nozzles (10-1, 10-2) are disconnected from the receptacle (20).

[0010] Also, in the present invention, an elastic spacer (15) is fitted in the approximate annular recess (1D) of the pipe joint body (1) so as to bias the clutch (4) inward in the radial direction. If the shape of the elastic spacer (15) is a shape that is approximately complementary to the region radially inward of the radially inward end face (4EB) of the end portion (4E) of the clutch (4), it is located in that region, so moisture and foreign matter do not penetrate. Further, the end portion (4E) of the clutch (4) is in contact with the pipe joint body (1) at the contact portion (4EE) on the filling nozzle side end portion in the annular recess (1D). Therefore, the elastic repulsive force (β) acting outward in the radial direction of the elastic spacer (15) acts as a rotational force (CCW) about the contact portion (4EE) as the center of rotation. Due to the rotational force (CCW), the portion other than the end portion (4E) of the clutch (4) is biased inward in the radial direction, so that it can move in the direction of separating the lever (5) from the receptacle (20) (left direction in FIGS. 2 and 3), the protrusion (4B) of the clutch (4) comes out of the fitting groove (20A) of the receptacle (20), and the filling nozzle (10-2) is disconnected from the receptacle (20).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, to understand the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the prior art described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 6516207) will be described. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a filling nozzle 11 is provided at the tip of a filling hose of a fuel filling system that fills a hydrogen filling tank of an FCV with hydrogen, has a pipe joint body 1, and the pipe joint body 1 is connected to a receptacle 20 during filling. A pipe joint internal flow path 1A is formed inside the pipe joint body 1. A rod 2 is slidably disposed in the pipe joint internal flow path 1A, and a valve seat 1H is formed. A valve body 2A is provided at one end of the rod 2, and the valve body 2A seats on the valve seat 1H. An elastic material 3 that biases the valve body 2A against the valve seat 1H is disposed in the pipe joint internal flow path 1A.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, in the state where the pipe joint body 1 and the receptacle 20 are connected, hydrogen gas flows through the inner flow path 1A of the pipe joint and the inner flow path 2B of the rod, or flows through the gap δ1 between the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 2D of the rod and the inner peripheral surface of the inner flow path 1A of the pipe joint, reaches the bottom 20C of the receptacle fitting recess, and flows through the inner flow path 20B of the receptacle. Even if there is hydrogen gas flowing through the gap ε1 between the inner wall surface 20D of the receptacle fitting recess and the outer peripheral surface of the central projection 1E of the pipe joint from the bottom 20C of the receptacle fitting recess, it is sealed by the O-ring 21 provided on the inner peripheral surface 20D.

[0014] In Fig. 2, the clutch mechanism 12 has a function of holding the receptacle-side end of the lever 5 at a radially outer position of the clutch 4 so that the projection 4B of the clutch 4 does not come out of the fitting groove 20A of the receptacle 20. The clutch mechanism 12 has a projection 5B (projection of the lever) provided so as to project radially inward at the receptacle side (right side in Figs. 1 and 2) end of the lever 5, and a ring-shaped elastic member 6 (for example, an O-ring) arranged on the side (left side in Figs. 1 and 2) separated from the receptacle 20 with respect to the projection 5B of the lever. The ring-shaped elastic member 6 is fitted in an elastic body groove 5C formed near the receptacle-side end of the lever 5.

[0015] When the pipe joint body 1 and the receptacle 20 are connected as shown in Fig. 2, the valve body 2A at the tip of the rod 2 is separated from the valve seat 1H, and hydrogen gas flows into the inner flow path 1A of the pipe joint and flows through the inner flow path 2B of the rod and the inner flow path 20B of the receptacle. At that time, the hydrogen gas is at a very high pressure (for example, 70 MPa), and a tensile force F1 (Fig. 2) that tries to peel the pipe joint body 1 from the receptacle 20 acts due to the pressure. As a result of the tensile force F1 acting on the pipe joint body 1, due to the action of the inclined surface 4BA on the side of the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4 that is separated from the receptacle 20 (the left side in Fig. 2) and the inclined surface 20AA on the side of the receptacle fitting groove 20A that is separated from the receptacle 20 (the left side in Fig. 2), as a component force of the tensile force F1, a force RO acting radially outward acts on the clutch 4, and the force RO acting radially outward moves the clutch 4 radially outward.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, which is an enlarged view of the F3 portion in Fig. 2, when the clutch 4 moves radially outward due to the force RO acting radially outward, the ring-shaped elastic body 6 is in a state of being crushed in the radial direction. As a result, in the region FT, the end face 4BB of the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4 and the end face 5BA of the protrusion 5B of the lever 5 are joined. Since the end face 4BB and the end face 5BA are joined, the lever 5 cannot move in the direction away from the receptacle 20 (the left direction in Figs. 2 and 3) from the state shown in Fig. 3. Since the lever 5 does not move, the lever 5 continues to be located radially outward of the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4, suppressing the movement of the clutch 4 radially outward. Therefore, the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4 does not come out of the fitting groove 20A of the receptacle 20, preventing the connection between the pipe joint body 1 and the receptacle 20 from being released.

[0017] In Figs. 2 and 3, when the filling of hydrogen gas is completed and a predetermined pressure relief operation is completed, the tensile force F1 caused by the high pressure of hydrogen gas disappears. Accordingly, the force RO acting radially outward on the clutch 4 also disappears, the clutch 4 returns to its position radially inward (the position before hydrogen gas filling), and the ring-shaped elastic member 6 returns from the crushed state shown in Fig. 3 to a state with a circular cross-section. Therefore, the relative positions in the radial direction (the vertical position in Fig. 3) of the end face 4BB and the end face 5BA become different (not joined), and the state like the region FT in Fig. 3 does not occur. Therefore, unlike the state shown in Fig. 3, the lever 5 can move in a direction away from the receptacle 20 (leftward in Figs. 2 and 3). If the lever 5 is moved in a direction away from the receptacle 20 (leftward in Figs. 2 and 3), the lever 5 is not positioned radially outward of the clutch 4, and the projection 4B can be disengaged from the fitting groove 20A of the receptacle 20. Then, the connection between the pipe joint body 1 and the receptacle 20 can be released.

[0018] The invention of Patent Document 1 described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 is a useful technique. However, due to some factors, if the connection between the end face 4BB of the projection 4B of the clutch 4 and the end face 5BA of the projection 5B of the lever 5 is not released, even if the force RO acting radially outward disappears after the hydrogen filling is completed, the end face 4BB of the projection 4B of the clutch 4 and the end face 5BA of the projection 5B of the lever 5 do not separate, and the lever 5 cannot move in a direction away from the receptacle 20 (leftward in Figs. 2 and 3). In that case, the projection 4B of the clutch 4 cannot be disengaged from the fitting groove 20A of the receptacle 20, and the nozzle 11 cannot be removed from the receptacle 20.

[0019] On the other hand, in the filling nozzle 10 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4, when the force RO acting radially outward disappears after the hydrogen filling is completed, the nozzle 11 can be surely removed from the receptacle 20. In Fig. 4, a spring 14 (elastic body) is disposed at or near the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle of the clutch 4, and the spring 14 biases the clutch 4 inward in the radial direction of the nozzle 10. The structure of the portion where the clutch base 4E (dispenser-side end of the clutch) engages with the tip end portion 1C of the pipe joint body 1 is different from that in Figs. 1 to 3 in the first embodiment of Fig. 4. Although the receptacle 20 is not shown in Fig. 4, the structure on the receptacle side is the same as that in Figs. 1 to 3. In Fig. 4, the left side is the receptacle side. When explaining with reference to FIG. 4, the parts that are the same as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 3, and redundant explanations are not given. In the following, the points different from FIGS. 1 to 3 will be mainly explained.

[0020] In FIG. 4, in the clutch 4 extending in the longitudinal direction of the filling nozzle, a convex portion 4C is formed near the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the filling nozzle. A groove 4D is formed radially outward of the convex portion 4C. A spring 14, which is an elastic body, is disposed in the groove 4D. When the spring 14 is disposed in the groove 4D (see FIG. 4), for example, as shown in FIG. 5, it contracts radially inward by an elastic repulsive force. Such a contracting force acts from the spring 14 on the bottom of the groove 4D and acts in the direction indicated by the arrow F5. The clutch 4 is biased radially inward of the nozzle 10 by the elastic repulsive force (arrow F5) of the spring 14. In FIG. 5, a locking portion 14T protruding radially inward of the clutch 4 is provided at one end of the spring 14, and a hole portion (not shown) is formed at the bottom of the groove 4D. By locking a locking portion (not shown) to the hole portion (not shown) at the bottom of the groove 4D, the spring 14 can be prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction. In addition, a gap 14S is formed between the end provided with the locking portion 14T and the other end 14E2. For example, even if the spring 14 is biased radially inward by an unexpected external force, damage is prevented by the gap 14S. Although not shown, the spring 14 can also be constituted by a tension coil spring connected in an annular shape.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe joint body 1 includes a pipe joint body base portion 1B and a pipe joint body tip portion 1C, and the clutch base portion 4E (the dispenser side end portion of the clutch 4: the right side end portion in FIG. 4) engages with the pipe joint body tip portion 1C in a substantially annular recess 1D. The details of the engagement portion between the substantially annular recess 1D of the pipe joint body 1 and the clutch base 4E are shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the receptacle side is indicated by arrow AR, and the dispenser side is indicated by arrow AD. The dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4 is offset radially inward (downward in FIG. 6) compared to the other portions of the clutch 4. And at the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4, the portion on the receptacle side (the left side in FIG. 6) is the contact portion 4EE, and the contact portion 4EE is engaged with the pipe joint body 1. Also, the outermost end portion 4EA located on the most dispenser side (the rightmost side in FIG. 6) is radially outward (upward in FIG. 6) compared to the contact portion 4EE. At the dispenser-side end portion 4E, the radially inner end face 4EB constitutes an inclined surface that faces radially outward (upward in FIG. 6) toward the dispenser side AD. The radially outer end face of the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4 has an inclined surface 4EC and a flat surface 4ED.

[0022] In FIG. 6, at the dispenser-side end portion 4E, the length of the flat surface 4ED of the radially outer end face indicated by arrow A is movable, the outermost end portion 4EA is movable by the length indicated by arrow B with respect to the pipe joint body 1, and the radially inner end face 4EB is movable by the length indicated by arrow C with respect to the pipe joint body 1. As described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, due to the elastic repulsive force of the spring 14 disposed in the groove 4D formed at or near the longitudinal center of the nozzle of the clutch 4, the clutch 4 is biased radially inward of the nozzle 10. The clutch 4 on which such an elastic repulsive force acts is not supported anywhere on the receptacle side (arrow AR side in FIG. 6), and the end portion 4E on the dispenser side is movable by the lengths indicated by arrows A, B, and C as described above. Therefore, at the engagement portion (recess 1D: see FIG. 4) where the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4 is engaged with the tip portion 1C of the pipe joint body, the elastic repulsive force of the spring 14 does not inhibit the biasing of the clutch 4 radially inward of the nozzle 10.

[0023] In the filling nozzle 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, even if for some reason it becomes difficult to release the connection between the end face 4BB of the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and the end face 5BA of the protrusion 5B of the lever 5 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the clutch 4 is urged and pressed radially inward by the elastic repulsive force of the spring 14. When the force RO (see FIGS. 2 and 3) directed radially outward disappears after hydrogen filling is completed, the tip of the clutch 4 moves radially inward due to the elastic repulsive force of the spring 14, and the connection between the end face 4BB of the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4 and the end face 5BA of the protrusion 5B of the lever 5 is released, and the lever 5 can move in a direction away from the receptacle 20 (left direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). As a result, the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4 can be removed from the fitting groove 20A of the receptacle 20, and the filling nozzle 10 can be disconnected from the receptacle 20. In addition, in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the configuration in which the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4 engages with the tip end portion 1C of the pipe joint body is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6. For example, the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (the configuration described in Patent Document 1) is also possible.

[0024] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, when moisture contained in the air that has entered the filling nozzle 10 is cooled by the low temperature of the hydrogen gas and freezes, it may freeze and bond the clutch 4 and the nozzle parts around it. For example, in a state where the pipe joint body 1 of the filling nozzle 10 is coupled to the receptacle 20, when the moisture accumulated in the annular groove 1D (the recess where the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4 engages) freezes, the clutch 4 cannot move radially inward by the elastic repulsive force of the spring 14, the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4 does not come out of the fitting groove 20A of the receptacle 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and the filling nozzle 10 cannot be disconnected from the receptacle 20. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is difficult to prevent such inconveniences associated with freezing.

[0025] Such inconveniences are eliminated by the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the filling nozzle according to the second embodiment is entirely indicated by reference numeral 10-1. In FIG. 7, a drain passage 7W communicates with an annular recess 1D formed in the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4 formed in the pipe joint body 1. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 8, the drain passage 7W penetrates through the pipe joint body 1. Although not explicitly shown, it communicates with a drain port (not shown) provided at the boundary between the grip of the filling nozzle 10-1 and the filling hose, and is configured to drain water from the boundary to the outside of the filling nozzle 10-1. However, it is also possible to form the drain port at a location other than the boundary between the grip of the filling nozzle 10-1 and the filling hose. In the second embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, even if moisture accumulates in the annular recess 1D, the accumulated moisture is discharged to the outside of the filling nozzle 10-1 through the drain passage 7W, so that the annular recess 1D is prevented from freezing. Therefore, due to the elastic repulsive force of the spring 14, the clutch 4 moves radially inward, and is movable in a direction (leftward in FIGS. 2 and 3) to separate the lever (5) from the receptacle (20). The projection 4B of the clutch 4 disengages from the fitting groove 20A (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the receptacle 20, and the filling nozzle 10 can be disconnected from the receptacle 20. Other configurations and operational effects in the second embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 are the same as those in the first embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0026] Next, referring to FIG. 9, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The filling nozzle according to the third embodiment of FIG. 9 is entirely indicated by reference numeral 10-2. In FIG. 9, an elastic spacer 15 is fitted in an engaging portion where the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4 (the end portion on the side separated from the receptacle 20, the right end portion in FIG. 6) engages with the pipe joint body 1. The elastic repulsive force of the elastic spacer 15 acts on the end portion 4E of the clutch 4 as indicated by the arrow β. The shape of this elastic spacer 15 is substantially complementary to the radially inner region (the lower region of the recess 1D in FIG. 9) in the gap of the recess 1D and is located in that region. If the elastic spacer 15 is located in a region radially inward (downward in FIG. 9) of the radially inward end face 4EB of the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the concave portion 1D, moisture and foreign matter will not penetrate into this region. Also, in the third embodiment of FIG. 9, similar to the second embodiment, a drainage channel 7W communicates with the annular concave portion 1D. Therefore, even if water accumulates radially outward (upward in FIG. 9) of the elastic spacer 15, it is discharged to the outside of the filling nozzle 10-1 through the drainage channel 7W.

[0027] Here, the end portion 4E of the clutch 4 is in contact with the pipe joint body 1 at the contact portion 4EE at the filling nozzle side (arrow AR side: left side in FIG. 9) end portion of the concave portion 1D. Therefore, the elastic restoring force β acting radially outward (upward in FIG. 9) acts as a rotational force indicated by arrow CCW with the contact portion 4EE as the rotation center. It is also possible to generate a rotational force with the corner portion indicated by reference numeral 4EF in FIG. 6 as the rotation center. And the rotational force acting in the direction indicated by arrow CCW becomes a force that moves the receptacle-side portion 4R of the clutch 4 (the portion other than the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4) radially inward. Due to such a force, the clutch 4 moves radially inward, the protrusion 4B of the clutch 4 disengages from the fitting groove 20A (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the receptacle 20, and the filling nozzle 10 is disconnected from the receptacle 20. That is, the elastic spacer 15 is configured to bias the clutch 4 radially inward of the fuel supply nozzle 10-2. In the third embodiment, since a force that moves the receptacle-side portion 4R of the clutch 4 (the portion other than the dispenser-side end portion 4E of the clutch 4) radially inward is generated by the elastic spacer 15, the spring 14 can be omitted. Of course, the spring 14 can be provided, and the clutch 4 can be biased radially inward by both the elastic restoring force of the elastic spacer 15 and the elastic restoring force of the spring 14.

[0028] According to the third embodiment of FIG. 9, due to the effects of the elastic spacer 15 and the drainage channel 7W, the annular concave portion 1D is difficult to freeze. Then, due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic spacer 15, the clutch 4 is biased radially inward, so that the lever (5) can move in a direction away from the receptacle (20) (the left direction in FIGS. 2 and 3), and the projection 4B of the clutch 4 disengages from the fitting groove 20A of the receptacle 20, and the filling nozzle 10 can be reliably disconnected from the receptacle 20. Other configurations and functions / effects in the third embodiment of FIG. 9 are the same as those in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the material of the elastic spacer 15 is preferably independently foamed rubber. In the case of a continuous foam structure, there is a risk of water intrusion, so it is not suitable as the material constituting the elastic spacer 15. However, if only the action of biasing the clutch 4 radially inward is sufficient, it is also possible to employ rubber with a continuous foam structure. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, instead of independently foamed rubber or rubber with a continuous foam structure, synthetic resins such as silicon can also be used. When manufacturing such an elastic spacer, it is possible to manufacture it by pouring molten rubber or silicon into the space of the engaging portion where the end portion 4E (dispenser side end portion) of the clutch 4 engages with the pipe joint body 1. After the poured rubber or silicon hardens, if the hardened rubber or silicon is taken out, the elastic spacer 15 is manufactured. However, since the rubber or silicon poured into the space of the engaging portion hardens to act as the elastic spacer 15, it is also possible to fill it as the elastic spacer 15 without removing it. Regarding the dimensions A to C (FIG. 6) of the elastic spacer 15, it is necessary to consider the composition and characteristics of the rubber or silicon to be poured while taking into account the above-mentioned conditions.

[0030] It should be appended that the illustrated embodiment is merely an example and not a description intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0031] 1 ··· Pipe joint body 1A ··· Flow path inside the pipe joint 1D ··· Annular recess 1H ··· Valve seat 2 ··· Rod 2A ··· Valve body 3 ··· Elastic material 4 ··· Clutch 4E ··· Dispenser-side end of the clutch 5 ··· Lever 7W ··· Drainage path 10, 10-1, 10-2 ··· Filling nozzles 12 ··· Clutch mechanism 14 ··· Spring (elastic body) 15 ··· Elastic body spacer 20 ··· Receptacle (vehicle filling port)

Claims

1. It is provided at the tip of a filling hose of a fuel filling system that fills a hydrogen filling tank mounted on a vehicle with hydrogen from a storage tank storing hydrogen fuel, and has a pipe joint body connected to a receptacle. A pipe joint inner flow path is formed inside the pipe joint body of the filling nozzle. A rod having a valve body at one end is slidably disposed in the pipe joint inner flow path, and a valve seat on which the valve body seats is formed. An elastic member for biasing the valve body toward the valve seat is disposed. It is provided with a clutch mechanism for maintaining the connection state between the filling nozzle and the vehicle filling port. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch that engages with a member on the receptacle side. The clutch extends in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle, and an elastic body is disposed at or near the center in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle of the clutch. The elastic body biases the clutch inward in the radial direction of the nozzle. The pipe joint body is formed with an annular recess for accommodating the dispenser-side end of the clutch, and has a drainage channel communicating the annular recess with the outside of the pipe joint body. The filling nozzle is characterized by this.

2. It is provided at the tip of a filling hose of a fuel filling system that fills a hydrogen filling tank mounted on a vehicle with hydrogen from a storage tank storing hydrogen fuel, and has a pipe joint body connected to a receptacle. A pipe joint inner flow path is formed inside the pipe joint body of the filling nozzle. A rod having a valve body at one end is slidably disposed in the pipe joint inner flow path, and a valve seat on which the valve body seats is formed. An elastic member for biasing the valve body toward the valve seat is disposed. It is provided with a clutch mechanism for maintaining the connection state between the filling nozzle and the vehicle filling port. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch that engages with a member on the receptacle side. The clutch extends in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle. At the engaging portion where the end of the clutch on the side away from the receptacle engages with the pipe joint body, an elastic body spacer having a substantially U-shaped cross section and an overall ring shape is fitted so that the portion of the clutch other than the said end is biased inward in the radial direction of the filling nozzle by the elastic body spacer. The filling nozzle is characterized in that the shape of the elastic body spacer is substantially complementary to the region radially inward of the engaging portion where the end of the clutch engages with the pipe joint body.

3. The filling nozzle according to Claim 2, wherein the pipe joint body is formed with an annular recess for accommodating the dispenser-side end of the clutch, and has a drainage channel communicating the annular recess with the outside of the pipe joint body.

4. The filling nozzle according to claim 2, wherein an elastic body is disposed at or near the longitudinal center of the nozzle of the clutch, and the elastic body biases the clutch inward in the radial direction of the filling nozzle.

Images