Connection structure for pressure detection device

Abstract

It allows the units to be connected and disconnected. [Solution] The unit 20 has an insert member 22, with a pressure-sensing part fixed facing downward in the center. An inner annular wall 22a is formed on the outer edge, and the outer surface of the inner annular wall 22a is a polyhedron having multiple faces 22b, with locking protrusions 22d protruding outward from the outer surface. The unit 30 is provided with a receiving member 32 that receives the insertion member 22, and the receiving member 32 is provided with a thin film portion 31 and a tubular body 33, and an outer annular wall 32a is formed on the outer edge, and a flat portion 32b that abuts against the face body 22b is formed on the inner wall of this, and further a notch 32c is formed into which the locking protrusion 22d can be inserted from above, and a locking portion 32d extends into the notch 32c to prevent the inserted locking protrusion 22d from coming off after being rotated. By connecting the units 20 and 30 by rotating them, the pressure sensitive portion comes into contact with the thin film portion 31, making it possible to detect the pressure of the liquid.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure in a pressure detection device for detecting, for example, a fluid pressure in a pipe line. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a pressure detection device that detects the pressure of a liquid by connecting a sensor unit having a pressure-sensitive portion to a conduit unit in which a flow path for guiding a liquid such as a chemical solution is formed.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the sensor unit and the conduit unit are connected to each other using a plurality of screws.

[0004] Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, the sensor unit and the conduit unit are connected and disconnected with almost a single touch via a connecting member, which is a third member that is part of the connecting structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-227525 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Publication No. 10,962,158 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the configuration of Patent Document 1, the sensor unit and the conduit unit must be connected and disconnected using multiple screws, which is extremely time-consuming. Also, because the space between the sensor unit and the conduit unit must be sealed, connection and disconnection while fluid is flowing is impossible.

[0007] On the other hand, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, the operation of connection and disconnection is easier than in Patent Document 1, and connection is possible even while fluid is flowing, but a large-scale connecting member, which is a third member, is required for connection and disconnection. Also, there are cases where a part of the connecting member protrudes to the outside, and there is a risk that another member may accidentally get caught on this connecting member, causing the connecting member to move and become disconnected.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a connection structure for a pressure detection device that allows connection and disconnection between a sensor unit and a conduit unit by simple operation using connection mechanisms provided on each unit, and that enables these to be done with a single touch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The connection structure in the pressure detection device according to the present invention comprises a sensor unit and a measured unit to which the sensor unit is attached and detachably connected, and which has a measured body inside, and the sensor unit and the measured unit are connected and disconnected by rotating relatively in the circumferential direction, the sensor unit is made up of a substantially disk-shaped insert member, a pressure-sensitive part arranged in the center of the insert member, an inner annular wall formed on the outer edge of the insert member, and a locking protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the inner annular wall, and the measured unit is made up of a substantially disk-shaped insert member and ... and a locking protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the inner annular wall, and the measured unit is connected and disconnected by rotating the insert member relative to the inner The device is composed of a receiving member to be inserted, a thin film portion provided on the receiving member, the back surface of which contacts the measured object and the front surface of which contacts the pressure-sensitive portion, and an outer annular wall formed on the periphery of the receiving member, wherein a notch corresponding to the locking protrusion is formed in the outer annular wall, and a locking portion extends from the notch in the direction of rotation of the receiving member, and after the locking protrusion of the sensor unit is inserted into the notch of the measured unit, the sensor unit and the measured unit are rotated to move the locking protrusion to the locking portion and lock it, thereby connecting the sensor unit and the measured unit. A flat surface is formed on the inner wall of the outer annular wall of the unit to be measured, and a first face body is formed on the outer surface of the inner annular wall of the sensor unit, the first face body being in contact with the flat surface before the sensor unit and the unit to be measured are rotated relative to each other, and a second face body is formed adjacent to the first face body and in contact with the flat surface after the sensor unit and the unit to be measured are rotated. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention does not require any other separate component for connection, and enables the sensor unit and the conduit unit to be connected and disconnected by a simple operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pressure detection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor unit and the conduit unit before they are connected to each other. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor unit as seen from below. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a main part of the sensor unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a main part of a conduit unit. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the insertion member of the sensor unit is inserted into the receiving member. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory view of a state in the middle of rotation for connecting the insertion member to the receiving member of the pipeline unit. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the inserting member and the receiving member in a connected state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sensor unit 20 and the conduit unit 30 of the pressure detection device 10 in a connected state, FIG. 2 is a perspective view before the connection, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sensor unit 20 as seen from below, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor unit 20.

[0013] The pressure detection device 10 comprises a sensor unit 20 which is connected when used, and a conduit unit 30 which is the unit to be measured, the sensor unit 20 having a pressure-sensitive portion 21 for detecting the pressure of the liquid flowing through the conduit unit 30, and the conduit unit 30 having a thin film portion 31 for transmitting the pressure of the liquid to the pressure-sensitive portion 21. The sensor unit 20 and the conduit unit 30 are placed on top of each other, and can be connected and disconnected by rotating relative to each other.

[0014] The sensor unit 20 has a substantially disk-shaped insert member 22 made of synthetic resin. A cylindrical pressure-sensing unit 21 is inserted downward into the center of the insert member 22, perpendicular to the plate surface, and is fixed to the insert member 22 by screwing it into the insert member 22 with a hexagonal member 23 via an O-ring (not shown) for sealing. The pressure-sensing unit 21 is composed of a metal cylinder 24, a flexible plate 25 (e.g., made of metal) provided on the top of the cylinder 24, and a strain gauge (not shown) attached to the inner surface of the flexible plate 25. The rear of the cylinder 24 is covered with a cover member 26, and the output of the strain gauge is connected to an external device via lead wires 27 drawn from the cover member 26. The pressure value of the liquid on the pipe unit 30 side acting on the flexible plate 25 can be detected based on the resistance value of the strain gauge obtained externally via the lead wires 27.

[0015] 5, a schematic plan view of the main part of the sensor unit 20 shows that a thick inner annular wall 22a is formed on the outer edge of the insert member 22, and the outer surface of this inner annular wall 22a is a polyhedron having 12 facets 22b, for example, a regular dodecahedron with an angle of 30° about a center point C. Note that this polyhedron is preferably a multiple of 6, and for example, a regular octahedron with an angle of 20° may be used.

[0016] The radius from the center point C of the inner annular wall 22a to the corner 22c of the polygon, which is the maximum radius, is R, and the radius from the center point C to the center of the face 22b is r, which is slightly smaller than R.

[0017] Furthermore, three thin locking projections 22d, for example, in the shape of claws, protrude radially outward from the lower part of any position on the outer surface of the inner annular wall 22a at equal angular intervals of 120°. The upper corners of these locking projections 22d are formed with inclined surfaces 22e to facilitate insertion into locking portions (described later) during rotation. Furthermore, six operating grooves 22f, for example, are formed radially at equal intervals on the annular upper surface of the inner annular wall 22a.

[0018] 6, the conduit unit 30 is provided with a circular, tray-shaped receiving member 32 made of synthetic resin for rotatably receiving the insertion member 22 of the sensor unit 20, and a pipe 33, through which the liquid whose pressure is to be measured flows, is fixed to the bottom of the receiving member 32. One end of the pipe 33 is a fluid inlet 33a, and the other end is a fluid outlet 34b. A circular hole 34 is formed in the center of the receiving member 32, into which the tip of the pressure-sensing part 21 of the sensor unit 20 is inserted, and a flexible thin film part 31 made of a diaphragm that seals off part of the pipe 33 is disposed at the bottom of the circular hole 34.

[0019] Additionally, a thick outer annular wall 32a is formed on the outer edge of the receiving member 32, with the inner wall having a radius R from the center point C. The inner annular wall 22a of the insert member 22 rotatably fits within the outer annular wall 32a, and one or more flat portions 32b are provided on a portion of the inner wall of the outer annular wall 32a, the surfaces of which abut against the face 22b of the inner annular wall 22a when the insert member 22 is inserted, and the radius of these flat portions 32b from the center point C is r, which is equal to the radius of the face 22b.

[0020] Furthermore, the outer annular wall 32a is formed with three corresponding notches 32c into which the three locking projections 22d of the inner annular wall 22a can be fitted from above. Below the notches 32c, there are formed locking projections 32d shown by dotted lines with eaves that allow the fitted locking projections 22d to rotate in at least one circumferential direction, for example clockwise, and prevent the locking projections 22d from slipping out upward after rotation.

[0021] In addition, four holding portions 35, for example, are attached to the side of the pipe body 33, and these holding portions 35 can be used to fix the pipe unit 30 in a predetermined position or to arrange it stably and orderly during storage, etc.

[0022] In this way, in order to enable the insertion of the insert member 22 into the outer annular wall 32a of the receiving member 32, the radius of the outer surface of the insert member 22 and the radius of the inner wall of the outer annular wall 32a are both set to R, and the radius of the flat portion 32b of the receiving member 32 and the radius of the opposing face 22b of the polyhedron of the insert member 22 are both set to r.

[0023] As an example of approximate dimensions of the pressure detection device 10, the maximum radius R of the outer surface of the inner annular wall 22a and the radius R of the inner wall of the outer annular wall 32a are both about 20 mm, and the radius of the outer edge of the outer annular wall 32a is about 25 mm.

[0024] To put this pressure detection device 10 into a measurement-enabled state, the sensor unit 20 and the conduit unit 30 are connected together. That is, when the inner annular wall 22a of the sensor unit 20 is positioned inside the outer annular wall 23a of the conduit unit 30 and they are connected in an overlapping manner, the pressure-sensing portion 21 is inserted into the circular hole 34, and the flexible plate 25 at the tip of the pressure-sensing portion 21 comes into contact with the thin film portion 31 at the bottom of the circular hole 34, making it possible to detect the pressure of the liquid flowing inside the pipe 33.

[0025] When connecting, the insertion member 22 of the sensor unit 20 is fitted into the receiving member 32 of the conduit unit 30. That is, as shown in Fig. 7, the outer surface of the inner annular wall 22a of the insertion member 22 is inserted into the inner wall of the outer annular wall 32a of the receiving member 32. This insertion is possible because the radius of the inner annular wall 22a and the radius of the inner diameter of the outer annular wall 32a are both R.

[0026] However, because a flat surface 32b with a radius of r is provided on a portion of the inner wall of the outer annular wall 32a, if the corner 22c of radius R of the inner annular wall 22a coincides with this flat surface 32b, insertion is not possible because R>r. Therefore, insertion is performed by finding the relative rotation position of the inner annular wall 22a and the outer annular wall 32a so that the face piece 22b abuts on the flat surface 32b. In this positional relationship allowing insertion, the locking protrusion 22d can be fitted into the notch 32c from above.

[0027] With locking projection 22d fitted into notch 32c from above in this way, for connection, two ends of a Y-shaped operating tool (not shown) are engaged in operating groove 22f provided on the upper surface of inner annular wall 22a, and sensor unit 20 is rotated clockwise as shown by the arrow in Fig. 7 relative to conduit unit 30. For this rotation, the radius from center point C of corner 22c of inner annular wall 22a is R, and the sensor unit must pass through flat surface 32b, which has a smaller radius r, and there is a large resistance to this rotation.

[0028] However, when the sensor unit 20 is rotated clockwise with a strong force relative to the conduit unit 30, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressure from the corners 22c of the polyhedral surface causes the flat surface 32b to be pushed outward, allowing the corners 22c to pass over and pass through the flat surface 32b. After passing the corners 22c, the flat surface 32b returns to its original flat shape, and from the first surface 22b' that it had been abutting, the flat surface 32b now abuts against the new adjacent second surface 22b". The rotation angle is 30° when the polyhedron is a dodecahedron, and this rotation provides a clicking sensation as the flat surface 32b returns to its original shape, ensuring a secure connection that is consistent with individual differences between operators.

[0029] As described above, the rotation operation of the sensor unit 20 is explained using an operating tool (not shown), but it is also possible to place a protective cover (not shown) equipped with the above-mentioned rotation operation function further outside the cover member 26.

[0030] The protective cover, which is made of synthetic resin or the like, has multiple protrusions at the bottom end that fit into the operating groove 22f. The protective cover is attached so that it can rotate around the lead wire 27, and by fitting the multiple protrusions into the operating groove 22f, the sensor unit 20 can be rotated without using the above-mentioned operating tool.

[0031] In this way, the locking projection 22d moves clockwise along the extension of the notch 32c and is locked by the locking portion 32d, and the sensor unit 20 is connected to the conduit unit 30 and is ready for use.

[0032] To disconnect the sensor unit 20 from the conduit unit 30, the sensor unit 20 is rotated counterclockwise using the operating tool described above, in the opposite direction to the connection, so that the corner 22c passes over the flat surface 32b, and the locking protrusion 22d is pulled upward out of the notch 32c. This rotation requires a strong force, so it is unlikely that the sensor unit 20 will be rotated unintentionally and disconnected.

[0033] The sensor unit 20 can be configured to be connectable in either the left or right direction, but as in the embodiment, it is preferable to limit the rotation direction of the locking protrusion 22d so that it is connected when the locking portion 32d is rotated only clockwise relative to the notch 32c, and is disengaged when rotated counterclockwise.

[0034] In the embodiment, the entire outer periphery of the inner annular wall 22a is a 12-sided polyhedron, but an octahedron, hexahedron, or the like may also be used. Furthermore, the face 22b may be formed only at a location that operates in response to the flat portion 32b. In other words, it is sufficient to have at least a first face 22b' that abuts against the flat portion 32b when the sensor unit 20 and the conduit unit 30 are rotated relative to each other, and a second face 22b" that is adjacent to this first face 22b' and abuts against the flat portion 32b after rotation.

[0035] As shown in the figure, the pair of flat surfaces 32b and the pair of first and second face bodies 22b', 22b" are arranged so as to face each other in parallel across the center point C of the inner annular wall 22a and the outer annular wall 32a, but they are not limited to being arranged so as to face each other across the center point C. Furthermore, the flat surfaces 32b and the first and second face bodies 22b', 22b" may be formed on only one side.

[0036] In this embodiment, the pair of flat surfaces 32b of the conduit unit 30 are arranged so as to be located directly above the pipe body 33, as shown in Fig. 6. This is because if the flat surface 32b that abuts against the face piece 22b is deformed due to an external impact on the outer annular wall 32a, it will become impossible to rotate and connection / disconnection will be impossible. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the flat surface 32b directly above the pipe body 33, which is a location that is unlikely to be subjected to an impact due to the presence of the pipe body 33.

[0037] When not in use as the pressure detection device 10, a dummy sealing member having a connection mechanism similar to that of the sensor unit 20 can be connected to the conduit unit 30 instead of the sensor unit 20, thereby preventing damage to, for example, the thin film portion 31 inside the conduit unit 30.

[0038] In the embodiment, the fluid is described as the object for which pressure is to be detected, but the object for detection does not have to be a fluid, and may be a stationary liquid or the like.

[0039] Furthermore, the terms "up and down," "left and right," and "front and back" used in the examples are used to facilitate understanding of the drawings and do not specify the product of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Pressure detection device 20 Sensor Unit 21 Pressure-sensing part 22 Insert 22a Inner annular wall 22b facet 22c Corner 22d Locking protrusion 30 pipe tube 31 Film Department 32 Incoming parts and materials 32a Lateral annular wall 32b Planar section 32c undercut 32d is the stop part 33 tube body 34 round hole R, r radius C Center point

Claims

1. A connection structure for a pressure detection device comprising a sensor unit and a measured unit to which the sensor unit is attached and detachably connected, the measured unit having a measured object therein, the connection structure being configured such that the sensor unit and the measured unit are connected and disconnected by rotating relative to each other in a circumferential direction, The sensor unit is composed of a substantially disc-shaped insert member, a pressure-sensitive portion disposed at the center of the insert member, an inner annular wall formed on the outer edge of the insert member, and a locking protrusion protruding from the outer surface of the inner annular wall, the measurement unit is composed of a receiving member into which the insertion member is inserted, a thin film portion provided on the receiving member, the back surface of which contacts the object to be measured and the front surface of which contacts the pressure-sensitive portion, and an outer annular wall formed on the periphery of the receiving member, a notch portion corresponding to the locking protrusion is formed in the outer annular wall, and a locking portion extends into the notch portion in the rotation direction of the receiving member, after inserting the locking protrusion of the sensor unit into the notch of the measured unit, the sensor unit and the measured unit are rotated to move the locking protrusion to the locking portion and lock it, thereby connecting the sensor unit and the measured unit; forming a flat surface on the inner wall of the outer annular wall of the unit to be measured; A connecting structure in a pressure detection device, characterized in that a first face body is formed on the outer surface of the inner annular wall of the sensor unit, which abuts against the flat portion before the sensor unit and the measured unit are rotated relative to each other, and a second face body is formed adjacent to the first face body and abuts against the flat portion after the sensor unit and the measured unit are rotated.

2. 2. A connection structure for a pressure detection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that a circular hole is provided in the center of the receiving member, the thin film portion is placed at the bottom of the circular hole, and when connected, the tip of the pressure-sensitive portion of the sensor unit is inserted into the circular hole.

3. 3. A connecting structure in a pressure detection device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the sensor unit and the measured unit are rotated, the corner between the faces overcomes the flat portion, and the flat portion abuts against the new face.

4. 4. A connecting structure in a pressure detection device as described in claim 3, characterized in that the radius from the center point of the outer annular wall of the flat portion and the radius from the center point of the inner annular wall of the face body are equal to r, and the radius from the center point of the inner wall of the outer annular wall and the radius from the center point of the inner annular wall of the corner portion are both R (>r).

5. 3. A connecting structure in a pressure detection device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pair of flat portions and the pair of first and second face bodies are arranged so as to face each other in parallel across the center points of the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall.

6. The connection structure in a pressure detection device described in claim 5, characterized in that the measured unit has a tubular body in which the measured object is located via the thin film portion, and the pair of planar portions are arranged so as to be located directly above the tubular body.

7. 6. The connection structure in a pressure detection device according to claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the inner annular wall is a polyhedron.

Images